University of North Texas – Cancellation of Art Exhibit Critical of ICE

On February 11, 2026, the University of North Texas canceled Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez’s solo exhibition Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá. The show had opened on February 3, 2026, in the College of Visual Arts and Design Gallery and featured works exploring the artist’s identity, including pieces addressing immigration issues and containing art critical of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. By the day of the cancellation, students reported that the gallery windows were covered with brown paper and announcements for the exhibition had been removed from university platforms. Quiñonez was informed that the exhibit was canceled, the loan agreement with Boston University Art Galleries was terminated, and arrangements were being made to return the works, without a clear explanation for the closure.

The sudden cancellation prompted students and faculty to raise concerns that the university had removed the exhibition because of its political content and fear of political repercussions. Graduate students staged a sit-in and other demonstrations at the Board of Regents meeting, while students organized marches to highlight the issue and demand transparency in university decision-making. The artist credited students with alerting him to the gallery’s closure and described the removal as mysterious.

The controversy followed an earlier incident on March 4, 2025, when a pro-Palestinian student art exhibit at the university removed one piece after complaints from state lawmakers, though the remainder of the exhibit remained on display until its scheduled closing, highlighting ongoing debates at UNT over political art and institutional responses. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and the National Coalition Against Censorship sent a joint letter to university officials expressing concern that the removal constituted viewpoint-based censorship, raised academic freedom and free expression issues, and urged the university to apologize and reaffirm its commitment to those principles.

In early March 2026, internal communications and documents obtained through public records requests were released, revealing how administrators decided to cancel the exhibition. The messages included a note stating, “Our group met this morning regarding the gallery show. We believe all pieces that are of concern can be removed and the rest of the exhibition can continue. You ok with that?” followed by, “I think it’ll be easier to manage any barking from our friends in Austin. There will likely be some folks who are upset about perceived censorship.” Hours later, another message declared, “Coming down totally on Monday.” Emails to gallery staff included a template for notifying the artist and Boston University, instructing a “personalized greeting that does not express regret or an apology.” Leaked meeting transcripts described the cancellation as an “institutional directive,” citing concerns that state lawmakers could withhold funding or punish the university, and emphasized the goal to “minimize harm” while continuing to teach students art.