The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center proudly presents the Teatro Salon’s world premiere of La Niña Girasol (The Sunflower Girl) by J. Cesar Duenas. Photo: The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, used with permission.
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center proudly presents the Teatro Salon’s world premiere of La Niña Girasol (The Sunflower Girl) by J. Cesar Duenas, scheduled for June 22 – 25, 2022 at the historic Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St., San Antonio, TX 78207. Clint Taylor, who has over 25 years working with numerous theater companies in San Antonio and New York, will be directing this unique and imaginary children’s play. (Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 2022)
“Follow a brother & sister on a journey through their dreams to save their maternal line from being lost forever…. A magical tale of family, history, and the struggle to keep their roots alive,” this, according to playwright J. Cesar Duenas. Mr. Duenas is a local theatre actor and while La Niña Girasol is his first play, he has acted with VIVA 48hr Play, Teatro Audaz, Killer Productions, Overtime Theatre, and Jumpstart. He is a first-generation American and a US Army veteran who was born and raised in San Antonio. “I am so excited with this rare opportunity to have my first play produced and enjoyed by the community.”
Teatro Salon is a project of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center that provides opportunities to developing new plays and is sponsored by City of San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture, Texas Commission on the Arts, Trinity University and National Performance Network.
Show times include two morning performances on Wednesday and Thursday June 22 and 23 at 11a.m. and two evening performances on Friday and Saturday June 24 and 25 at 7p.m.. Admission is $12 Adults, $6 Teens and Seniors and $2 Children (13yrs and under). All performances will take place at the historic Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St. San Antonio, TX 78207.
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center was founded in 1980 as a non-profit, multidisciplinary organization. Located in the heart of San Antonio’s westside, the Guadalupe is one of the largest community-based organizations in the United States. Its mission is to cultivate, promote, and preserve traditional and contemporary Chicano, Latino, and Native American arts and culture through multidisciplinary programming.
Commodore Perry Estate in Austin. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resort Collection will charm guests this season with Father’s Day and July 4th celebrations and immersive activities that embrace Austin, a city with so much to offer travelers. Where Southern hospitality and European elegance meet – the Estate is Austin’s luxury urban escape for a summer getaway the family won’t forget. (Commodore Perry Estate, 2022)
Father’s Day at The Estate (June 19): Bring dad to an exclusive private session with Austin’s Trovador Custom Hats to design his personalized custom hat from scratch at their studio on South Congress. Afterward, join the Estate team for a Father’s Day Grill and Chill at the Mansion Loggia where award-winning chefs, Bradley Nicholson and Susana Querejazu will be serving up specials straight from the grill, paired with delicious frozen drinks to cool down.
Fourth of July at The Estate (Weekend of July 4): From July 1 – 4, Milk & Honey will be bringing mini versions of their signature organic treatments to the intimate property. Poolside facials, hand, and foot massages, lasting from 10a.m. to 2p.m. each day, are the perfect ways for guests and members to enjoy the holiday poolside. On July 2, a KUTX Show featuring Austin-based creative Mobley will take place from 6p.m. to 8p.m. with free entry and cocktails available for purchase. On July 3, join the property for a BBQ with old-school, finger-lickin’ good purveyors, LeRoy & Lewis; which will be open to the public. Tickets are $100 and include food and two (2) drinks. From 6p.m. to 11p.m., visitors can enjoy delicious locally sourced and inventive barbecue while roaming the beer garden (featuring oversized lawn games) and enjoying a live DJ at Lutie’s Cocktail bar. On July 4, sparklers & bubbles will be available on the Loggia to end off this picture-perfect weekend.
Events at the Briscoe include artist demonstrations, paint-alongs, talks, movies, and family activities. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
Fathers, sons and tons of fun await everyone at the Briscoe Western Art Museum this summer. Featuring the fantastic summer exhibition The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America,the Briscoe is hosting an array of programming to allow everyone to step into the West from the heart of the River Walk. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2022)
Premiering at the Briscoe and including works from 17 public and private collections, The Sons of Charlie Russell features 70 works of art showcasing the forefathers of Western art and how their great works provide foundations, traditions and ideals for today’s contemporary artists. On display through September 5, the exhibition is the first and only time these works will be viewed together. To accompany the exhibition, the Briscoe is hosting a summer of programming that brings Western art to life through artist talks, demonstrations, and more.
The summer line-up includes:
Cowboy Creations: Learn from Cowboy Artists
Bringing the art of The Sons of Charlie Russell to life, members of the Cowboy Artists of America are appearing in a series of demonstrations and talks throughout the exhibition. Guests can enjoy meeting and watching these talented cowboy artists share the processes behind their work. All sessions are included in general museum admission.
