San Antonio legend Leonardo “Flaco” Jiménez was honored at the ACCESS building of the Alamo Colleges District offices June 25 for an exhibit “From the West Side to the World: Un Homenaje a Flaco Jiménez,” where Los Texmaniacs played.
Known as the “King of Conjunto,” the accordionist’s career spans seven decades while winning six Grammy Awards and connecting the world with the spirit and culture of San Antonio. Jiménez died July 31, 2025, at the age of 86.
“Being able to see someone so iconic, so international, be a part of this and me being able to help co-curate this with my teammate, Domingo, it’s incredible,” Dr. Eric Castillo, Associate Vice Chancellor for Arts, Culture and Community Impact, told the Sundial. “Not only is this my hometown, I grew up listening to Flaco, but also this is now a moment for me to showcase the beauty of who we have here in San Antonio.”
The exhibit features photos and memorabilia from Jiménez’s life, from his time in the military, photos with his father and artists like the Rolling Stones and Selena Quintanilla. For Flaco’s youngest son, Arturo, this is his first time seeing what older pieces featured in the exhibit.
“Growing up, I never saw pictures of Dad when he was young. I always wondered if there were pictures of him when he was a kid, and not till he passed, people were pouring in photos,” Arturo told the Sundial. “Seeing them is a little strange. As much as people are going to learn about his history as a young person, I’m learning from it because I didn’t know a lot of things either.”
The opening reception brought people from all backgrounds to ruminate about the cultural impact that Flaco played throughout history. Among the attendees was San Antonio native, actor and musician Jesse Borrego. Borrego’s father played accordion and was introduced to the San Antonio conjunto music scene in the late 1960s, where they attribute Flaco as a hero.
“In the 80s, going to Hollywood and hearing Flaco’s music and seeing the way he was able to transform our raíces (roots) into pop music of America, that to me was significant because it validated everything I had really believed from learning my father’s music,” Borrego told the Sundial. “It made me proud to sing our music. It made me proud to exemplify this raza (people), this cultura, this musica, this arte.”
For some attendees, the exhibit rejuvenated lost culture and music that helped connect them back to their roots.
“It’s emotional. It reminds me of my grandpa, who’s no longer here. It makes me feel connected,” education major Esther Tovar told the Sundial. “They grew up out in Robstown, TX, and music was one of their favorite pastimes and how we all connected as a family.”
“I try to pass that to my kids now. I want them to feel the same environment, culture and love that I felt growing up. It’s different because we’re not as connected, I feel like sometimes with how my grandparents grew up. It inspires me to pass that along so that we can keep that going,” Tovar told the Sundial.
The exhibit is on the first floor of the ACCESS Building, 2222 North Alamo, and will be open through July 31, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays.
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