The Westside Development Corporation honors the life and work of Westside community activist and San Anto Cultural Arts Executive Director, Manuel "Manny" Diosdado Castillo. Manny passed away on January 6, 2009 after a short battle with cancer. He was 40 years old.

The WDC presented a letter of support to the San Anto Board on January 15, 2009 to express our condolences and support.

To learn more about Manny, his work, and the celebration of his life, please read the below articles that pay tribute to him:

El Placazo Tribute, March 2009

"West Side Story" (San Antonio Current, 1/14/09)

"Art activists give Castillo, their mentor, a fitting send-off" (San Antonio Express-News, 1/10/09)

"Manuel Castillo's Casket" (San Antonio Express-News)

"Art for eternity: Friends send Castillo off in style" (San Antonio Express-News, 1/9/09)

"Castillo key in bringing community art to S.A." (San Antonio Express-News, 1/8/09)

"Snowbyrd's late-night memorial" (San Antonio Express-News, 1/8/09)

"A mural tribute to Manny Castillo" (San Antonio Express-News, 1/7/09)

"Arts leader Manuel Castillo dies at 40" (San Antonio Express-News, 1/6/09)

 

To learn more about San Anto Cultural Arts, please visit:

San Anto Cultural Arts' website

San Anto Murals in Pictures (San Antonio Express-News)

Virtual Mural Tour of San Anto Murals (San Antonio Express-News)