Bob Prager Selena Photographs

Collection

Identifier: Coll-165

Staff Only

This collection consists of a series of photographs and written metadata of Selena tribute murals on Corpus Christi businesses after her murder in 1995.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1995 - 2001

Creator

Prager, Bob (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions

Conditions Governing Use

This material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to taking precautions against infringement of copyright and respecting the publication rights of reproduced materials. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Any materials used should be fully credited with their source according to the example given in the Preferred Citation note. Requests for assistance with citations and images of publication quality should be directed to specialcollections@tamucc.edu.

Extent

0.33 Linear Feet

Abstract

Following the death of Tejano musical entertainer Selena Quintanilla-Perez on March 31, 1995, several local artists commemorated her life and career by painting her likeness in murals on the walls of Corpus Christi businesses. Five of these important expressions of popular art were documented for Special Collections and Archives by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi photography student Bob Prager in 2001.

Biographical / Historical

Selena Quintanilla-Perez, known as Selena, was an American singer and songwriter that achieved unprecedented success in the music industry, winning Female Vocalist of the Year eight consecutive times at the Tejano Music Awards. She was also nominated for three Grammys, and won Best Mexican/American album for her 1994 release, Selena Live! Her 1994 album Amor Prohibido became the best-selling Latin album of all time with five singles charting at number one on the Hot Latin tracks chart. She was also active in educational charity work, and owned two clothing stores, called Selena Etc.

On March 31, 1995 Selena was murdered with a single gunshot by Yolanda Saldiver at a Corpus Christi motel. Saldiver ran Salena’s fan club and stores, and was discovered embezzling money. During a confrontation over the situation, Saldiver pulled a handgun and shot Selena in the back. The bullet nicked an artery and despite escaping the room, she passed away from cardiac arrest due to blood loss. After a standoff with police, Saldiver surrendered and was arrested. The case went to trial in October of 1995. After a two-hour deliberation by the jury, Saldiver was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole until March 2025.

The impact of Selena’s death was felt throughout South Texas and the world. In 1997 Jennifer Lopez played Selena in a film about her life. In Corpus Christi, a life-sized bronze statue of Selena called Mirador de la Flor was created and installed in the downtown Bayfront. Additionally, many local businesses painted murals of her on their interior and exterior walls, which inspired this collection by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi photography student Bob Prager. To this day Selena is known as the most popular Latin American artist in the United States. As of 2014 she had sold over 60 million albums.

Arrangement

This collection is organized by a single series with eighteen folders.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi by Bob Prager on 7-15-1998. The donation was assisted by Thomas H. Kreneck.

Related Materials

Corpus Christi Coffee Club Collection

Processing Information

This collection was arranged by Eric Christensen, Archive Processing Librarian for Texas A&M University– Corpus Christi’s Special Collections & Archives Department. Previously processed by Alston Cobourn in 2017.