UNT Shuts Down Dallas Artist's Exhibit, Offers No Explanation

Victor "Marka27" Quiñonez's show exploring his undocumented upbringing was abruptly closed by the university.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:22pm

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The University of North Texas (UNT) shut down a traveling solo exhibition by Dallas-raised artist Victor "Marka27" Quiñonez after it had been open for just 9 days. The show, titled "Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá" and curated by former MoMA PS1 director Kate Fowle, explored Quiñonez's childhood crossing the border at age 4 and growing up undocumented in East Dallas. UNT administrators papered over the gallery windows, locked the doors, and sent the artist a termination email, but have not provided any public explanation for the sudden closure.

Why it matters

The abrupt shutdown of Quiñonez's exhibit, which included an illuminated paleta cart installation titled "I.C.E. SCREAM," raises concerns about censorship and academic freedom at public universities. Text messages obtained through an open records request suggest UNT administrators were worried about "barking from our friends in Austin," hinting at potential political pressure behind the decision.

The details

Quiñonez's exhibit was part of a traveling show organized by Boston University and had been open at UNT for 9 days before the university shut it down. The centerpiece of the show was an illuminated paleta cart bearing the letters "I.C.E. SCREAM," with popsicle sticks engraved "U.S. Inhumane and Cruelty Enforcement." Quiñonez said he has never had an exhibition canceled or a large work of art censored in his 30-plus year career.

  • The exhibit opened at UNT and was open for 9 days before being shut down.
  • Quiñonez's installation "Elevar La Cultura" remains on view at the Latino Cultural Center in Dallas through March 30.

The players

Victor "Marka27" Quiñonez

A Dallas-raised artist whose traveling solo exhibition at UNT was abruptly shut down after 9 days. The show explored his childhood crossing the border at age 4 and growing up undocumented in East Dallas.

Kate Fowle

The former director of MoMA PS1 who curated Quiñonez's exhibit "Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá."

Harrison Keller

The president of the University of North Texas (UNT).

Michael McPherson

The provost of the University of North Texas (UNT).

Chloe Kempf

A lawyer for the ACLU of Texas who called the shutdown of Quiñonez's exhibit part of a larger pattern of censorship.

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What they’re saying

“Never in my 30-plus year career have I had an exhibition canceled or a large work of art censored.”

— Victor "Marka27" Quiñonez, Artist

“When people don't know what they need to do to avoid getting in trouble, they're going to just automatically do less and censor themselves.”

— Chloe Kempf, Lawyer, ACLU of Texas

“These institutions do not exist to provide a publicly-funded platform for those who despise our republic.”

— Andy Hopper, State Representative, Texas

What’s next

The ACLU of Texas is expected to investigate the shutdown of Quiñonez's exhibit at UNT, which they view as part of a broader pattern of censorship at public universities.

The takeaway

The abrupt closure of Quiñonez's exhibit at UNT, without any public explanation from the university, raises troubling questions about academic freedom and the potential for political interference in artistic expression on college campuses.