Category: art

Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage exhibit at The DoSeum

Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage is on display at The DoSeum until Sunday, March 28. Photo: The DoSeum, used with permission.

The DoSeum is celebrating learning in all its forms by inviting students to participate in their current exhibition Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage by submitting works of art. The exhibition encourages our community to reflect on attitudes and assumptions about individuals who learn differently and inspire us to be a more inclusive and equitable society. Joyful learning is at the core of The DoSeum’s mission. Everyone learns differently, and there is amazing potential in every child to be the best learner they can be. (The DoSeum, 2021)

The popular exhibition, which opened last fall, is currently being updated. In addition to displaying works of art by students, a newly installed resource center features learning elements to inspire all minds to play, but especially for students diagnosed with dyslexia. These updates include 3D puzzles, building manipulatives, graphic novels, and gestalt images. The DoSeum’s education department has also planned art-themed pop-ups in the galleries through the run of the show, which closes March 28.

Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage is an art and science exhibition that explores the successes of those who think outside the box when faced with the challenges of dyslexia. The exhibition defines some of the tools and resources for identification, intervention, and pathways to success. Families learn about what dyslexia really is, and the truth behind some of the negative myths perpetuated in society. Guests have fun playing various spatial and word games learning how the right and left sides of the brain are engaged, including an oversized tile spelling game, color block puzzles, and digital interactive educational games for all ages. A unique local feature will be listening to stories from San Antonio youth and local world changers about their experiences growing up with dyslexia before and after intervention. Children and caretakers walk among the life-size illustrations of some of the most influential visionaries who have changed history.

During the exhibit run at The DoSeum, a unique portion of Beautiful Minds will feature Artist in Residence Sarah Sudhoff’s interactive installation The Reading Brain. The installation will allow families to be immersed in the reading brain’s inner workings through a multi-sensory, data-driven interactive installation.

The DoSeum has longer timed sessions for guests. As always, it has taken care to implement the best cleaning and sanitation practices and continues to implement new measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and continue prioritizing the health and safety of its staff and guests.

Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage is a Science Museum Oklahoma and Whiteboard Exhibits Project. The DoSeum thanks supporters of Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage

“Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage has already been enjoyed by over 16,000 visitors. During the final weeks of the exhibit, we have enhanced our galleries with new components and opportunities for families to interact and reflect in ways in which learning with Dyslexia offers a creative advantage. At The DoSeum, we are in the business of helping children achieve their full potential by providing opportunities for outside of the box learning, this exhibition and its recent new additions do just that.” – Meredith Doby, VP of Exhibits

The DoSeum is one of the leading children’s museums in the nation; a place where minds are always at play. The DoSeum offers innovative exhibits and experiences to get children excited about concepts in science, math, art, and literacy and encourages them to take their excitement into the world. Through joyful learning and discovery, The DoSeum Experience grows curious minds, connects families, and transforms communities. The DoSeum is a 501 c3-non-profit organization.

Spring Break at the Briscoe Western Art Museum

Spring Break at the Briscoe includes Briscoe’s Lil Partners Saddlebags. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

This spring gather the family and head West with the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s Lil Partners Saddlebags. A fun way to learn about the West, each Lil Partners Saddlebag tells the tale of the West from multiple perspectives and includes six activities for children and families to enjoy. Packed in the Saddlebag is a museum pass admitting two adults to the Briscoe. Children under 12 always receive free admission, making the Saddlebags the perfect way for your family to head West this spring. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2021)

Briscoe is extending its monthly “Locals Days” programming to include March 11-14, in addition to its regular monthly third Sunday, March 21. To thank the San Antonio community for its support, “Locals Day” at the Briscoe greets locals with 50% off general admission. As always, children 12 and under receive free admission, as do active duty members of the military, making the Briscoe a terrific spot for local families to enjoy during spring break.

Lil Partners Saddlebags activities include crafting Puebloan-inspired pottery, making a roaming bison torn paper collage, creating Papel Picado, fashioning your own cowboy boot and paper cowboys, as well as western coloring sheets. All the supplies and directions are included along with the museum pass for two, as well as a special one-time 15% discount on children’s items in the Briscoe’s Museum Store so Lil Partners can head home with more western fun to enjoy. Lil Partner Saddlebags are $20 for Briscoe members and $25 for future members. The admission for two alone is a $24 value, making the kits a terrific spring break deal. To pick up a kit, Lil Partners and their families can visit the Museum Store in person or online or call 210.299.4499 to arrange for a curbside pickup. Saddlebags are available through March 31 and can be shipped for an additional fee.

A must see for all ages – and the perfect place to sit and enjoy your Saddlebag crafts – is McNutt Sculpture Garden, the Briscoe’s lush public outdoor space featuring a beautiful courtyard surrounded by bronze sculptures that depict iconic figures of the American West. The sculpture garden offers the perfect respite during any River Walk visit, with tables, chairs, and benches to rest and enjoy the view.

