Briscoe Museum Proclaims Selena Without end/Siempre Selena and Tejano Legacy
Briscoe Museum to Debut Landmark Exhibition TEJANO LEGACY
Expansive Bilingual Exhibition Exploring Practically 400 Years of Tejano Historical past, Heritage and Tradition Opens July 2026 to Mark America’s 250th
Companion Exhibition Selena Without end / Siempre Selena opens June 4
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Briscoe Western Artwork Museum will current Tejano Legacy: One other American Origin Story, a landmark bilingual exhibition exploring practically 400 years of Tejano historical past, tradition and identification and the enduring affect of Tejanos on Texas and the American West.
Opening to the general public July 24, the exhibition is essentially the most formidable within the Briscoe’s historical past and can function greater than 100 uncommon artworks, artifacts and immersive storytelling drawn from extraordinary non-public collections, the Briscoe’s everlasting assortment and institutional lenders from throughout america and Mexico. A number of works loaned from Mexican establishments, thought of a part of the nation’s cultural and historic heritage, shall be seen in america for the primary time, providing guests a uncommon alternative to expertise objects and artworks that deepen and broaden the understanding of Tejano identification and its connection to the story of the American West.
Spanning from the sixteenth century to trendy occasions, Tejano Legacy traces the evolution of Tejano identification by artwork, ranching traditions, navy service, music, religion and group. By work, sculpture, saddles, textiles, historic objects and modern works, the exhibition highlights the resilience, innovation and cultural affect that proceed to form South Texas, San Antonio and the Southwest at this time.
“Tejano historical past is American historical past, and there’s no higher place to inform this story than San Antonio,” stated Liz Jackson. “This exhibition displays generations of tradition, artistry and resilience that helped outline Texas and the American West. As we rejoice America’s 250th anniversary, the Briscoe is proud to honor the folks, traditions and tales that proceed to form and affect our communities at this time.”
Offered bilingually in English and Spanish, the exhibition aligns with the Briscoe’s mission to protect and current the artwork, historical past and tradition of the American West whereas increasing the lens by which these tales are interpreted and shared. Lending establishments embody Bandera Pure Historical past and Artwork Museum, Hunter Museum of American Artwork, Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH), Library of Congress Geography and Map Division, Museo de Historia Mexicana, Museo Nacional de Historia Castillo de Chapultepec, Museo Nacional del Virreinato, Museo Regional de Querétaro and the San Antonio Museum of Artwork. Gabriela Gámez serves because the exhibition curator.
Exhibition Catalog to Accompany Landmark Exhibition
Tejano Legacy shall be accompanied by a significant bilingual exhibition catalog that includes scholarly essays, historic analysis, pictures and exhibition highlights that additional discover the themes and tales offered all through the exhibition. Revealed in each English and Spanish, the catalog is designed to function each a long-lasting instructional useful resource and an necessary contribution to the broader understanding of Tejano historical past and tradition.
The publication options contributions from historians, students and cultural leaders and extends the exhibition’s affect past the gallery partitions because the exhibition travels nationally.
Selena Without end/Siempre Selena Opens June 4
Complementing Tejano Legacy, the Briscoe may even current Selena Without end/Siempre Selena, a particular exhibition celebrating the enduring legacy of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez by the lens of acclaimed San Antonio photographer John Dyer.
Opening June 4, 2026, and remaining on show by January 4, 2027, the exhibition options intimate and putting images captured throughout Selena’s rise to worldwide stardom within the early Nineties. The exhibition affords an intimate have a look at an artist whose expertise, charisma and dedication reworked Tejano music and helped redefine illustration for Mexican American ladies in in style tradition. The featured photographs have by no means been displayed collectively, giving new context to Dyer’s work with Selena.
Greater than a music icon, Selena was a groundbreaking Tejana whose story mirrored the spirit of the American West itself: daring, resilient, entrepreneurial and deeply related to tradition and group. Like generations of Tejanos who helped form Texas by perseverance, innovation and cultural satisfaction, Selena cast her personal path whereas carrying the traditions of her group ahead. Her legacy continues to encourage new generations, embodying the pioneering spirit, creativity and dedication that stay central to the story of the West.
“Selena’s story is deeply related to the cultural satisfaction and creative expression that outline Tejano identification,” stated Jackson. “Her affect transcends music and continues to encourage audiences throughout generations, making her an necessary a part of this broader cultural dialog. The exhibition shares an icon who demonstrates the lasting affect of Tejanos – and Tejanas – in Texas and past.”
