artwork

Kim Snyder is a mixed media artist utilizing collage, assemblage, photography, acrylic, spray paint, and found objects. Her work is on permanent display inside the ticket booth at the historical El Rey theatre on S. 17th Street in McAllen.

A Valley native, Kim lives and works in the McAllen area, taking residence at the McAllen Creative Arts Incubator in October 2006. “Having worked in my family’s auto salvage business for many years, some of my work is inspired by the phenomenon of salvaged cars sitting for years, grass and flowers growing inside of them”, says Kim – a “juxtaposition of the natural and the manmade” (Moyer, 2006). “I respond equally to garbage & refuse as I do to beautiful and precious objects – attempting to seamlessly weave them into my works with both whimsy and respect”.

Her pieces often incorporate religious symbols, keys, and musical instruments. She says “…keys represent beginnings and endings in our lives. First apartments, first cars, break-ups, and new relationships alike. Lately, I am fascinated with keys.”

Snyder’s first group show “The Truth” was in August 2006 at ArtHouse in McAllen in loving memory of guitarist Marty Harvey. Kim successfully completed a one woman art exhibition “Culmination” at the McAllen Creative Arts Incubator in August 2006, a group exhibit at the Brownsville Heritage Complex honoring Women’s History month “History, Herstory, and Heritage” in March 2007, and created a special piece for the “Ofrendas del Corazon” Heart Art Silent Auction in February 2008, earning the second highest bid of the evening. She also exhibited at the first annual McAllen Art and Film Festival in conjunction with Palmfest in October 2007.

Recently, Kim exhibited with Vishal Buxani and Joe Taylor for April 2008 ArtWalk at Renaissance Casa de Palmas and with Omar Manzo for the closing of the season, May 2008 ArtWalk. In the literary and arts journal Interstice, a photograph her her collage "Freedom" adorns the back cover and her piece "La Causa" is featured within the publication. She recently exhibited with the "Live Madness" arts fundraiser for PDAP at the Arts Business District on Main St. in McAllen where she also actively participated in sketching, body painting, and live graffiti artwork. Another event held in August at Dolce in McAllen featured live bodypainting and an art exhibit with Cell, Drept One, Monica Nichol, and Kim Snyder - The Jack Ash Art crew.

Collaborating with Cell and Drept One, Kim (Special K) will complete a commissioned mural for a dance studio in North McAllen (30 ft.) and another in September (60 ft.) For Feldman's Market Center, 2008-2009 was their first season as an ArtWalk venue. Throughout the season, Kim curated those shows and is currently working on the summer Acoustic Series for Summer 2009. Kim took over Espana on Main St. during February 2009 ArtWalk, turning it "junkyard chic" for the evening.