Category: Art gallery news

Pabst Blue Ribbon announces new art gallery in San Antonio

Ashley Dreyfus’ ‘There Is No Place Like Home’ was the winner of the 2020 can design competition. Photo: Pabst Blue Ribbon, used with permission.

Pabst Brewing Company, which recently brought its headquarters to San Antonio, is excited to announce the debut of its new art gallery in the Alamo City, Pabst Blue Ribbon Studios, opening on March 13, 2021. The pop-up gallery will feature 2020 Pabst Blue Ribbon can designs submitted by emerging artists from across the U.S. and will feature artwork created by the 2020 winner of the company’s annual can design competition. (Pabst Blue Ribbon Studios, 2021)

Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) hosts an annual competition for emerging artists to create a can design that will be featured on 12-pack cases and displayed in stores for the entire year. The top five finalists are commissioned by PBR, second and third place winners receive cash prizes, and the grand prize winner takes home $10,000 in addition to being awarded the opportunity to have their design appear on millions of PBR cans across the world. Their designs will be among the 25 finalists’ art that will be displayed at Pabst Blue Ribbon Studios in Southtown San Antonio starting March 13, 2021.

This year’s top five finalists are:
• First Place: There Is No Place Like Home – Ashley Dreyfus
• Second Place: A Pabst-tastic Day – Holden Mesk
• Third Place: For The Love of Women – Fantasia A. Graham
• PBR 2099 – Joe Tallman
• Desert Nightcap – Emma Covill

Pabst Blue Ribbon Studios will display the 25 finalists’ art designs for 90 days. After that period, Pabst plans to commission different artists who will showcase their artwork in the space, rotating the artists monthly. Artists will be announced with a planned gallery opening starting each month. Gallery opening events will follow all social distancing protocols and limited capacities; employees and guests will be required to wear a mask.

In addition to the can design competition, Pabst has commissioned hundreds of murals across the country – something the company plans to continue in San Antonio and beyond. In addition to Pabst Blue Ribbon Studios, Pabst Brewing Company has plans for other art installations that will be made accessible to the San Antonio community in Spring 2021.

Pabst Blue Ribbon Studios is located at 1112 S. St. Mary’s St. in San Antonio. The gallery will be free and open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays starting Saturday, March 13, 2021; the gallery will also be open on the first Friday of every month and will include a live DJ set on those evenings. Gallery hours are noon to 6p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and 4p.m. to 10p.m. on first Fridays.

Since 1844, Pabst has been American-owned and operated, and is North America’s largest privately held brewing company. Pabst’s portfolio includes iconic brands with deep ties to American heritage, such as its flagship Pabst Blue Ribbon and others such as Lone Star, Rainier, and Old Style. Their people and their brands are committed to embracing change and making a positive impact on the communities they serve.

“The goal for Pabst Blue Ribbon is to continue to build upon the vibrant arts and culture scene that already exists here in San Antonio. As we settle into our new home here in San Antonio, we look forward to the opportunity to continue to engage with the local community by expanding the city’s public arts offerings with the introduction of our new gallery space, the creation of public murals and more, that not only share the story of our brand, but of up-and-coming artists from across the U.S. and those here in our great city.” – Matt Bruhn, President of Pabst Brewing Company.

Blue Star Contemporary’s outdoor screening of CAM Perennial exhibition

Blue Star Contemporary will be screening the all-video CAM Perennial exhibition. Photo: google

Blue Star Contemporary, San Antonio’s first and longest-running contemporary art nonprofit, is pleased to announce its roster of Spring 2021 events in celebration of Contemporary Art Month and beyond. These events take place online, on-site, or at special venues following every precaution to ensure COVD-19 safety. More information on these events and how to register is available online. (Blue Star Contemporary, 2021)

First CAM Perennial exhibition Outdoor Screening
Thursday, March 11, 2021 | beginning at 6:30p.m. at 116 Blue Star

In partnership with Contemporary Art Month, BSC hosts an outdoor screening of a selection of videos in the first chapter of the 2021 all-video CAM Perennial exhibition, Here, the river runs both ways, by curator Doreen A. Rios. All artists included in the exhibition were selected by CAM guest curator Doreen A. Rios from the CAM Open Call.

