GREAT DOWNTOWNS AROUND THE WORLD
POSSESS AMPLE PUBLIC ART
San Antonio has a rich history of telling our stories and sharing our culture. Art Everywhere celebrates art and artists by incorporating this art into the public realm. It adds vibrancy and a more global quality of life, promotes the creative economy, and acts as a magnet for businesses, residents, visitors, and foot traffic.
Art Everywhere makes downtown beautiful and playful – but now has even greater depth; it puts local artists (small-business people) back to work and lends downtown businesses a bit of coolness.
OUR BIG GOAL:
21 in 21
In 2021, we set out to complete 21 Urban Art Projects in Downtown. By the end of 2021, we completed a total of 24 installations!
NEW:
Plein Air Exhibit
Centro San Antonio (Centro) is excited to announce the latest Art Everywhere installation: The Plein Air Exhibit. The Plein Air Exhibit will feature 20 artists who truly believe in the transformative power of art in the public realm. The exhibit will run the length of the Kress Building located at the 300 Block of E. Houston St, utilizing vacant storefront windows to add vibrancy to downtown San Antonio
“The Plein Air Exhibit,” a crowdsourced exhibition, began in response to COVID-19 to alleviate some of the hardships brought onto the art community by the pandemic. During the pandemic, art non-profits and artists were suffering, limiting their sources of income and exposure. To help the community understand the impact that the arts make on our community, Centro and CAUSA (Culture and Arts United for San Antonio) teamed up to invite San Antonio artists to submit original artworks to be installed on business facades across downtown San Antonio. This open call titled “Power of Art in the Public Realm” took place in 2021 and received submissions from all over San Antonio.
The goal of the open call was to select ten artists whose work would be transformed into large-scale 2D artworks. However, with so many outstanding submissions, the open call committee, made up of local art non-profit professionals, decided to honor 20 additional artists in this outdoor exhibition and provided honorariums to each selected artist.
- Janna Andrews
- Kim Bishop
- Analy Diego
- Rebecca Donato
- Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga
- Gabriel Garcia
- Brandy Gonzalez
- Katie Pace Halleran
- Nazdira Litvinova
- Michele Monseau
- April Morgan
- Benjamin Ortiz
- Bam Porfirio
- Andrea Reyes
- Roland Rodriguez
- Angeles Salinas
- Sabine Senft
- Bhaswati Sinha
- Jen Frost Smith
Explore Art Downtown
Scroll through the images Below to learn more about Our Art Everywhere installations and the artists who created them
take the self-guided Tour
Have extra time on your hands? This loop is about 3 miles long and is the perfect opportunity to explore Downtown SA and experience art in the public realm.
Art Everywhere Video Gallery
Scroll through our Video Gallery below to hear our Artist’s stories and view their masterpieces up close
Click on the outside arrows above to our 12 videos. Hover your mouse over each video to view the title.
Recently Completed murals
The art community is always creating. Keep an eye out for new installations on the sides of buildings, in the windows, on the streets – there’s always something new to see.
Plein Air Exhibit – 20 Featured Artists (311-315 E Houston St.)
“All Are Welcomed, Love Conquers Hate” – Albert Gonzales, Hailey Marmolejo, Rhys Munro, Raisa Melendez Tardi, Scotch Willington and Victor Zarazua (Travis Park Church)
“Amor Eterno” – Alan Calvo (Alameda Theatre)
“Never Completely Revealed, Never Completely Obscured” – Mark Hogensen (Travis Park Plaza Garage)
“Sky, Earth & Mariachi Lacho Over San Antonio” – Luis Valderas (110 Losoya St. San Antonio, TX 78205)
Peacock Alley II – Scotch
TIMELINE
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PARTNERS
Installations such as these are made possible in part by our partners at Luminaria: Contemporary Arts Festival and The City of San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture and CAUSA Culture and Arts United for San Antonio.
support public Art
If you are interested in supporting the Art Everywhere Project or have questions, please contact Andrea ‘Andi’ Rodriguez at arodriguez@centrosa.org
LOCATIONS
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Headquarters
110 Broadway Street, Suite 230 San Antonio, TX 78205 - Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm
- (210) 225-3862
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Operations Center
- 219 E Travis Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
- Everyday 7:00am - 6:00pm
- (210) 224-7747
NEWSLETTER
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GOT A QUESTION ABOUT MEMBERSHIP?
