Oct 9-Jan 19
'Native Son'
Born in El Paso to a neon sign-maker father, Luis A. Jiménez Jr. found influence in that medium and in the mid-century lowrider culture that grew up with him. He gained international recognition for creating vivid sculptures and drawings that blended kitsch and realism, some playing on controversial stereotypes. The McNay celebrates its recent acquisition of Man on Fire, one of Jiménez’s most celebrated works, with an exhibit of his drawings and prints. $5 (military, seniors, students) $10 (free for members and children under 12), Tue, Wed, Fri 10am-4pm, Thu 10am-9pm (free from 4-9pm), Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm, McNay Art Museum, 6000 N New Braunfels, (210) 824-5368, mcnayart.org. Through Jan 19.
Oct 12-Nov 11
'Mariachi Nation'
A noted SA artist inspired by the Chicano art movement, Luis Valderas continues his quest to “connect the collective experience of past and present generations” using his own family as a guide. This site-specific series cheekily places images of Valderas’ father, in full Mariachi garb, in various streetscapes, design motifs, urban settings and famous works by Warhol and Rothko in order to challenge and satirize Latino stereotypes and socio-political structures. Lady Base and 3rd Space galleries, also in the Gallista complex, will have Second Saturday openings as well. Free, reception 6-9pm Sat, Oct 12, 10:30am-5pm Tue-Sat, Gallista Gallery, 1913 S Flores, gallistagallery.com. Through Nov 11.
Oct 12-Mar 29
'Eighteen'
If you’ve visited Linda Pace Foundation before, you may have been enchanted by Eight, a looped video of a young girl determined to save a piece of cake from her outdoor birthday party, abandoned during a thunderstorm. The looping intentionally distorts time and plot. Filmmakers Teresa Hubbard and Alexander Birchler have circled back as well, locating the original actress from Eight, 10 years later and creating another scenario involving her 18th birthday party. The Linda Pace Foundation will premier the resulting work, Eighteen, along with a selection of Hubbard and Birchler’s videos and photos. By appointment only (email visit (at) pacefound.org), 112 W Rische, (210) 226-6663, lindapacefoundation.org.
Oct 31-Dec 01
'Cribs and Crews'
San Antonio native Angela Fox could have a second career waiting for her in pattern design, but it's unlikely she’ll ever completely abandon the brightly attired nomads that populate her drawings and prints. Outfitted in layers of plaids, paisleys, checks and dots, Fox’s curious campers keep warm by neon pink fires or relax on rainbow-colored blankets and occasionally throw a pizza party amongst their psychedelic teepees and tents in bizarre commune-like settings, at once sweet and unsettling. Free, receptions 7-10pm Thu Oct 31 and Fri Nov 1, Hello Studio, Blue Star Arts Complex, 1420 S Alamo, Bldg B, hellostudiosa.com. By appointment through Dec 1.
Nov 1-2
'Altares y Offrendas'
For more than 35 years, Centro Cultural Aztlan has invited San Antonio to experience Dia de los Muertos in their Westside gallery. More than a dozen artists will display altars and offerings inspired by the pre-Columbian Mexican tradition. In addition to the artwork on display—itself creating one giant installation of remembrance complete with incense, candles and zempasuchil (marigolds)—the festivities include traditional treats, lowrider trunk altares, a performance by URBAN-15 and an artisan market. Saturday also offers art workshops. $3-$5, 6-10pm Fri, Nov 1, 11am-7pm Sat, Nov 2, 9am-5pm Nov 4-8 (gallery only), Centro Cultural Aztlan, 1800 Fredericksburg, Ste 103, (210) 432-1896, centroculturalaztlan.50megs.com.
Nov 14-Jan 12
'New Works 13.3'
Continuing its International Artist-in-Residence program, Artpace tapped Paola Mosiani, director of Purchase College’s Neuberger Museum of Art, one of the U.S.’ 10 largest college museums. She in turn assembled Rome’s Micol Assaël, Houston’s Ivor Shearer and New York’s Erin Shirreff. Hot-shot Assaël has literally shocked viewers with work employing electromagnetics; experimental filmmaker Shearer focuses on Hurricane Katrina’s impact on New Orleans, his former home; Shirreff’s multimedia approach purposefully reveals the usually seamless relationship between subject and medium. Free, reception 6-8:30pm Thu, Nov 14, 12-5pm Wed-Sun, 445 N Main, (210) 212-4900, artpace.org.
Nov 15-Jan 4
'Re-enchant the Moment'
Unit B founder Kimberly Aubuchon delights in the seemingly quirky and subversively silly, evidenced by her selection of Houston-based guest curator Mark Ponder for this group show. Ponder describes his own work as ‘playful’ ‘brutally honest’ and ‘cute’ among other adjectives, which could also apply to the artists he’s chosen for ‘Re-Enchant.’ Philadelphia’s Jonathan Armistead, Houston’s Debra Barrera and Dallas’ Chuck and George promise to recontextualize everyday objects and spaces, rendering them magical, meaningful and probably a little bit silly, too. Free, reception 6:30-10pm Fri, Nov 15, Unit B, 500 Stieren, unitbgallery.com. By appointment through Jan 4.
Nov 21-Feb 02
'Doubt'
This year, San Antonio-born and Boerne-bred artist Chris Sauter is pulling something of a James Turrell (the American artist who staged major shows at museums in Houston, New York and Los Angeles this summer). The first and largest of three local solo shows exploring religion and science (others will open in December at Fl!ght and Blue Star), “Doubt” involves furniture, photography, sculpture, surface design and video. Sauter hopes to inspire a “pilgrimage” throughout the city, so come on, pilgrim, and check it out. Free, reception 5-8pm Thu, Nov 21, 9am-5pm Mon-Sat, 11am-4pm Sun, Southwest School of Art, Navarro Campus, 1201 Navarro, (210) 224-1848, swschool.org.