Saturday June 25 – Mikel Donahue
Saturday August 6 – Chad Poppleton (Paint-along)
Saturday July 23, 10a.m. – 3p.m. – Jason Scull (Sculpture demonstration, part of the Briscoe’s National Day of the Cowboy Celebration)
Saturday August 27, 10a.m. – 11:30a.m. – Bruce Greene (part of The Lessons of Our Fathers Panel)
Saturday September 3, 11a.m. – 1p.m. – Teal Blake (Paint-along)
Saturday September 3, 11a.m. – 3p.m. – Jason Scull (Sculpture Demonstration)
STEAMing into the West with The Sons of Charlie Russell
Families and visitors of all ages are invited to learn about the American West through the works featured in The Sons of Charlie Russell during the museum’s “Full STEAM Ahead” series on the third Saturday of each month. From transportation and weather to animals, astronomy and engineering, each program explores an aspect of life in the West to engage and inspire learning. Full STEAM Ahead is included with museum general admission. Children 12 and under receive free admission to the Briscoe.
Saturday June 18, 11a.m. – 1p.m. – Full STEAM Ahead: Red Moon – Participants will learn about the lunar eclipse, and the significance the moon had on the people of the American West. Guests will also learn and practice perspective and contrast in creating art, exploring “Red Moon,” by CAA member Phil Epp and featured in The Sons of Charlie Russell. Children and families will paint their own fizzy moons using special combinations of baking soda and paint to create uniquely textured and colorful moons.
Saturday July 16, 11a.m. – 1p.m. – Full STEAM Ahead: All A-Gnome – Families will make their own gnomes inspired by the beloved children’s book “Charlie Russell and the Gnomes of Bullhead Lodge” by renowned author and Briscoe curator Emily Wilson. Wilson curated The Sons of Charlie Russell exhibition.
Saturday August 20, 11a.m. – 1p.m. – Full STEAM Ahead: Whimsical Windmills – While conservation and renewable energy efforts may seem like new solutions to the energy crisis, cowboys and settlers alike used renewable energy long before access to gas and electricity was ever invented. Guests will learn how windmills were some of our first sources of alternative energy.
What is a Western? Summer Film Series
The Briscoe’s popular Summer Film Series returns with a question: What is a Western? What are the elements of a Western and how has the Western been re-interpreted through the years? The first film in the series will explore the traditional components of Western cinema. A short presentation discussing the foundations of the Western will begin at 1p.m., followed immediately by the screening. Each film is included in general museum admission, with free brews courtesy of Ranger Creek Brewery. Popcorn, drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.
Sunday June 19, 1p.m. “The Searchers” – In the 1956 movie considered by many to be the greatest Western ever made, John Wayne stars as a post-Civil War veteran on a journey to find his niece after Comanche Native Americans kidnapped her. Its influence is reflected in the works of Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and other critical filmmakers.
Sunday July 10, 1p.m. “Dances With Wolves” – In his directorial debut and breakout role, Kevin Costner stars as a post-Civil War veteran who comes into contact with the Lakota while on assignment in South Dakota. The 1990 film was nominated for 12 Academy Awards, winning seven, including Best Picture and Best Director, and received Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
Sunday August 21, 1p.m. “Wind River” – In this tense neo-western thriller, Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen star as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife hunter and an FBI agent investigating a murder on the Wind River Indian Reservation. The 2017 film was “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan’s directorial debut.
Books and Brews: Briscoe Book Club
Thursday July 14, 6p.m. – Briscoe Book Club: “No Country for Old Men” by Cormac McCarthy
Weathered Souls Brewery, 606 Embassy Oaks #500, San Antonio, 78216
Join the Briscoe Book Club for a lively chat in a laid-back social gathering as we explore significant works of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction inspired by the vast and varied experiences of the American West. We will discuss a new book each quarter. Books are available for purchase at the Museum Store, or you may reserve a copy for check out through the San Antonio Public Library system before each meeting. There is no charge to participate in the book club. Reserve your spot by registering online.
Free Cowboy Fun: National Day of the Cowboy Celebration
Tippin’ its hat and celebrating the legacy of the cowboy, cowgirl and vaquero, the Briscoe Western Art Museum presents its annual National Day of the Cowboy celebration on Saturday, July 23, 10a.m. – 4p.m. at the Briscoe. The free community event, which includes free admission to the museum and its exhibitions, features indoor and outdoor activities for cowpokes of all ages. This year’s celebration will feature The Sons of Charlie Russell, with artist demonstrations to include leatherworking, metalsmithing and more. Saddle up with your family and head west for a day you will not forget.
