The Department of Art at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will hold an opening reception for “Visions from the Backyard: A Survey,” an exhibition by University alumnus Ricardo Ruiz, on Thursday, Feb. 10, from 5-7 p.m. at the Weil Art Gallery, in the Center for the Arts at the university. The reception is free and open to the public.

At 4 p.m., Ruiz, a 1986 alumnus of Corpus Christi State University, will lead a gallery tour and talk on his artistic influences and creative process. The exhibition, which is on display through Saturday, March 5, revolves around Ruiz’s Hispanic heritage and family upbringing and includes examples from his extensive body of paintings, prints and drawings.

Subjects include themes and imagery pertaining to family, cycles of life and death, and Mexican-American folklore. Recently, Ruiz’s work was purchased by actor Cheech Marin for his collection and will be included in an upcoming traveling exhibition.

The Weil Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 361-825-2386.