This powerful exhibit features a dazzling display of contrasts in variety as well a beautiful underlying unity. Each piece has an identical shape and size (12” x 16”) while each shrine exhibits its own uniqueness in an eye-popping array of colors and media, including paint, wax, glass, metal, fabric, ceramics and more. And the subject matter ranges from sublime to temporal, and from spiritual to satirical. This marks the 17th year that this successful, wide-ranging exhibit has been held.

This exhibit is a reflection of the growing embrace of “nichos” or small, personalized shrines, in the popular culture of the Southwest. This artistry has long been an integral part of San Antonio’s spiritual heritage.  But altars are becoming increasingly evident in secular settings such as art galleries, museums, homes and businesses alike.

Over 50 of our community’s most creative artists (listed below) have created and donated their work for this exhibit and silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Celebration Circle of San Antonio, a 501 (c)(3) interfaith community whose creative, inclusive approach to spirituality is perfectly embodied in this exhibition.

This 2021 exhibit and auction is a hybrid event beginning with an Online Kick-off event where bidding begins on Friday, October 1 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm CT and continues online through the in-person Closing Reception to be held Wednesday, October 20 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm CT (Final Bidding closes at 8:45 pm CT) at Brick at Blue Star, 108 Blue Star, 78204. The reception includes live music by Mark Hiebert and a cash bar.

Bidding Information:

To view and bid on altars use a computer or mobile device with internet access, and visit https://bit.ly/CCAltars2021

Support Local Artists:

Celebration Circle offers artists the choice of receiving 25% of the final bid price or donating 100% of the final bid price to the Circle. Share with friends and family, invite them to browse and bid on these amazing and diverse altars while supporting local artists as well as the Celebration Circle.

Contributing Artists:

Maria Alvarado, Nicole Amri, Ana Arrieta,  EAU (Fiona Arrechi), Suzanne Armstrong, Zet Baer, Kathy Barrios, Michelle Belto, Alexis Bierman, Jane Bishop, CeeJay Black, Emily Blase, Bill Bonham, Marilyn Camp-Jones, Annie Centeno, Julie Cervantes, Jiawen Chen, Tam Corbette, Agosto Cuellar, Sofia Dabalsa, Shea Daniel-Youngblood, Lynn Denzer, Sandy Dunn, Jane Dunnewold, Carolina G. Flores, Betty Franklin, Karl Franklin, Joan Frederick, David Anthony Garcia, Maria Garza, Laurel Gibson, Deborah Harris, Rudi Harst, Gloria Sanchez Hart, James Hendricks, Mark Hiebert, KC James, Janice Joplin, Christine Elizabeth Juarez, Deborah Keller-Rihn, Daniel Klein, Wally Lafaiete, Shelby Langley, Michael Madison, Jeff McDaniel, Raisa Melendez, Kathy Miner, Alexandra Nelipa, Kathleen Baker Pittman, Theresa Powers, Thom Ricks, Becki Rinner-Doege, Laura Schultz, Bill Simons, Daniel Stoneham, Terry Ybanez, Lynn Young (as of 9-28-21)

For information:

View & bid on altars: https://bit.ly/CCAltars2021

Kick-off event on Facebook Live: https://fb.me/e/2nRh6U0r2

Closing Reception on Facebook Live for bidding: https://fb.me/e/qpqukJb8Q

Contact Zet Baer: zet@celebrationcircle.org or 210-837-2866

#SacredArtOfAltars