The seventh Texas Biennial, officially opens on Sept. 1, featuring 51 contemporary artists in five venues, four of which are in San Antonio. They include Ruby City, The McNay, Artpace and the San Antonio Museum of Art. Named “A New Landscape, A Possible Horizon,” the huge project is presented by Big Medium and was organized by co-curators and artistic directors …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor Back in June 2020, when Paula Owen called her colleague Taylor Eighmy, she just wanted to confer with him about potential partnerships that they could develop over time. Their respective organizations had already benefitted from mutual collaborations in the past, so it seemed like the natural thing to do. Owen is the long-time president of the …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor After a longish search, the board of the Public Theater of San Antonio has selected Los Angeles-based Claudia de Vasco to serve as its new artistic/executive director. A native of Houston, she has a long resume that includes acting, directing, production, and leadership positions. “The search committee felt that she has the skills and qualities that …

Most classical music groups are on vacation or performing elsewhere, but the Agarita Chamber Players are here and starting their new season Tuesday at the San Antonio Museum of art. Artistic director and pianist, Daniel Anastasio, chose the musical program in response to the current SAMA exhibit of American Impressionists. The exhibit is gorgeous and the music sounds very promising, …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor The Agarita Chamber Players are known for their collaborations with other artists, from fellow musicians to dancers, poets, photographers, visual artists, and… a glass blower. Yes, you read that right. The “glass blower” the group will be collaborating with is a very special one, Gini Garcia, of Garcia Art Glass, who creates the most original, whimsical, …

Let’s start with theater news. Live, in-person performances are back but they may not last long. With new virus variants threatening again our collective health, venues may start closing again. It’s such an unpredictable time! We already told you about the premiere of “Carmen from Mexico,” an original new work written and performed by actress/playwright Anna De Luna. As far …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor While most of us were shocked and horrified by the events of 9/11, we have moved on with the hope that nothing similar could possibly happen again. But for Lebanese-American poet and theater artist, Andrea Assaf, 9/11 was the beginning of a new journey of exploring the impact of that tragedy as a Lebanese-American and as …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor How much do you really know about your parents and grandparents?Yes, you know them as parents and grandparents but their lives are bigger than those roles, and we often forget to ask questions about their childhood, their struggles, challenges and the important moments of their lives. Actress/playwright Anna De Luna decided not to make that common …

The big event this weekend is the San Antonio Film Festival which will take place Aug. 5-8 at the Radius Center downtown. Since last year’s fest had to go online because of COVID-19, this year’s celebration is extra special for all, organizers, filmmakers and audiences. “It’s very fulfilling to be back in-person to celebrate the 27th anniversary of SAFILM,” said …

by JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor What are the priorities of the Arts & Culture Department right now?My priority is equity, in the sense that we want to make sure that art is accessible to everyone but we also want to make sure that San Antonio artists are equitably represented in the art that we promote. We are also working right now …