Check out our upcoming Latino Collection & Resource Center programming and events on our regularly updated calendar! (click link): https://www.mysapl.org/Services/Collections/Latino-Collection#188282845-programs--activities
Loving Los 13 Aires Cósmicos - presented by Violeta Garza - 3/22/25
On 3/22/25, the LCRC hosted poet Violeta Garza who guided attendees through a writing exercise which explored, Los 13 Aires Cósmicos. According to the wisdom of indigenous cultures in ancient México, Los 13 Aires Cósmicos are emotions we sometimes carry in our bodies that cause us imbalance or illness. Violeta and attendees explored their emotions through a generative writing class, and treated these heavy winds as karmic teachers. Attendees celebrated their progress by writing a love letter to the Aire of their choice.
Left: Flyer for event. Right: Program attendees in a group photo.
Luncheon with Eduardo Chavez & Legacies of Cesar Chavez & Dolores Huerta: On Community Organizing in San Antonio - 3/18/25
In honor of Cesar Chavez Day 2025, the LCRC hosted 2 events in collaboration with Trinity University and the Cesar E. Chavez Legacy & Educational Foundation (CECLEF).
The first event took place in the LCRC event space at Central Library at noon. Eduardo Chavez, filmmaker and grandson of Cesar Chavez, participated in a community luncheon to discuss his experiences while filming the documentary Hailing Cesar. The event was open to the community and served as a follow-up discussion, after the film screening of the documentary that took place at Trinity University, on March 17th.
The second event took place later that day, and featured Trinity Latino alumni, community organizers and CECLEF board members sharing their experiences in a round table discussion about the influence, inspiration, and legacy of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. They also shared how their education impacted their community work and reflected on the future of social justice in San Antonio. Discussion was moderated by local activist/musician Joaquin Muerte.
Top Left & Right: Flyers for Eduardo Chavez community luncheon & Chavez/Huerta roundtable discussion. Bottom left: Eduardo Chavez engaging in community discussion at luncheon event. Bottom right: Trinity University Latino alumni join CECLEF board member Keli Cabunoc & moderator Joaquin Muerte, in discussion about community organizing and activism.
Lupita's Brown Ballet Slippers Come to Life! - 3/13/25
On 3/13/25, the LCRC took the program, "Lupita's Brown Ballet Slippers Come to Life!", on the road out to 2 library branch locations to promote author Steena Hernandez's children's book, Lupita's Brown Ballet Slippers. Tanesha Payne, a professional dancer, embodied Lupita's journey through dance, inspiring young audiences to embrace their own creativity and dreams. Families enjoyed a live reading, dance demonstrations, and interactive movement activities, followed by a Q&A session and book signing. The first program took place at Westfall Library, while the 2nd program performance took place at Encino Library.
Left: flyer for event. Right: Dancer/Educator Tanesha Payne & author Steena Hernandez dancing with young attendees.
Floricantos y Tumbaos: A Panel on Latinx Music & Poetry - 3/6/25
In collaboration with Gemini Ink and program sponsored by Library of America, the LCRC hosted this panel discussion and live music performance in a special 'after-hours' event at Central Library's art gallery. The panel featured Latinx poets discussing how Latin American musical traditions have inspired, shaped, and/or informed their creative work.
Featured authors/performers included flutist Excy Guardado (Ceiba ili), renowned poet Urayoán Noel, and hip-hop artist Marco Cervantes (Mex Step) all of whom engaged in a rich discussion with moderator Amalia Ortiz.
Left: flyer for the event. Right: Amalia Ortiz y las Hijas de la Madre performing.
Empowerhouse Radio/Sala Artisté interview with Sarah De La Rosa - Latino Collection & Resource Center - 3/5/25
On 3/5/25, LCRC program manager and librarian, Sarah De La Rosa was interviewed by Armando Estrada to talk about all things LCRC! Empower House are frequent library programming partners. The interview aired on 3/20/25.
Listen to full interview here: https://empowerhouseradio.podbean.com/e/sala-artiste-w-sarah-de-la-rosa-latino-collection-and-resource-center/
San Antonio Mexican American Civil Rights Leader & Principal LULAC Founder - Alonso S. Perales, presented by Dr. Cynthia E. Orozco - 2/22/25
In collaboration with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the LCRC hosted author and historian, Dr. Cynthia E. Orozco during LULAC week. Distinguished author Dr. Cynthia E. Orozco provided an overview of her book: Pioneer of Mexican American Civil Rights: Alonso S. Perales. Perales was an attorney, US diplomat, author, public intellectual and civil rights leader who passed in 1960; one of the most influential Mexican Americans of the twentieth century.
Latine Literati: An Afternoon with Jonathan Fletcher & Eddie Vega - 2/8/25
On this date, the LCRC debuted and celebrated the release of local poet Jonathan Fletcher's chapbook titled, This Is My Body. Jonathan is the winner of Northwestern University Press's Drinking Gourd Chapbook Poetry Prize 2023. Jonathan and San Antonio Poet Laureate Eddie Vega both read from their latest releases and engaged in a discussion examining race, ethnicity, ancestry, community, identity and the body. Discussion was followed by a Q&A with audience members.
Voices of San Anto: A Series of Bilingual Storytelling Workshops - sponsored by Gemini Ink & presented by Marisela Barrera
For three consecutive weekends (January 18, 25 & February 1, 2025), the LCRC hosted, Voices of San Anto: A Series of Bilingual Storytelling Workshops in collaboration with Gemini Ink and presented by Marisela Barrera. During the first two sessions, Marisela guided attendees in crafting their stories and fine tuned performance techniques. The final session celebrated a public performance of the attendees' stories which was recorded and archived by frequent LCRC collaborators at Empower House.
