Tag: art

Connecting with Heritage: Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival at the Briscoe

Briscoe Western Art Museum celebrates Native American heritage at annual Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

San Antonio, TX – The Briscoe Western Art Museum invites the community to celebrate Native American culture with its annual Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival on Saturday, November 9, from 10a.m. to 4p.m. This free, family-friendly event honors the rich cultural traditions and artistic expressions of Native American communities, showcasing art, music, dance, storytelling and more. Taking place along the scenic River Walk, the festival provides the perfect setting for families to come together and enjoy a day of learning, creativity and celebration. Free event registration is available online. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2024)

A vibrant display of Native American heritage that brings together diverse tribes and artists from across the region, the free community festival features storytelling, artist demonstrations, pottery and carving throughout the Briscoe’s campus, as well as Native American-inspired food. The celebration includes free admission to the Briscoe, making it a perfect way to celebrate the important role Native Americans played in shaping the West while enjoying art and artifacts that highlight Native American history.

“Native Americans have played a profound role in shaping the history, culture and spirit of the American West. Their deep connection to the land, their traditions and their art have left an indelible mark on the region’s story. At the Briscoe, we honor these contributions by celebrating and preserving that heritage through exhibitions and events. It’s essential that we recognize and honor Native American communities today, not just for their historical significance, but for their ongoing influence on the culture and identity of the West.” – Liz Jackson, President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Art Museum

Held annually since the museum opened, the festival is named in honor of the Payaya people who were indigenous to the San Antonio area, “Yanaguana” was the word they used to describe what is now known as the San Antonio River.

Experience Native American Culture Through Art, Music and Dance

The Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival offers a unique opportunity to experience Native American culture firsthand. Admission and all crafts and activities included in the festival are free.

Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy:

  • Live Performances: Traditional Native American dancers, musicians and drummers and will share their cultural heritage through mesmerizing performances. From powerful drum circles to the soulful beauty of the Native American flute,  these performances are sure to captivate audiences of all ages.
  • Storytelling Sessions: Engaging storytellers will share traditional Native American tales, offering insight into the values, beliefs and history of Native communities.
  • Hands-on Activities: Families can participate in hands-on art and craft workshops, allowing children and adults alike to create their own artwork inspired by Native American traditions.
  • Artisan Market: Browse a curated selection of Native American artwork and talk with the artists as they demonstrated their crafts, including jewelry, pottery, beadwork and textiles.

The festival’s focus on art and culture aligns perfectly with the Briscoe’s fall exhibition, Storytellers: Narrative Art and the West. This special exhibition explores how Native American and Western artists use narrative art to convey history, culture and identity. It features works that tell powerful stories of the American Southwest, blending traditional Native American art forms with contemporary perspectives.

The 2024 event features:

