The Briscoe 2026 Schedule Includes 25 Years of Night of Artists, Landmark Tejano Legacy Exhibition Festivals       The Briscoe Western Art Museum in San Antonio highlights historic 2026 Including the 25th anniversary of Night of Artists and the Tejano Legacy Exhibition as well as FREE Festiva ls.       The Briscoe’s highly anticipated 2026 schedule includes:     Celebrating 25 Years:  Night of Artists 2026 Opening Weekend Celebration: Mar. 27–28, 2026 Public Exhibition and Sale: Mar. 29 – May 10, 2026 One of the premier Western art events in the world, the Briscoe’s signature annual event brings together the nation’s top Western artists, collectors and enthusiasts to celebrate the quality, creativity, community and vibrancy of the genre. The 2026 Night of Artists features 85 of today’s leading contemporary Western artists and over 300 new works, including painting, sculpture and mixed media featured in a live auction, “luck of the draw” sale and a small works sale. Night of Artists continues to be a launching ground for artists and a highlight for collectors, recognized nationally for its exceptional artistry and strong community spirit. The public exhibition is a unique opportunity to see a fantastic array of the best of today’s contemporary Western art before the works join private collections, making the opening weekend and the exhibition itself something all Western art fans should see.   Tennant, Craig, Knee Deep, Oil, 28×20   “For 25 years, Night of Artists has stood at the intersection of tradition and innovation, showcasing the very best in contemporary Western art,” said Liz Jackson. “It’s more than an exhibition or sale – it’s a platform that has launched careers, built collections and shaped the national conversation about what Western art is and what it can be. This anniversary is a celebration of the artists who bring the West to life and of the collectors and supporters who ensure those stories endure.”       Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story July 23, 2026 – Jan. 18, 2027 Launching in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, Tejano Legacy is the Briscoe’s largest exhibition to date. More than three centuries of Tejano identity and culture unfold through over 100 artworks and artifacts, exploring the multiethnic and multinational heritage that shaped South Texas and San Antonio. Drawn from an extraordinary private family collection whose lineage reaches back 14 generations, the exhibition showcases paintings, sculpture, textiles, saddles and weapons that illustrate the depth and resilience of Tejano history. Tejano Legacy chronicles the Tejano story from its origins in the 1600s through the Spanish, Mexican, Republic of Texas and statehood eras, offering an immersive narrative grounded in the lived experiences and resilience of Tejano families. Over the centuries, this region developed a unique identity shaped by distance from political centers, cultural exchange and shifting national boundaries that continue to define Tejano culture today. Rooted in both Spanish and Mexican traditions yet distinctly Texan, Tejano identity reflects the resilience, adaptability and pride of families who have long called this region home.   Spanish Viceroy saddle   The exhibition is enriched by significant loans from museums across the United States and Mexico, including the Library of Congress, the Hunter Museum of American Art, The Witte, the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Bandera Natural History Museum and the Sigler Western Museum. Loans from Mexico include the National Institute of Anthropology and History, featuring works and artifacts from the Museo Nacional del Virreinato, the Museo Regional de Querétaro, the Museo de Historia Mexicana in Monterrey and the Museo Nacional de Historia at Chapultepec Castle. The works have never been displayed in the United States, making this exhibition a landmark cultural moment. With bilingual English and Spanish interpretation throughout, the exhibition offers an inclusive and immersive experience for every visitor. “Tejano Legacy allows us to celebrate the families, traditions and cultural influences that shaped the American West – and the place we call home,” said Liz Jackson, President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Art Museum. “In a year marked by the nation’s 250th anniversary and the Briscoe’s own milestones, this exhibition stands as a tribute to the people whose stories continue to define the West and helps reinforce the rich history and heritage of this region. We are honored to showcase these works and share these stories.” The Tejano Legacy story stretches beyond the exhibition to an accompanying catalog documenting the exhibition, the research behind it and the Tejano story, Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story. Community-driven programs, educational resources and partnerships with Tejano scholars will deepen public engagement and understanding, creating an immersive experience that brings the vibrant story of Tejano heritage and culture to life. Following its conclusion at the Briscoe, the exhibition will travel to Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West in Scottsdale, Arizona, and other institutions. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Funding support for Tejano Legacy also includes Jan McCaleb Elliott, the Kate Marmion Charitable Fund, the Henry Luce Foundation, Jessica Elliott Middleton, Mr. Mrs. Marrs McLean Bowman, the Texas Commission on the Arts, Humanities Texas, the Summerlee Foundation, Debbie John T. Montford | Plum Foundation in Memory of Valerie Guenther and the Williams-Chadwick Family Charitable Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation.     Festivals that Celebrate the West The Briscoe also offers free community events throughout the year that bring Western culture to life with hands-on, educational and fun activities along with family-friendly entertainment. Each event features complimentary museum access and activities.   Savides, Stefan, Mighty Might, Bronze, 70A   National Day of the Vaquero/Día Nacional del Vaquero July 25, 2026 The Briscoe’s annual National Day of the Cowboy celebration filled with cowboy-themed fun will tip its hat to the role that vaqueros played in shaping the West. From ranching to cattle drives and the art of herding, branding and roping, vaqueros laid the foundation for today’s cowboys. Including music, art and Western traditions, the event is held in the museum’s scenic McNutt Sculpture Garden and throughout the museum. Attracting Western fans of all ages, the day is filled with boots, hats and all things cowboy, cowgirl and vaquero. The celebration includes western lessons like the art of the lasso, crafts, cowboy poetry, chuckwagon treats and cowboy crooning filling the air of the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden.   Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival Nov. 14, 2026 This annual festival highlights Native American artistry and heritage through performances, demonstrations, crafts and more, offering a glimpse into traditional and contemporary Native American culture. Featuring Native American artists, musical performances and dancing, the event features storytelling and artist demonstrations that highlight the continued vibrancy of Native American culture.   Front of the Briscoe About The Briscoe Western Art Museum:  Preserving and presenting the art, history and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is located on the San Antonio River Walk at 210 W. Market Street in the beautifully restored 1930s former San Antonio Public Library building. Named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum includes the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for event rentals and programs, and the outdoor McNutt Sculpture Garden. Follow the Briscoe on social media, @BriscoeMuseum.   ...read more read less