Due to COVID restrictions, the Briscoe’s Lil Partners program also offers story times online to introduce little ones to the excitement and adventure of the American West. Museum visitors may enjoy self-guided tours, watch short videos and learn more about the artists behind the works through the Briscoe’s app, available on Google Play and in the Apple Store. Lil Partner activities for children are also available on the app, as well as the museum’s website through the museum’s “Beyond the Briscoe” program. The entire family can enjoy a museum scavenger hunt that explores the museum, play musical match-up or musical bingo, bringing the museum’s extensive collection to life for all ages.

Museum hours, parking and admission details are available online. The museum is operating at reduced capacity with health and safety protocols that require both staff and guests to wear masks as well as visitor temperature checks upon entry.

Preserving and presenting the art, history, and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs, and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is located on the San Antonio River Walk at 210 W. Market Street in the beautifully restored 1930s former San Antonio Public Library building.

Expressions through painting

On a more personal note, I consider myself first and foremost a writer even though I came into the game in my later years but as most people, I kept journals while growing up. I also took art classes and joined my school’s choir for a couple of years and in college, I took art and music appreciation. Art has always been a big part of who I am.  I have always known I have an artistic eye, whether drawing or writing. As far as writing is concerned, I have had some of my poetry published and I enjoy blogging to keep people connected and informed.

Now during this pandemic, when most people are spending more time at home, I found myself with more time on my hands. In July, my husband and I made the choice to relocate to my hometown in the Rio Grande Valley, Los Fresnos to be more specific.  I left my job to do this big move and to have more time to do the necessary renovations to our new home. This was the perfect time to dive into painting and put into canvas the many images I have clogging up my head.  I have done several already and submitted a couple to local art shows and now I want to share them here.

This most recent one does not have a title yet, but that is okay, not all of them must have a title to make an impact. I have always believed in the duality of life: good/bad, yin/yang, etc.  This is my version of it; I already painted a self-portrait, so this is similar in a way. I have always had dreams where I am flying and for anyone who has never had one, they feel awesome. The feeling of flying and freedom that comes with it is exhilarating, so I am obsessed with wings. This is me, a brown-eyed woman with wings and a big heart. The wings are pink/blue to represent the male/female side of me and the squiggly lines around the whole thing, well, they represent the bloodlines in the heart.

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.

New release: ‘Portraits From The Woods’ by Norman Reedus

‘Portraits From The Woods’ is Norman Reedus’ new book of photography. Photo: Big Bald Gallery, used with permission.

Norman Reedus is best known as Daryl Dixon in the popular AMC horror drama series The Walking Dead and for his television show Ride with Norman Reedus. His film credits include The Boondock Saints and its sequel The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, Blade II, and Deuces Wild. He is seldom without his camera and in his new book “Portraits From The Woods,” he combines his day job with his passion for photography to create a new coffee table book of more than 140 pages of glossy images. These images range from behind-the-scenes moments from the set and personal portraits of small screen zombies and snapshots of crewmates and family members. (CWPR, 2020)

In “Portraits From The Woods,” Norman Reedus captures moments behind the scenes of TWD as only Norman could deliver. With his unique sense of humor, traveling into the Georgian woods with Norman’s cast of characters and zombies, alongside portraits of Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Hideo Kojima, Lena Dunham, Diane Kruger, Dave Chapelle, and many more to reveal the individuals that inhabit his life. Norman has an indelible way of capturing the beauty and mystery in others.  His photographs are beautiful and terrifying, macabre, and provoking, alternately dark, and sublime. Certain portraits remain vivid and clear, while others are washed in intrigue: grainy, hazy, and obscured. What unites all these faces are the eyes that see them: Norman’s. From those eyes come a piercing intimacy, both precious and rare.

“Portraits From The Woods” is available now as Hardcover First Edition (144 pages), exclusively on Reedus’ website for $75.  The Special Collector’s Edition: Clothbound Clamshell Box which includes book plus signed archival photograph is also available. Proceeds from sales are being donated to the COVID-19 Response Fund.

“I always have my eyes open. ‘Portraits From The Woods’ is like stepping in my own shoes, seen through my eyes with my sense of humor.” – Norman Reedus

Calling all artists: Virtual Winter Art Show

The Harlingen Public Library is hosting a Virtual Winter Art Show. Photo: Harlingen Public Library, used with permission.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, the Harlingen Public Library hosted a Virtual Art Show and reached out to the community for submissions. Artwork submissions came in from all over the Rio Grande Valley in all age groups and due to the positive response from the community, the library is hosting another one this winter. The Harling Public Library is putting out an official call for art submissions for a Virtual Winter Art Show.  Interested artists should send a photo of their work and responses. The photo should be high resolution, suitable for a family show and any medium is acceptable.  All participants will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win some new art supplies. Submission deadline is Tuesday, December 8.  The library website and social media will display the Virtual Winter Art Show. More information, as well as the Entry Form, is available online. (Harlingen Public Library, 2020)

The Harlingen Public Library provides dynamic and engaging services for a diverse and evolving community.  Mission statement: “We exist to build bridges that strengthen the ties of our community. We create innovative pathways for people to connect with information and each other. Working together, the people of our community can experience infinite opportunities and growth. We are the bridge builders; we make ways where none exist.”

