San Antonio's Department of Arts & Culture's Centro De Artes Gallery is now showcasing two powerful exhibitions that delve into the heart of South Texas culture and Mexican American folklore. On the first floor, "Madre_Land: South Texas Memory & the Art of Making Home," curated by Bonnie Ilza Cisneros, presents the works of 27 artists and scholars, including the esteemed Dr. Tomás Ybarra-Frausto. "We hope visitors feel all the love that went into this project, that the exhibition sparks memories of family and home, and that they leave the gallery inspired to start a memory project of their own," Cisneros told SA.gov in a recent interview. The exhibit aims to fully immerse visitors, transporting them to spaces reminiscent of a family home with a series of intimately recreated environments, such as a front porch and a kitchen.
On the gallery's second floor, "Cuentos y Arte: Mexican Folktales of the Southwest" seeks to vividly capture the essence of regional storytelling through the works of five female artists tied closely to South Texas and the Southwest. In an interview, curator Rebecca Gomez explained, "I hope visitors leave feeling that folklore is alive and evolving, and that these artists show how stories remain living archives that shape identity and community across generations." The exhibition displays an array of media, including paintings, prints, and soft sculptures, all harkening back to the rich tradition of Mexican folktales, as mentioned by SA.gov.
To officially kick off these exhibits, the public is warmly invited to a free opening reception on October 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event, set to take place at Centro De Artes (101 S. Santa Rosa), will feature local flavors with food from La Familia Cortez and refreshments by Dorcól Distilling & Brewing Company. For those planning to attend, VIA transport information is available to ensure a hassle-free journey to the heart of culture and history.
Both "Madre_Land" and "Cuentos y Arte" will be available for viewing until February 22, 2026, with visiting hours from Wednesday through Friday, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m., and on weekends from 12–5 p.m. For anyone interested to learn more about the exhibitions or the Centro De Artes, further details can be found by visiting the Centro de Artes webpage. These exhibits offer a unique opportunity to not just view art but to also truly engage with the cultural narratives that continue to shape the South Texas region and its people.
