Upcoming Exhibitions & Programs at Contemporary at Blue Star
San Antonio, Texas – In 2026, the Contemporary at Blue Star centers its exhibition programming around the theme of community, marking a major milestone: the organization’s 40th anniversary in June 2026. Curator and Exhibitions Director Jacqueline Saragoza McGilvray frames the year as an opportunity to reflect on the Contemporary’s history, the role community has played in shaping the institution, and the ways exhibitions can actively build and strengthen local, national, and international relationships. (Contemporary at Blue Star, 2026)
Below is a look at the upcoming exhibitions and programs.
Mark Menjívar: Murmurations
Opening Night: Friday, February 6, 2026 | 6–9 p.m.
Taco Talk: Friday, February 6, 2026 | 10:30–11:30 a.m.
On View: February 6 – May 3, 2026
San Antonio–based artist Mark Menjívar integrates social practice and participatory education models to create intentional community building. His work establishes frameworks for students, community groups, and leaders to engage in critical dialogue around the issues that shape their lives.
Menjívar’s participatory projects often incorporate oral history recording, archive building, publications, and installations that present collective conversations while inviting continued public engagement. Over the last two decades, he has completed more than a dozen multifaceted, long-term projects.
This mid-career survey highlights selected works—including The Luck Archive—while also debuting new projects. Menjívar is currently an Associate Professor in the Interdisciplinary School for Engagement at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Mini Art Museum
Honoring the Late Mary Cantú
Opening Night: Friday, March 6, 2026 | 6–9 p.m.
On View: March 6 – June 7, 2026
The San Antonio arts community was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Mary Cantú on February 18, 2025, at age 45. Cantú was a beloved advocate for arts education and served on the Contemporary’s Education Committee from 2014–2016, playing a key role in the development of the Creative Classrooms program and championing free access to art for San Antonio children.
In 2013, Cantú co-founded the Mini Art Museum with Gabriela Santiago. Using standard office binders as gallery “walls,” the Mini Art Museum invited artists to create miniature works sized to fit inside 8.5 × 11-inch plastic sleeves. Featuring original works by professional artists, the museum encourages close observation, often aided by magnifying glasses, creating a sense of wonder and intimacy.
In spring 2024, the Mini Art Museum collection was transferred to the Contemporary. Exhibited here in its entirety and in memoriam of Mary Cantú, the presentation includes over 100 works by artists such as Kim Bishop, Sarah Castillo, Michael Menchaca, and Vincent Valdez, reflecting the profound impact Cantú made on the community.
Roman Franc: Groups Collective
Opening Night: Friday, March 6, 2026 | 6–9 p.m.
On View: March 6 – June 7, 2026
Artist Roman Franc will travel to San Antonio to create new photographs as part of his ongoing Group Pictures / Collectives series. Since 2015, Franc has photographed groups across cultures and geographies, from residents of Tanna Island in the South Pacific to the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.
San Antonio’s layered and interconnected communities provide a rich setting for this project. In alignment with the Contemporary’s 40th anniversary theme, Groups Collective offers glimpses into a larger whole, reflecting the city’s diversity and collective spirit.
Franc (b. 1983, Brno, Czech Republic) holds an MA in Education from Masaryk University and an MFA in Photography from the Institute of Creative Photography at Silesian University, Opava. His practice focuses on non-traditional portraiture and staged photography, alongside curatorial and publishing work.
Berlin Residency Program
2026–2027 Application Cycle Now Open
Contemporary at Blue Star is now accepting applications from artists living and working in Bexar County for its Berlin Residency Program. Launched in 2013, the program enters its 12th cycle in partnership with Künstlerhaus Bethanien (KB).
Each year, four artists are awarded three-month residencies in Berlin, Germany, with the opportunity to also visit San Antonio’s sister city, Darmstadt, Germany.
Residency Support Includes:
- $2,000 stipend for travel and living expenses
- Coverage of all residency program fees, including:
- Studio and living space
- Inclusion in the internationally distributed BE magazine
- Curatorial visits and workshop access
Eligibility guidelines are available through the application link.
Application Deadline: Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 4 p.m.
About Contemporary at Blue Star
Contemporary at Blue Star presents exhibitions featuring artists from San Antonio and around the world, sharing global perspectives that encourage understanding, empathy, change, and action. As a non-collecting contemporary art space, the Contemporary offers fresh insights into cultural and societal issues by highlighting current trends, movements, and conversations in art.
Admission is always free.
Contemporary at Blue Star
116 Blue Star
San Antonio, TX 78204
SA Examiner 