Wednesday, November 5
“Guatemala”
The San Antonio Public Library hosts a photo exhibit by UTSA President Dr. Richard Romo, who captured the people and culture of Guatemala in images that “unearth stories that words alone cannot tell.” Free, Wednesday noon-8pm, Thursday-Sunday, 10am-6pm, Monday noon-8pm; Forest Hills Branch Library, 5245 Ingram, (210) 207-9230
Thursday, November 6
Raymundo Gonzalez: “Magical Realism”
Magical realism, normally a literary term, is visual artist Raymundo Gonzalez’s self-designation of his style. His new book is primarily a collection of acrylics, watercolors, gouaches, and drawings. Free, Thursday 5-8pm, The Twig Book Shop, 306 Pearl Pkwy, Ste 106, (210) 826-6411
Thursday, November 6
Dead Poets Society
O Captain, my captain! This week, the Bijou will be showing Dead Poets Society, Robin Williams’ first run at playing an emotionally invested, hands-on professor (before Good Will Hunting, guys). So go get a quick lesson in literature and pour one out for the late, great Williams. Free, Thursday 7pm, Santikos Bijou, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 734-4552
Thursday, November 6
“Condensed Soup”
The UTSA New Media Collective presents “Condensed Soup,” which highlights an eclectic bounty of cross-disciplinary, new media art ingredients and conceptual delights. Featured works include a variety of intermedia videos/sound installations as well as a series of performance works that contain live and processed sound/video art. Free, Thursday-Friday 7pm, Terminal 136, 136 Blue Star, (210) 458-4391
Thursday, November 6
“In the Belly of the Beast”
Employing a signature blend of landscape painting, woodcutting, text and Spanish/English code-switching, El Paso native Ricky Armendariz conjures ominous scenes while nodding to everything from Bob Dylan song lyrics and Greek mythology to Native American icons and the U.S./Mexico border. Fittingly, Armendariz likens the intricate cuts he makes in his painted panels to scars and tattoos. Referencing with its title Franciso Goya’s grisly painting Saturn Devouring His Son, Armendariz’s “In the Belly of the Beast” comprises works in his hybrid style as well as a series of wood blockprints. Free, Thursday 6-8pm, Ruiz-Healy Art, 201 E Olmos, (210) 804-2219, ruizhealyart.com –Bryan Rindfuss
Friday, November 7
“Embracing Impermanence”
Longtime artist and architect Richard Mogas’ mixed-media exhibit is inspired by the “hard scrabble, cactus, and rattlesnake” life in South Texas with his father, mentor, and hero Jose Roque Mogas. Free, Friday-Saturday noon-6pm, REM Gallery, 219 E Park, (210) 224-1227
Friday, November 7
Topographies of Grace
In conjunction with Catherine Lee’s exhibition “Emergence,” the Shay Ishii Dance Company performs a unique version of Topographies of Grace utilizing Lee Ishii’s sculptures. Free, Friday 7:30pm, Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum, 116 Blue Star, (210) 227-6960
Friday, November 7
“Go Spurs Show”
Hailed as “an artistic tribute and convergence of professional basketball and fine arts,” the team-spirited exhibit “Go Spurs Show” unites more than 20 local artists – Agosto Cuellar, Amada Clair Miller, Ana Fernandez, Vincent Valdez, Ethel Shipton, Jake Zollie Harper and Avi Avalos (AKA Mr. Piñata) among them – in a multimedia celebration of “what it means to be a fan of the San Antonio Spurs.” Curated by Rigoberto Luna, the group show opens with a reception sure to stretch into overtime with “Spurs slam poetry” courtesy of Anthony the Poet and Amanda Flores, plus music by Ghostpizza, Snowbyrd and Executive Realness. Free, Friday 6pm-midnight, Studio One Zero Three, 721 S Presa. –Bryan Rindfuss
Saturday, November 8
Life after Life
Unlimited Thought of Life Enrichment Center presents videos exploring “life after life” with personal stories of near death experiences. Free, Saturday 1:30-4:30pm, Unlimited Thought, 5525 Blanco, (210) 525-0693
Sunday, November 9
“Serving with Honor”
The institute of Texan Cultures documents the Tejano experience in the armed forces with stories from a panel of historians and veterans. Free, Sunday 2-4pm, Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. Cesar Chavez, (210) 458-2300
This article appears in Fashion Week San Antonio.