SAN ANTONIO (September 15, 2026) – This Hispanic Heritage Month, the San Antonio River Walk will serve as the backdrop for celebrating musicians and community builders whose talent, vision and commitment shaped San Antonio's cultural identity.
Hispanic Heroes, presented by Hennessy, returns to the San Antonio River Walk September 15-30, 2026, featuring six original portrait illustrations honoring local icons and their contributions to the city’s rich musical heritage.
Produced in partnership with Visit San Antonio, UT San Antonio Libraries and Museums, Community Engaged Digital Scholarship Hub, and San Anto Cultural Arts, this year’s installation expands upon The Sounds of San Anto, an oral-history archive preserving the stories of San Antonio musicians, promoters and community leaders who have helped shape the city’s distinctive sound.
“San Antonio’s culture is something generations of people have built, nurtured and shared,” said Mario Bass, President and CEO of Visit San Antonio. “Hispanic Heroes gives us an opportunity to celebrate some of the city’s cultural icons by bringing their stories to the heart of San Antonio through art.”
The 2026 Hispanic Heroes
The installations will be displayed at six iconic River Walk hotels, inviting visitors and residents to explore the downtown River Walk while discovering the stories of the individuals who helped make San Antonio a cultural destination.
Alfredo Flores, Jr. — The Monarch San Antonio
As president of Alamo Music Center, Alfredo Flores, Jr. helped transform his family's piano shop into a cornerstone of San Antonio's music community. After inheriting the business from his father in 1964, Flores expanded its reach through music lessons and partnerships that connected generations of musicians. He also served as president of the National Association of Music Merchants, advocating for music education nationally.
Henry Gomez — Grand Hyatt San Antonio
For more than five decades, Henry Gomez has helped shape San Antonio's musical identity as a musician, arranger and producer. His work spans Tejano, mariachi, conjunto and Texas music, including his work at Blue Cat Studios. A dedicated mentor, Gomez has helped nurture generations of musicians and continues to perform at Mi Tierra Café.
Janie Esparza — Hilton Palacio del Rio
In 1985, Janie Esparza founded Janie's Record Shop, creating a gathering place for artists, DJs, music collectors and families. Her advocacy and mentorship helped countless musicians develop their careers, while her commitment to Tejano and conjunto music earned her induction into the National Hispanic Music Hall of Fame.
Alyson Alonzo — Hotel Contessa
Singer-songwriter, DJ and radio host Alyson Alonzo has played an important role in San Antonio's grassroots music community. Through their KRTU 91.7 FM program, Queer Vibes, Alonzo has elevated LGBTQ+ musicians and other underserved voices, creating greater visibility and community through music.
Bell Solloa — The St. Anthony Hotel
As founder of the High Voltage Music Program, Bell Solloa has spent decades strengthening San Antonio's independent music community. Founded in 2016, the program provides free music instruction, instruments and mentorship to young people who might otherwise lack access to music education.
Chastity “Chas” Morales — Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk
Chef-owner of Vicious Eats, Chastity “Chas” Morales has built a career around creating spaces where people feel welcome and connected. Her journey through San Antonio's punk, artistic and LGBTQ+ communities shaped her commitment to inclusion and community building, which are values that continue through her culinary work today.
Art That Tells San Antonio’s Story
The 2026 Hispanic Heroes portraits were created by San Antonio artists Marco Vargas and Crystal Tamez, whose work reflect the city's longstanding tradition of using public art as a vehicle for storytelling and cultural expression.
Vargas, a self-taught Chicano artist, incorporates traditional Aztec and Mayan imagery with bold lines and contemporary elements. For this year's installation, he created portraits of Alfredo Flores, Jr., Henry Gomez and Janie Esparza.
Tamez, a San Antonio-born Chicana artist who has painted murals with San Anto Cultural Arts since 1996, is known for layered symbolism and storytelling that brings overlooked stories and voices to the forefront. She created portraits of Alyson Alonzo, Bell Solloa and Chastity “Chas” Morales.
Together, the artists transform oral histories into visual stories, allowing guests to experience the legacy of San Antonio's music community as they explore the River Walk.
Hispanic Heritage Runs Deep in San Antonio
Celebrated annually from September 15 through October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month spotlights the culture, achievements, and contributions of Latino communities. In San Antonio, that celebration is deeply connected to the city's identity and history, which stretch back more than 300 years.
The city proudly serves as a national leader in the Latino community. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, it is one of five U.S. cities with the largest Latino populations. It is also the birthplace of Henry B. González, the state’s first Latino congressman, and home to leaders who have shaped the Latino voice in America.
From the UNESCO World Heritage-designated San Antonio Missions and historic Market Square to the sounds of mariachi and conjunto, Mexican culinary traditions, public art, and cultural celebrations, this deep-rooted heritage is celebrated throughout the city.
Residents and visitors are invited to explore the Hispanic Heroes installations along the River Walk and discover the stories behind the portraits. For more information about Hispanic Heroes, visit TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com.