This story has been updated.
Contemporary art center Ruby City will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Chris Park this month. The park, which has become a beloved site of repose, play and inspiration, was created by the center’s late founder Linda Pace in memory of her son Christopher Goldsbury.
With the one-acre urban oasis of lush gardens, Pace aimed to honor her son through art and nature. The park will host several events throughout October to commemorate the anniversary.
Ruby City will have a public celebration on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will include tours of Chris Park, remarks from special guests, and experiences led by local author Xelena González. There will be cake from Oh Yeah Cakes and music from San Antonio DJ Santita. Guests will also be able to collect a commemorative poster by local artist Gilbert Martinez or a plant cutting from the park.
On Sunday, Oct. 19, the park will host a special tree sitting meditation led by Pamela Martinez, who hosts meditations at the park every month.
A new exhibit called “Open This Wall” by artist Daniel Rios Rodriguez will open at Chris Park on Sunday, Oct. 25 with a gallery walkthrough and reception from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit will remain on view through Oct. 4, 2026.
“Chris Park remains one of Linda Pace’s most intimate and truly transformative gifts to San Antonio,” Elyse A. Gonzales, director of Ruby City said in a press release. “The Park, the STUDIO space in the Park, the CAMPstreet building, which Linda bought at the same time and turned into residences, and now Ruby City, were all realized by Linda and made this a lively neighborhood that privileges nature and art and anchors creativity and community in San Antonio.”
Pace worked with landscape architects Jon Aherns and Rosa Finsley to design the park that honors her son. Opening in 2005, the park features special work by artist Teresita Fernández, such as benches etched with passages from Goldsbury’s journals and stepping stones with descriptions of “Wednesday’s child” from the nursery rhyme “Monday’s Child.”
Chris Park welcomes thousands of visitors each year and is home to various plants, such as Hong Kong orchids and agave plants. It often showcases art from local artists and is maintained privately for public viewing. “[Chris Park] is something growing, something living and forever, just like the imprint of somebody you love,” Pace wrote about the park in her book, “Dreaming Red.”
Ruby City is open every week from Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission to the park is free, and registration is encouraged. It includes Chris Park and its Studio, an auxiliary exhibition space that hosts various shows and programming throughout the year.
