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Katherine Deck-Portillo

Introducing Viva Arte: Your New Guide to San Antonio’s Art Scene

Updated: Sep 18

We are thrilled to introduce Viva Arte, a digital platform dedicated to celebrating the vibrant art scene in San Antonio. Our mission is to provide innovative insights into exhibitions, galleries, and artists, offering a space where art enthusiasts, collectors, and creators can connect and discover new adventures. At Viva Arte, we aim to be a hub where art lovers can plan their next gallery visit and where artists feel at home engaging with our community. Looking ahead, we also aspire to offer emerging artists, art historians, and writers the opportunity to share their passion and hone their skills.


The idea for Viva Arte began during a conversation with artist Kim Bishop in our Research and Methodology class at UTSA. We recognized the need for having a stronger connection between artists and writers to foster the growth of San Antonio’s art scene. This initial inspiration, combined with my graduate studies, led to the conception of Viva Arte. 


Post-graduation in 2022, my colleague and friend China Whitby and I began the plans for this platform. This past summer, two pivotal conversations reignited my commitment to launch Viva Arte. The first was with  a local curator who highlighted the lack of a robust artist/writer “ecosystem” in San Antonio. The second was a discussion with Chris Karr, our writer and editor, sharing a rejection from another publication because his article focused on a local show that was only open for a short period. These experiences underscored the urgency to bring Viva Arte to life.


In the coming months, you’ll find articles authored by Chris and me. We are both recent graduates of UTSA’s Masters in Art History program, united by our love for art, teaching, and indulging in chisme. Chris is teaching at TAMUCC and advising at UTSA, while I balance my roles as founder, writer/editor, and instructor at UTSA and OLLU. We believe our deep connections within these communities will enrich our coverage of San Antonio’s art scene.

Stay tuned for our inaugural article by Chris, featuring Cheng Xinhao: Silver… and Other Elements at Contemporary Blue Star. This is just the beginning of what Viva Arte has to offer. We’re exited to embark on this journey and share our discoveries with you. 


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