Xicanx Symposium: En Comunidad
August 22–23, 2026
“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.
Image Gallery
Day 1 Schedule
Art Activity | Mix media collage with Audrya Flores 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Explore the possibilities of collage as you combine images, textures, and artistic technique into your own artwork. Cut, remix and paste to discover new images through layering, composition, and experimentation.
The Four Horsemen | Drawing session with Rubio 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Drawing from observation is the core of art learning. By working with real life objects, artist build the foundation to develop technique and style. This drawing session will take inspiration from Rubio’s work The Four Horsemen as participants draw from a skeleton model. Participants will learn more about the work in display and receive drawing instruction by Rubio.
Mano y Metate Day 1 | Community building through traditional foods in South Tejas with Beto De Leon 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Healing, land and labor
Join Beto De Leon, community yerberx and researcher for a presentation looking at the way food has brought us together from planting, cooking and community organizing. learn about the roots of several important plants to South Tejas and the collective practices that have kept those foods at the forefront of home and Xicanx social movements.
This presentation will focus on wild foods/medicines, and shifts around diets during the Mission period of San Antonio.
Before the curtains open | Panel discussion 1:30 – 2:30 PM
Behind every performance presented on stage is a complex network of vision, leadership, fundraising, education and care. What does it take to sustain a performing arts organization as they preserve culture and build community all while cultivating developing artists?
Join leaders from performing arts organizations for a panel discussion about the realities of the work behind the performance, from securing funding and building audiences to supporting artists, and maintaining community partnerships. Together, they’ll explore the challenges, responsibilities, and rewards of sustaining this work for future generations.
Day 2 Schedule
Put that on a shirt | Block printing on fabric with Michelle Garza 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Discover the basics of block printing in this hands-on printmaking workshop designed for beginners and experienced artists alike. Learn foundational techniques, create unique prints to use as pattern and connect with others through the creative process.
Herbalist Traditions workshop with Rebecca Steele / Tonantzin Botanicals 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Learn the basics of herbalism through the plants and ecological knowledge of South Texas, with a focus on local medicinal traditions and place-based learning.
Mano y Metate Day 2 | Community building through traditional foods in South Tejas with Beto De Leon 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Decolonial food for the future
Join Beto De Leon, community yerberx and researcher for a presentation looking at the way food has brought us together from planting, cooking and community organizing. learn about the roots of several important plants to South Tejas and the collective practices that have kept those foods at the forefront of home and Xicanx social movements.
This presentation will focus on the modern decolonial food movement, social justice and food shares, community pantries and mutual aid
From San Antonio | Panel discussion with Kathy Vargas and Rubio 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
What does it mean to be an artist from San Antonio? What is it like to grow up in the city, meet the people, and have experiences that shape an artistic career?
As the sixth-largest city in the United States, with more than 20,000 individuals currently employed in the creative sector, San Antonio is rich in tradition, culture, and creative spirit. Join us as panelists discuss how San Antonio has influenced their work and share stories of growing up artistically and personally.
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
