From the Alamo City’s larger-than-life mural landscape to its painters, photographers, and creatives — locals know that San Antonio is home to some of the best artists and institutions.
Let’s dive into this city-wide celebration, Xicanx Month, and how you can participate.
The Chicano Arts Movement
The Chicano Arts Movement happened during the 1960s + 1970s across the US. In Texas, word of the movement spread and Chicano Art Networks were popping throughout the state.
In 1967, one of the first art centers for Xicanx artists, Con Safo, started here in the Alamo City. Rudy Treviño would join the group in the 1970s and go on to be a co-founder and director of the Tejano Music Awards in 1980.
Treviño studied at San Antonio College with acclaimed painter Mel Casas. Both were large-scale painters during the Chicano Arts Movement.
Fun fact: Treviño was an art teacher at Lanier High School, and inspired his students to paint murals throughout the halls.
The local movement inspired other activist groups and eventually led to the creation of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.
Get inspired
Here are a few events honoring Xicanx Month:
- “Undercurrents: Vincent Valdez” | Friday, Aug. 23-Saturday, Aug. 31 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Artpace San Antonio | Free | Witness the 2023 Texas Artist of the Year and his curation of artists from the Chicano Arts Movement.
- Agarita + Azul Barrientos | Friday, Aug. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | The Stable Hall | Free | See this local quartet Agarita and Latin American musician Azul Barrientos in celebration of Xicanx Month featuring a blend original compositions with classical masterpieces.
- Xicanx Month Art Installation Unveiling | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | SAY Sí | Free | Watch as artist Manuel Davila unveils their latest sculpture featuring imagery inspired by the 78207 + 78237 zip codes.
