Viva La Reina: How Selena Lives on through Art and Culture

*“The Selena Effect” exhibit at The Wittliff Collections is on display through December 2026. Photo courtesy of The Wittliff Collections*.

Selena Quintanilla’s presence can still be felt 31 years after she was killed in 1995. Her glamour and love of life are reflected in works of art, music, pop culture and among fans who span generations.

At The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University in San Marcos, the “Selena Effect” exhibit showcases Selena through various artistic media, highlighting the big dreams of a young woman from Texas.

As part of the exhibit’s special programming, it recently hosted a conversation titled “La Ofrenda: Selena in Art and Pop Culture.” Hector Saldaña, music curator at The Wittliff Collections, with support from Humanities Texas and By The People: Conversations Beyond 250, invited some of the creators behind the pieces on display at the “Selena Effect.” Visual artist Marc Burckhardt, singer-songwriter and artist Sara Hickman, and renowned photographer Al Rendon joined Saldaña to discuss the legacy Selena left behind.

“(The Selena Effect) really started with a photograph from Al Rendon,” Saldaña said in a recorded Q&A session. “I noticed right away young people were lingering, often longer than they do.”

The photograph, which was on display for a short time at The Wittliff during Hispanic Heritage Month in 2022, was a never-before-seen image of Selena performing before she became a household name.

Selena’s enduring influence on younger generations inspired Saldaña to create a full exhibit on the star and what her legacy means today and into the future, beyond her status as the Queen of Tejano music and as an inspiration in pop culture and beyond.

“She’s grown way beyond just simply being the Queen of Tejano music,” Saldaña said. “She’s achieved the status of icons such as Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.”

Selena-inspired Arte

Burckhardt’s work hangs alone on a wall in the corner of the “Selena Effect.” The piece is made from weathered wood and metalwork, while the image of Selena is hand-painted. The artwork was crafted for the Texas Monthly memorial cover marking the 15th anniversary of Selena’s death in April 2010.

A notable symbol in the piece is the white rose, which Burckhardt described as a symbol of purity and Selena’s favorite flower. A petal falling from the rose elegantly signifies the loss of the young star.

“It’s a piece that’s really created the way Byzantine icons were once created,” Burckhardt said. “I think it’s appropriate to the legend that she is.”

Burckhardt discussed how religion played a role in his piece and how he noticed faith has remained a constant in the world of Selena. Through candles, tapestries and other artwork, Burckhardt recognized how fans have embraced Selena as a saintly figure.

“She means so much not just to South Texas and the Hispanic community, but is an overall icon,” Burckhardt said. “She’s a much bigger figure.”

Coloring Selena’s World

Hickman was inspired to create a Texas musicians coloring book after discovering the variety of coloring book genres, from Prince to David Bowie. The book covers 32 different genres of music, from jazz to Tejano, and includes activity pages with information about the musicians.

For Selena’s page, she included Lotería cards on the activity sheet and drew the Tejano queen on a stamp, with hidden Grammy symbols throughout the drawing.

“We always put the most beloved people we have on stamps,” Hickman said. “She was about progress and bringing Tejano music to everyone, even internationally.”

Hickman said Selena was rising to fame at the start of her own recording career. Although she never got to see Selena perform live, she was greatly inspired by the icon’s authenticity, kindness and femininity in an industry heavily dominated by men at the time.

“Women are subjected to a lot more than men are in the music industry,” Hickman said. “I think we have a lot more awareness now, especially because of what happened to Selena, and how vulnerable we are as women in the music industry.”

Fotos y Recuerdos

From Rendon’s first time working with Selena on the “Entre a Mi Mundo” album cover in 1992 to Coca-Cola promotions, he was amazed by her ability to pose comfortably.

Rendon, who knew Selena personally and worked with her on multiple photography projects over the years, described her as a natural star who remained humble and down-to-earth through it all, always stopping for autographs and photos with fans.

“Men and women all just adored her,” Rendon said. “She had charisma, and it was something I recognized the very first time I saw her perform.”

When Rendon learned of Selena’s death 31 years ago, he was shocked and heartbroken, thinking of what could have become of the young star he had grown to know. He said he believed the Selena frenzy would die down in a year or two, but he was completely wrong.

“She was such a good artist and person that her popularity just continues to grow,” Rendon said. “I think she would be overwhelmed and a little embarrassed by how popular she is.”

IF YOU GO

What: The “Selena Effect” exhibit

Where: The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University, Alkek Library, 7th Floor, Talbot St., San Marcos, TX

When: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Now through December 2026