  • A spiritual blessing by United San Antonio Pow Wow, Inc., a group that works to provide Native American people the opportunity to participate, practice, teach and exchange tribal traditions among all tribes and to enlighten everyone about the history and culture of America’s first inhabitants.
  • A Pow Wow-style drum circle with United San Antonio Pow Wow and Enemy Horse Drumming demonstrating and explaining common pow wow dance styles.
  • Live music by Native American artists, including Tim Blueflint Ramel. An enrolled member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa, a federally recognized American Indian Tribe, flute player Blueflint Ramel has opened for and shared the stage with Grammy Award Winner Mary Youngblood and a wide variety of artists. He is also an accomplished flute and jewelry maker and will demonstrate his craft throughout the day.
  • Chikashsha Hithla dance troupe demonstrating traditional Chickasaw dance. Comprised of native people from Southeastern American Indian tribes, members of the troupe are Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole and Creek, who are dedicated to preserving their culture and educating the public through songs, storytelling and Stomp dancing.
  • Stories from Amy Bluemel, a Chickasaw storyteller and the great-granddaughter of Eastman Kaney, an original Dawes Commission enrollee. Bluemel shares Chickasaw customs and those of other southeastern tribes through elaborate storytelling.
  • Native American art demonstrations, including ledger art with artist George Curtis Levi, showcasing how ledger art captures a moment in time. A type of art that originated amongst the Cheyenne in the late 1840s, ledger art utilized pages of repurposed record books to depict everyday life. A member of the Southern Cheyenne tribe in Oklahoma, Levi also has ties to the Arapaho and Oglala Lakota communities.
  • Kachina carving with Kevin Horace Quannie, a Hopi/Navajo contemporary artist. Living on the Hopi reservation, Quannie specializes in carving contemporary kachina dolls using cottonwood roots.
  • See traditional pottery techniques of the Caddo Nation with Chase Kahwinhut Earles, a renowned Caddo pottery maker who has dedicated his craft to reviving and preserving the traditional pottery techniques of his Caddo Nation ancestors. Earles’ creates intricate, historically accurate pottery that reflects the deep cultural heritage of the Caddo people, whose pottery tradition dates back centuries. His works are celebrated for their authenticity, craftsmanship, and connection to Caddo history and spirituality.
  • Shane Hendren, a turquoise expert and a Diné/Navajo jewelry maker who is a member of the Indian Arts & Craft Association (IACA), an organization committed to promoting the integrity of materials used in native jewelry. Hendren returns to share his expertise of the turquoise gemstone.
  • Crafts and fun for all ages including making your own mosaic, leather medallions, basket and loom weaving, ledger art, a community weaving basket and creating your own parfleche case, a pouch typically made with rawhide that is painted with images or geometric designs. Plains Indians created the parfleche because of its utility, beauty and convenience. Other tribes in North America then adopted its use.

Festival visitors also enjoy free admission to the museum and its permanent collection of Western art and artifacts, including exhibitions that highlight the stories of the American Indian, cowboys, pioneering women and others that define the West.

Whataburger Announces Book and Puzzle Collection for the Whole Family

The nationally distributed collection features coloring books, puzzles, and drawing lessons. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

San Antonio –– Whataburger® lovers can now display their passion for the iconic brand on their bookshelves with the release of the fast food chain’s first-ever nationally distributed book and puzzle collection. The books launch on October 22 and the puzzle drops on November 12. Both will be available for purchase wherever books are sold and online. (Whataburger, 2024)

This one-of-a-kind collection offers Fans of all ages the opportunity to savor Whataburger’s charm long after their meal.

  • “Whatababy”: A first-word board book designed for the smallest fries in the family.
  • “How to Draw Everything Whataburger”: Budding artists can follow 40-plus drawing lessons designed by Texas-based artist Alli Koch of Alli K Design, bringing Whataburger’s iconic imagery to life.
  • “WhataWorld”: A coloring book where nostalgia meets futurism, perfect for adults looking to unwind. Koch also designed this dazzling book.
  • “Whataburger Fancy Ketchup Puzzle”: A San Antonio-inspired puzzle creatively packaged in an oversized version of the brand’s famous ketchup container.

This unique collection celebrates Whataburger’s long-standing tradition of inspiring creativity, as seen in the Whataburger Museum of Art (WMOA). It extends that love to superfans who can now sketch, color and puzzle their way through their favorite burger chain’s culture.

With Penguin Random House’s industry-leading distribution and Blue Star Press’ innovative publishing approach, Whataburger’s first book and puzzle collection should be a holiday hit and a permanent fixture in homes coast to coast.

Whataburger serves up Goodness 24/7. Our original recipes are made to order, just like you like it, and we pride ourselves on extraordinary hospitality and meaningful connections in our communities. That’s what’s led fans to Whataburger since Harmon Dobson served our first customer in 1950. Headquartered in San Antonio, we’ve stayed close to our roots while building systemwide revenue of more than $4 billion annually across our 16-state footprint and over 1,050 restaurants. Shop Whataburger-branded merchandise and selected sauces, including our famous Fancy and Spicy Ketchup, online. Find Whataburger original-recipe products in grocery stores.

Blue Star Press is an award-winning independent publisher based in Bend, Oregon. Established in 2015, Blue Star Press is a team of industry outsiders who love to think creatively, push boundaries and reimagine what’s possible with books, games and gift products.

