Semmes Gallery
Semmes Gallery, located in the Kelso Art Center, is one of three gallery spaces at the University of the 
Incarnate Word. Frequently hosting students, guest artists, and solo and collective exhibitions, it is a dynamic gallery featuring works as diverse as the artists themselves. At any given time, guests may find paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, photography, digital art and more.
FALL 2025 Art Exhibitions:
From Word to World: An Alumni Exhibition
Exhibit on Display: Monday, Aug. 11 – Friday, Sept. 5, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, 6 - 9 p.m.
The University of the Incarnate Word's Department of Art is welcoming all alumni artists back to the nest to showcase some of the artwork they have created since crossing the stage. In an effort to reconnect with each other and inspire our current students, we are hosting From Word to World: An Alumni Exhibition. Refreshments will be provided.
Gallery hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Kelso Art Center / Semmes and Condos Galleries
(Broadway and Hildebrand on UIW campus)
Free and Open to the Public
Rooted in Fiber: The Natural Textures of Texas Presented by the Fiber Artists of San Antonio
Exhibit on Display: Monday, Oct. 13 – Friday, Nov. 14, 2025
Opening Reception: Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, 3 - 5 p.m.
Rooted in Fiber: The Natural Textures of Texas, highlights 39 artists whose pieces celebrate the state’s stunning natural textures, landscapes and cultures. Visitors will discover the extraordinary range of fiber art, from vibrant color to intricate patterns, expressed through paint, thread, yarn, clay, cloth, wood, wire and more.
The 2025 exhibition is juried by Paula Owen, an accomplished artist and former President of the Southwest School of Art. Her career has been celebrated by both the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Art League for her contributions to the art community.
“Fiber art connects us to history, heritage, and the natural world in a way no other medium can,” said Exhibition Committee Chair Zet Baer. “This exhibition reveals the incredible breadth of creativity in Texas through materials both humble and extraordinary.”
Featured Artists Include:
Lydia Alegria White, Suzanne Armstrong, Zet Baer, Margret Bamford, Laura Ann Beehler, Lyn Belisle, Nettie Birnbaum, Beverly Blair, Lucy Burton, Marilyn Camp-Jones, Anita Centeno, Sherry Christensen, Ilna Colemere, Mel Dugosh, Margaret Fitch, Barbara Friedson, Nancy Gerfers, Sarah Gonzales Busse, Jamie Graham, Becky Hadley, Polly Hansen, Becky Heye, Caterina Holdbrook, Nena King, Renita Kuhn, Susan Lanford, Claudia Langford, Rhea Lea, Shirley Moehring, Susie Monday, Terry Gay Puckett, Linda Rael, Patsy Sasek, Rebecca Switzer, Leslie Watson Tomlinson, Kathleen Trenchard, Byrdy Wagner, Alison Whittemore, and Jeannette Wilson
The Fiber Artists of San Antonio (FASA) organization owes its founding to Mary Heickman, who was originally from Houston. Mary was one of the original Texas fiber artists. She was also a teacher and taught fiber techniques to the wives of the Astronauts who were living in Houston at the time.
In 1971, she moved to San Antonio and began teaching fiber arts here at the Southwest School of Arts and Crafts. Mary’s work inspired the original San Antonio group, which came together in 1972 with eleven members. Two of those original 11 fiber artists — Jean Peffers and Barbara Friedson — are still active members in FASA today.
Fiber Artists of San Antonio (FASA)
Gallery hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Kelso Art Center / Semmes and Condos Galleries
(Broadway and Hildebrand on UIW campus)
Free and Open to the Public
A Memory Palace of Migration Exhibition
Exhibit on Display: Monday, Nov. 24 – Friday, Dec. 19, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, 6 - 8 p.m.
The human story is a story of movement, and A Memory Palace of Migration gathers stories – through sound, image, and video – of that movement inside Texas, across the United States, and throughout the world. As you see and hear other peoples’ stories of movement, across history and geography, you will have an opportunity to contribute your personal and family stories of movement to the evolving exhibition, creating a palace of community memory.
Installation Design: Mikiko Uesugi
Video Design: Ryan Yu
Sound Design: Dr. Andrew Bergmann
Essays & Installation Leads: Dr. Lopita Nath, Dr. Kevin Salfen, Dr. Tanja Stampfl
Project Leads: David Crandall, Jubilith Moore, Dr. Kevin Salfen
Graphic Designer: Astrid Ortega
Photographer: David A. Surtasky from series Mika Oskarson-Kindstrand at Kyoto Station
Supported by Humanities Texas | In partnership with Theatre Nohgaku
The pilot exhibition, "A Memory Palace of Migration," is part of a larger performance/installation project, "In a Memory Palace," with a San Antonio premiere scheduled for Summer 2026.
Gallery hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Kelso Art Center / Semmes and Condos Galleries
(Broadway and Hildebrand on UIW campus)
Free and Open to the Public
SPRING 2026 Art Exhibitions:
Galactic Warriors Presented by Andy Villarreal
Exhibit on Display: Monday, Jan. 26 - Friday, Feb. 27, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, January 23, 2026, 6 - 8 p.m.
Andy Villarreal is a native of San Antonio, Texas. His experiences traveling in Mexico, especially the Yucatan, coupled with his passion for Mesoamerican indigenous cultures, add energy and intensity to his work. With vivid colors and various techniques, he transforms the cultures into a stylized original art form. Villarreal received his BA from Corpus Christi State University and his MFA from Arizona State University. He is a professor in art at the University of Incarnate Word. His work has been exhibited internationally in museums, universities and galleries and is included in permanent collections across the country.
This exhibition is a collection of works with a nod to ancient Mayan culture through abstract images. These paintings are composed with oils on various textures, including wood, paper and screen-printing screens.
Gallery hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Kelso Art Center / Semmes and Condos Galleries
(Broadway and Hildebrand on UIW campus)
Free and Open to the Public
SAISD Campuses of Innovation Exhibition 2026
Exhibit on Display: Monday, April 13 - Friday, April 17, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, April 10, 2026, 5 - 8 p.m.
Each year UIW's Art department hosts San Antonio ISD's campuses for an art competition showcasing their best work in photography, drawing, painting, and ceramics for the school year. All campuses have the opportunity to participate ranging from elementary to high school with winners of the competition being announced during the opening reception.
Gallery hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Kelso Art Center / Semmes and Condos Galleries
(Broadway and Hildebrand on UIW campus)
Free and Open to the Public
Senior Capstone Exhibition 2026
Exhibit on Display: Monday, April 27 - Friday, May 22, 2026
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 23, 2026, 6 - 8 p.m.
In the spring semester of their senior year, Art students have the opportunity to display their work in an exhibit. The Senior Capstone exhibit showcases the art that students have been able to develop and hone during their time at UIW. The exhibit allows students the opportunity to have their work on display in a fully operating gallery before graduating. The experience prepares them for future exhibitions that may interest them to spread their work to a larger audience. The Capstone includes works in various media, such as painting, drawing, photography and ceramics.
Gallery hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Kelso Art Center / Semmes and Condos Galleries
(Broadway and Hildebrand on UIW campus)
Free and Open to the Public