Chapter 1: Territory as body
“Our task is to make trouble, to stir up potent response to devastating events, as well as to settle troubled waters and rebuild quiet places.” – Donna Haraway

RECAPTCHA (2020), Heather Warren-Crow, 4:04 min.
Conceptual Migrant (2020), Patty Ortiz, 7:01 min.
Don’t Shhh Me (2020), Patty Ortiz, 3:58 min.
The Romance of Seeking (2020), Hannah Spector, 5:32 min.
Visible nest (2020), Julia Zipporah, 1:00 min.
#BIRDEATINGOTHER (2020), Julia Zipporah, 2:00 min.
Institute of Memory (2015), Daniel Jackson, 2:50 min.
_AnOldRuinousVault_H264 (2021), Daniel Jackson, 2:10 min.
A Love Affair with the Desert (2020), Karen Y. Martínez, 2:55 min.

Second CAM Perennial exhibition Outdoor Screening
Thursday, March 18, 2021 | beginning at 6:30p.m. at 116 Blue Star

In partnership with Contemporary Art Month, BSC hosts an outdoor screening of a selection of videos in the second chapter of the 2021 all-video CAM Perennial exhibition, Here, the river runs both ways, by curator Doreen A. Rios.

Chapter 2: Territory as land
“The knowledge that makes a difference in changing the world is knowledge that travels and mobilizes, shifting and creating new forces and agents of history in its path.” – Anna Tsing

Uncertain Site (2020), Hugo Santana, 3:01 min.
Archive for the Unconceivable (2020), Hugo Santana, 8:08 min.
(be)coming home (2019), Francis Almendarez, 3:48 min.
Dinner as I Remember (2017), Francis Almedarez, 3:14 min.
untitled (point in movement) (2015), Betelhem Makonnen, 3:05 min.
(w)here is here (2015), Betelhem Makonnen, 2:33 min.
Separated Together (2020), Hedwige Jacobs, 0:10 min.
Personal Space (2020), Hedwige Jacobs, 0:59 min.
Oceanic feeling (2021), Hannah Spector, 7:59 min.
Impresiones y paisajes (2019), Verónica Gaona, 5:21 min.

About the 2021 CAM Perennial Exhibition:
Here, the rivers run both ways
Curated by Doreen A. Ríos
When thinking about territories it becomes clear that the first one we inhabit is our body. As we keep expanding the definition, we come to terms with the fact that most territories grow outside our skin, yet our need to visualize said territories is very much embedded in our collective imagination through its representation. Uncharted territories that become lines, traces, boundaries. Always in motion, always recreating their behaviors. Navigating real and imagined territories is an act of placing ourselves within a series of moving flows and everchanging landscapes. This exhibition expands on the notion of wandering, the intimate – yet collective – daydreaming and, of course, the cultural mythologies delineated by migration, gentrification, gender, and communication systems. Scripted in two chapters – territory as body and territory as land – this selection reveals a series of unstable and fragmentary cartographies where constant hybridization is key. The visitor becomes a traveler between physical and symbolic territories inside a city that behaves as a dynamic system in flux where art is released into the wild to activate other sensibilities outside the white cube.

Blue Star Contemporary announces Spring programs

Blue Star Contemporary’s programs celebrate Contemporary Art Month and beyond. Photo: google

Blue Star Contemporary, San Antonio’s first and longest-running contemporary art nonprofit, is pleased to announce its roster of Spring 2021 events in celebration of Contemporary Art Month and beyond. These events take place online, on-site, or at special venues following every precaution to ensure COVD-19 safety. More information on these events and how to register is available online. (Blue Star Contemporary, 2021)

Lottie Mae Lounge pop up exhibition featuring Jorge Villarreal
Saturday and Sunday, March 6 – 7, 2021, 10a.m. – 5p.m. at Phil Hardberger Park | 8400 NW Military Highway, San Antonio, TX 78231. Register at this link.

For San Antonio’s Contemporary Art Month, Lottie Mae Lounge is pleased to present the work of artist Jorge Villarreal in partnership with Blue Star Contemporary and the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy in a special pop-up exhibition. This two-day exhibition inside Lottie Mae Lounge, a fully renovated 1979 Airstream Sovereign, highlights Villarreal’s participation in BSC’s Berlin Residency Program in 2019, featuring artworks inspired by three months spent at the renowned Künstlerhaus Bethanien artist residency in Germany.

Xavier Gilmore performance of Anoriginal Drive for Contemporary Art Month kick-off.
Friday, March 5, 2021 | 6:30p.m. Online via @bluestarart Facebook Live. Livestream for viewing in-person at the CAM and Slab Cinema drive-in located in Artpace San Antonio’s parking lot at 513 N. Flores St. Click here to register via Eventbrite.