Whataburger Fancy Ketchup Puzzle. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Pueblos del Maíz: Celebrating the Flavors of Corn and Culture

Pearl to host UNESCO Chefs for Pueblos del Maíz. Chef Jaime Gonzalez of Carriqui. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

San Antonio has blossomed into a vibrant culinary hub, blending rich cultural influences and innovative gastronomy. Its diverse food scene, rooted in Tex-Mex and traditional Southern flavors, showcases local ingredients and culinary traditions. The city has attracted renowned chefs and restaurants, earning accolades in national food rankings. Events like the San Antonio Restaurant Week and the annual Fiesta highlight local talent and foster a strong sense of community. The city’s burgeoning food markets, food trucks, and artisan producers further enrich its culinary landscape, making San Antonio a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts seeking unique and flavorful experiences.

The culinary scene is active throughout the year, with various locations hosting events to highlight the chefs and cuisine that makes San Antonio shine. One of these is the Pearl downtown and this week they are hosting Pueblos del Maíz events.

Pearl is proud to host Pueblos del Maíz events this week on October 10-11, 2024. This celebration highlights San Antonio’s role as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and showcases the importance of maíz (corn) in global culinary traditions. San Antonio UNESCO Chef Ambassadors, including Chef Jaime Gonzalez of Carriqui, will showcase the diverse flavors of maíz by preparing small bites inspired by UTSA’s Special Collections cookbooks. (Pearl, 2024)

Thursday, October 10, 2024 – Ticketed event at Carriqui

The event kicks off on October 10 with an exclusive ticketed dinner at Carriqui from 6p.m. to 8p.m. This reception style experience will also feature maíz inspired signature cocktails and tastings of maíz derived spirits prepared by UNESCO Chef Ambassadors. Tickets are $70 per person and available online.

Friday, October 11, 2024 – Free Event at Pearl Park

On October 11, the celebration expands to a free community event at Pearl Park from 5:30p.m. to 9:30p.m. Visitors can enjoy cooking demonstrations by UNESCO Chef Ambassadors from Bergamo, Italy; Tucson, Arizona; Merida, Mexico; and San Antonio, Texas. The event will also feature live music, art installations, and a variety of food and beverage vendors showcasing maíz-inspired creations.

Carriqui
239 E Grayson St
San Antonio, TX 78215

Elevate Your Space: How 6Stringers Transforms Guitar Passion into Custom Wall Art

Musicians and music lovers are sure to enjoy custom wall art from 6Stringers. Photo: 6Stringers, used with permission.

Personalized wall art is a unique gift idea. For guitar lovers, it adds a distinctive touch to any space, celebrating their passion for music. Custom pieces can feature favorite song lyrics, iconic guitar silhouettes, or even artwork of cherished instruments. These creations transform walls into a vibrant tribute to one’s musical journey, making them perfect for homes, studios, or practice spaces. Whether it’s a framed print, canvas, or metal sign, personalized art captures the essence of a guitarist’s identity. These thoughtful decorations not only enhance the aesthetic of a room but also serve as daily inspiration, reminding them of their love for music and creativity.

With the holiday shopping season among us, it’s time to start thinking about gift ideas. If someone you know loves guitars and would appreciate a personalized gift, consider 6Stringers. Or treat yourself and show off your guitar passion with customized wall art. (6Stringers, 2024)

6Stringers creates world class personalized wall art for guitar lovers. Their custom wall art includes:

  • Canvas Wall Art – Claim your spot as the headliner of your Guitar Room with a beautifully customized guitar canvas.
  • Metal Wall Art – Create your personalized Metal Sign to showcase in your Guitar Room.

Featured Products:

Why you should buy customized gifts from 6Stringers:

  • Made in the U.S.A. – their products are crafted in the U.S.A with high-quality materials. Each product is customized with meticulous attention to detail to inspire and enhance your guitar space.
  • Preview & Edits – your satisfaction is their top priority. Your masterpiece will begin production after you approve the preview proof email.
  • Fast & Reliable Shipping – they use reliable and trusted shipping partners (UPS, USPS, and FedEx) to deliver your orders quickly and safely. You’ll receive a tracking number by email once your package ships.

So what are you waiting for? Order your very own wall art from 6Stringers for your music room, jam room, or wherever else you ROCK OUT, or surprise your loved one with their very own wall art. They’ll love you for it.

