The Laredo Center for the Arts announces the return of The Quest to Dream III: A Rare Collection of the First Printed Don Quixote Illustrations, opening Friday, September 4, during September’s CaminArte, and continuing through October 31, 2026.
This year’s exhibition expands the inaugural presentation with new immersive elements, community artwork, educational programming, and opportunities for students and visitors to engage with one of literature’s most enduring stories. The exhibition brings together art, history, literature, language, and storytelling through more than 65 photographic reproductions of original Don Quixote illustrations first printed in 1738. The illustrations come from the personal rare book collection of Cliffe Killam.
The exhibition will fill the Lilia G. Martinez Gallery of the Laredo Center for the Arts, while the adjacent Community Gallery features the interpretive work of local artists inspired by the epic novel, Don Quixote, written in the early 1600s by the Spaniard Miguel de Cervantes.
Visitors will also encounter large-scale installations and enhancements designed to make the story more immersive and accessible. Opening night on September 4 coincides with CaminArte, bringing the exhibition into a larger downtown celebration featuring beverages, light food, and Don Quixote-inspired festivities.
New additions to the exhibit include the performance of Max Torres, a student of the Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts, singing “The Impossible Dream,” which was written in 1965 by Joe Darion for the Broadway musical, The Man of La Mancha. The song was part of the 1972 film of the same name.
The exhibit includes the music of Amor Brujo, a professional instrumental ensemble known for blending the passion of flamenco with the rhythm and soul of Latin music. Flamenco dancer and instructor Aira Greco, trained at the National Institute of Flamenco in Albuquerque and the acclaimed Amor de Dios studios in Spain, will also perform.
Education remains at the heart of the Don Quixote project. Schools and classrooms throughout the region are encouraged to schedule field trips, giving students the opportunity to experience the material they encounter in the classroom in a completely different manner. Students will explore Cervantes, Don Quixote, the history of illustration, and the themes of the novel through an experiential visit that incorporates visual storytelling, interactive elements, and printmaking activities.
“Sharing this collection is an opportunity to turn curiosity into learning,” said Killam, whose personal collection is the foundation of the exhibition. “Stories have the power to connect us to not just another time but also help us to see how we are connected to each other. I’m proud to collaborate with the Laredo Center for the Arts to make these works accessible to our students and community and to create an experience that encourages people to look closer, ask questions, and discover a fresh perspective that connects them more deeply with our own community,” he added.
According to Alejandra Urrabazo-Martinez, board member of the Laredo Center for the Arts, “What makes this project so exciting is that it continues to grow beyond a traditional art exhibition. We are creating a place where students can see literature, history, art, language, and imagination intersect, and where the Laredo community can experience something truly distinctive.”
The Laredo Center for the Arts has the expectation that the exhibition will continue to evolve each year, bringing together educators, artists, students, families, and the broader community around the enduring legacy of Cervantes and the power of storytelling.
School Field Trips:
Schools, teachers, and classrooms are encouraged to schedule visits to The Quest to Dream. Educational field trips can be arranged by contacting: Alejandra Urrabazo-Martinez at aumartinez@killamco.com.
Exhibit Details:
- Title: The Quest to Dream III: A Rare Collection of the First Printed Don Quixote Illustrations
- Dates: September 4 – October 31, 2026
- Opening Night: September 4, CaminArte with Don Quixote-inspired festivities
- Location: The Laredo Center for the Arts, 500 San Agustin Avenue
- Special Features: 65+ historic illustration reproductions, Community Gallery local art submissions, large immersive installations, audio-visual enhancements, student workshops, guided tours
- Admission: Free (donations encouraged to support future educational & cultural programming)
About The Laredo Center for the Arts
The Laredo Center for the Arts is dedicated to fostering a vibrant arts community in Laredo and the surrounding region. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events, the Center connects people of all ages with art and ideas that enrich and inspire.
