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On March 31, 2026, The Wittliff Collections in San Marcos will present La Ofrenda: Selena in Art and Pop Culture, an afternoon discussion on the life and legacy of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla Pérez. This event—made possible with support from Humanities Texas and the By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 initiative—will include a moderated Q&A session with the audience.

Three decades after her death, Selena's light burns brighter than ever. Her Grammy-winning achievements with her family band Selena y Los Dinos supercharged Tejano music in the early 1990s. That celebrated musical journey, however, is often eclipsed by Selena’s influence as a cultural touchstone, inspirational story, tragic figure, and pop icon. Recognized for her ability to transcend boundaries, Selena exemplifies cross-cultural and intergenerational appeal, uniting communities through her music and personal story.

La Ofrenda: Selena in Art and Pop Culture will focus on Selena's enduring impact on artists across all media and on her growing pop-cultural appeal. Featuring artists Marc Burckhardt and Sara Hickman and photographer Al Rendon, this discussion is presented in conjunction with The Wittliff Collections' exhibition The Selena Effect, on display through December 6, 2026.

San Marcos

The Wittliff Collections
601 University Drive

Tuesday, March 31
2:00–3:30 p.m.

For additional details, including parking information, RSVP on The Wittliff Collections website.

By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils across the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia in collaboration with local partners. Together, these programs explore 250 years of the nation's cultural life and imagine its shared future. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as a complement to the 2026 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.