AnOriginal Drive is a multidisciplinary performance by Xavier Gilmore in collaboration with Andrea Vocab Sanderson, Anthony Francis, Kellen Stanley, Nick Long, and Edwin Stephens. Through sound, scent, and video, they explore the spiritual “Roll, Jordan, Roll” through improvisation and communication. This performance will officially mark the beginning of Contemporary Art Month in San Antonio.

Family Saturday art kit pick-up
Saturday, April 10, 2021 | 10a.m. – 6p.m. at 116 Blue Star while supplies last.

Family Saturdays at Blue Star Contemporary continue with the BSC Art Kit. Packed with self-guided activities and artist-created projects, the BSC Art Kit comes with everything you need to let your creativity and imagination take control. A self-guided scavenger hunt will take you through our galleries for a closer look at contemporary art and our at-home art projects will extend our exhibitions into the comfort of your home. Perfect for artists of all ages, but designed especially for children ages 5 – 9, the BSC Art Kit encourages families to explore BSC’s current exhibitions through fun-filled, hands-on activities that encourage reflection and creativity. Make a reservation to explore our gallery kit in hand. Family Saturdays in April will continue all month long while supplies last.

Texas Talks Art: Ryan Takaba with Jacqueline Saragoza McGilvray
April 20, 2021,12:00p.m. 12:30p.m. via ZOOM. Register here.

Texas Talks Art is a multi-institutional initiative intended to introduce the work of artists across the state of Texas to a wider audience and to foster collaboration between local non-profit arts organizations. Taking the form of virtual 30-minute lunchtime talks, the series features 50 Texas artists and artist collectives in conversation with 50 Texas curators beginning in January 2021 and continuing throughout the year. Texas Talks Art is built on a belief in the need to work collectively to support the remarkable and diverse community of artists living and working in Texas. The series features an intergenerational roster of artists working across mediums and at differing points in their careers. Texas Talks Art encourages dialogue between arts professionals and emphasizes the broad range of concerns and questions that animate Texas-based artists.

“When did you forget you were an immigrant?”
Ongoing Through May 9. Participate by calling (210) 342-2667

Now through May 9, 2021 Blue Star Contemporary and Sanctuary City Project invites the public to reflect on its current exhibition by answering the question “When did you forget you were an immigrant?” To participate and leave a response call (210) 342-2667 and follow the prompts.

Sanctuary City Project is a social practice project of artists Sergio De La Torre and Chris Treggiari that engages communities to generate conversations around the history and policies of immigration in the US. Artists De La Torre and Treggiari invite the San Antonio community to reflect on their ideas, personal experiences, and histories with migration through call and response and additional community activations. The exhibition in the gallery includes screen printed posters installed and for take away, a digital timeline representing qualitative and quantitative research surrounding the sanctuary ordinances and immigration issues, a video work compiling peaceful immigration protests since President Trump’s election.

Blue Star Contemporary (BSC) is the first and longest-running nonprofit venue for contemporary art in San Antonio, Texas. Founded by artists and grown from a grassroots art exhibition in 1986, BSC arose from the need to provide a platform for the work and ideas of contemporary artists. As an artist-centric, educational, forward-thinking, inclusive institution that strives to exceed expectations, 30,000 residents and cultural tourists experience contemporary art with BSC each year through its exhibitions, public art projects, and education programs. In 2017, BSC became the only San Antonio arts organization to be W.A.G.E.-certified, solidifying its commitment to fair compensation of artists and creative professionals.

San Antonio Museum of Art to launch ‘No Oceans Between Us’ in February

Wilfredo Lam, Untitled, 1965, charcoal and pastel. Art Museum of the Americas Collection. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

On February 12, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) will open ‘No Ocean Between Us,’ an exhibition that explores the art of Asian migrations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The exhibition features approximately 65 works of modern and contemporary art by Latin American and Caribbean artists of Asian descent, including painter and printmaker Wifredo Lam; installation artists Carlos Runcie Tanaka and Eduardo Tokeshi; painters Manabu Mabe and Tomie Ohtake; and video artist Laura Fong Prosper, among numerous others. The works included range from paintings and works on paper to installation and new media. ‘No Ocean Between Us: Art of Asian Diasporas in Latin America & the Caribbean, 1945–Present’ will remain on view through May 9, 2021. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2020)

The exhibition is organized around Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Panels within the exhibition provide brief descriptions of Asian diasporic communities and cultures in these countries as well as context for the histories of migrations from China, India, Indonesia, and Japan. Global forces such as colonialism, plantation labor, and war shaped the courses of Asian migration to Latin American and the Caribbean. 

