THE ‘WHY’ BEHIND CHADACON

Written by Chad Juniper

There is this constant pull between wanting your art to exist by itself, while also desperately wanting it, and yourself, to be ‘understood.’ The canvas can change, but it’s intrinsically human that the pursuit of any passion can leave us depleted, jaded, and heartbroken. It can sometimes look like a clown juggling on a tricycle, and in some literal cases, it is that, but we also know the pursuit of these arts can provide the most beautiful views into our shared existence. Our shared search for a why.
Today, I would love to share with you the why behind the second year of The Creative Hub of Arts, Design, & Audio : CHADACON.
Last Summer, on August 8th, 2025, I was able to bring CHADACON, a San Antonio Multimedia Art Show, to life. Despite relatively low stakes, for me, it felt like ‘do or die’. I had spent a good part of five years fantasizing about the event, a better part of a year trying to plan it, and had been let go from my first adult job a month prior. I couldn’t shake the feeling that if CHADACON failed, I myself was a failure.
After a grueling summer, one that probably took years off my life, thankfully, the event was a success! We not only highlighted multiple known San Antonio artists, but it also felt like we provided ‘real change’ to those who may never have had a platform like CHADACON. Even if I was crushed under the weight of my own expectations, it felt like we provided an authentic location for other artists to showcase their work in its most unbridled form - free of expectation.
In the aftermath of this event, I was constantly asked if there would be another, what I’d do to make the next one as charming, but also what I would do to make the next one different. Eventually, it became easier to just outright say ‘no. There won’t be another CHADACON.’ In a world constantly pushing for instant gratification, I didn’t want to taint my dream just to do the ‘boring’ thing of another.
Instead, I retreated into the totally cool and ‘not boring’ pursuit of… office job! An opportunity that I’m grateful for, but one that no amount of rationalizing was making fulfilling. There, after a long look in the men’s restroom mirror, I realized I wasn’t bored at the thought of another CHADACON; I was scared.
Scared to lose the pure feeling of what the show was, but also scared to not expect more of it. I was scared to confront how CHADACON now exists within a larger system, a system that exploits and commodifies these dreams. I was scared to try again.
The show that once felt like my identity had taken the form of a shadow hanging over me.
How do you make a sequel that doesn’t just feel like a retread of what people liked the first time? How do you give people an event worth leaving the house for? How do you host an event that doesn’t feel niche despite keeping the name CHADACON?
After some extensive conversations with artists & friends I deeply respect, these questions that felt like colossal barriers standing between myself and CHADACON became the comedic foundation for what the show could be. It became clear there was still a ‘why’ for CHADACON.
While the larger view of the world might look incredibly grim at times, I find myself continually inspired by the works of San Antonio artists that make me laugh, cry, and remind me why these communal events are worth fighting for in the first place. The recent closing of The Brick at Blue Star has made it clear that opportunities like this are needed now more than ever. Our city is full of passionate creatives who simply need more platforms. Their work is the heart and soul of Chadacon. Their work is a reminder to run towards what scares you because, nine times out of ten, that thing you’re scared of is exactly what you need.
I’m incredibly excited to invite you to the second year of The Creative Hub of Arts, Design, & Audio : CHADACON live from The Skyline on July 31st, 2026.

The Skyline is a local woman-owned wedding venue in downtown San Antonio. They are the perfect spot for what will be a different experience than the first show, but still something that hopefully feels intimate. Public street parking is available at no charge. Handicap parking is located on the north side of the building.
Entry to the event is free. We ask that you RSVP on Chadacon.com. Doors will open at 5, with the main show going on from 6-10, and then 10-12 being exclusively reserved for DJ performances.
Whether you just want to end your Summer on a fun night, or you’re hoping for something more meaningful, I hope to see you there!