Join the Witte Museum for a panel discussion on how Al Rendón’s photography has captured and illuminated distinctive aspects of life in San Antonio.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (November 1, 2023) – Coinciding with the exhibition and new book Mi Cultura: Bringing Shadows Into the Light: The Photography of Al Rendón, the Witte Museum gathers a panel of community leaders for a conversation about the significance of Al Rendón’s photographs in documenting and sharing the spirit of San Antonio’s cultural experience. The panel discussion entitled Bringing Shadows into the Light will take place on Sunday, November 5 at 2 p.m. and is included with Museum Admission ($10-$15, free for members).
Al Rendón, whose photography is currently featured in a Witte Museum special exhibition, has been documenting San Antonio’s Mexican-American culture for nearly fifty years, capturing Conjunto and Tejano musicians, local artists, street food purveyors and charreada competitors, among others. His photos of Selena were used as cover art for her 1992 CD Entre a Mi Mundo; as covers for several magazines, including ‘Newsweek’ and ‘People’; and hung as portraits in the Smithsonian.
The conversation Bringing Shadows Into the Light, moderated by Witte Museum President & CEO Marise McDermott, includes esteemed leaders who contributed essays to Al Rendón’s recently published book and have experienced Rendón’s work for decades. Eduardo Díaz, Deputy Director of the National Museum of the American Latino at the Smithsonian Institution, calls attention to Rendón’s role in establishing Tejano culture as quintessential American culture. Noted Chicano Studies scholar Dr. Tomás Ybarra Frausto notes Rendón’s ability to capture and convey the complexity of the Mexican-American experience in South Texas. Witte Museum Texas History Curator Bruce Shackelford highlights Rendón’s extensive work for the San Antonio Charro Association. Juan Tejeda, currently a consultant for the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, emphasizes the importance of Rendón’s photographs of conjuncto musicians.
Overview
Bringing Shadows Into the Light: A Panel Discussion
Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, San Antonio TX 78209
Free with Museum Admission
Join photographer Al Rendón for a community event to discuss his book Mi Cultura—Bringing Shadows Into the Light: The Photography of Al Rendón, which celebrates his remarkable 50-year career. Rendón will be joined by Eduardo Díaz (Deputy Director of the National Museum of the American Latino), Dr. Tomás Ybarra Frausto (noted Chicano Studies scholar), Bruce Shackelford (Texas History Curator at the Witte Museum) and Juan Tejeda (Consultant at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center) for a discussion moderated by Witte Museum President & CEO Marise McDermott. For more information, visit www.WitteMuseum.org/event/al-rendon-panel-discussion/.