Canvas wall art. Photo: 6Stringers, used with permission.

Current Highlights: What’s New at Contemporary at Blue Star This Summer

Installation view C& Center of Unfinished Business, HERE AND NOW at Museum Ludwig: Dynamic Spaces, Museum Ludwig, Cologne 2020, © Contemporary And, photo: Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, Cologne / Nina Siefke

The Contemporary at Blue Star is excited to announce three new exhibitions, The C&s Center of Unfinished Business, Kaysaypac: Portraits and Figures by Leeanna Chipana, and Cheng Xinhao’s Silver…and Other Elements. The summer exhibitions weave an unavoidable thread that sparks conversation around the history of colonialism, its presence in contemporary life, and encourages education and dialogue. They are currently on view until October 6, 2024. (Contemporary at Blue Star, 2024)

The C&s Center of Unfinished Business
Contemporary is thrilled to partner with C&, a multimedia platform for contemporary visual arts, to present the Center of Unfinished Business, a reading room that encapsulates an array of books that explore the persistence of colonialism in various ways, from its origins to how it effects people and places today. You’ll find texts on the way land and culture have been forcibly stripped from native people due to colonialism alongside texts that explore how empire-building also connects to fashion, 21st century capitalism, and more.

Launched in 2017, the Reading Room has traveled to institutions around the world. As it travels, the room integrates books from each of its host venues (and their collaborators), who add text that is relevant to the place the Reading Room inhabits. For the Contemporary’s iteration of this installation, we have partnered with the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Latino Bookstore to include texts that touch on the themes of colonialism and borders that are present in the exhibitions in the surrounding galleries.

Kaysaypac: Portraits and Figures by Leeanna Chipana
Born in Long Island, New York to an immigrant Quechuan-Peruvian father and American mother, Leeanna Chipana draws from her Quechuan and American identity by incorporating Incan, Aztec, and Mayan iconography with classical European oil painting techniques and approaches. The blending and blurring of indigenous figures and Western techniques is an effort of disrupting colonial erasure by placing Indigenous-Latinx figures at the forefront of a very Euro-centric style of painting.

The exhibition title, Kaysaypac (pronounced cow-say-pak), a nod to Chipana’s Quechuan-Peruvian heritage, is a phrase often used while making a toast or a cheers and translates to “to live/to life.” Further cementing the presence of indigenous peoples, this sentiment incorporated into the title is a dedication to the descendants of the Incans continuing to live in community, surviving colonialism and violence.

Cheng Xinhao
Silver…and Other Elements
In this four-channel film, Cheng Xinhao investigates the Mang people’s (the indigenous people living at the border of Vietnam and China) adaptation to shifting borders and changing systems. To explore this moving borderline and the migration of its people, Xinhao follows the fluctuating use of currency.

These shifting borders create a state of in-betweenness and displacement—a sentiment many border communities around the world still struggle with, and yet adapt to. Xinhao’s video raises the question: what symbols are appropriated and survive under new regimes? Will they be incorporated into existing systems, or will new forms be created?

Contemporary at Blue Star
116 Blue Star
San Antonio, TX 78204

Public visiting hours during exhibitions:
Monday – Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 12p.m. – 5p.m.
Thursday – Friday 12p.m. – 8p.m.
Saturday – Sunday 10a.m. – 6p.m.

Admission is always free.

Photo: Contemporary at Blue Star, used with permission.

Paul Kane’s Travels: A Cultural Odyssey through Indigenous North America

‘Paul Kane’s Travels in Indigenous North America’ by I.S. MacLaren explores the life, times, and challenging legacy of 19th Century Canadian artist Paul Kane. Photo: Amazon

McGill-Queen’s University Press announces the release of the four-volume publication “Paul Kane’s Travels in Indigenous North America: Writings and Art, Life and Times” by I.S. MacLaren, the first comprehensive survey of Paul Kane’s (1810–1871) life and work in more than fifty years. Kane’s field sketches made between 1845 and 1848 constitute the first visual record of Indigenous life all the way from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Ocean by a Non-Indigenous artist. (Bow Bridge Communications, 2024)

Beginning his research three and one-half decades ago, MacLaren, professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, provides a singular opportunity to examine the impacts of Kane’s travels in Indigenous North America through his writings, art, life, times, and complex legacy. A meticulous, panoramic examination, “Paul Kane’s Travels in Indigenous North America” also studies the artist’s legacy in terms of his contemporaries’, his technique, and the complicated history of the source of the works. The author examines Kane’s travels and output by focusing on four areas of study: history of the fur trade, book publishing history, art history, and ethnohistory.

