Xicanx Symposium | Xingonas
August 23–24, 2025
Join the Contemporary in a two-day weekend symposium of programs and events celebrating Chicana/Xicana artists, activists and figures, and their significant contributions to Chicano movement and impact on culture. 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.
Educators can receive up to 8 hours of CPE credits for this event. For details contact our Education and Programs Manager at juan@contemporarysa.org.
The symposium will take place from 10am–2pm each day. You can register for all or some symposium events on either day. To learn more about each event and to register, scroll down this page. When you’re ready to sign up, click the registration link for the day(s) you’d like to attend. You will be able to make your symposium event selections on the second page of the registration form. Email us with any questions or concerns!
Image Gallery
Day 1 Schedule – August 23
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Proof of Resistance | Printmaking Workshop with Leticia Molina
Learn the process of Gelli printing by creating contemporary retablos that represent everyday acts of resistance. Drawing inspiration from Xicanx/Chicanx communities and the ongoing efforts to preserve ancestral knowledge and push back against cultural erasure, this workshop invites participants to reflect on their own experiences and document personal acts of resistance through printmaking.
Participants are encouraged to bring photocopies of pictures or magazines to use in the workshop.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
In the Shadows, Our Ghosts Lurk – Exhibition Tour
Tour the Contemporary’s exhibition In the Shadows, Our Ghosts Lurk, curated by Fabiola Iza with Contemporary staff. The exhibition tour will focus on three overarching subjects: neighborhood, protest/activism, and the body. Learn more about the exhibition and selected works and explore their connections to the Xicanx movement.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Continuing Tradition | History of San Antonio’s Chili Queens with Ana Fernandez
Learn about San Antonio’s original food vendors, the San Antonio Chili Queens, and their impact on local culture, flavor, and traditions. Program participants will taste traditional chili prepared by artist and food expert Ana Fernandez, as she continues and preserves the Chili Queens’ legacy.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Her-Story Is Told | Xingonxs y Activistas Panel Discussion
With pinpoint precision, labor activist and first vice-president of the National Farm Workers Association, Dolores Huerta, spotlighted a critical issue with historical narratives and the tendency to eclipse women’s contributions. Huerta stated, “That’s the history of the world. His story is told, hers isn’t.”
Her words, describing a reality that centers masculinity and male figures at the forefront, still echo today as new causes find their voices and new figures emerge as leaders on the front lines of progress. Please join us for this panel discussion, where activists share their experiences and reflections on this ongoing issue.
Day 2 Schedule – August 24
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
“¿Que te crees? ¡Chingona? Pues claro que sí!” with Gabi Magaly
Join the Contemporary and artist Gabi Magaly for a powerful workshop celebrating Chingona energy through photography, storytelling, and self-expression. This session invites participants to explore how visual art can challenge stereotypes, reclaim narratives, and affirm cultural identity. Learn about the cultural reclamation of “Chingona,” explore the work of Xicana photographer Gabi Magaly, and create your own narrative or photo prompt inspired by personal empowerment.
Come reflect, create, and channel your inner Chingona. No photography experience required, just bring your story.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Círculo Healing | Ancestral Wisdoms with Tlazoltiani Jessica Zamarripa
Experience a guided, interactive healing workshop with Tlazoltiani Jessica Zamarripa, co-director and co-founder of the Institute of Chicana/o/x Psychology & Community Wellness. Learn about Chicanx healing practices and ancestral traditions.
Workshop participants will be introduced to foundational Mesoamerican healing tenets that draw from Indigenous worldviews, as they relate to memory, culture, and their preservation in a contemporary context.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Action Rooted in Healing with Sana Roots Co.
Join Sana Roots Co. for a community talk on the role of traditional foods in health, identity, and shared responsibility. Learn how food practices support mental and physical well-being while connecting generations.
This session will include discussion, shared knowledge, and simple steps for using food as a tool for healing and care.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Cultivating Culture | In Conversation with Adriana Garcia and Mari Hernandez
Join the Contemporary for a conversation between Chicana muralist, illustrator, and public artist Adriana Garcia and Mari Hernandez, co-founding artist of the Chicana art collective Más Rudas and Deputy Director of the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC).
Together, they’ll discuss the role of Chicana artists as historians and leaders of change. Cultivating Culture considers how art preserves memory, reflects community narratives, and how artists navigate leadership in the arts and create space for cultural preservation and advocacy.
Xicanx Month San Antonio
Xicanx Month is a commemoration of the Chicano Arts Movement that holds its roots right here in San Antonio. Xicanx Month is not just an event; it pays tribute to the cultural legacy that has shaped our community. The Chicano Arts Movement, with its origins in San Antonio, has played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural identity of our city. Xicanx Month seeks to honor and build upon this legacy through a series of collaborative events, exhibitions, and performances throughout the month of August. Learn more at www.cultureandartssa.org/xicanxmonthsa.
