2024 CAM Perennial Exhibition:
Vernacular Systems
Curated by Christopher Blay

Vernacular Systems highlights themes of interconnectivity from personal and globalized perspectives. The artists reflect on the human nature to connect to the world around us–from nature, to family, to work, and the day to day. They also critique histories and systems which thrive on disconnection, yet resolve in knowing that even when connection is not visible, there exists networks of systems linking humanity, roots that may unify.

Photo Credit Allison V. Smith

Christopher Blay is the Chief Curator of the Houston Museum of African American Culture. The artist, writer, and curator was the News Editor at Glasstire Magazine from 2019 - 2021 and served as curator of the Art Corridor Galleries at Tarrant County College, Southeast for the ten years prior to Glasstire. As a juror, Blay served on panels for the Nasher Sculpture Center, Southern Methodist University Meadows Museum's Moss/Chumley award, Big Medium’s Tito’s Prize, as well as numerous University gallery exhibitions including the recent student exhibitions at Texas State University in San Marcos. Blay is a 2003 Graduate of Texas Christian University with a BFA in Photography with a minor in Art History.

Featured Artists

Exhibition Information

The 2024 CAM Perennial exhibition will open at the Contemporary at Blue Star on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 6:00—9:00pm, as part of our annual Contemporary Art Month kick-off. The exhibition will run through June 9, 2024.

Selection Disclosure

Part of the mission of CAM is to give full authority to the selected curators. This strategy is aimed at allowing independent curators full liberty and avoiding personal conflicts, given the close-knit nature of the San Antonio arts community. To this end:

  • The CAM Board has no hand or influence in the curation, discussion, or review of the selected artists.

  • The CAM Perennial Artists selection is entirely at the discretion of the guest curator, who never confers with the CAM Board.

  • CAM board members simply compile the information that artists give in their application and share this with the curator.

  • Community partners such as local galleries, museums, and venues are not privy to or involved in the selection process of the open call artists, and the curator's autonomy is privileged.