Paul Kane, a portraitist based in Toronto, set out from the city in 1845 for Lake Huron and Wisconsin. From 1846 to 1848, he continued to the upper Great Lakes, the Prairies, across the Rockies, down the Columbia River, and through Oregon Territory to Puget Sound and Vancouver Island. MacLaren reconstructs the colonial processes that turned Kane’s unique descriptions and depictions of Indigenous peoples into benighted stereotypes, teaching contemporary readers valuable lessons about what we thought we knew about Kane and his art, how he let himself be turned into a detractor of Native Americans, and how society endowed him with authority that was not always warranted. 

Kane has been called the founding father of Canadian art, and his “Wanderings of an Artist among the Indians of North America” (1859) is considered a classic of Canadian literature, albeit a controversial one if viewed from a contemporary perspective. More recently, he has been vilified as having misrepresented and exploited his subjects.

“Paul Kane’s Travels” features reproductions of nearly all Kane’s sketches—many published for the first time—and many of his studio paintings, as well as transcriptions of his field writings. The writings, which show the artist to have been a curious traveler fascinated by Indigenous lifeways, contain no negative references to Indigenous people. MacLaren’s work also features a transcription of manuscripts not in Kane’s handwriting (by unknown scribes), the text of the first edition of “Wanderings of an Artist,” an updated catalog, and detailed maps of Kane’s routes. Through the author’s in-depth research, the publication offers scholarly and first-hand understandings of the lives and histories of the real people Kane described and depicted while providing an authoritative biographical portrait of the artist. Thanks to family descendants’ support, MacLaren has identified 26 Indigenous people depicted in the portraits.

Publication Specifications
2,408 pages, 9 x 12”, 4-volume set, full color throughout | Cloth 9780228017479
$450 CDN / $375 USD | Available for purchase here.

Experience Xicanx Dreamers + Changemakers at Contemporary at Blue Star

Contemporary at Blue Star presents Xicanx: Dreamers + Changemakers | Soñadores + creadores del cambio. Photo: Contemporary at Blue Star

Contemporary at Blue Star is honored to present Xicanx: Dreamers + Changemakers | Soñadores + creadores del cambio, opening Friday, June 7, 2024, from 6p.m. – 9p.m. at the Contemporary. The opening night will also include a performance by Robert Jose Gonzalez at 8p.m. As the exhibition title suggests, the artists in this exhibition are dreamers and changemakers. Of Mexican American origin, they self-identify as Xicanx, a term that crosses national borders and gender lines to encompass a multi-generational experience. This exhibition uses the term Xicanx to refer to Chicano, Chicana, and Chicanx. The term reflects those who fought for and claim this designation and incorporates the ‘X’ from the Spanish transcription of the Nahuatl sound ‘ch.’ Nahuatl is one of the major Indigenous languages in Mexico. The ‘x’ on the end signals gender-neutral and non-binary inclusivity. (Contemporary at Blue Star, 2024)

Opening Night: Friday, June 7, 2024 | 6p.m. – 9p.m.
Performance by Robert Jose Gonzalez at 8p.m. | Free and open to the public
On View: June 7, 2024–October 6, 2024

The original conception of this exhibition came from a desire curators Jill Baird and Greta de León had to share the overlooked histories of American civil rights, including the Chicano/a civil rights movement of the 1960s and 70s, called El Movimiento. The installation at Contemporary at Blue Star is particularly significant due to El Movimiento’s roots in San Antonio, and the West Side of the city. From fighting for labor rights to equality for students, the work of San Antonio activists (and artists) played a crucial role in El Movimiento.

