With a few dozen participating photographers of all stripes, and an attendant cast of hundreds, all in party mode, the opening reception for the exhibit ¡Presente! – Photography And The Art Of The Present Moment at Centro Cultural Aztlan, coordinated by photographer Deborah Keller-Rihn, was at times more like a festive bazaar than an opportunity for art contemplation. This is not a bad thing, although it is difficult to appreciate the scope of an artist’s work when only one image is on display, and several dozen fans and friends are milling about showing their support. Add to the mix the ambient music of Mombassa Code –a favorite San Antonio art band- and tasty quesadillas, and the only option left is to shout hellos and goodbyes, while going through a meet-and-greet repertoire of ritualized backslaps, fist-bumps, and high-fives.

Centro Cultural Aztlan. Main facade.

Exhibit signage at Centro Cultural Aztlan.

Malena Gonzalez-Cid, Executive DIrector, Centro Cultural Aztlan.

Deborah Keller-Rihn, photographer/exhibit coordinator.

Featured photographer Mark Tudyk.

Featured photographer/media artist Guillermina Zabala.

Featured photographer Edward Codina.

Featured photographer Alston Cox.

Featured photographer Elena Valenzuela.

Featured photographer Enrico Salinas.

Featured photographer Joan Frederick.

Featured photographer Kemp Davis.

Featured photographer/media artist Ned Meneses.

Featured photographer Ramin Samandari.

Featured photographer Victor Pagona.

Featured artists Catherine and George Cisneros, next to their photo-installation.

Chatting gallery visitors.

Expressive gallery visitors.

Attentive gallery visitors.

David Rubin (we think he has a body-double and that they take turns showing up at every art opening, there are in fact rumors of simultaneous sightings…) and Albert Alvarez.

Neck and neck with David Rubin, closing in on claiming the title of Person With The Most FOTOSEPTIEMBRE USA Exhibits Attended, is Nancy Fullerton, seen here testing her intestinal fortitude.

Nora and Howie Nestel, with Sofia and Nicole, in a crash course of early art appreciation.

Ansen Seale, Michael Jay Smith, and Doerte Seale.

Mombassa Code.

Jennifer Khoshbin at the drums with Mombassa Code.

Terry Ybañez and Joan Frederick covering up for David Silvan’s lack of social skills.

John Phillip Santos playing the part of mischievous duende, heckling George and Catherine Cisneros while posing next to their installation.