Contact Us
Matt Sirgo
DIRECTOR OF STORYTELLING
Matt graduated from Texas Tech University in 2016 with a Dual Major in Media Strategies and Honors Arts & Letters with a minor in Italian (Benvenuto a tutti!). Matt oversees the marketing, public relations, and digital content for Centro. After sharing the story of Downtown San Antonio on digital channels, he enjoys creating TikToks about LGBTQ+ media. His mug graces a Fiesta Mural on the St. Mary’s Strip just north of Downtown. You can’t miss it.
Edward A. Romero
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Eddie is responsible for understanding community needs through research and dialogue, serving the organization’s community development and advocacy efforts while delivering Public Improvement District services and marketing campaigns. Eddie earned a B.S. in Mass Communications from Texas State University and a M.A. in Interactive Communication and Design from the University of the Incarnate Word. He has spent the past eight years leading Centro in multiple capacities, including membership, events, marketing, community engagement, and district operations.
Copy and paste the following url in your browser to listen to Eddie’s “Downtown” playlist: https://spoti.fi/30fSerZ.
KANDICE PERKINS
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
Kandice is a Sunnyvale, CA native and has made San Antonio her home since 2014. She graduated from University of Argosy in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and continued to complete her Master’s in Business Administration from University of Phoenix 2020. She has worked in downtown San Antonio for years, bringing 15+ years of accounting experience to the organization and has been tasked with promoting and developing the city’s urban core. When not at the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, managing her family’s businesses, and enjoys cooking and baking.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
Andi Rodriguez
VICE PRESIDENT OF CULTURAL PLACEMAKING
Andi is a long-time urban champion and leads Centro ‘people projects’ which tell our stories and bring us joy, such as Centro’s Art Everywhere and Zona Cultural. Serving on the Leadership Council of Urban Land Institute, she is a former city Planning Commissioner, Founding Chair of the Hemisfair Conservancy, Co-founder of Power of Preservation/PROM, former Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women and immediate past Chair of Leadership San Antonio. Andi considers herself a servant leader; she has an MS in Architecture/Urban Planning, and enjoys advocating for the unifying power of art, history, and public space.
Sarah Esserlieu Khalil
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Sarah is a passionate urbanist who has spent the majority of her career on downtown revitalization efforts. Downtown is the best part of any city where you can find the finest history, culture, life, and beauty. Sarah has a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of California, San Diego. Sarah enjoys visiting small local businesses, enjoying foodie culture, cooking, hiking, and visiting the cities of the world.
Jacqueline Lucio
DIRECTOR OF PID OPERATIONS
Jacque is a longtime downtowner with a deep passion for community service. She oversees Centro’s Clean & Safe and Homeless Outreach services, which aim to create a more beautiful, welcoming, inclusive, and hospitable downtown. For nearly two decades, Jacque has lived in downtown San Antonio and has been actively involved in the transformation of the urban core. Through her work with nonprofits, local government, and news media, she’s continually focused on championing more sustainable, diverse, and equitable communities. Jacque has led efforts to support asylum seekers, served as communications director for City Council District 5, and served in public affairs role for Clear Channel Outdoor San Antonio. Jacque studied Mass Communications and Mexican-American Studies at UTSA.
Elizabeth Burt
DIRECTOR OF URBAN ACTIVATION + PLAY
Liz is a passionate underutilized space evangelist known for collaboration matchmaking + play based troublemaking (snow, pumpkins, and Parisian mimes included). She graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Public Policy studying Public Administration (#BirdsUp)! More recently, she oversaw the award winning Activate Houston Street Initiative, a placemaking action plan to reinvigorate the historic pedestrian corridor in the heart of Downtown, which is recognized as a Best Practice in Public Space Management by the International Downtown Association, for which she is also a proud Emerging Leader Fellow.
