PLAINVIEW, TX — 51品茶约炮 Baptist University’s Abraham Art Gallery announces Yuyi Morales: Soñadoras, the first Fall 2026 exhibition.
Yuyi Morales: Soñadoras features the original paintings and prints by the artist. The exhibit, in partnership with the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, opens Sept. 8 and runs through Oct. 30.
Abraham Art Gallery is located on the Atrium level of the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Learning Resources Center on the Plainview campus and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday; and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday. To schedule a tour, please call 806-291-3710.
Yuyi Morales was born in Xalapa, Mexico in 1968, and th ihe influence of her Mexican birthright and culture is evident in all her titles and helps to identify the power of heritage in the work of children’s picture books. Raised in a family of avid storytellers and a father, who encouraged by her love of drawing from a young age, laid a foundation of creative communication in Yuyi’s life.
Yuyi immigrated to the United States in 1994 as a new mother with her 2-month-old son, Kelly, and his American father. During a difficult transition period, she was introduced by Kelly’s grandmother to a local public library. In the children’s book section, she found a gateway to her new life. Even if she did not know all of the words, she could interpret the story through the pictures despite language barriers; in this way, she learned English alongside her son. This initial introduction to a library would lead her down a path to see her childhood dream of being an artist and storyteller come to fruition.
Yuyi is a six-time recipient of the prestigious Pura Belpré award, and the first Latina to receive a Caldecott honor for her book, Viva Frida, in 2015. Her books have been recognized with starred reviews in publications such as Publisher’s Weekly, The New York Times, and Booklist.
Her stories are heavily influenced by her upbringing in Mexico and give poignant insight from an immigrant’s perspective. Dreamers, the recipient of a 2019 Caldecott Honor, speaks to this experience and topic especially. However, pieces of her vibrant past make their way into her other titles as well.
“As anyone who comes to a new country carries with her, with him, all those stories, I brought them with me, too, and I put them in my books all the time,” Morales has said.
Yuyi incorporates various styles, techniques and media to create the rich textures, colors and movement that bring her stories and others to life.
Books featured in this wonderful exhibit will be available for purchase at the gallery desk and all proceeds will go towards the Art Scholarship Fund.
For more information, please call 806-291-3710.
