Culture
In San Antonio, a Landmark Art Exhibit Celebrates Gender Identity and Community
Loon Star: The Huddled Masses
To see more political cartoons from Ben Sargent, visit our Loon Star State section, or find Observer political reporting here....Read More
Eye on Texas: Spike Johnston
Chris Qualls, 39, works as a deckhand on Ed Machaceh’s oyster boat off the coast of Palacios. I photographed him as part of a project on the Gulf of Mexico’...Read More
Book Review: Scapegoating the Media Ignores Other Major Problems in American Politics
Yes, the news industry helped get Trump elected — but not to the extent that Nolan Higdon and Mickey Huff argue in their new book, United States of Distraction.
In the wake of the 2016 presidential election, the American news media was the subject of much well-deserved criticism. A report from Harvard’s Shorenstein Ce...Read More
Without Transmission Lines, Renewable Energy Still has a Long Way to Go — Literally
In Superpower, author Russell Gold tells the story of a Houston businessman’s ambitious plan to transform the electric grid.
If you want to understand the future of renewable energy, look to Texas. That’s the argument Russell Gold makes in his new book Superpower: One Man’s Quest ...Read More
Company Men
Houston author Mike Freedman’s second satirical novel portrays the battlefield and the boardroom with delicious contempt.
It’s every American’s God-given right to self-mythologize, even to the point of absurdity. Take the current president (please): Donald Trump has somehow man...Read More
San Antonio Artist Jennifer Ling Datchuk Gives Multicultural Women a Seat at the Table
Putting a modern spin on traditional Chinese ceramics, Datchuk’s new Austin exhibit asks what it means to live between cultures.
On a recent trip to China, artist Jennifer Ling Datchuk visited a shop in Shanghai that offers eyebrow tattooing. Women can choose from a variety of brow shapes...Read More
Loon Star: Trump University, Department of Mendacity
Ben Sargent's latest 'toon takes on Trump's "truth."
Ben Sargent To see more political cartoons from Ben Sargent, visit our Loon Star State section, or find Observer political reporting here....Read More
The Clothes that Make the Man
Jose Villalobos’ art redresses the macho traditions of norteño culture.
Jose Villalobos’ art redresses the macho traditions of norteño culture. – by Michael Agresta June 24, 2019 On a June evening in 2018, artist Jose Villa...Read More
Announcing the Ninth Annual Texas Observer Short Story Contest
We want your stories!
Fernando A. Flores used to hate the Texas Observer Short Story Contest. Year after year, he diligently entered his writing in the contest, and year after year, ...Read More