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Friday, June 19, 2026

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Friends of the UT San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures gathered at the museum the evening of June 10 to inaugurate the new exhibit, "Puro Conjunto: Border(less) Sound." Through treasured artifacts, family memories, and stories from the intersection of indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, German and Eastern European traditions, "Puro Conjunto" celebrates the soundtrack of South Texas. The institute will also have a schedule of programs to complement the exhibit's year-long run, closing May 30, 2027.

Clay Shorkey and members from the team at the Texas Music Museum at the Puro Conjunto exhibit opening.

Clay Shorkey and members from the team at the Texas Music Museum made the trip from Austin for the Puro Conjunto exhibit opening. The Texas Music Museum loaned various objects and historic images to the exhibit, including items that have not been publicly exhibited before.

 

60 friends of the Institute of Texan Cultures gathered for the Puro Conjunto exhibit opening.

Wednesday, January 10, about 60 friends of the Institute of Texan Cultures, including artifact lenders, historians and family members of Conjunto legends gathered for the Puro Conjunto exhibit opening.

 

Bianca Alvarez at the microphone.

Bianca Alvarez, head curator at the ITC, welcomed guests to the Puro Conjunto opening event. With research, community contacts, historic images and priceless artifacts, Alvarez led the effort to build the new exhibition and weave the many aspects of Conjunto history and culture into a coherent and engaging story.

 

Roger Hernandez viewing the exhibit.

Roger Hernandez, founder and president of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum, attended the exhibit opening. Roger shared stories through the night, keeping guests enthralled with fantastic details about musicians, dance halls, and people who shaped conjunto music.

 

Students from LATSA showcasing musical instruments.

Students from LATSA – the Latinos in San Antonio student organization, welcomed guests and assisted with the opening reception. As the evening’s festivities drew down, members toured the exhibit and got hands-on with some of the musical instruments on display.

 

DJ Despeinada at the dj station.

DJ Despeinada entertained guests at the Conjunto exhibit opening. Her vinyl collection includes unique versions and arrangements of Tejano Conjunto favorites, such as Volver, La Cucaracha, Charanga, and Hey Baby (Que Paso?). She also displayed a selection of her own books on Tejano and Conjunto history.

 

Bianca Alvarez, ITC head curator, Sylvia Morales, Assistant Director of Visitor and Volunteer Services at the Blanton Museum of Art, and Monica Perales, Ph.D., associate vice provost of the Institute of Texan Cultures.

Bianca Alvarez, ITC head curator, Sylvia Morales, Assistant Director of Visitor and Volunteer Services at the Blanton Museum of Art, and Monica Perales, Ph.D., associate vice provost of the Institute of Texan Cultures.

 

Clay Shorkley from the Texas Music Museum with ITC docent Ellen Brooker in the exhibit talking

Clay Shorkley from the Texas Music Museum with ITC docent Ellen Brooker. Brooker shared a story how her father played the fiddle and weekends often meant road trips to the dance halls close to her home.