Category: art

Texas Women for the Arts opens 2021 grant in support of local arts organizations

Texas Women for the Arts opens its 2021 grant application program. Photo: Texas Cultural Trust, used with permission.

Texas Women for the Arts (TWA), a membership program of the Texas Cultural Trust, recently announced the opening of its 2021 grant application. Applications will be invited and accepted through December 1, 2020 by 5p.m (Texas Cultural Trust, 2020)

Through this grant and since its inception in 2005, TWA has distributed more than $2.9 million to over 200 Texas organizations. Applications must be sponsored by a current member of TWA and must reflect their mission to “awaken and nurture the artist in every Texas child.” Organizations are encouraged to identify and request sponsorship from local TWA members. Applicants can submit their grant proposals through the Texas Cultural Trust website.

TWA unites the financial forces of more than 240 Texas women annually in support of arts education programs. These influential women represent all corners of the state and their investments have impacted more than a million Texas children. The program is currently accepting membership renewals and welcomes new membership applications. To join or learn more about the program, visit Texas Cultural Trust online.

Texas Cultural Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and increasing access and awareness for the arts across the state. Programs of the Texas Cultural Trust include the Texas Medal of Arts Awards, Art Can, Texas Young Masters, Texas Women for the Arts, Partners in the Arts and Arts Access. Texas Cultural Trust efforts are amplified by its partners who are instrumental in the success of leading a cohesive voice for the arts in education, advocacy, and economic impact in Texas, spotlighting the artistic excellence of our state.

Texas Women for the Arts (TWA) is a statewide giving circle and membership program. Since its inception in 2005, this philanthropic force and champion for the arts in education has awarded over $2.9 million to more than 200 arts organizations, impacting more than a million Texas children

San Antonio’s Full Belly Cafe and Bar reopens next week

Full Belly Cafe and Bar will reopen on Monday October 5. Photo: Full Belly Cafe and Bar, used with permission.

Full Belly Cafe and Bar had been open for only 32 days when restaurants across the state were closed in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Throughout the mandated closure and subsequent citywide reopening phases, Chef Owners Blade Haddock and James Moore closely monitored cases in the area and weighed the risks of reopening with the possibility of having to close once again. Ultimately, the hospitality veterans determined that reopening would not be an option until they could do so with confidence that the science and data determined a safe environment. (Full Belly Cafe and Bar, 2020)

Throughout the closure, Haddock and Moore have been dedicated to evolving the contemporary American restaurant for reopening, including updated hours and new takeout options. When patrons return on Monday October 5, they will have the option to dine inside the restaurant or be seated on the newly completed covered outdoor patio, which features a fresh 16-foot mural. Reservations will be accepted and walk-ins are always welcome.

Takeout will be available with a curbside pickup option plus cocktails, beer and wine to-go. Signature Drinks, including Full Belly’s Margarita and Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned, will come with all ingredients premixed and ready to be blended or poured over ice to enjoy in the included glassware. Takeaway wine is offered by the bottle, six-pack or case from Full Belly’s eclectic wine list, which is designed to match the menu. Takeout orders can be placed by calling the restaurant at (210) 236-5374.

In addition to seasonal American cuisine with a global spin, freshly baked pastries and a specialty coffee menu are also available for dine-in or to-go. Favorites include Pastry Chef Deanna Lansing’s signature “Belly Puffs,” a cross between a croissant and a cream puff filled with mascarpone Chantilly cream.

Diners can look forward to a menu of chef-forward, sweet and savory items from the daytime menu seven days a week and dinner menu service Wednesday through Saturday. There will be all-day happy hour specials every day as well. Business hours as noted: Sunday Through Tuesday 9a.m. to 3p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 9a.m. to 9p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9a.m. to 10p.m. 

Full Belly adheres to the Texas Restaurant Association’s Texas Restaurant Promise and follows the CDC guidelines for safety and sanitation. Per San Antonio mandate, face coverings are required when not seated and the restaurant will operate with required social distancing at a maximum of 75 percent capacity.

Founded in San Antonio by veteran restaurateurs Blade Haddock and James Moore, Full Belly Cafe and Bar is a contemporary American restaurant with a global spin. Embracing its motto to “Feed your Soul. Fill your Belly,” Full Belly offers a variety of hearty, seasonal dishes alongside an extensive chef influenced bar program and specialty coffee menu for a complete dining experience.