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.

Pearl announces Fall 2020 events

Feliz Modern POP’s Maker Kits for Dia de los Muertos. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

Pearl is proud to announce its virtual and campus-wide programming for fall 2020. The season will kick off with autumn activities to enjoy at home followed by a socially distant Día de los Muertos celebration featuring in-person and virtual altars. The fall festivities will continue with culinary content for Thanksgiving including curated curbside boxes available for purchase. (Pearl, 2020)

Farmers Market – Pearl will continue to host the Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9a.m. to 1p.m and Sundays from 10a.m. to 2p.m. Safety measures remain in place, including mandatory masks for vendors and hand sanitizing/washing stations throughout the footprint. Guests have the option to use Pearl’s Farmers Market Curbside service on Fridays between 3p.m. and 7p.m. 

Pearl Farmers Market will feature pumpkins for purchase from Braune Farms so families can carve their own Halloween creations at home. The market will also offer Halloween themed goodie boxes available online starting on Friday, October 23. The market will host the 28th Annual Herb Market on Saturday, October 17 and will feature specialty herbs and other items. The herb of the year is Rubus. Though Fiesta was canceled this year, Pearl will honor the beloved tradition by selling Pearl and Pearl partner Fiesta medals through Farmers Market Curbside. Medals will be available to purchase online beginning October 30 through December 1.    

Fall – To celebrate fall harvest, Pearl will release a series of videos featuring Hotel Emma’s chef, John Brand. Brand will share his favorite pumpkin recipes using seasonal produce from Pearl Farmers Market’s regional producers and family farms. The videos will be released on Pearl Farmers Market social media pages on October 21 and 22. Pumpkin carving stencils will also be available at the Pearl Farmers Market to take home at no charge to be picked up on October 24, 25 and 31. Stencils available while supplies last. 

Día De Los Muertos – Pearl reimagines its annual Día De Los Muertos celebration, honoring loved ones who have passed, as a largely virtual experience. In addition to the onsite community altar, videos of altars at two offsite locations will be available to view on Pearl social media pages. Altars will be located at the Mexican Cultural Institute and at the Carver Community Cultural Center.

The Mexican Cultural Institute and the Consulate of Mexico in San Antonio, in partnership with the San Antonio-Mexico Friendship Council (SAMFCO), are proud to create an altar in honor of Manuel Felguérez, one of the earliest and most prominent proponents of abstract art in Mexico, who passed away this summer from COVID-19. In December 2019, Felguérez was recognized by the government of Mexico City as a figure of Living Cultural Heritage for a lifetime dedicated to the arts.

The Carver Community Cultural Center has invited local artist Kaldric Dow to create an altar dedicated to those who have lost their lives to social injustice. Pearl’s annual community altar will be on view at the Pearl Shade Structure from November 1 to 8. Masks will be required when visiting the altar. The altar will be created by Jon Hinojosa, Artistic Executive Director of SAY Sí, with help from SAY Sí alumni and staff. The theme of the altar is Amor y Esperanza (Love and Hope) and is dedicated to those who have lost their lives to COVID-19. The altar will consist of four levels and four sides, representing the four stages of life, the four points of the earth, the four seasons and the four mathematical points upon which the pyramids were built. SAY Sí is developing an interactive app where people can leave names of their loved ones in lieu of leaving physical mementos at the altar. 

The public can purchase Maker Kits from Feliz Modern POP beginning October 13. Options include a Catrina Collage by local artist Regina Moya or a Sugar Skull Piñata by Manola & Maria and Lua Bash. Kits include instructions and materials and how-to demos by the artists will be available on Pearl’s Facebook page on November 1.  

The Mexican Cultural Institute will have a booth at the Farmers Market on Sunday, November 1, where they will give out ceramic skull banks which kids can decorate at home. The Farmers Market information booth will be giving out marigolds. Banks and marigolds will be available while supplies last.

Azul Barrientos will round out the Día de los Muertos celebration with a special, online performance that commemorates the traditional Mexican holiday. The performance will be available to view on Pearl social media pages on November 2. Hotel Emma and La Gloria will each have altars on display and Pan de Muerto will be available at Hotel Emma to complete the socially distant celebrations at home.

Thanksgiving – Guests hoping to avoid crowded grocery stores this holiday season will be able to purchase everything needed for a Thanksgiving feast at Pearl Farmers Market Curbside. Products include a box with ingredients and recipe cards for a variety of Thanksgiving sides, turkey brining kits, pies and centerpieces. Thanksgiving products will be available for preorder starting November 1 through 21, with curbside pickup on November 24. There will be no curbside pickup the Friday following Thanksgiving.

“While we’ll miss being together for some of our most popular signature events, we will honor this time of year with special offerings through Farmers Market and new virtual programming and culinary content.” – Elizabeth Fauerso, Pearl’s Chief Marketing Officer