The Lessons of Our Fathers: Panel and Artist Presentation
With The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America, the Briscoe Western Art Museum casts a spotlight on the history and significance of the Cowboy Artists of America and its efforts to maintain and evolve the style and subject matter of traditional Western art. The museum is hosting a panel of Western art scholars to discuss the importance of preserving traditions and the necessity for tradition to evolve and undergo revision to remain relevant in a changing world. The panel will also examine the CAA’s success at executing its mission: to authentically preserve and perpetuate the culture of Western life through fine art. The panel will be moderated by Emily Wilson, Curator of Art for the Briscoe Western Art Museum and the curator of The Sons of Charlie Russell. The panel is Saturday, August 27, 2p.m – 4p.m.
Before the panel discussion at 10a.m. – 10:30a.m., CAA artist Bruce Greene, the 2022 President of the CAA, will do a presentation detailing his journaling techniques and how he uses his journal to help with the accuracy of his art Both the presentation and the panel are included in museum general admission.
210 West: Gallery Talks
Join the Briscoe for in-gallery chats featuring selected works from The Sons of Charlie Russell. Using the exhibition gallery guide, Curator of Art Emily Wilson will provide an overview of the tools and strategies used to evaluate narrative art. Guests will leave with a deeper appreciation of the artistic strategy, methods and design choices made by the artists. Gallery talks are included in general admission and start at 1p.m.
June 24, July 8, Aug. 12
The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America is supported in part by Jan McCaleb Elliott, the Eddie Basha Collection, Mr. and Mrs. Marrs McLean Bowman, The Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992, the Klesse Foundation, Jessica Elliott Middleton, Debbie and John T. Montford, and Western Art Collector.
Admission to the Briscoe Western Art Museum is always free for children 12 and under and for active duty military members. The museum is proud to participate in Museums For All, Blue Star Museums and Bank of America Museums on Us. 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.
Hotel Contessa’s rooftop Spa will pair rosé infused treatments with signature rosé cocktails and complimentary rosé all day for guests purchasing a treatment only on June 11, 2022. Photo: Spa at Hotel Contessa, used with permission.
Spa at Hotel Contessa is celebrating National Rosé Day on June 11 from 9a.m. to 6:30p.m. by offering specially curated services including a rose-infused facial, massage, and poolside reflexology. The national holiday falls on the second Saturday of June every year, making it perfect for a weekend ‘winedown.’ Rosé lovers can book a service by calling the Spa at Hotel Contessa directly at 210-298-8038 for a day to sip wine, relax, and look forward to the approaching summer at the Spa’s rooftop location. (Spa at Hotel Contessa, 2022)
The full services available for National Rosé Day are as follows:
Rose Water Facial – $160 for 50 minutes
Facials will take place in a spa treatment room
Lotus Rose Cold Stone Massage – $75 for 30 minutes or $160 for 50 minutes
Massage can take place poolside or in a spa treatment room
Rose Oil Reflexology – $75 for 30 minutes
Reflexology will take place poolside
Additional specials for guests who book a treatment on National Rosé Day include complimentary cold rose-infused towels offered both in the spa and poolside, and a complimentary glass of rosé. The spa will also offer a signature rosé cocktail for purchase.
Complimentary valet parking for spa guests is available at Hotel Contessa also located at 306 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205. Spa guests also have access to the hotel’s rooftop pool and fitness center.
Spa at Hotel Contessa 306 West Market Street San Antonio, TX 78205 Rooftop Level
Custom clothier Limatus Bespoke now open in Pearl’s Oxbow Building. Photo: Josh Huskin, used with permission.
Pearl is excited to announce that San Antonio-based custom clothing company Limatus Bespoke is now open in the new Oxbow building at Pearl. Limatus Bespoke’s 1,500 square foot showroom and retail concept is now open from 10a.m. to 6p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12p.m. to 5p.m. on Sunday. (Pearl, 2022)
Limatus Bespoke will have its official grand opening weekend during Father’s Day weekend with cocktails, champagne, and special offers. The store will provide 10% off accessories during the week leading into Father’s Day. For Father’s Day on Sunday, June 19, the store will have a shoe shiner on-site – anyone who books an appointment for that day will receive a complimentary shoe shine. Additionally, cigars and cocktails will be available on June 19 to celebrate dad.
Limatus Bespoke was started by Devin Castleton in 2000 after he developed an appreciation for custom clothing while living abroad. Limatus is a Latin word meaning “refined” and bespoke refers to clothing made from scratch. The custom clothier makes suits, shirts, pants, jackets, vests, coats and skirts according to the customer’s precise measurements. The company also launched custom shoes and bags this year. Limatus Bespoke works with their clients to create a personalized style and fit that is unique to them.