Full Belly Cafe and Bar

427 North Loop 1604 West #202

San Antonio, TX  78232

(210) 236-5374

“We’ve been so moved by the support we’ve received from the community, industry leaders and family and friends, checking in and eagerly awaiting our return. We always said that when it was safe to return, we’d pick the ball back up and run with it, and that’s just what we intend to do.” – James Moore, Full Belly’s Executive Chef Partner

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.

OrigamiintheGarden² opens this weekend at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

White Bison by Kevin Box and Robert J. Lang. Photo: sabot.org

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is excited to announce the opening of its newest exhibition, OrigamiintheGarden² this weekend.  It will be on display from Saturday September 19 to Sunday May 9, 2020. Making its Texas debut, this incredible outdoor sculpture exhibition, created by Santa Fe artists Jennifer and Kevin Box, captures the delicate nature of the origami paper art form in museum quality metal. Displayed within beautiful garden settings are examples of typical origami: soaring birds, gliding airplanes, galloping ponies, floating boats and emerging butterflies.  The exhibition features Box’s own compositions as well as collaborations with world-renowned origami artists Tim Armijo, Te Jui Fu, Beth Johnson, Michael G. LaFosse and Robert J. Lang. (San Antonio Botanical Garden, 2020)

There will also be a variety of dedicated programs to get visitors involved with the OrigamiintheGarden² exhibit while abiding by CDC guidelines for COVID-19. These include a curated audio tour, paper-making and origami folding classes and Japanese cooking classes. Distance learning opportunities for school groups and adults will focus on the relationship between origami and engineering, the roles plants play in paper creating, the science of paper-making and the life cycle of the butterfly through the lens of origami.  This is all included with general admission and is free for members.

Opening weekend hours are 10a.m. to 2p.m. and includes guided and self-guided exhibition tours, origami inspired hands-on activities, storytelling by Sue Kuentz on Saturday only, cash bar and food prepared by Jason Dady, shaved ice and more. COVID-19 guidelines are listed online.

General admission: members – free, adults – $15, children ages 3 through 13 – $12, children under age 3 – free, military with valid ID – $13, students with valid ID – $13, Museums for All Discount – $3 (must show SNAP or WIC EBT card with valid ID; per person, up to four people). Tickets are available online.

Briscoe Western Art Museum announces monthly Locals Days

Briscoe Western Art Museum announces monthly Locals Days.

To thank the San Antonio community for its support, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is making the third Saturday of each month “Locals Day,” greeting locals with 50 percent off of general admission. Bexar County residents can enjoy the Briscoe’s Locals Days through Fall 2020, including September 19, October 17, November 21 and December 19. Since children 12 and under receive free admission, as do active duty members of the military, the Briscoe is the perfect spot for local families to enjoy. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2020)

Safe and Socially Distanced:  Travel West Without Leaving San Antonio

The Briscoe’s collection of Western art and artifacts showcases the stories of the West through visual art. Collection highlights include Santa Anna’s sword, works by Frederic Remington, Pancho Villa’s last known saddle, a fantastic Alamo diorama and artifacts, contemporary and historic paintings, sculptures, an impressive spur collection and other cowboy and Native American relics, weapons and photography.

One of the latest additions to the Briscoe is a bronze bust of President Lincoln sculpted by Gutzom Borglum, the artist who carved Mount Rushmore. The bust was crafted before Borglum began carving the likenesses of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Texas history fans will enjoy the Briscoe’s A-Tex Elliott Family Gallery, home to the museum’s popular display on the Battle of the Alamo. Featuring a legal document signed by Travis when he was working as a lawyer in San Felipe de Austin on the eve of the Texas Revolution, the gallery offers a new glimpse into William Barret Travis’ life before the Alamo.

Visitors may enjoy self-guided tours, watch short videos and learn more about the artists behind the works through the Briscoe’s app, available for iOS systems. Lil Partner activities for children are 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 scavenger hunt that explores the museum, play musical match-up or musical bingo, bringing the museum’s extensive collection to life for all ages.

The Briscoe continues to operate at 50 percent of its admission capacity by monitoring attendance through ticket counts. The museum encourages social distancing through its acre and a half campus on the banks of the River Walk, with outdoor displays that include 32 sculptures extending from the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden and a lush public space that features a beautiful courtyard surrounded by bronze sculptures depicting iconic figures of the American West. The Briscoe’s collection also spans 14 galleries in a restored 1930s building that offers high ceilings and spacious areas for guests to stay safely socially distanced. 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.

The Briscoe Western Art Museum’s mission is 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 museum includes the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for event rentals and programs and the outdoor McNutt Sculpture Garden.