Mixed Media Memory Collage Art Workshop presented by Raíz Infinita - 1/14/25
This workshop allowed space to create mixed media collage art in honor of a loved one. Participants were encouraged to choose and place their loved ones in spaces they never imagined they could occupy. Attendees transcended the traditional aesthetic of honoring their loved ones through typical photos and allowed themselves to imagine and use numerous sensory expressions. Presented by Elizabeth Rodriguez of Raíz Infinita.
Remembering La Matanza - 1/11/25
The LCRC kicked off 2025 programming by collaborating with the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute (MACRI) & Monte Video to bring a public screening of two films that document the history of racial violence along the Texas/Mexico border. The two films screened were titled Porvenir, TX & They Call Us Sediciosos. After the screenings, Porvenir, TX producer Christina Fernandez engaged in a discussion with Texas Public Radio's, Marian Navarro, followed by a Q&A with audience members.
Porvenir, TX producer Christina Fernandez (Left) & Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro (right)
TransLanguage Poetic Pleasures - presented by Alejandra Sánchez Alanís
This workshop took place on December 14, 2024 and explored creative expression through translanguaging (using multiple languages to communicate). Alejandra focused on the benefits of bilingualism for mental flexibility, connecting with inner energy for creativity, and using sensory experiences to spark writing. Participants used bilingual prompts to write about themes like feeling at home in one's body, personal sacred spaces, intuition and the senses.
Explorations of Home: A Panel on the Latinx Diaspora in Poetry - presented by Gemini Ink in partnership with Library of America - 12/3/24
This event featured a panel of diverse poets who represent the breadth of the Latinx diaspora. Discussion explored the facets and multiplicities of what home is: from ancestry and linguistics to shifting borders and generational wounds. Poets present included Laurie Ann Guerrero, Rod Carlos Rodriguez, Jasminne Mendez & Ire'ne Lara Silva. Discussion was moderated by Dr. Carmen Tafolla.
From left to right: Ire'ne Lara Silva, Rod Carlos Rodriguez & Dr. Carmen Tafolla
Bookbinding Metamorphosis - 11/12/24
Bookbinding Metamorphosis was presented by Diana Lizette Rodriguez and was a three hour intensive, experimental workshop focused on the abilities of change and transformation through forms, shape and self. During this meditative and informative workshop, Diana provided creative exercises to make art within the space and helped folks understand the importance of the artist book and self publishing.
III Feria del Libro en Español de la UNAM San Antonio at Central Library - 11/9/24
The LCRC joined forces with Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) - San Antonio to celebrate their third and final day of the 2024 Feria del LIbro (book fair) at Central Library. The book fair featured a diversity of literary talents within the Latino community and served as a platform for these authors to showcase their works, connect with readers, and engage in meaningful discussions about language, culture and identity. Attendees had the opportunity to attend book readings, panel discussions, book signings and workshops that focused on the creative process, inspiration behind the works, and the challenges and triumphs of Latino authors writing in Spanish in the U.S.
¡En Vivo desde San Anto! - June 2024- October 2024
Photo on the left is from our third workshop session art session guided by Mauro de la Tierra, participants holding up their painted masks. Photo on the right features Carlos Sanchez de la Garza on guitar, accompanying Dr. Tomás Ybarra-Frausto at our performance night.
Talleres de Son Jarocho - 10/3/24 - 10/5/24
Author Talks/Pláticas
The LCRC hosted various author talk during Hispanic Heritage Month 2024:
- Jesse Mancíaz/Xam'le Kuiz - National Book Launch for From Here To There And Back Again
- San Antonio Poet Laureate Eddie Vega - Somos Nopales
- Juan Tejeda - Mi Carnal Frank
Bajo la Sal, gallery exhibit by Mauro de la Tierra & Joshua Anthony Rodriguez - 8/3/24 - 9/14/24
August 3, 2024, the LCRC sponsored Central Library's main gallery exhibit titled, Bajo la Sal. City of San Antonio artist grantees, artist Mauro de la Tierra and photographer Joshua Anthony Rodriguez collaborated with the Latino Collection & Resource Center and San Antonio Public Library to showcase their project which highlighted 30 individuals in the San Antonio community. Each individual had their portrait taken by Joshua, which then evolved into a surreal portrait painted by Mauro. The project resulted in the creation of an accompanying exhibit book, which was released at the closing reception on September 14. The closing reception featured an artist talk, moderated by Texas Public Radio's Kayla Padilla. Watch the closing reception artist talk in full here: Bajo La Sal panel discussion - posted by Texas Public Radio
Mauro de la Tierra & Joshua Anthony Rodriguez Joshua, Dr. Tomás Ybarra-Frausto & Mauro - opening reception
Accompanying exhibit book - Bajo la Sal
Texas Public Radio's Kayla Padilla, Joshua & Mauro at closing reception/artist talk
Viaje Onírico - art exhibit by Marcos Mares - 8/31/24-10/26/24
On 8/31/24, the LCRC hosted the opening reception for artist Marcos Mares' dreamlike and surreal exhibit Viaje Onírico (Dreamlike Journey). The art was on display through 10/26/24.
Abuela's Fideo: Storytime with Author & Illustrator Gabriela Tijerina - 6/21/24
On 6/21/24, the LCRC hosted a children's story time/special reading, activity and child friendly Q & A at Schaefer Library, with local author and illustrator Gabriela Tijerina.
