Last Conquistador: Special Screening Tomorrow

UPDATE 7 p.m. 7/9: Tickets are no longer available for the screening at KERA Thursday. But you can still catch the documentary on KERA TV Tuesday at 9 p.m.

There are still a few spaces left for Art&Seek’s reception, special screening of The Last Conquistador and q/a with co-director Christina Ibarra at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow here at KERA, 3000 Harry Hines Blvd. You must RSVP at 214.740.9238. Come join us.

A monumental work of art or a terribly misplaced reminder of cruel history? Conquistador Juan de Oñate is a hero to some in El Paso who feel the Spanish contributions to settling the West is often ignored. To others, he represents oppression and violence, an attempt to obliterate Native American culture.

When sculptor John Houser began creating a huge statue of de Oñate for the city of El Paso, he and his backers hadn’t a clue of the controversy it would create. The Last Conquistador eloquently tells this story.

For more, listen to director John Valadez’ visit with Krys Boyd on Think today.

Rawlins Gilliland

Attended this event and was enormously moved by this documetary. It navigated a very dicey strait to stay balanced when there was ample cause for self-righteous reflex to snap. I found myself understanding and listening to the various points and points of view with an eye and ear to being convinced who was wrong and who was ‘right’. The answer was ‘all of the above’. Many tanks for being given a chance to see and hear Ms. Ibarra. Congrats to all. And of course, as always, props to Krys Boyd whose interview on Wed. w/John Valdez was involving and impressive.