A Century of Service, A Canvas of Possibility

As San Antonio College celebrates 100 years of service, access, and opportunity, new artwork inside the First Responders Academy stands as both a tribute and a promise. The six acrylic paintings, created by San Antonio artist Claudio Aguillón, honor the courage and commitment of the men and women who train there – while also reflecting a deeper story about education, community, and possibility.

Commissioned as part of the college’s centennial celebration, the artwork embodies the theme: Celebrating a Century of Service and Impact. Since its founding in 1925, San Antonio College has transformed lives by putting students first and empowering them with the education and support they need to succeed. The First Responders Academy continues that legacy every day, preparing individuals for careers defined by service, teamwork, and responsibility.

At the unveiling, SAC President Dr. Francisco Solis noted that the academy represents the heart of the college’s mission.

“For a century, SAC has been a place where people come not just to learn a skill or earn a credential, but to prepare for lives of impact,” he said. “The First Responders Academy embodies that mission every day.”

An artist shaped by access and opportunity
Aguillón’s journey reflects that same mission. Born in a small mountain community in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, he immigrated to the United States at age 13 and attended Southwest High School on San Antonio’s South Side. College once seemed distant, but the presence of Palo Alto College in his neighborhood changed everything.

He recalls that simply being able to see the campus made higher education feel attainable.

“If it had not been for the fact that Palo Alto College was in visual distance, I probably wouldn’t have gone to college,” he said. “It was there, and it felt reachable.”

He enrolled and took a class called “Art for Non-Artists.” What began as a schedule-friendly elective became the spark for a lifelong career. Encouraged by dedicated instructors and a close-knit art community, Aguillón discovered both his passion and his path.

He went on to earn an associate degree at Palo Alto College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Texas at Austin – becoming the first in his family to graduate from college. Today, more than three decades into his career, his murals can be found across San Antonio, from the airport to schools, community centers, and cultural landmarks.

Bringing art to places of service
For Aguillón, the opportunity to create six paintings for the First Responders Academy was both meaningful and symbolic. He imagined scenes filled with motion, emergency lights, and the determination of first responders running toward danger to help others.

“I found them absolutely more interesting and dynamic,” he said of the academy setting. “We need people in many fields like first responders, but I think it’s good for them to experience art as well.”

He also sees the project as part of a broader effort to bring more public art to communities that have historically had fewer opportunities to experience it – especially on the South Side of San Antonio, where he began his own educational journey.

“I think everybody creates art,” Aguillón said. “We’re very colorful people here in San Antonio. But it’s important that institutions provide opportunities for public art. Everyone deserves art.”

A shared mission across the Alamo Colleges
Though Aguillón did not attend San Antonio College, his story is inseparable from the mission of the Alamo Colleges District. Like many students across the district’s colleges, he found his starting point close to home – an accessible, affordable pathway that opened doors to new possibilities.

That mission remains the same today: to empower students, strengthen communities, and create pathways to success for individuals from all backgrounds.

Dr. Solis noted that Aguillón’s journey – from a student at a community college to a nationally recognized muralist – reflects the spirit of the Alamo Colleges.

“Along the way, he became not only an accomplished artist, but a mentor, an educator, and a powerful advocate for the transformative power of education,” Solis said. “We are grateful that his legacy now includes San Antonio College and the First Responders Academy.”

A tribute to the past – and a vision for the future
The six paintings now displayed at the First Responders Academy will serve as daily reminders of courage, resilience, and service. For students training to become firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement officers, the artwork adds a human dimension to their work – connecting technical skills to the deeper purpose of serving others.

At the same time, the installation represents something larger. It is a reminder that education can begin with a single class, a nearby campus, or a moment of encouragement. It is proof that access to learning and the arts can transform lives, families, and entire communities.

As San Antonio College marks its centennial, Aguillón’s story – and his art – stand as a reflection of the college’s first hundred years and the possibilities ahead.

From a young student who once took Art for Non-Artists to an artist whose work now lives on a college campus during its centennial year, his journey illustrates the promise at the heart of the theme: A century of service. A century of impact. And a future still being painted.

-SAC-