Abril Garcia-Linn

I am Chicana born and raised in the Westside of San Antonio. Growing up, I participated in my family’s tradition of Teatro and paper mache mask making. As a child, I performed original plays for my family members at gatherings and holidays. Teatro is in my blood. I am an artist, art instructor, seamstress, writer, performer, and cultural arts advocate. I am a proud mother of two amazing children. 

I am a founding member of the poetry/performance group Women of Ill Repute :Refute. We were featured in the book “Stages of Life: Transcultural Performance & Identity in U.S Latina Theater” 2001. My poetry has been published in various anthologies and publications including The SAPL “Young Pegasus” 1996, “Cantos Al Sexto Sol: An anthology of Aztlanahuac Writing” in 2002, “Contemporary Chicanx Writers Anthology” 2021. My original play “The Altar” was showcased at the San Antonio Museum of Art in 2019. 

Through my work teaching arts, crafts, and sewing to refugees in 2016, I completed a project designing and creating a line of handcrafted jewelry and accessories to sell at open-air markets as a fundraiser for the Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program. 

In 2017, I created a line of handmade dolls designed by my six-year-old daughter Sofia called Fea Dolls.

I am a teaching artist in many San Antonio schools and non-profit organizations such as the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. I teach poetry, folk art traditions, mask making, sewing, and jewelry making. 

I have over 25 years of experience working with various non-profit cultural arts organizations. I completed a six year term as board member and President for San Anto Cultural Arts (2003-2009). I have served as a board member and President for the Conjunto Heritage Taller since 2014. I currently work as an Instructional Aid for NISD Adult Education and Literacy.