About the Artist

Amado M. Peña, Jr. was born in Laredo, Texas of Mexican/Indian heritage. He discovered a love of art at a young age and earned many awards during his early years. A distinguished graduate of Laredo Junior College, Peña went on to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in art from what was then Texas A & I University in Kingsville, Texas. Peña’s father encouraged him to get a “real job” so he taught art in Texas public schools for several years; but the call to create art was too strong, so in 1980 he gave up teaching and returned to painting.

Today Peña’s distinctive style of southwest art and Mestizo images is known throughout the world and his work is part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Recognized as an Artisan of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona, Peña is dedicated to furthering the public's knowledge and interest in the Tribe, its art, its history, and its culture.

Amado M. Peña, Jr. is also well known for his humanitarian efforts, and his fund-raising activities have benefited charities such as the March of Dimes, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Native American Rights Fund and the Mexican American Legal and Educational Fund. Peña has also contributed art to help establish endowed scholarships for the League for Innovation in Community Colleges and the Community College Leadership Program at the University of Texas at Austin.

In 1994 Peña and his wife J.B established The Amado and J.B. Peña "Art Has Heart" Foundation that provides opportunities for low and modest income students in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona to further their education.

Peña was the keynote speaker for El Paso Community College’s spring 2003 commencement. At that time the College welcomed him to our family. He took that welcome to heart and became a true family member. In September of 2003, Peña and his wife J. B. donated 20 of his paintings to establish a permanent Peña collection at EPCC and has pledged to add to his collection over the coming years. They also established three scholarships at EPCC through their “Art Has Heart” Foundation.

Peña lives and maintains his Gallery and Studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He says, "I feel blessed having seen and touched the beautiful things that speak so proudly of who we are. Our gifts to the world are our history, our art."