“Like everyone else, we’ve been impacted by COVID-19. We’re grateful to the San Antonio community for its continued support. Whether it’s the story of the cowboy, the vaquero, the Native American or the wildlife that still roams the range, Western history is unique to the United States. San Antonio played a key role in shaping the West, making it a must for locals who enjoy our diverse history.” – Michael Duchemin, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Art Museum.

PechaKucha San Antonio announces Volume 39 for this week

Eric Cooper, President/CEO will be one of the speakers at PechaKucha San Antonio Volume 39 on Thursday September 10. Photo: Josh Huskin, used with permission.

PechaKucha San Antonio, the global arts and culture series that hosts speakers who share their passions in a unique format, is excited to announce the lineup for its Volume 39 edition, scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2020, live streamed on PechaKucha San Antonio’s YouTube and Facebook. The night begins with presentations starting at 7p.m. This will be PechaKucha San Antonio’s second online event to practice safe social distancing during these uncertain times.  (PechaKucha San Antonio, 2020)

Volume 39 will feature a talented group of locals. The six presenters include:

Eric Cooper – President/CEO

Emilie and Tatu Herrera –  Entrepreneurs

Angelica Holmes – Executive Director/Camp Founder

Celina Montoya – Community Leader

Cherise Rohr-Allegrini – Epidemiologist

Marc Anthony Smith –  Musician/ Philosopher

Emcee for the evening will be local publicist and PechaKucha SA former presenter Christian Reed-Ogba. Musical guest for the evening will be local band Dreambored. This event will be completely free and donations are encouraged to help support MOVE Texas and fund PechaKucha San Antonio. To donate, please visit Las Casas Foundation online. Donations will be split equally between MOVE Texas and PechaKucha San Antonio.  

Everyone who donates will be entered to win a curated gift basket that will be raffled off at the end of the event. The gift basket will include local goodies like a Sage & Honey grazing box, certificate for a Ben Yanto Visuals porch photo session, Tio Pelon’s Salsita, Wildflower Caramels, Twang premium salts and seasonings, and Lone Star Rio Jade Beer. PechaKucha San Antonio is presented in partnership with the Las Casas Foundation.

Pronounced “PEH-chuh KOO-chuh,” PechaKucha is a 20 image x 20 second arts and cultures series. Speakers share their passions in a unique format: Each presenter gets exactly 20 images and each slide advances automatically every 20 seconds (for a total time of 6:40). San Antonio’s first quarterly PechaKucha Night was held in February 2011 and now attracts hundreds of attendees to venues throughout San Antonio. It showcases a broad range of individuals, including architects, artists, makers, academics, community leaders and more. PechaKucha (Japanese for “chit chat”) is an event format developed by Tokyo’s Klein Dytham Architecture to encourage creative professionals to share projects and ideas that they are passionate about. Since it began in 2003, PechaKucha has expanded to more than 1200 cities around the world. 

PechaKucha San Antonio Volume 38 this Thursday June 4

benyantoheadshot
Animal Adoption Advocate Ben Yanto will be one of the presenters at PechaKucha San Antonio Volume 38. Photo: Josh Huskin, used with permission. 

PechaKucha San Antonio, the global arts and culture series that hosts speakers who share their passions in a unique format, is excited to announce the lineup for its Volume 38 edition, scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2020, live streamed on PechaKucha San Antonio’s Youtube and Facebook. The night begins with presentations starting at 7p.m. This will be PechaKucha San Antonio’s first online event to practice safe social distancing during these uncertain times. (PechaKucha, 2020)

Vol. 38 will feature a talented group of locals. The six presenters include:

Emcee for the evening will be local singer-songwriter Garrett T. Capps. This event will be completely free and donations are encouraged to help support the San Antonio Food Bank and fund PechaKucha San Antonio. Donations will be split equally between the San Antonio Food Bank and PechaKucha San Antonio. Everyone who donates will be entered to win a curated gift basket that will be raffled off at the end of the event. The gift basket will include local goodies like a gift card to Bakery Lorraine, Tio Pelon’s Salsita salsa, Olla Express Coffee and more.  PechaKucha San Antonio is presented in partnership with the Las Casas Foundation.

PechaKucha San Antonio would not be possible without the support of annual sponsors, including Lake Flato Architects, Centro Properties, Zurich International Properties, RYNO General Contractors, San Antonio Food Bank, Schroeder Art, Gary and Janet Sweeney and Southwest School of Art.

In-Kind sponsors for the event include Giles Design Bureau, Giant Noise, Josh Huskin Photography, The San Antonio Current, The Rivard Report, Sprocket Media Hub, Olla Express Café, Bakery Lorraine and Tio Pelon’s Salsita.

