ACD Strengthens Cultural and Academic Ties with Querétaro

The Alamo Colleges District recently celebrated a significant cultural and academic milestone by partnering with The Other Side of the Mirror / Al Otro Lado del Espejo, a groundbreaking art exhibit and educational exchange that strengthened long-standing connections between San Antonio and Querétaro, Mexico. 

The exhibit, which opened on September 20, 2024, at the prestigious Museo de Arte de Querétaro, showcased the work of 23 Latino artists from San Antonio and furthered cross-border collaboration between the two cities.

Organized by renowned San Antonio artists Lionel and Kathy Sosa, along with Museo de Arte de Querétaro Director Antonio Arelle Barquet, the exhibit will run through January 31, 2025. 

The exhibit highlights the artistic and cultural linkages between the cities, a bond that dates back over 300 years when Spanish missionaries trained in Querétaro helped establish San Antonio’s missions. Artists such as Jesse Treviño, Alfredo Rodriguez, and Cristina Sosa Noriega showcased their work.

A key element of the Alamo Colleges District’s involvement was the Espejo Exchange program, which sent ten students to Querétaro to engage with the region’s rich academic and cultural landscape. 

These students, accompanied by faculty, participated in a roundtable discussion at the Museo de Arte de Querétaro, where they explored art, culture, and traditions with artists from San Antonio and Querétaro. This immersive experience provided students with an invaluable opportunity to deepen their understanding of the cultural ties that continue to shape both cities.

During the trip, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores also solidified new academic partnerships by signing an agreement with the Secretary of Education of Querétaro, representing six of Querétaro’s institutions, including:

• Universidad Tecnológica de Querétaro (UTEQ)
• Universidad Tecnológica de San Juan del Río (UTSJR)
• Universidad Tecnológica de Corregidora (UTC)
• Universidad Politécnica de Querétaro (UPQ)
• Universidad Politécnica de Santa Rosa Jáuregui (UPSRJ) – BIS*
• Universidad Aeronáutica en Querétaro (UNAQ)

This agreement paves the way for future academic exchanges, research collaboration, and study-abroad opportunities for students and faculty from the Alamo Colleges District. 

The exhibit's donors generously supported the academic exchange and upcoming inbound academic exchange. In February 2025, the Alamo Colleges District will host students and faculty from Querétaro to deepen collaborative ties with the Consortium institutions from Queretaro.

“Our time in Querétaro marked a significant step in expanding opportunities for our students and fostering deeper cultural and educational exchanges,” said Dr. Flores. “These partnerships will have a lasting impact, enriching the academic experiences of our students and faculty and further connecting our community with its historical and cultural roots in Mexico.”

To highlight the historical connections between San Antonio and Querétaro, a four-part documentary titled The Other Side of the Mirror will air on KLRN-TV starting October 17, 2024. The documentary will delve into the hidden history of the San Antonio missions, the cultural significance of the Querétaro connection, and how these historical links continue to shape the identity of both cities.

To learn more about The Other Side of the Mirror / Al Otro Lado del Espejo, visit thersideofthemirror.com