Some artists featured in the exhibition engage directly with these histories of migration and diaspora, the intergenerational Asian Latin American experience, or the hybridity of cross-cultural exchange. Many of the featured artists converse with global artistic movements of their moment. For example, the art of Wifredo Lam engages with the legacies of colonialism and enslavement in his home country, Cuba, while deploying the aesthetic language of cubism and surrealism. Peruvian artist Carlos Runcie Tanaka has leveraged the formal qualities of ceramics, origami, glass, and video installations to break down and examine existing cultural understandings of identity and history. The exhibition also features American artists who identify as part of these communities, including Guyana-born, Denver-based artist Suchitra Mattai, whose works in painting, fiber, drawing, collage, and video question historical narratives and colonialism and reclaim cultural materials.

‘No Ocean Between Us’ was inspired by the permanent collection of the OAS AMA | Art Museum of the Americas of the Organization of American States, with additional loans from public and private collections. It was originally conceived by Adriana Ospina, OAS AMA’s Collections Curator and Educational Programming Manager, under the title Cultural Encounters: Art of Asian Diasporas in Latin America & the Caribbean, 1945–Present. At SAMA, the exhibition is being curated by Lucía Abramovich Sánchez, Associate Curator of Latin American Art, and Yinshi Lerman-Tan, Acting Associate Curator of American and European Art. Following its presentation at SAMA, the exhibition will conclude its tour at OAS AMA, opening there on June 5, 2021. 

The San Antonio Museum of Art serves as a forum to explore and connect with art that spans the world’s geographies, artistic periods, genres, and cultures. Its collection contains nearly 30,000 works representing 5,000 years of history. Housed in the historic Lone Star Brewery on the Museum Reach of San Antonio’s River Walk, the San Antonio Museum of Art is committed to promoting the rich cultural heritage and life of the city. As an active civic leader, the Museum is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the city and the region, and to supporting its creative community.

“Cross-cultural exchanges and dialogues have had an incredible impact on the development of global art movements and continue to shape the creation of art today. No Ocean Between Us offers an opportunity to learn about the under-explored influences of Asian artists in Latin America and Caribbean, as well as the history and contemporary identities of the region.” – Lucía Abramovich Sánchez, SAMA’s Associate Curator of Latin American Art

‘Seasons of Art – A SAMA Celebration’

The public can now enjoy San Antonio Museum of Art’s ‘Seasons of Art – A SAMA Celebration.’ Photo: google

Last Friday, December 4, the San Antonio Museum of Art held their first-ever virtual fundraiser, ‘Seasons of Art – A SAMA Celebration,’ which featured a beautiful live streamed performance by several area performers. As a gift to the San Antonio community this holiday season, SAMA has now made the virtual performance available to the public for viewing for free, with a suggested donation. The performance may be viewed on YouTube. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2020)

In addition, SAMA has opened their raffle to the public. Those interested can purchase raffle tickets starting at $25 for one ticket or $100 for five raffle tickets. Prizes include: 1) an exclusive dinner for eight in the Museum catered by Tre, Trattoria 2) a one-night stay at Hotel Emma and dinner for two at Supper 3) an autographed, limited edition Vincent Valdez print of former Spurs player Manu Ginobili and four courtside Spurs tickets (date to be determined) and 4) a spectacular piece of vintage Mexican silver from the SAMA shop.

Tickets may be purchased online. Raffle winners will be announced on Thursday, December 17, 2020. All proceeds will benefit SAMA, allowing the Museum to continue to provide extraordinary experiences with art, digitally and in person, to the San Antonio community.

Briscoe Western Art Museum’s ‘Cowboy Christmas on the River Walk’

Briscoe’s ‘Cowboy Christmas on the River Walk’ will be this Saturday, December 19, 2020. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

At the Briscoe Western Art Museum, the holidays come with a touch of Western fun. Enjoy the holidays in a new way at “Cowboy Christmas on the River Walk,” this Saturday, December 19 from 11a.m. to 4p.m. when the Briscoe will be brimming with holiday cheer. For guests who pre-book a visit, the experience includes a virtual or in-person story time and a personal visit with Cowboy Claus. “Cowboy Christmas on the River Walk” is included with Briscoe general admission. With safety in mind, visits and story time with Cowboy Claus are ticketed separately and limited to those who pre-reserve. The museum’s health and safety protocols require that both staff and guests wear masks. Temperature checks are also conducted. Museum hours, parking and admission details are available online. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2020)

