It’s that time again! Family Saturday at the Contemporary is back, join us for an afternoon of art-making fun and explore our annual Red Dot exhibition. This all-ages event features five art activity stations where participants can create pieces that directly tie in our exhibition on view and work hands-on with professional artists. This event has something for everyone, whether it’s your toddler or your grandpa; they will leave with an artwork of their own.

This event is free and open to the public; light snacks will be provided.

Need to frame your new Red Dot artwork but don’t know how? We have just the workshop for you. Join the Contemporary for a very special workshop with artists Andy and Yvertte Benavides as they demonstrate the basics of framing an artwork and how to get an artwork gallery ready.

 

All materials are included. This program is free and open to the public with registration.

Celebrate the holiday season with the Contemporary making felt ornaments with Red Dot exhibiting fiber artist Abby Billingsly. Create a one-of-a-kind tree ornament as Abby shares her techniques for working with felt, teaches sewing stitches and discusses how to approach sewing a 3D object.

Light snacks will be provided. This event is free and open to the public with registration.

Join the Contemporary for a very special Taco Talk lead by our Curator and Exhibitions Director Jacqueline Saragoza McGilvray as she discusses how she tackles the task of curating over 150 artworks in the Contemporary’s annual Red Dot exhibition. Year after year, Jacqueline curates a survey of Bexar County art and captures what the community is creating and communicating in the present. You won’t want to miss Jacqueline detail her process of choosing, organizing, and displaying artworks and the many steps she takes to curate a successful Red Dot showcase.

Breakfast tacos and coffee will be provided. This event is free and open to the public. Please register below.

Boo! Are you scared yet? Join the Contemporary for an evening of Halloween fun with art activities, a photobooth, a dog costume contest and, of course, plenty of candy. This is a free, kid-friendly event for the whole family.

This year we’re also calling all dog parents! Celebrate Halloween with our spooky, Bad to the Bone Dog Costume Contest! All friendly, scary pooches welcome. We will have a panel of Contemporary at Blue Star pet members judge for best dressed. First place prize includes a pet membership to the Contemporary.

If you would like to sign your dog up for the dog costume contest, you can click here. For more information on membership, visit our membership page here.

Explore the duality of transformation during our still life drawing workshop facilitated by Berlin Residency Alumni, Jayne Lawrence.

Reimagine everyday objects as we break down natural and mechanical forms and combine them as fantastical machines and surreal creatures. All future and current members are welcome with free registration.

If you are interested in joining (or renewing) one of our exciting membership programs at the Contemporary, click the link below!

The Contemporary is excited to announce a new way for High Schools students to engage with the MOSAIC Student Artist Program. Starting in Fall 2026, Student Artists will have the opportunity to participate in MOSAIC year-round through the MOSAIC Studio program, and gain knowledge in new and diverse medias through MOSAIC Workshop Fridays.

MOSAIC Studio Program: A year-long MOSAIC session that focuses on the development of Students Artist. Students accepted in the 2026–2027 cohort will work with Artist Mentor Sarah Fox to create an original artwork for exhibition at the Contemporary. The MOSAIC Studio program will provide students with instruction on traditional art mediums and techniques used in 2D and 3D art making. The Studio program is tailored for students looking for a career in the arts after graduation and provides free access to quality arts education.

MOSAIC Workshop Fridays: An additional MOSAIC session that focuses on giving students the opportunity to explore new mediums they might not have access to in the classroom. As an optional session, MOSAIC Workshop Fridays will complement the work done in the Studio Program and will focus on experimentation and expression of the student’s artistic interest. Students accepted into the 2026–2027 cohort will work with Visiting Artist Kenneth Tarleton during the fall semester to develop their skills in oil pastels. In the spring semester, they will work with Visiting Artist Hilary Rochow to learn the basics of ceramic sculpture.

In conjunction with the Contemporary’s Xicanx Symposium, the Contemporary is pleased to partner with Slab Cinema Arthouse for a public screening of the documentary film ASCO: Without permission at Slab (134 Blue Star, San Antonio, TX 78204, next to the Contemporary’s Education Space)

ASCO: WITHOUT PERMISSION challenges the limits of documentary conventions to tell the story of a revolutionary Chicano art group who turned 1970s LA into their defiant canvas. Merging activism with radical art-making, ASCO challenged the established order of Hollywood, museums, and media and are now considered amongst the 20th century’s most significant artists. Director Travis Gutiérrez Senger mirrors their boundary-breaking spirit by creating new works made in the ASCO tradition with a new generation of Latinx artists. The result is more than a profile – it’s a reimagining of what’s possible in art and cinema, celebrating iconoclasts who were decades ahead of their time.

This screening is FREE with Registration.

“En Comunidad” refers to participating in community through the sharing of our experiences, knowledge and our collective knowledge.  The Xicanx Symposium honors leaders, keepers of culture and tradition, and community members whose work and dedication fuel San Antonio’s vibrant creative landscape.

Join the Contemporary in a two-day weekend symposium of programs and events celebrating comunidad.
This event is free, but registration is required for each program.

The Xicanx Symposium is organized in conjunction to Xicanx Month, a city-wide celebration of xicanx art and culture.

Volunteers needed!

The Contemporary is seeking volunteers for our annual Xicanx Symposium on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Volunteer shifts are available on a first-come, first-served basis and fall into three categories: Set-Up, Artist Support, and Clean-Up.

Volunteer opportunities are open to anyone age 16 and older. If you are seeking volunteer hours for school or another requirement, please contact joey@contemporarysa.org for more information.

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