Museo Alamada
off to a great start
City Welcomes First
Smithsonian Institution Affiliate

By EDWARD LEAL
Photography COURTESY OF MUSEO ALAMEDA

fter an opening weekend April 13-15 that saw thousands walk through its doors, the Museo Alameda is open in historic Market Square.

Located at the corner of Santa Rosa and Commerce streets, the Museo Alameda is like no other museum in the city. Aside from its exhibitions, which are focused on telling the story of the Latino experience in America, it is also distinguished for being the first museum designated as an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

As such, the museo has a large gallery devoted solely to Smithsonian objects, which will change several times a year. The opening exhibit, which features more than 50 objects from Smithsonian museums, will remain until September.

Upcoming Smithsonian exhibits include the Museum of American History’s touching tribute to salsa singer Celia Cruz.

The remainder of the museum is devoted to art and objects by and about Latinos. Included are Panamanian-American Victoria Suescum’s fanciful Tremendo Manicure, an exhibit all about vernacular art; Conjunto, a display of John Dyer’s photos of conjunto music’s best-known practitioners; and Botanica, a permanent installation that pays tribute to the neighborhood herb shops found throughout Latin America.

The idea for the Museo Alameda was born more than 10 years ago, when efforts to save the historic Alameda Theater were begun. Built on Houston Street in 1949, the Alameda Theater was the largest venue in the country devoted to Spanish-language film and performance.

For decades, the Alameda Theater was the center of activity for downtown San Antonio’s deeply Latino west end. Mexico’s most important films of the era had their U.S. debut at the Alameda, and stars of the Mexican cinema frequented its large stage. Today the theater is under renovation.

As efforts to raise funds for its renovation began, the idea to create a cultural zone, which would include a Latino museum, quickly developed. The result is the Museo Alameda, which tells the Latino story through history, art and culture.

The museum is open from 10am to 6pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10am to 8pm Wednesdays; and noon to 6pm Sundays. It is closed on Mondays. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children and seniors.

The museum will open its doors for Free Family Sundays the second Sunday of each month, featuring storytelling,music, arts and crafts and much more. All events are designed for the whole family and are free and open to the public.

For more information, call (210) 299-4300, or go to thealameda.org.

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