MOSAIC Summer Session: The Art of Gathering | Zine and Poetry workshop with Mariana Cid De León
The Art of Gathering is a poetry and zine-making workshop that explores how we come together in community and how those moments become forms of celebration.
Students will write three original poems reflecting on relationships, shared experiences, and the everyday ways connection and celebration show up in their lives. They will also use zine-making techniques to gather their writing into a self-published zine, combining text and image into a cohesive creative piece.
By the end of the workshop, each Students will leave with a set of three poems and a completed zine that brings their work together visually and narratively.
This workshop invites teens to consider gathering as both a lived experience and a creative act—how we notice, document, and shape meaning through community and celebration.
Application requirements
The deadline to apply to this MOSAIC Summer Session is Thursday, June 4th, at 11:59pm Notice of acceptance will be sent Friday, June 5th Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of work samples, and complete the application linked below.
Questions?
Contact our Education and Public Programs Manager Juan Zavala Castro at Juan@contemporarysa.org with the subject line “MOSAIC Inquiry” or call 210-985-3732.
Image Gallery
Art Instruction:
This instructional session is designed for students interested in exploring Zines, and poetry as an artistic medium in a flexible, student‑centered art session where participants can work at their own pace while receiving guidance.
All materials provided at no cost.
No prior experience or skill level is required.
Free & Open to High School Students
MOSAIC Student Artist Program is a combination of studio practice, the business side of art and arts administration. An extension of the Contemporary’s educational programs, MOSAIC is committed to providing students with free access to quality arts education, encouraging high standards of achievement and fostering excellence and leadership.
Schedule
The Art of The Gathering | MOSAIC Summer Session starts on June 10th 2026 and concludes in July 2nd 2026
The program follows an open‑studio format, giving students the flexibility to select the sessions/dates that best fit their schedules. Class meets on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 12pm
For information on specific available dates please see the application linked below
Why join MOSAIC?
The MOSAIC Student Artist Program supports students as they explore creative paths and prepare for future opportunities in the arts. Whether you’re interested in becoming an artist, working in arts administration, or simply building your skills and confidence as an artist, MOSAIC offers free, accessible arts education designed to support your growth in a community of likeminded student peers.
About the instructor
Mariana Cid De León (she/her) is a bilingual poet, writer, zine maker, and teaching artist based in San Antonio. She is co-founder of PanochaZine, an independent publication that brings together visual art and writing from women, femme, and non-binary creatives of the global majority, centering voices that are often underrepresented.
As a teaching artist, Mariana leads creative workshops using poetry, collage, creative journaling, and zine-making as tools for self-expression and connection. Her work focuses on making creativity accessible and helping participants explore their ideas through both words and images