Curator Mia Lopez generates conversations around the aesthetics of Latinidad and the nuances of cultural heritage in Mercado/Material, on view at San Antonio's free Centro de Artes gallery from October 16 through March 7, 2027. The exhibition features 16 artists using vibrant imagery and popular culture to address themes of Latinx cultural identity and consumerism, playfully building on the Pop art tradition of Andy Warhol and Claes Oldenburg.
From layered screen prints of fruit cups and groceries to monumental piñata sculptures, the works engage viewers with iconic forms of Latinx visual culture — vibrant paintings, immersive installations, textile and ceramic sculptures, and works on paper inspired by markets in San Antonio, vendors in Chicago, storefronts in Mexico, and New York bodegas. Beneath the surface lie complex ideas around belonging, labor, and commerce, uniquely expressed through contemporary art.
Mercado/Material draws upon the rich cultural history of the site of Centro de Artes, from its early days as a produce annex to its current form as Historic Market Square in the heart of downtown San Antonio. For ten years, Centro de Artes has been San Antonio's premier Latinx-focused gallery, presenting the stories, histories, and creative visions of communities in South Texas and beyond.
The City of San Antonio's Department of Arts & Culture has transformed this adaptive-reuse landmark into a free, year-round platform for contemporary art—welcoming over 33,000 visitors annually and exhibiting more than 3,100 artworks by 600 artists.
Admission is always free.
Plan your visit at sa.gov.