In memoriam: Dr. Ernesto Palomino

Photo: Ernesto “Ernie” Palomino stands in front of his self portrait. Photo courtesy of the La Brocha Art Foundation.

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Former Fresno State faculty member and acclaimed artist and activist Ernesto “Ernie” Palomino died on Oct. 24, 2023. He was 89. 

Born and raised in southwest Fresno, Palomino attended Edison High School. He left high school early and served in the U.S. Marine Corps for two years. His undergraduate journey took him through the San Francisco Art Institute, Fresno City College and Fresno State before making his way to San Francisco State University. Palomino earned a B.A. and M.A. in fine arts from San Francisco State University. In 2017, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from California State University, Fresno. In 2023, Edison High School awarded him an honorary high school diploma for the Class of 1953.

During his time in college, he published his book, “Black and White: Evolution of an Artist,” (1956), with the encouragement and help of his high school art teacher, Elizabeth Daniels Baldwin. The book reproduced the art of his youth from 1945 to 1955 and served as the catalog for his “One Man Show” exhibition at the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco. In 1957, he began using junk materials to create sculptures, which he referred to as “gabacho art,” or Anglo art. Several of these sculptures were used as characters in his semi-animated film “My Trip in a ‘52 Ford,” created for his master’s thesis. The film is considered to be one of the first Chicano films.

“He was a pioneer. He was one of the first to create the genre of what we now call Chicano art,” said Sal Garcia, artist and activist. “For someone who started off with so many disadvantages as a child, growing up in West Fresno in poverty, and having the fortune of having a teacher discover him and suddenly start taking giant steps. He took up the challenge and really made something of himself.”

After graduation, Palomino worked in the Migrant Council in Denver, Colorado, from 1968-1969.

In 1970, he returned to California to become an assistant professor in La Raza studies at Fresno State. After three years, he moved to the Art Department, now the Department of Art, Design and Art History. He continued at Fresno State until his retirement in 1995 and received the title Professor Emeritus of Art in 1996.

“With the passing of Professor Emeritus Ernesto ‘Ernie’ Palomino, our college community mourns the loss of a distinguished artist, activist, and devoted educator,” said Dean of the College of Art and Humanities Dr. Honora Chapman. “Ernie’s impact echoes in the vibrant art scene he cultivated and the students he inspired. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to witness the brilliance of his artistic legacy.”

While a professor, he was active in community organizations and art installations. In the early 1970s, he began organizing a group of Chicano artists he mentored in the Valley. He would often take groups of these young artists to San Francisco and other cities around California to expose them to art in other places. 

“The idea was to make art for our community, to promote our issues and causes and to make ourselves available to the community,” Garcia said. “Ernie became very important in my life as a mentor. It wasn’t so much that he taught me about painting, but it was more about an attitude of making public art, community art, creating art spaces and doing art events.”

In 1979, the group of artists morphed into “Brocha del Valle,” and Palomino served as executive director. The collection of local artists highlighted the social struggles of Central Valley farm workers and Chicanos with public murals, statues and exhibitions. Over time, Palomino and the group of artists operated in a couple of Fresno spaces, including Galleria Compesina, an old school that they used as studies and to network and exhibit local artists and artists throughout the state. These networks proved valuable to many of his students who went on to become prominent Chicano artists or work in the art industry. 

“He was a fabulous artist, musician, painter, sculptor,” said Grace Solis, former executive director of Arte Americas and Fresno State alumna. 

Palomino was also the Artistic Director of Fresno State’s Inner City Mural Project, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. He completed at least eight murals around the Central Valley, including the “Farmworkers” mural at Tulare and F Street in Downtown Fresno, “Cosmic Force” at Wakefield Juvenile Hall, and two “Benito Juarez” portraits at the Selma Farmworkers Office and in Woodlake, California. 

His artistic works were featured in many solo and group art exhibitions across California and in books and magazines, including “Mexican American Artist,” “Rolling Stone” and “Art Forum.” In June 2023, he was interviewed by Laura Augusta as part of the American Art Oral History Program in the Smithsonian archives.

“For me to witness an artist who cared deeply for his community, his family, and to also do art at the same time; he didn’t sacrifice one for the other. He did his best in both,” said Pam Flores, artist, alumna and former personal assistant to Palomino. “Growing up and seeing that delicate balance in my own family, they to hear it from someone who was a professional artist and professor. As I went in my life and faced similar challenges, it let me know that it is possible. You don’t have to sacrifice your art because of responsibilities. You can do both.”

In 1996 and 1997, Palomino flew twice to Okayama, Japan, to visit his daughter Jocelyn Palomino, who taught English. While there, Jocelyn said he gave an art lecture at the public library and entertained the faculty.

“He was the life of the party,” said Jocelyn. “I threw a house party, and the international faculty just loved him.”

In 2010, Palomino unveiled “Coatlicue and the Farm Workers’ Truck” in Sacramento, California. The large bronze statue took Palomino five years to complete and was loosely based on a previous painting called the “Farmworkers Truck.” The statue has been on display in various cities around the Central Valley. 

In his later years, Palomino traveled extensively around the world with his sketchbook, looking for inspiration and inspiring others. He often worked with the next generation of mural artists and was always willing to help university students.

Palomino is survived by his daughter, Jocelyn Palomino, and sons Fresno Palomino, Joaquín Palomino, Calvin Palomino and Billy Palomino, along with his grandchildren, Sol Segura and Esteban Segura.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at St. John’s Cathedral in Downtown Fresno. The Mass will be followed by a reception from 1-3 p.m. at the Phebe Conley Art Gallery at Fresno State. Visitors may use parking code 262514.