Celebrating History and Heritage Through Art: Upcoming guest, Maria Hazlewood Williams

In our next episode, we will discuss how Maria Hazlewood Williams, curator, owner, and gallerist of In the Eye of the Beholder Art Gallery & Studio, became a leader in the San Antonio art community. We'll explore her local impact, the art she has curated, and her vision for the studio. But before diving further into Williams' personal history, we have to first acknowledge a broader context: the history of Black communities and Black art in our very own San Antonio.

When considering the demographic makeup of early San Antonians--those who settled during a formative period in the city's development--there is a tendency to overlook the presence and contributions of Black individuals among this group. You may have previously heard that early settlers of the city came from the Canary Islands off the coast of North Africa. It's often believed that these settlers were Spanish and, while a majority of them were, it's important to note that nearly a third of them were Black and of African descent (Arthur and Gomez).

Upon arrival, Black settlers from the Canary Islands were largely pushed to the Eastside of the San Antonio River whereas the Spaniards remained on the Westside. This separation was due to the fact that darker peoples were seen as less than, and the Spanish felt they must live apart. The very same river which carries culture and music throughout our city today also carries a history of pain and inequality. This segregation along the river led to the formation of Black communities on the Eastside, shaping the region's identity.

Further cementing this regionally Black identity was the Great Migration of the 1920s, a time period in which thousands of Black Southerners were displaced due to lack of economic opportunity, segregation laws, and rampant racism across Southern states, particularly in rural communities. This meant that San Antonio's Eastside saw a growth in population at the time as Black Americans found refuge within the existing communities.

One of the most significant of these communities was centered around Historic St. Paul Square, named after the St. Paul Methodist Church, which was established in 1866. This historically Black church is the oldest still operating in San Antonio. Leaders of the church during the Civil Rights Movement, such as Reverend Matthew "Mack" Henson, actively advocated for Black rights, and the church itself functioned as a point of organization and fraternity for a people that have long been disenfranchised and silenced (Salas).

St. Paul United Methodist Church's historic site marker from the Texas Historical Commision. Photograph by James Hulse, December 24, 2020.

This silencing-- of Black food, art, music, language, and literature-- and the neglect to acknowledge the impact of Black history within San Antonio's larger narrative is precisely what inspired Maria Hazlewood Williams to open In the Eye of the Beholder Art Gallery & Studio. It's no secret, or at least it shouldn't be, that San Antonio is home to a number of talented Black artists. Despite this, they have been greatly underrepresented in local museums and galleries (Webber and Stewart). To rectify this, Williams began an initiative to gain exposure for local Black artists called the Art of Four in 2019. Soon, however, this initiative grew, and Williams needed a physical space, leading to the launch of the gallery in September of 2021. At present, it boasts a collection of work from over 40 artists, both local and international (EOTB).

Fittingly, the gallery is located in the aforementioned Historic St. Paul Square. As one of the very first Black-owned art galleries in San Antonio, it stands as part of the incredibly rich legacy of the Black communities which have always existed here. While the Eastside isn't the only area where Black San Antonians have historically resided, it remains the largest community among these. As such, we have a responsibility to preserve the history and cultural landscape here, particularly in areas like St. Paul Square.

In the Eye of the Beholder Art Gallery & Studio in Historic St. Paul Square. Image retrieved from gallery website.

Unfortunately, these areas are under increasing threat of gentrification and redevelopment efforts that often lack community involvement. Recently, a Farris wheel was installed, replacing what was formerly a parking lot in St. Paul Square. This is one of many changes to the square which took place without meaningful input from the local community. As a result, the history of St. Paul Square is under risk of erasure as tourism encroaches on the space which was once a hub of Black commerce and culture (Observer Staff).

As more and more heavily funded projects land in the Eastside, decided by processes that are often opaque, the historic identity of the settlement is chipped away. Meanwhile, local neighborhoods are still missing sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and other infrastructural basics that continue to be neglected. Williams' gallery remains a beacon of the culture and history integral to San Antonio's Eastside, and it serves as a reminder of the importance in engaging with and amplifying the stories of the often unheard.

As a city, we can continue to push for increased visibility of Black history and Black art. One way you can achieve this is by directly supporting Maria Hazlewood Williams' work at the In the Eye of the Beholder Art Gallery & Studio here. You can also find and contact your local San Antonio councilmember here to get your voice heard and advocate for important and necessary changes.

In our upcoming episode with Maria, we'll delve deeper into her personal journey and the art currently displayed in the gallery. We'll be on-site, so don't miss this exclusive opportunity to witness current exhibitions and works firsthand!

Works Cited:

Arthur, Myra, and Valerie Gomez. “How Did the East Side Become the Heart of the Local African American Community? KSAT Explains.” KSAT, KSAT San Antonio, 14 Feb. 2023, www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/02/14/how-did-the-east-side-become-the-heart-of-the-local-african-american-community-ksat-explains/.

In the Eye of the Beholder Art Galley & Studio. “About Us.” In the Eye of the Beholder Art Gallery & Studio, 2019, eotbartgallery.com/about-us.

Observer Staff. “The East Side Is Facing Another Big, Shiny Project Added to an Already Overloaded List of Changes. Between Project Marvel,.” Saobserver, 13 Aug. 2025, saobserver.com/historic-st-paul-squares-black-legacy-fades-under-new-grand-plan/.

Salas, Mario Marcel. “How the East Side Became Home to San Antonio’s Black Community.” San Antonio Report, 15 Jan. 2018, sanantonioreport.org/how-the-eastside-became-home-to-san-antonios-black-community/.

Webber, Katrina, and Tim Stewart. “New Gallery Gives Local African American Artists a Place to Call Home.” KSAT, KSAT San Antonio, 29 Sept. 2021, www.ksat.com/news/local/2021/09/29/new-gallery-gives-local-african-american-artists-a-place-to-call-home/.