Some of the artists in Xicanx, began their work as part of El Movimiento. Much of the artwork created during this time sought to do the very things that this exhibition does: educate about the social inequity of Xicanx peoples, their history, and the importance of their culture. Other artists define themselves through their indigenous roots, and a younger generation expands the idea of Xicanx Art while continuing the work of addressing personal, social, and political issues of today.

In their curatorial statement, Baird and Greta note the importance of this work, “Artists were a major and critical part of El Movimiento over 50 years ago, and they continue to be strong activists fighting for equality and against racism and discrimination. Being Chicano or Xicanx* is an identity all of the artists in this exhibition choose. It is more than being just Mexican American; it is accepting the responsibility to fight for their community, their culture and their civil rights. The artists in this exhibition are dreamers and changemakers.”

Alongside the artwork are quotes, speeches, or sayings from prominent Xicanx authors, scholars, and exhibiting artists. A projection displays the work of murals across the United States, showcasing the reach and breadth of Xicanx voices in public art.

Xicanx: Dreamers + Changemakers | Soñadores + creadores del cambio was originally produced and presented by the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at UBC and The Americas Research Network (ARENET), and curated by Jill Baird, former Curator of Education, MOA + Greta de León, Executive Director, ARENET. The presentation at Contemporary at Blue Star has been organized in collaboration with Mary Heathcott, Executive Director Contemporary at Blue Star; Jacqueline Saragoza McGilvray, Curator and Exhibitions Director, Contemporary at Blue Star; and Jon Hinojosa, President, CREO Consulting.

Contemporary at Blue Star presents exhibitions with artists from San Antonio and around the world sharing their global perspectives that encourage understanding, empathy, change, and action, fulfilling our mission to inspire, nurture, and innovate. Like most non-collecting contemporary art spaces, the Contemporary contributes fresh insights and perspectives on larger issues affecting society and culture by highlighting trends, movements, and conversations happening in art. Admission to the Contemporary is always free.

Contemporary at Blue Star
116 Blue Star
San Antonio, TX 78204
(210) 227-6960

Public visiting hours during exhibitions:
Monday – Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday 12p.m. – 5p.m.
Thursday – Friday 12p.m. – 8p.m.
Saturday – Sunday 10a.m. – 6p.m.

Al Rendon, Raúl Salinas, 1987. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Second annual International Space Art and Poetry Contest

Kids and educators are encouraged to enter for a chance to see their creations in space. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Are you a creative who loves to create art or poetry around the subject of space? If so, this is your chance to enter a contest to have your art showcased from the International Space Station. This contest is open for young artists/poets as well as educators. For the second year, Astronaut John Shoffner is hosting the International Space Art & Poetry Contest. The goal is to promote the ‘A’ in STEAM. See more information below.

Have you ever looked at the stars and wondered, “What would it look like if we lived in space?” For the second year, astronaut and contest visionary John Shoffner invites students and educators from across the world to submit a drawing, painting or written poetry showcasing what it would look like if we lived up there. (Axiom Space, 2024)

Participants from around the globe will have the chance to showcase vivid color and curiosity as they take us on a journey into space as they envision it. Eight category representatives will receive special recognition from the International Space Station (ISS) in addition to receiving physical prints of their creation sent down from space. 

Submissions for the 2024 International Space Art and Poetry Contest open are open now and close on April 5. Selected category representatives will receive prints of their creations sent down from space, gift packages provided by Crayola Experience, and more.

Entries will be categorized by age division (5-8, 9-13, 14-18, and a newly added educator category), as well as by genre (visual art and poetry).

Submissions will be scored by an esteemed panel of judges including: 

  • NASA Icon and Axiom Space Director of Human Space Flight Peggy Whitson, who holds more time in space than any American or woman in history
  • STEAM advocate, contest visionary and Axiom Mission (Ax-2) Pilot John Shoffner
  • Executive Director of Limitless Space Institute, Kaci Heins 
  • Visual Artist, poet and published author, Moniqe Lorden  

The contest is hosted by The Perseid Foundation in collaboration with Crayola Experience, Limitless Space Institute, International Space Station National Lab, and Axiom Space. 

