Juan Carlos Suarez, Board Member
Juan Carlos is a native of Mexico City, but spent his school years in various countries such as Ireland, England and Canada. He grew up in a climate of arts patronage, as his grandfather, Manuel Suarez, would substantially support many artists in Mexico. This patronage started when he helped Spanish refugee artists displaced by the civil war. By the 60's and 70's Manuel Suarez became one of the staunchest patrons of the prominent Muralist movement in Mexico and particularly David Alfaro Siqueiros, whose most ambitious works were commissioned by and came under his patronage.
Juan Carlos did not quite fully appreciate this environment as a youngster, but it all fell in place as a young adult when, after completing his MBA at UCLA he ventured into the real estate business in Los Angeles. After a while, he moved to the fast-growing city of McAllen (South Texas) to develop a property management enterprise, where, by now realizing that art and culture have a deeper impact when brought into people's daily life, he developed apartment properties that integrated local artists and designers into the fold as part of the whole process. This proved not only to be unique in the region, but also highly successful.
While in McAllen he was invited to participate in the arts movement that was then at its dormant stage. He was the founding Chair for the newly created McAllen Arts Council, where he helped draft a Public Art Policy, and the Artwalk movement. He was also invited to become a member of the board of trustees of the International Museum of Art and Science. After 8 years he culminated his term a President of the Board in 2013. While at IMAS, he implemented a Visitor Experience and a Technology initiatives, modeled after the DMA's re-positioning; he enabled the quality of the exhibits to rise to a world class level, featuring major exhibits by artists such as Ron English, Chris Jordan, Colin Christian and a major city-wide project involving 14 monumental sculptures by the Mexican artist Sebastian. IMAS was an interesting experience as it allowed a front row seat and hands on experience into the new realm of how Art and Science are melding together.
He is a member of the Collection Suarez in Mexico City, a private collection that houses the works of many artists among them that practiced and apprenticed at “La Taller” which was Siqueiros’ atelier in Cuernavaca, Morelos. Works of the collection are currently on loan and exhibited at the world renowned Soumaya Museum and the MUNAL in Mexico City.
Juan Carlos now resides in San Antonio. Pursuing his interest in the art and science connection, he currently sits on the boards of Texas Arts Alliance and Blue Star Contemporary and has also joined the Board of Advisers for the Alamo region of National Robotics organization "FIRST" (www.usfirst.org).
Juan Carlos did not quite fully appreciate this environment as a youngster, but it all fell in place as a young adult when, after completing his MBA at UCLA he ventured into the real estate business in Los Angeles. After a while, he moved to the fast-growing city of McAllen (South Texas) to develop a property management enterprise, where, by now realizing that art and culture have a deeper impact when brought into people's daily life, he developed apartment properties that integrated local artists and designers into the fold as part of the whole process. This proved not only to be unique in the region, but also highly successful.
While in McAllen he was invited to participate in the arts movement that was then at its dormant stage. He was the founding Chair for the newly created McAllen Arts Council, where he helped draft a Public Art Policy, and the Artwalk movement. He was also invited to become a member of the board of trustees of the International Museum of Art and Science. After 8 years he culminated his term a President of the Board in 2013. While at IMAS, he implemented a Visitor Experience and a Technology initiatives, modeled after the DMA's re-positioning; he enabled the quality of the exhibits to rise to a world class level, featuring major exhibits by artists such as Ron English, Chris Jordan, Colin Christian and a major city-wide project involving 14 monumental sculptures by the Mexican artist Sebastian. IMAS was an interesting experience as it allowed a front row seat and hands on experience into the new realm of how Art and Science are melding together.
He is a member of the Collection Suarez in Mexico City, a private collection that houses the works of many artists among them that practiced and apprenticed at “La Taller” which was Siqueiros’ atelier in Cuernavaca, Morelos. Works of the collection are currently on loan and exhibited at the world renowned Soumaya Museum and the MUNAL in Mexico City.
Juan Carlos now resides in San Antonio. Pursuing his interest in the art and science connection, he currently sits on the boards of Texas Arts Alliance and Blue Star Contemporary and has also joined the Board of Advisers for the Alamo region of National Robotics organization "FIRST" (www.usfirst.org).
