Spotlight
2026-2027

Margarita Cabrera was born in Monterrey, Mexico, in 1973. A multi-media artist and activist, Cabrera holds a BFA, as well as an MFA, from Hunter College in New York, New York. Margarita’s practice involves socially engaged art as she works with ceramics, textiles, and metals, creating public and community works. Through her creative practice and resulting artworks, Cabrera highlights the stories that make up our diverse communities and celebrates our shared humanity.

Inspired by the term “nepantla”, an Aztec word from the Nahuatl language that refers to a space in the middle, the Space in Between Series, which began in 2010. Designed after indigenous plants that exist in the desert regions of the Southern United States and Northern Mexico. The idea of “nepantla”, coined by playwright and poet Gloria Anzaldua, is the space where marginalized communities find alternative and resistant ways to survive their situations. Through community and sculpture, Cabrera’s work focuses on social justice issues affecting society today. “The idea is to bring people together who have these different perspectives, to engage in an artistic production together,” says Cabrera.

Currently, Cabrera is an assistant professor at the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University.

Space in Between series joined the McNay collection in 2021 with funds gifted anonymously in memory of Madeline O’Connor.

Important Spotlight Dates

Registration Deadline

Reserve your participation at Spotlight by Monday, February 1, 2027.

Artwork Delivery

Saturday, April 10, 2027, from 9am – 1pm at the McNay, Jones Building
Or by appointment prior to Saturday, April 10, 2027 

Optional Video Submission Deadline

Friday, May 07, 2027

Spotlight Exhibition Opens

Sunday, May 23, 2027

Spotlight Celebration

Sunday, May 23, 2027
Exact school ceremony times TBD

Teacher & Parent Resources

• Request a Tour
• Teacher FAQ
• Parent FAQ
• Brainstorming Sheet
• Spotlight Virtual Information Session
• Spotlight Saturday

Project Guidelines for student artwork

• All artwork must be ready to display upon delivery.
• Each participating teacher is allotted one space at 4’x4’×4’ for all artwork submitted.
  The gallery space is shared, and we hope to show as many student projects as possible. Small, individual, or collaborative projects are preferred. If you submit a large body of individual artworks, then all objects must fit within the allotted 4’x4’x4’ space.
• 2D artwork must include hanging hardware, if possible.
• Digital artwork submissions are limited to a 4-minute duration maximum.
• We cannot accept any artworks with organic materials such as but not limited to:
  • Dried flowers
  • Sticks
  • Sand or soil
  • Scented materials

For more information on this program, email education@mcnayart.org.

Support is provided by the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation; William Randolph Hearst Foundation; and Texas Commission on the Arts.