Jakob Villareal
STAFF GRANT WRITER
Currently studying for a B.A. in English at A&M San Antonio and Majoring in Writing & Rhetoric, Jakob is a key player in securing additional funding for Centro’s many projects and initiatives. Jakob acts as a matchmaking service for Centro’s projects and Initiatives. Using his intimate knowledge of our goals and ideals, he seeks to find the perfect match of project and potential funding organization. When he’s not busy fundraising Jakob also fills the roll of Game Master, host the team’s various get–togethers and keeping the party going with games galore. He spends his free time painting miniatures, and is an avid Dungeons and Dragons & Table Top RPG enthusiast.
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JanIe Garza
OFFICE MANAGER
Janie is a native of Corpus Christi, TX and has made San Antonio her home since 2012. Her 15+ years’ experience allows her to serve a broad range of functions that allow the organization to operate efficiently, including, accounts receivable/payable, record management, information technology, office management, and assisting with human resources. Outside of the office she enjoys spending time with her family, visiting local art museums, and enjoying a German beer in Southtown.
Michael Cirlos
JEDI CAMERAMAN
Michael began his studies and volunteer work at Webster University Thailand with a focus on international relations and Buddhism. After returning to San Antonio and graduating from UTSA, Michael began photographing and telling the stories of people in Downtown San Antonio to help connect and increase awareness of our vibrant urban culture. Michael’s work has appeared in several news media organizations, and has produced digital content for small- and large-scale marketing campaigns for Red Bull, COSA Department of Arts and Culture, World Heritage Office, National Park Service, and others. Michael is a former Pecha Kucha San Antonio Speaker, best-selling author at Trinity University Press, entrepreneur, and adventurer.
Priscilla Lopez
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Priscilla or “P.Lo” as her teammates affectionately call her, has 20 years of corporate administrative experience. Priscilla attended The University of San Antonio with a focus on Business Administration. In her role as office “fixer,” she handles everything from communications and relationship management to IT sleuthing. On weekends you can find her enjoying a Truly poolside. She lives the vegan lifestyle and is a proud member of the Peleton community.
Connie Garza
TACTICAL PLANNING COORDINATOR
Connie is a native San Antonian with roots planted deeply on San Antonio’s Southside. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Passionate about building strong communities, Connie loves acting as a connector to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and people to help each other reach their goals and work together. She works inbetween the Cultural Placemaking team and the Mainstreet Economic Development team, bringing vibrancy and support to urban core businesses to make downtown the place to be. When not at work, you can usually find her at the local plant nursery buying another plant, exploring new cafes/breweries, and spending time with family.
Laura Aldrich
MEMBERSHIP & STORY CATALYST
Laura (She/Her) has a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from the University of Texas at Austin where she fostered a deep love for communication, critical theory, & experiential spaces. Her heart lies in community, communication, & creative spaces for connection & collaboration.
She’s found much of her life’s direction in sharing her love for fitness & yoga alongside her deeply lived passion for social equity & women’s equality.
Laura has years of experience in developing & carrying out creative, strategic project management, marketing & membership-based sales as well as large-scale events & leadership training.
Outside of work she can often be found biking downtown with friends, adventuring with her sweet pup on the Greenway & casually perusing the cheese aisle at Central Market. She finds simple pleasures in unexpected live music, mochi, freshly bought pairs of matching socks & toppling the patriarchy.
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MATT BROWN
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Matt is the lucky guy that gets to lead a team of passionate placemakers who work every day to make downtown San Antonio more beautiful, playful, prosperous, and welcoming. Since starting his career as an attorney, Matt accumulated 25+ years’ worth of experience in the private sector by founding play and creative companies; consulting for start-ups and Fortune 500s in strategy, innovation, and leadership; and serving as president and C-level executive for Scholastic, Klutz and LeapFrog, among others. Directly prior to moving to San Antonio, he was the Economic Development Director and Interim Land Use Director for Santa Fe, NM. He and his daughter have visited 15 state capitals on their way to all 50!