Cowboy Christmas features a day of family fun exploring the museum, made even sweeter because December 19 is Locals Day at the Briscoe. All Bexar County residents receive half off general admission to enjoy the day. The Briscoe’s halls are decked, carols are quietly echoing in the Briscoe’s McNutt Sculpture Garden, and holiday fun and flavor await with San Antonio food truck favorites Lady Picoza and Saweet Cupcakes onsite offering tasty holiday treats to enjoy in the sculpture garden. During a special 12 Days of Christmas scavenger hunt, guests can browse through the Briscoe’s fantastic collection and there will be Christmas crafts and coloring sheets to enjoy onsite or to take home.

For shoppers looking for the perfect gift, the Museum Store is offering special deals during Cowboy Christmas, including 10% off all holiday, home décor, and gifts for men, women, and children. As always, children 12 and under receive free admission at the Briscoe, as do active-duty members of the military, making the museum an ideal spot for local families to enjoy and find fantastic gifts to take home.

The Briscoe is offering both virtual and in-person contactless visits with Cowboy Claus. For the virtual Cowboy Claus option, morning and afternoon private, personalized sessions are available and include four children per family. Through a Zoom visit, Cowboy Claus will meet and greet each Lil Partner and their family in a 10-minute private visit, featuring one-on-one family time with the man of the season as he visits with your Lil Partners in your home before he comes back in person on Christmas Eve. Santa will know your Lil Partners’ names, favorite things and more, thanks to the magic of the pre-reservation information you provide. The session also includes story time with Santa and a digital activity pack including coloring pages, a Santa countdown calendar and more. Virtual visit families will also receive a fun and engaging children’s craft activity delivered before the big day, as well a 20% discount code to shop online or in person for the perfect gifts in the Briscoe Museum Store and two general admission tickets to enjoy the museum on a future visit. Virtual visits are $45 per family of four children and $35 for museum members and can be booked online.

Santa wants everyone to stay safe for the holidays, so he is stopping by the Briscoe for “contactless” visits in-person with Lil Partners. That means he will meet and greet but will be safely distanced so that everyone can stay on the nice and healthy list. In-person Cowboy Claus sessions include story time with Santa, a 6-minute personal visit with Santa and unlimited personal photos with Santa, snapped by a grownup joining in the fun to capture Christmas memories, the Briscoe’s holiday scavenger hunt, and a fun and engaging take-home children’s craft activity and exclusive discounts to shop online or in person for the perfect gifts in the Briscoe Museum Store. In-person visits with Cowboy Claus are not included with museum admission, however, museum admission may be purchased online, or in-person and the Locals Day admission special applies. “Contactless” Cowboy Claus visits are $35 per family of four children and $25 for museum members and can be booked online. 

Space is limited on a first-come, first-served basis to guarantee a safe, socially distanced event and tickets must be purchased in advance.  Virtual visits with Cowboy Claus must be pre-reserved by December 13and in-person time by December 18. No sessions will be sold the day of the event.

Hopscotch gets ready for the holidays

Hopscotch lounge. Photo: Hopscotch, used with permission.

Hopscotch, the uniquely curated immersive art experience that opened earlier this year in downtown San Antonio, is preparing for the holidays with decorations, giveaways, new festive cocktails, a holiday brunch and more. From November 27, 2020 through January 3, 2021, guests are invited to make Hopscotch a part of their holiday festivities this season. (Hopscotch, 2020)

Hopscotch Holidays will feature unique trees, including a white 12-foot tree, four seven-foot rainbow trees and two seven-foot zebra trees. There will also be plenty of holiday photo opportunities throughout the space.

The gallery’s food and beverage program is getting into the holiday spirit with festive cocktails that guests can sip as they stroll through the installations. Hopscotch’s seasonal cocktails that will be available from December 4th through January 3, 2021 include: Velveteen Rabbit (Hot) – Mexican Hot Chocolate – Hot Chocolate, Cinnamon and Jalapeno Infused Espolon Tequila; Mistletoe Marg – Desert Door Sotol, Lime Juice and Agave with a Floater of Pom and a Pomegranate or Cranberry Garnish; Sweater Vest – Chai and Orange Infused Treaty Oak Old Fashioned Cocktail and Año Nuevo – Deep Eddy Vodka, Simple Syrup and Prosecco with Cranberry Garnish.

