The City of San Antonio’s program “X Marks the Art,” is designed to activate vacant downtown storefronts and underutilized spaces by introducing visually dynamic art installations and happenings, all linked by an online website mapping and other promotional ideas to attract the public to venture out and see art throughout the downtown area. Organized and sponsored by Public Art San Antonio (PASA), a division of the Department for Culture and Creative Development, art installations first began to appear in August, 2011.

In the project, artists respond to District 1 City Councilman Diego Bernal’s desire to revitalize the downtown area. The storefront art initiative also serves to promote Councilman Bernal’s vision of having well-lit, activated storefronts that create a safer and more engaging environment for San Antonio visitors and residents alike.

The publication was distributed throughout downtown San Antonio, and featured the biographies of the 22 artists involved, as well as a map of where any of their 15+ installations could be found within 14 previously-vacant properties in downtown San Antonio.