PechaKucha is a 20 image x 20 second arts and cultures series. Each presenter gets exactly 20 images, and each slide advances automatically every 20 seconds (for a total time of 6:40). San Antonio’s first quarterly PechaKucha Night took place on February 2011 and now attracts hundreds of attendees to venues throughout San Antonio. It showcases a broad range of individuals, including architects, artists, makers, academics, community leaders and more. PechaKucha (Japanese for “chit chat”) is an event format developed by Tokyo’s Klein Dytham Architecture to encourage creative professionals to share projects and ideas that they are passionate about. Since it began in 2003, PechaKucha has expanded to more than 1200 cities around the world.

 

Texas Cultural Trust releases ‘Home Is Where the Art Is!’ coloring pages

texaslogo
Home Is Where the Art Is! coloring pages are available online. Photo: google

During these times, we have seen Texas’ heart through the kindness and support being offered by neighbors and organizations. We have also seen the power of the arts magnified as an emotional salve, a universal language, a reflection of current events, a form of expression, a unifying force and a symbol of hope. In response, the Texas Cultural Trust invited Texas artists, luminaries and organizations to create coloring pages for Home Is Where the Art Is!, an online collection of coloring sheets for people of all ages. (Texas Cultural Trust, 2020)

These coloring pages are available to download for free on the Texas Cultural Trust website. Everyone is encouraged to share their finished work of art via social media by tagging the color page artist and Texas Cultural Trust using the hashtags #ArtCanTexas and #HomeiswheretheARTis. Help the Trust highlight the creativity and compassion that we have seen during this pandemic and most of all have fun coloring.

The Trust plans to publish a coloring book of all the page submissions to raise funds to help the arts and culture sectors recover and rebuild post-COVID-19. Access to art and culture will continue to be essential as we heal, recover and rebuild our local and global communities.

Randal Ford | Artist
The Kindness Campaign | Nonprofit Organization
Shanny Lott | Artist
Cruz Ortiz | Artist
H-E-B | Business
Stephen Harrigan | Novelist, Journalist, Historian and Screenwriter
Sadé Lawson | Artist
Ray Benson | Musician

Texas Cultural Trust is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and increasing access and awareness for the arts across the state. Programs of the Texas Cultural Trust include the Texas Medal of Arts Awards, Art Can, Texas Young Masters, Texas Women for the Arts, Partners in the Arts and Arts Access. Texas Cultural Trust efforts are amplified by its partners who are instrumental in the success of leading a cohesive voice for the arts in education, advocacy, and economic impact in Texas, spotlighting the artistic excellence of our state.

Novel Ideas Art Book Fair at SAYSi

bluestarcontemporary
Blue Star Contemporary. Photo: Google

San Antonio’s first and longest running contemporary art non-profit, Blue Star Contemporary, located in the heart of the Blue Star Arts Complex, is pleased to present the Novel Ideas Art Book Fair which will take place on Friday March 6 from 5p.m. to 9p.m. and Saturday March 7 from 10a.m. to 6p.m. at SAYSi. The first and only art book fair in the region coincides with Blue Star Contemporary’s spring exhibitions featuring the work of Emilia Azcárate, Ann Clarke, Arturo Herrera, Candace Hicks, Rand Renfrow, Benedikt Terwiel, Hye-Ryoung Min and Sarah Welch. Also complementing the fair are Contemporary Art Month San Antonio and the Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference taking place in San Antonio, March 4 to 7, 2020. (Blue Star Contemporary, 2020)

Novel Ideas Art Book Fair is a two-day art book fair organized by Blue Star Contemporary. It will feature artists’ books, monographs, zines, printed ephemera and more. Conceived as a platform and community-building event for artists and producers operating primarily in the Southwestern US region and Mexico who are dedicated to books as medium and material, the Novel Ideas Art Book Fair includes a range of exhibitors, both publishers and artists. Novel Ideas includes programming such as talks, pop-up workshops, signings, an after party hosted by Paper Tiger and four complementary onsite exhibitions.

The fair presents noted artist and curator Julie Ault as the keynote speaker for the event on Saturday March 7 at 3p.m. Julie Ault is a curator, writer, editor, artist and designer who began her career establishing the temporary exhibition as art form.

