Art Juneteenth: Where to Find Black Creative Brilliance This Juneteenth
Art is resistance. It’s expression. It’s legacy.
In San Antonio, Black art and creativity reflect both national heroes and local legends—from massive murals of MLK to intimate poetry sets and textile portraits. This Juneteenth, we honor that brilliance and the spaces that make it possible.
You’ll hear it in the voice of San Antonio’s Poet Laureate Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson. See it in the fabric-based portraits of Kaldric Deshon Dow. Feel it inside the only Black-owned art gallery in the city—In the Eye of the Beholder—founded by Maria Williams, a visionary whose passion for Black art is rooted in her belief that “we deserve spaces that celebrate our art and artists whose work reflects our lived experiences.”
This Juneteenth, experience the creative genius of Black San Antonio. Here's where to find it:
African American Book Festival @ Carver Library (June 7)
Start your Juneteenth weekend with literature that liberates. The African American Book Festival is a joyful celebration of Black storytelling for all ages.
A quick history: The Carver Library is named after the legendary scientist and Tuskegee Institute educator George Washington Carver. Its roots date back to a small wooden building established by Afro-American Army officers during World War I. Today, it stands proudly on East Commerce Street with one of the city’s most robust African American Studies collections—books, music, DVDs, audiobooks, and more.
Don’t miss the Freedom of Expression Area outside the library, a space where art and activism meet. Bring the kids, explore new authors, and add something powerful to your home library.
Black Is… Black Ain’t Screening & Panel (June 13)
Film has always been a mirror—and this one reflects the complexity of Black identity.
Black Is...Black Ain’t is a documentary that explores the tensions of being “not Black enough” or “too Black” and dives deep into the intersections of sexism, colorism, patriarchy, homophobia, and cultural nationalism within Black spaces.
Hosted by the San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum (SAAACAM) as part of their monthly film series, the screening will be followed by a powerful panel discussion. This event takes place at the historic Little Carver Theatre, a cultural cornerstone in San Antonio.
Note: This film contains mature content and is recommended for adult audiences.
The Art of Four + Rhythm & Beats Art Celebration (June 14)
Visual art meets sound at this culture-rich Juneteenth celebration. The Art of Four combines live DJ sets with an art exhibition featuring some of San Antonio’s most talented artists.
Expect the vibes to be curated by DJ J-Mille, DJ TEE RECKS, DJ Hollywood Hot Rod, and TDK—bringing everything from 70s soul to today’s hip hop and R&B. Come for the art, stay for the rhythm, and bring the whole family for a day that celebrates Black brilliance in all its forms.
Wilson Pottery Foundation Gala (June 14)
Step into ancestral legacy.
The Wilson Pottery Foundation honors one of Texas’s oldest Black-owned artistic traditions. The annual gala will announce the 2025 Potter’s Award and Future Pioneer Award recipients, along with the first Wilcox Ranch Scholarship winners.
Enjoy a silent auction, dinner, live music, and the celebration of Black artistry rooted in family, freedom, and generational excellence.
Juneteenth Youth Art Contest @ Eye of the Beholder (June 7)
Young artists, this one’s for you.
In the Eye of the Beholder is hosting San Antonio’s first-ever Juneteenth Youth Art Contest for kids ages 7–17. Submit your best work, share what Juneteenth means to you, and maybe walk away with a prize! There’ll be food, music, and family fun throughout the day.
Support Black artists. Visit Black spaces. Celebrate the legacy—and the future—of Black creativity in San Antonio.
Follow @juneteenth_bexarco for more Juneteenth events and updates.