Nationwide Day of the Cowboy/ Día Nacional del Vaquero to Highlight Vaqueros and Tejano Affect
The Briscoe’s annual Nationwide Day of the Cowboy celebration on July 25 will additional honor the exhibition’s themes by spotlighting the position vaqueros performed in shaping the traditions, expertise and tradition of the American West. The day may even function a celebration of Tejano Legacy, with free admission to the museum and the celebration.
Full of family-friendly actions, music, demonstrations and Western traditions, the annual celebration fills the museum with family-friendly actions and all issues cowboy and vaquero. The free occasion highlights the talents, heritage and cultural contributions of the vaqueros whose horsemanship, ranching traditions and lifestyle helped form cowboy tradition throughout the West.
By connecting guests to the residing traditions of Tejano and vaquero tradition, the occasion reinforces the exhibition’s central message: that the story of the American West can’t be totally informed with out recognizing the generations of Tejanos and vaqueros who helped outline it.
Tejano Legacy Set for Nationwide Tour
Following its presentation in San Antonio, Tejano Legacy: One other American Origin Story will embark on a nationwide tour, additional increasing the attain and affect of the exhibition. Tour dates embody:
March 4 – September 5, 2027 — Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
October 30, 2027 – February 13, 2028 — Bullock Texas State Historical past Museum
The nationwide tour will introduce audiences throughout the nation to the wealthy and enduring story of Tejano identification and its foundational position in shaping Texas and the American West.
Nationwide Recognition and Transformational Assist
Tejano Legacy: One other American Origin Story was made doable partially by the Institute of Museum and Library Companies, whose assist represents a big milestone for the Briscoe. The museum obtained a prestigious 2025 IMLS Museums for America award – the fourth-largest Museums for America grant awarded within the nation and considered one of solely two awarded to museums in Texas – underscoring the exhibition’s nationwide significance and cultural affect.
The extremely aggressive grant helps exhibition growth, instructional programming, interpretation and the creation of the exhibition’s bilingual catalog, serving to make sure the tales, traditions and contributions explored in Tejano Legacy attain audiences in San Antonio and past by the exhibition’s multi-city tour.
The Briscoe additionally extends its deepest gratitude to the foundations, organizations and people whose generosity and assist offered the important assets that introduced Tejano Legacy: One other American Origin Story and its accompanying bilingual catalog to life. Along with the Institute of Museum and Library Companies grant, the Henry Luce Basis, the Metropolis of San Antonio Division of Arts & Tradition, the Betty Stieren Kelso Basis, the Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Basis, Humanities Texas, the Kate Marmion Charitable Basis, the Summerlee Basis and the Texas Fee on the Arts are supporting the exhibition. Non-public supporters embody Becky and Che Guerra, the Lydia & Enrique Guerra Household, Mr. and Mrs. McLean Bowman, Jan McCaleb Elliott and Jessica Elliott Middleton.
Further exhibition programming, instructional initiatives and admission info is accessible on-line.
A Summer time Full of Western Artwork and Tradition
Positioned on the River Stroll close to La Villita in downtown San Antonio, the Briscoe preserves and presents the artwork, historical past and tradition of the American West by exhibitions and programming exploring Wildlife and the Land; Native Individuals of the Americas; Tejanos, Vaqueros and Spanish heritage; and Cowboys and the American Frontier.
The museum’s campus consists of the McNutt Sculpture Backyard and options 35 sculptures portraying numerous elements of Western life within the backyard and across the museum’s superbly restored historic constructing that when housed the San Antonio Public Library. The museum is open Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday by Monday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and closed to the general public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Briscoe is positioned on the south finish of the River Stroll, close to the Arneson River Theatre and La Villita, with handy parking on the Riverbend Storage immediately adjoining to the museum or considered one of many downtown floor tons. Museum hours, parking and admission particulars can be found on-line.
About The Briscoe Western Artwork Museum: Preserving and presenting the artwork, historical past and tradition of the American West by partaking exhibitions, instructional applications and public occasions reflective of the area’s wealthy traditions and shared heritage, the Briscoe Western Artwork Museum is positioned on the San Antonio River Stroll at 210 W. Market Avenue within the superbly restored Thirties former San Antonio Public Library constructing. Named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his spouse, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum consists of the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for occasion leases and applications, and the out of doors McNutt Sculpture Backyard. Comply with the Briscoe on social media, @NBriscoeMuseum.
About The Institute of Museum and Library Companies is the first supply of federal assist for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, assist, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and associated organizations by grantmaking, analysis, and coverage growth. IMLS envisions a nation the place people and communities have entry to museums and libraries to study from and be impressed by the trusted info, concepts, and tales they comprise about our various pure and cultural heritage. To study extra, go to www.imls.gov and comply with us on Fb and Twitter.
