TODAY · All day
Really Small Museum | Austin Bat Refuge & Juliet Whitsett
Austin Nature & Science Center · South
Past event
Really Small Museum Presents: Ralph Anthony Pacheco
Thursday, October 29, 2026 at Austin Nature & Science Center, Austin
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About this event
Ralph Anthony Pacheco Modern & Historical Indigenous Ornamentation of Texas, 2026 Botanical Jewelry Instagram@mescalcreative | Facebook: @ralph.a.pacheco | @MescalCreative On view at the Austin Nature & Science Center September & October (Regular hours- PLEASE NOTE: ANSC will be closed September 28- Oct 13) MEET & GREET with THE ARTIST | CONOZCA AL ARTISTA: September 27: 9-11 am at the installation. A shadowbox installation by Austin based artist Ralph Anthony Pacheco, an 8th generation resident of San Antonio mission San Jose. His heritage is Texas Lipan Apaches, the mission Indian servants brought from the northern Mexican line of missions, and the local Indians found along the San Antonio River. Central Texas was never rich in gemstones or precious metals, so unlike the silver and turquoise pieces seen in Arizona, they were little used here. From the earliest reports of the Spanish from Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in his journeys, most tribes he encountered wore “mescal beans” which were the seeds of the Texas Mountain Laurel tree as their ornamentation. Indeed they were traded among many tribes due to their vibrant colors. Using the simple materials of his ancestors, Ralph presents three examples of traditional jewelry. The first is the oldest simplest style; the second, showing the impact of the Spaniards and the different materials they brought, which were incorporated by the local people; and finally, Ralph’s modern creation, discplayed alongside the materials in their original state.The Really Small Museum is brought to you by artist & curator: JulietWhitsett.com | @juliet_whitsett_art| @ReallySmallMuseum_atx This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music, & Entertainment.
Who's playing
Ralph Anthony Pacheco is an Austin-based artist and an 8th-generation resident of the San Antonio mission San José. His heritage includes Texas Lipan Apaches, mission Indian servants from the northern Mexican missions, and the local peoples of the San Antonio River. The Really Small Museum is curated by artist Juliet Whitsett.
What to expect
The installation is a shadowbox, so it is a small, close-up piece rather than a gallery show. It presents three examples of jewelry made from the simple materials of his ancestors. The first is the oldest, simplest style. The second shows the changes the Spaniards brought. The third is Ralph's modern piece, shown beside the materials in their raw state. Mescal beans, the seeds of the Texas Mountain Laurel, are central to the story, since early Spanish accounts describe tribes wearing and trading them for their color.
Why go
The show explains why Central Texas ornamentation looks different from Arizona silver and turquoise, and it does so through objects you can look at closely. It sits among the center's pond, trails and native plantings, so you can pair it with a walk. The artist also holds a meet-and-greet at the installation during the run.
Where
Austin Nature & Science Center · 2389 Stratford Dr. · South, Austin TXDirections