Hopscotch will also host its second 2020 Hangover Brunch on Sunday, December 13. Guests are invited to say goodbye to the present year and usher in 2021 with specials from Smack’s Chicken Shack and music from vinyl DJ Aaron Peña. Hopscotch is closing out 2020 in the giving spirit and will offer 21 days of giveaways on its Instagram starting December 4, 2020 and ending January 1, 2021. The 21 items will be announced daily, and winners will be selected starting December 11, 2020. 

Guests who want to do some holiday shopping can pick up a unique item at the gift shop and support local artists by purchasing items like one-of-a-kind Justin Parr glasses, Amada Miller sculptures and earrings, books and prints from Eva Marengo and Matt Tumlinson. Shoppers can also purchase a custom postcard from Gary Sweeney to send to friends and family this year. Proceeds from the sale of each postcard will benefit the San Antonio Food Bank. Hopscotch also has a range of other gifts and merchandise available for purchase, including gift cards to experience the gallery. Shoppers can visit the gift shop without purchasing admission into Hopscotch.

Hopscotch offers three-hour complimentary parking in the Travis Park Plaza Garage, making it an ideal starting point for guests to visit downtown San Antonio this holiday season. The Christmas tree in Travis Park is located directly across the street from Hopscotch and the San Antonio River Walk is only a few blocks away.

During the era of COVID-19, Hopscotch will be taking precautions to make sure the experience is safe for both staff and guests—including state of the art automated air decontamination systems, limited touch points, mandatory masks and temperature checks for guests and employees, HEPA HVAC filters, professional deep cleans, hand sanitizer stations throughout, limited venue hours and strict capacity limits. 

Hopscotch brings together artists in collaborative environments to create distinctive shared experiences. Co-founded by entrepreneurs Nicole Jensen and Hunter Inman, Hopscotch provides distinct experiences through the curation of local-centric, immersive, and experiential art. Hopscotch creates platforms for local, national and international artists to experiment with a wide spectrum of mediums and technology. Hopscotch’s aim is to elicit a sense of joy and wonder in the curated spaces, where guests may explore beyond their day to day reality. Hopscotch strongly believes in cultivating lasting relationships and a synergy with artists and the local communities they are in.

“It goes without saying that this has been a difficult year for most, so we wanted to offer an opportunity to bring joy to our guests and show our appreciation for our fans who have helped make Hopscotch a success. There is so much to see and do in Downtown San Antonio during the holiday season, and we are happy to add to that experience in our own safe way.” – Nicole Jensen, Hopscotch co-founder.

 

Briscoe Western Art Museum celebrates Native American Heritage month

The Briscoe Western Art Museum’s Yanaguana celebration will take place November 21 and 22. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

November is Native American Heritage month and the Briscoe Western Art Museum is honoring the role that Native Americans played in shaping the American West with special events, exhibitions and family activities. The celebration spans both in-person events at the museum and activities to enjoy at home, as well as the museum’s annual Yanaguana:  Indian Arts Celebration, which will be a virtual event for everyone to enjoy November 21 – 22. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2020)

Named in honor of the Payaya people who were indigenous to the San Antonio area, “Yanaguana” was the word they used to describe what is now known as San Antonio River. Yanaguana: Virtual Indian Arts Celebration is free to enjoy online.

This year’s virtual event offers a glimpse into traditional and contemporary Native American culture, with musical performances and dancing, as well as storytelling and artist demonstrations. The celebration pairs with a visit to the Briscoe, where everyone can enjoy VISUAL VOICES:  Contemporary Chickasaw Art. Providing a modern view of Native American heritage from 15 contemporary Chickasaw artists, the traveling exhibition includes more than 55 artworks on display through January 18, 2021. The exhibition will be the main feature during Yanaguana, with both a virtual artists panel and the debut of the VISUAL VOICES virtual tour. Admission to VISUAL VOICES at the Briscoe is included with museum admission.

A traditional part of the Briscoe’s Yanaguana:  Indian Arts Celebration is an array of children’s activities focused on Native American heritage. With the event going virtual this year, the Briscoe invites everyone to “Bring Home the Briscoe” throughout the month of November. Part of the museum’s popular Lil Partners children’s programming, “Bring Home the Briscoe” features Western Art activities and hands-on art, letting children join in the celebration. The activity boxes are available for purchase both online and from the Museum Store.