Admission
$15 – Friday, March 6, 2020 opening night (CAM supporters receive $5 discount at the door with CAM sticker)
$20 – Saturday, March 7, 2020 all day
Door cover charge – closing concert at Paper Tiger on Saturday, March 7, 2020 7p.m. to 11p.m.
$40 – All access pass to all the above, advance purchase only, limited edition artist print by Rand Renfrow for the first 40 purchasers.
BSC members, TPR members and members of any of our museum month partner organizations receive a $5 discount on the all access pass.

Participating 2020 exhibitors include

  • Animal Facts Club (Wimberley)
  • Annie May Johnston (Austin)
  • Artpace (SA)
  • Bill’s Junk (Houston)
  • Cattywampus Press (SA)
  • Cortney Cassidy (Oakland)
  • Coyote Bones Press (San Antonio)
  • Feral Editions (SA)
  • Flowerpot Books (SA)
  • French & Michigan (SA)
  • Glasstire (TX)
  • Hare and Hound Press (SA)
  • Hellen Jo (LA)
  • M12 (Colorado)
  • Lawrence Markey (San Antonio)
  • Lorenzo Gomez (San Antonio)
  • Pey-Jing Li Mehrinfar (San Marcos)
  • Mixed Media Press (Mexico City)
  • Modernizm Zine (Houston)
  • MOSAIC Student Artist Program (San Antonio)
  • Mystic Multiples (Houston)
  • Rand Renfrow (Austin)
  • San Anto Zine Fest (SA)
  • Southwest School of Art (SA)
  • Spend Time Zine Mart (Austin)
  • Sybil Press (SA/Baltimore)
  • Texas State University Photography Program (San Marcos)
  • TPR/David Martin Davies (TX)
  • Trilce Ediciones (Mexico City)
  • UT Riso Room (Austin)
  • Yes, Ma’am Press & Xicana Vegan(SA)

Blue Star Contemporary (BSC) is the first and longest-running nonprofit venue for contemporary art in San Antonio. Its start 32 years ago created a pathway leading to city bond funding that supported the revamp of an old warehouse complex into an artist-centric, mixed-use development, sparking the total revitalization of Southtown as it is today. Their mission to inspire, nurture, innovate and support artists and nurturing the community’s relationships with them are the very fibers of Blue Star Contemporary’s rich cultural tapestry.

SAYSí
1518 S Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78204
(210) 212-8666

North Star Mall boots celebrate 40 years

northstarboots20
The North Star Mall boots celebrates 40 years this month.  In honor of the artist, Bob “Daddy O” Wade, a commemorative limited edition Fiesta medal will be out in February.  Photo: North Star Mall, used with permission.

The adage that everything in Texas is bigger and better is best illustrated by the massive cowboy boot sculpture that adorns North Star Mall’s northern face. The “World’s Largest Cowboy Boots” sculpture stands an impressive 35-feet, three inches tall, 30-feet long, nine–feet wide and weighs in at 10,000 pounds. (North Star Mall, 2019)

Artist Bob “Daddy O” Wade was 36 years old in 1979 when he was contacted by the Washington Project for the Arts out of Washington, DC to create a Texas-themed sculpture to be featured in an empty lot, mere blocks from the White House. Built on site, Wade created two structures that in 2016 became Guinness World Record-certified Cowboy Boots – the largest such sculpture in the world. Approximately forty feet high and thirty feet long, the boots are made of tubular steel sprayed with polyurethane foam. Wade is known for several other giant creations, including a 40-foot long iguana that now sits atop the Ft. Worth Zoo, dancing frogs that can be found on the roof of a Taco Cabana in Dallas and a 70-foot high saxophone in Houston, among others.

Shortly after its creation, a bidding war ensued between a company in Houston and The Rouse Company, then owners of North Star mall, who purchased the landmark for $20,000. Getting them from DC to San Antonio is a story that includes getting stuck under an overpass. From that point on the truck drivers responsible for moving the boots took back roads all the way to Texas.

The World’s Largest Cowboy Boots is celebrating its 40th anniversary in January. They have become iconic – used in commercials and highlighted in every San Antonio event that garners state and national attention. According to Wade, they’ve even been the subject of a master’s thesis – a fitting study for boots that have earned their place in Texas culture.

“The North Star Mall family was deeply saddened to learn of Bob Wade, artist of the World’s Largest Cowboy Boots, passing on Christmas Eve.  In his honor and memory, we are creating a commemorative Fiesta Medal that will be available in February. Please check our website and Facebook page for details. The Boots, much like the artist who made them, are larger than life and have a special place in San Antonio’s heart. Bob will always be an important part of North Star Mall history; may Bob’s legacy live on through his sculptures.” Brenda Crawford, Sr. General Manager, North Star Mall