Discovering Centro Cultural Aztlan

For me, when I first started working for theFund, Centro Cultural Aztlan was one of our more enigmatic affiliates. Knowing that the best way to get to know about anything is through personal experience, I visited them, to both learn more about who they are and look for a piece of art that we needed for a workplace campaign award . My visit was successful; I came away with both.

While at first glance it may appear to be another art gallery, Centro Cultural Aztlan, is really a cultural center. Its mission remains the same as when they were founded in 1977, by local community organizers to support, strengthen, and share their Chicano/Latino heritage with the greater community of San Antonio. In the 2500 sq. ft gallery, regardless of medium, they provide a venue for a full spectrum of local artists. Their programs provide a means of expression for not only accomplished visual artists, but also students, poets, writers, performers and musicians.

In addition, to the 10 art exhibits they showcase in their gallery, Galeria Expresion, each year, they also sponsor a variety of annual community festivals and celebrations, from Lowrider Car Exhibitions to their annual Day of the Dead exhibits, Dia de Los Muertos.

What distinguishes Centro Cultural Aztlan  is its ability to resurrect lost and forgotten cultural traditions, and to reclaim and preserve them for future generations. In 1978, Centro Cultural Aztlan  reintroduced the tradition of Dia de Los Muertos, the celebration of life and death, into the San Antonio community and it has now become a well-known citywide ritual celebrated by many individuals and arts organizations with altares y ofrendas (altars of offerings) and colorful processions all over the city.  

Centro Cultural Aztlan next Galeria presentation are new works of art by local artist Charles Harrison Pompa in a solo exhibition entitled POMPA 2011.  

“Painting is a universal language just like mathematics, and my art work is all inspired by mistakes, ideas, and risk taking. Art is meant to explore the unknown, and the what if” - Charles Harrison Pompa.

The exhibit will open with a reception for the artist in the Galeria Expresion on Thursday, August 4, 2011 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  The exhibition will run through the end of August and is free and open to the public.

Centro Cultural Aztlan

1800 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 103

San Antonio, TX 78201

(210) 432-1896

Centro Cultural Aztlan is one of 27 arts and cultural organizations supported by theFund workplace campaigns.
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Make Summer Fun with KLRN

Does the heat have you already climbing the walls during the day with your little ones? Whether you are family or a childcare provider, KLRN has an answer. Everyone can turn on the television to KLRN to find Sesame Street, but we invite you to discover some of the other resources KLRN and PBS provide to help the development of young children?

“KLRN-kids” is the answer! This is a multi-page website, on the KLRN website, that provides the information and resources every parent and child needs to get through these long hot summer days. Introduce your kids to KLRN kids Club, for $60 you can sign your family up to enjoy safe, fun, educational interactive activities online and offline events made just for them. There are other benefits too, so be sure to check it out.

And, if that is not enough there is PBS Kid’s Play, with more educational, but fun, games, videos, reading adventures, and printable art activites galore. PBS has a Parents page, with oodles of tips and tools and ideas, to not only keep you and your children busy all summer, but all throughout the year! This is truly a gold mine of information for parents and childcare givers.

“Early ON” is a site offering a free fun place for kids to explore, games, and an online library with books that help the little ones develop a love of reading and a good mind. With a page for parents, they also have resources like Helpful Phone Numbers, a School Readiness Checklist, and episodes of “A Place of Our Own”. Their calendar of events is comprehensive; parent workshops, caregiver workshops, play and Learn groups – designated play dates for kids and their parents. Check out the cooking section in the Library for kid friendly recipes and edible activities! It’s all about using the resources that are available to you to give the next generation a good start. “Early On” is definitely a good starting point.

http://www.klrn.org/Earlyon/EarlyOnParents/index.html  http://www.pbs.org/parents/

http://www.pbs.org/parents/read/   http://www.klrn.org/Kids/

KLRN is one of 27 arts and cultural organizations supported by theFund workplace campaigns.