Families who visit the Briscoe will also enjoy the family guide that accompanies VISUAL VOICES, providing a fun exploration of the exhibit, as well as Chickasaw art and culture. The guide is available for free within the VISUAL VOICES exhibition.

Yanaguana:  Indian Arts Celebration Schedule of Virtual Events

Saturday, November 21 – 10a.m. – Event Kick-Off and Blessing. Members of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation will open Yanaguana:  Indian Arts Celebration with a blessing.

11a.m. – Virtual Missions Tour. Join the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions to experience San Antonio’s Missions in a new way through a guided virtual tour by lineal descendants of Mission San José de Aguayo, Mission Concepción de la Purísima, Mission San Francisco de la Espada and Mission San Juan Capistrano. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the missions were built in the mid-18th Century by members of the Pampopa, Payaya, Sanas, Maraquitas, Pamaques, Quijanes, Tocanes and other tribes of the San Antonio area.

1p.m. – Ledger Art Workshop with George Curtis Levi. Ledger Artist George Levi leads participants through a historical and creative journey centered on ledger art—Plains-style narrative drawing.

2p.m.-  VISUAL VOICES Gallery Tour (Public Debut) – VISUAL VOICES program manager Laura Clark will lead a virtual tour of VISUAL VOICES:  Contemporary Chickasaw Art.

3p.m. – Flute Performance by Tim Blueflint Ramel. Artist, educator and performer Tim Blueflint draws his creative and musical influence from the memories and stories shared by his family and those who have graced his life. As a self-taught musician and artist, Blueflint has shared his improvisational traditional music, art and memories as a featured performer at venues throughout Indian Country and beyond.

Sunday, November 22 – 10a.m. Silversmithing Demonstration with Shane Hendren. A member of the Indian Arts & Craft Association (IACA), an organization committed to promoting the integrity of materials, Hendren shares his expertise as a silversmith.

11a.m. – Huichol Art with Karla Saenz. Karla Saenz will be demonstrating the ancient art of Huichol Art. While Huichol art is a relatively wide umbrella term, it is most commonly thought to encompass the production of beaded and string art, which is always brightly colored and features symbols, animals and designs which are centuries old and of great significance to the Wixáritari people.

Noon – Storytelling with Amy Bluemel. A gifted storyteller and educator, Amy Bluemel’s appreciation for cultural awareness came early. As the great-granddaughter of Eastman Kaney, an original Dawes Commission enrollee, Bluemel, a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation, often performs with the dance troupe Chikashsha Hithla during nationwide tours. She shares Chickasaw customs, and those of other southeastern tribes, with audiences of all ages.

1p.m. – Chickasaw Artist Board Panel Discussion. Join the Chickasaw Artist Board in a discussion about the VISUAL VOICES exhibition. Artists Joanna Underwood Blackburn, Kristen Dorsey, Margaret Roach Wheeler, Brent Greenwood, and Daniel Worcester will engage in a discussion of the show’s origins, the themes it is centered on and its significance for the Chickasaw Nation community.

2p.m. – Ty Defoe Dance Performance. Grammy-award winning performing artist and educator Ty Defoe (Oneida/Ojibwe) shares his culturally significant dance traditions through song, movement and storytelling.

The Native American Heritage “Bring Home the Briscoe” activity box includes many beautiful and diverse native groups of the West. Available for purchase through December 31, the box contains supplies to complete six different activities, plus a book and links to additional video content for added context. Activities include storytelling medallions, The Three Sisters, ledger art, mini canoe carving, basket weaving and pinch pots. The kits are ideal for children ages 6–12, making them perfect for keeping hands busy over Thanksgiving break. The kits are $20 for museum members and $25 for non-members. Available in the Museum Store, “Bring Home the Briscoe” can be ordered online with curbside pickup or shipping available.

Briscoe’s Sips and Sounds of the West series

Sips and Sounds of the West of the Briscoe this Friday October 16. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

The Briscoe Western Art Museum is offering guests the opportunity to kick back and kick up their heels on the banks of the River Walk with its new Sips and Sounds of the West series. Debuting Friday, October 16 in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden, Sips and Sounds of the West features live music, drinks and food under the stars and the watchful eyes of the fantastic bronze sculptures that call the garden home. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2020)

The first of the planned quarterly music series features Clint Tomerlin, a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, aspiring author/poet and occasionally funny man who has performed with and opened for artists including Wade Bowen, Bruce Robison and Drew Kennedy. Tomerlin’s music will fill the air as everyone enjoys a socially distanced evening featuring a cash bar with specialty cocktails and tasty treats from food truck Mi Taquito Arandas Jalisco. Doors open at 6:30p.m. with music, drinks and food until 8:30p.m.

