San Antonio is a city rich with art museums, galleries and exhibits all displaying the art of the city’s most talented artists. Many San Antonians walk and drive past public installations that are completely free to the public. Patrons looking to spend the day viewing San Antonio’s best public art can use this guide for a cultural and artistic tour of the Alamo city.

10 a.m.
UTSA Art Gallery
UTSA’s main campus offers a gallery space showing a variety of work from different mediums. It’s a great place to start before heading downtown. The gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Appointments are also available.

11 a.m.
Unamita
An intriguing art piece done by artist Sebastián, brings bright blue to the green grass of Hemisfair Park near the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and the Tower of the Americas. The metal sculpture, unveiled in 2004, accompanies many other abstract art pieces in the park, including an interpretation of mosaic stairs upon the hillside and other modern art sculptures. Spend some time roaming through Hemisfair Park.

1 p.m.
Grottos at Convention Center
Multiple artists came together to create visually dynamic grottos, or niches, in the building’s exterior. Each grotto illustrates San Antonio and the cultural significance of the city using color and dimension. Artists Say Si, David Zamora Casas, Cakky Brawley, Carlos Alvez, Alex De Leon and Benito Huerta each capture a theme individually, while also creating cohesion.

4 p.m.
Sebastián’s Torch of Friendship
The “Torch of Friendship” scupture was a gift to San Antonio by the Association de Empresarios Mexicanos. The 65-foot sculpture represents the United States and Mexico coming together through culture and language. With his sculpture, Mexican artist Sebastián brings life and color to Losoya and Commerce St. amidst the tall buildings downtown. It’s a short walk from Hemisfair Park.

9 p.m.
Bill FitzGibbons’ Light Channels
Created in 2006, Light Channels features a collection of colorful LED lights beneath Commerce and Houston street on IH-37. Take some time to appreciate color in the concrete jungle before your trip home.

Photos courtesy of Will Tallent / The Paisano