The inaugural International Space Art and Poetry Contest received more than 930 entries from 26 countries including the U.S., Colombia, Ghana, Ireland, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and more. Surrounded by floating colorful artwork and written creations inside the Cupola, Shoffner announced the category representatives during the Ax-2 mission last May. 

“Your creativity has inspired my perspective on space in ways I never imagined,” said Shoffner from the ISS. “Your big ideas, bright colors, and thoughtful words have served as a gentle reminder to hold onto that wide-eyed curiosity that often escapes us over time.”

Axiom Space is building for beyond, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, which will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. 

Axiom Space collaborates with The Perseid Foundation and Limitless Space Institute to boost STEAM education for the next generation of space explorers. Through this collaboration, these education partners aim to inspire curiosity in STEAM related careers. 

Last year’s winning submissions. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Call for Luminaria 2024 festival artists now open

Interested artists can apply online to be feature in this year’s Luminaria. Photo by Mike Farquhar, courtesy Luminaria

Attention artists: Luminaria recently put out a call for artists for their next Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2024. The locations is TBA later but all interested artists are welcome to apply online.  (Luminaria, 2024)

Visual artists, theater performers, digital artists, installation artists, musicians, poets, and all other form of artists interested in showcasing their artwork at the Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival 2024 can apply. There are stages and buildings eagerly waiting to be filled with the talented work of a few creative and passionate artists to be selected by extraordinary curators.

Applications will be evaluated by a curatorial committee made up of local working artists and art experts. Featured Artists will be notified in April followed by site-visits, consultations, mentorship, a photo shoot, spotlight videos, media interviews, and networking opportunities. A public announcement of the festival line-up will be held in September.

Luminaria is a dynamic nonprofit arts organization dedicated to producing and promoting the arts to the city of San Antonio. Luminaria is an inclusive organization celebrating the visual and multimedia arts in San Antonio through public engagement and active support for artists. It was founded in 2008 by local arts advocates wanting to create a communal celebration for the city’s arts organizations and artists. Since adopting a new strategic plan in 2021, Luminaria is dedicated to the innovative interpretation of San Antonio’s culture, history, and environment through creative placemaking and site-specific arts integration. Luminaria coordinates with anchor arts institutions, cultural and heritage organizations, and other community partners to foster a vibrant and internationally resonant arts culture in the city.

Art exhibition: American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection

San Antonio Museum of Art’s American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection will close on January 7, 2024. Photo: San Antonio Museum of Art

The San Antonio Museum of Art’s special exhibition American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection is set to close on January 7, 2024 after an acclaimed run. The exhibition features more than a hundred artworks depicting the American experience in striking landscapes, Colonial-era portraits, still lifes, impressionist paintings, abstractions, and bronze sculptures. Spanning over 250 years of American art, American Made features exemplary works by renowned artists, including Baby Charles Looking Over His Mother’s Shoulder (No.3) by Mary Cassatt, An American Landscape by Luigi Lucioni, Elsie Wagg by John Singer Sargent, Chow Choy by Robert Henri, Seated Woman by Elizabeth Catlett, and Paris le Soir by Loïs Mailou Jones. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2023)

American Made demonstrates not only how American art has changed stylistically, but also how the face of American art has changed — literally and figuratively. Though many objects from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection have been on view at museums around the country, American Made is the first exhibition to bring together highlights of this extensive private collection.

American Made was organized by The Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis, Tennessee.

San Antonio Museum of Art
200 W. Jones Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78215

The San Antonio Museum of Art serves as a forum to explore and connect with art that spans the world’s geographies, artistic periods, genres, and cultures. Its collection contains nearly 30,000 works representing 5,000 years of history. Housed in the historic former Lone Star Brewery on the Museum Reach of San Antonio’s River Walk, the San Antonio Museum of Art is committed to promoting the rich cultural heritage and life of the city. The Museum hosts hundreds of events and public programs each year, including concerts, performances, tours, lectures, symposia, and interactive experiences. As an active civic leader, the Museum is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the city and the region, and to supporting its creative community.

Thomas Moran (American,1837-1926), Moonlight in Venice,1898, Oil on wood board. Courtesy of the Thomas H. and Diane DeMell Jacobsen PhD Foundation. Courtesy photo, used with permission.