Sips and Sounds of the West will take place in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden, a lush public outdoor space featuring a beautiful courtyard surrounded by bronze sculptures that depict iconic figures of the American West. The sculpture garden offers respite during any River Walk visit, with tables, chairs and benches to rest and enjoy the view. With the lights of downtown in the background, the garden becomes magical at night, making it the perfect spot for a date night or a night out with friends.

Advanced tickets for Sips and Sounds of the West are $12 per person and include three drink tickets, as well as an admission ticket to come back and enjoy the rest of the Briscoe during regular museum hours. The event is free for museum members. Space is limited on a first-come, first-served basis to guarantee a safe, socially distanced event and members must RSVP to attend. To safely ensure proper social distances are maintained, groups are asked purchase tickets in one transaction. A minimum of two tickets must be purchased to ensure guests are seated appropriately. Groups of three to five will be seated at a larger round table. Groups of two will be seated at intimate cocktail tables. Tickets will be available at the door but will be $20 per person.

Briscoe Western Art Museum’s fall exhibit: Visual Voices: Contemporary Chickasaw Art

Brenda Kingery Pow Wow. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

The Briscoe Western Art Museum is giving everyone a modern view of Native American art and showcasing stories of the West that go far beyond boots and spurs during its fall exhibition, VISUAL VOICES:  Contemporary Chickasaw Art. The traveling exhibition, which includes 15 Chickasaw artists and almost 60 artworks, will be on display at the museum from Friday September 25, 2020, through Monday January 18, 2021. The public was invited to enjoy a first view of the exhibition during its opening reception on Thursday, September 24 and there will also be a virtual curator’s talk on Saturday, September 26. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2020)

Featuring the artworks of present-day Chickasaw painters, potters, sculptors, metalsmiths and weavers, the exhibition tells a beautiful and compelling contemporary visual story. From oil and watercolor paintings to textiles and metals, glass and bronze, the artworks are unique, intrinsically Southeastern in design and distinctive among contemporary tribal artists. Chickasaw artists featured in the exhibition include Brenda Kingery, Brent Greenwood, Daniel Worcester, Billy Hensley, Margaret Roach Wheeler, Norma Howard, Maya Stewart, Lisa Hudson, Dustin Mater, Paul C. Moore, Tyra Shackleford, Erin Shaw, Lokosh (Joshua D. Hinson), Joanna Underwood Blackburn and Kristen Dorsey.

Featured in the exhibition, Dustin Mater’s “Cosmic Warrior II”, a 2015 mixed media work that includes acrylic on molded plastic, as well as rabbit fur, deer antler and black lip oyster shell, is the stunning stormtrooper helmet that goes beyond anything George Lucas ever envisioned. And is definitely not a typical Native American headdress.

VISUAL VOICES Virtual Curator’s Talk

Saturday, September 26, 11a.m. – Noon

Join Ryan Badger, the Briscoe’s Curator of Education, and VISUAL VOICES: Contemporary Chickasaw Art curators, Dr. Manuela Well-Off-Man and Karen Whitecotton as they discuss VISUAL VOICES. Well-Off-Man, chief curator of the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, and Whitecotton (Citizen Potawatomi), the director of collections at the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, will discuss the background of the VISUAL VOICES exhibition as it closes out its national tour at the Briscoe. Tickets are free for museum members and $10 for nonmembers. Briscoe members please RSVP by phone: 210.299.4499 or email: rsvp@briscoemuseum.org.

VISUAL VOICES: Contemporary Chickasaw Art is made possible by a grant provided by the Chickasaw Nation, guidance from the Chickasaw Artist Board and assistance from First Americans Museum. This exhibition is also made possible with funding from Humanities Texas and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the federal CARES Act. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The museum’s health and safety protocols require temperature checks and that both staff and guests wear masks. Additional sanitizing and cleaning protocols are observed throughout the day and both visitor services and the museum store feature plexiglass shields for additional protection.

Museum hours are 10a.m. through 3p.m. seven days a week. The Briscoe is located on the south end of the River Walk, near the Arneson River Theatre and La Villita, with convenient parking at the Riverbend Garage directly adjacent to the museum or one of many downtown surface lots. Museum hours, parking and admission details are available online.