Mark Hernadez shows three works that reflect his heritage—rooted in hard work, faith, family, and endurance—values passed down from his grandparents, who played a pivotal role in shaping the man he is today. Courtesy photo

Lavon resident Mark Hernandez, 39, a middle school art teacher, is preparing to debut the most personal project of his career — one rooted in family, faith and mental health. His new exhibit, Sentimientos del Macho, opens Sept. 6 at Artes de la Rosa Cultural Center in Fort Worth, where it will run through Sept. 27. 

The show, curated by Hernandez, challenges traditional notions of masculinity in Latin culture while giving voice to stories of pain, resilience and hope.

“A macho man is a man who is really in tune with who they are emotionally — telling your children you love them, treating your wife with respect,” Hernandez said. “That’s the stigma I’m trying to break.”

Hernandez’s passion for mental health comes directly from his own journey. He grew up poor in the Texas Panhandle, the oldest of four children. His parents were just teenagers when he was born — his father was 16, his mother 15 — and they struggled to provide stability. By the time Hernandez was 17, his father had become involved with the cartel and was grooming him to take part.

After six months, his father disappeared. The cartel demanded money the family couldn’t pay, and Hernandez never heard from him again. He and his siblings were left with their mother, who worked in a meat processing plant, raising four kids on a $20,000 salary while carrying nearly half a million dollars in debt.

At that point, Hernandez considered leaving school to work. But a family who had mentored him — the Millers — encouraged him to go to college, something no one in his family had ever done. 

To read the full story, stay informed and support local journalism, subscribe to your community newspaper The Wylie News today!

By Sonia Duggan | [email protected]