San Antonio’s Art Scene Comes to Light During Annual Luminaria

SAN ANTONIO, March 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — San Antonio’s arts scene will once again be aglow when Luminaria, Texas‘ largest single-day arts event, celebrates its sixth anniversary. This free, annual showcase will feature all art forms including dance, literature, media, music, performance, and visual arts in an outdoor setting in San Antonio‘s historic downtown. More than 600 artists from San Antonio and across the nation will showcase more than 85 projects on eight stages.

This city’s remarkable history and culture have crafted an arts scene as warm and diverse as its people. From award-winning authors who capture the city’s heritage to contemporary artists who bring traditions into the mainstream, the stories of San Antonio are making their mark on the nation’s artistic footprint.

“This annual celebration of the arts has become a hallmark event, showcasing San Antonio as a creative and contemporary hub,” says San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro.  “I invite everyone to come and experience an extraordinary Luminaria event that showcases our vibrant downtown.”

Scheduled for Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 7 p.m. to midnight in San Antonio‘s famed HemisFair Park and neighboring downtown area, Luminaria is free and open to the public.

Launched in 2008, Luminaria drew 315,000 people to downtown San Antonio last year alone.

The word “Luminaria” refers to a traditional light or lantern popular in Latino cultures and ubiquitous in San Antonio. The notions of illumination, energy, warmth and tradition inspired by this icon are integral to the theme of this event.

Luminaria’s name is San Antonio‘s adaptation of “White Nights,” originally conceived in Paris, France in 2002, in an attempt to bring contemporary art to the masses in public spaces, while inspiring dialogue and engaging the public to examine its significance and impact on public space.