“When we started Limatus Bespoke, we did it with a very direct intent to build a company that did not solely focus on the bottom line, but could promote our values like expressing individuality and creativity, supporting and championing other local businesses that build our community, and ultimately add to the character of San Antonio. Pearl aligns with our values and we are fortunate to be part of the community and thrilled to begin our next chapter.” – Devin Castleton, founder
Limatus Bespoke uses high quality fabrics from mills like Ermenegildo Zegna, Loro Piana, Holland & Sherry, Dormeuil, and more and the company has dressed notable San Antonians like Doc Watkins, Jenna Saucedo Hererra, The Bachelorette contestant Mike Johnson, and more. Limatus Bespoke will be open Mondays through Saturdays from 10a.m. to 6p.m. and Sundays from 12p.m. to 5p.m. at 1803 Broadway Street, Suite 106, San Antonio, Texas 78215. Parking is available in the Oxbow garage with validation.
Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 1999. Located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River, it is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894—and numerous plazas. Today, Pearl is home to dozens of unique culinary concepts, one-of-a-kind retail, weekend markets, residential communities, innovative office tenants, the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. Pearl is a vibrant district where community gathers to play, work, and live; it is a place where things are made and celebrated with purpose and sincerity.
Limatus Bespoke is an experience-based custom clothing and custom shoe company in San Antonio, Texas. Clients choose the fabric, fit, and design of their clothing and shoes, and every piece of clothing is hand-measured and tailored to fit each person’s body perfectly. Limatus Bespoke prides itself on customer service in a relaxed collaborative environment. With each private appointment, Limatus designers work with clients to discover their personal style and create clothing that speaks to their personality.
Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk is hosting the first of a one-of-a-kind quarterly dinner series with partner Soular Therapy on Thursday, June 9, 2022. The special, six-course Sensory Dinner will be led by the hotel’s fantastic executive chef, Robert Cantu, and each course will be paired with a scent from Soular Therapy, a San Antonio based luxury fragrance company. Engaging all five senses, this immersive dinner will be creative, abstract, and executed beautifully. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2022)
The cocktail hour will begin at 7:30p.m. and then guests will be seated in a square format on the terrace of The Moon’s Daughters and will be welcomed by avant-garde music of instrumental drums and chimes at 8p.m. Between each of the six courses, guests will be given a specialty washcloth saturated in a different scent to set the stage for the next dish. This multisensory experience of smell, sight, hearing, touch and taste will occur outside during sunset, and guests will be guided through the dinner by a spiritual escort, promising an unforgettable night.
Tickets are $380 and can be purchased here. Menu highlights include Scallop Crudo, Garlic Gnudi with Lobster, Black Squid Ink Poached Octopus, Crispy Braised Venison Shank, and more.
The Summer of Play series is designed for families to gather, grow, and get to know one another. Photo: San Antonio Charter Moms, used with permission.
San Antonio Charter Moms invites families to have some fun in the sun, while learning a thing or two, during the new Summer of Play event series. The family-friendly meetups are designed to help children shed bad habits brought on by the pandemic while having fun along the way. From increasing finger strength and dexterity to balancing screen time and sharpening social skills – each event offers valuable educational tips from local experts mixed with creative, hands-on activities to keep kids entertained. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2022)
Summer of Play brings San Antonio Charter Moms’ thriving online community to life through in-person playdates with an informative twist. The casual come-and-go events are free and open to the public at area splash pads around the city. San Antonio Charter Moms Founder and Executive Director, Inga Cotton and team will be on-site to answer education-related questions offering families an ideal opportunity to go straight to the source for expert advice. From discussing local school options to summer camps, enrichment activities around town, learning loss solutions, and more.
“Summer presents an ideal time for us all to regroup and get kids back on track by introducing and enforcing good habits and saying goodbye to the bad. After speaking with hundreds of parents, students and educators alike, there is no doubt the pandemic took its toll academically and socially. With all that has happened over the last few years; we can’t wait to come together to discuss post-pandemic challenges and solutions. But mostly, we look forward to having some fun as we laugh, learn and share.” – Inga Cotton, Founder and Executive Director of San Antonio Charter Moms.
Summer of Play is designed as a celebratory next chapter to the nonprofit’s award-winning Charter a Voyage of Learningcampaign launched at the start of the pandemic to help parents navigate distance learning and parenting challenges while social distancing. Due to its success, the campaign continues to grow and evolve, offering activities and online support to keep children active, learning, and having fun through the summer and beyond. Summer of Play events are free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to bring a sack lunch and stay awhile.
STEMulate Curiosity: A Playdate with BASIS San Antonio – Build your child’s math and science skills through fun, hands-on activities with educators from BASIS San Antonio.
SPLASH PAD Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair 434 S Alamo St. San Antonio, TX 78205
Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 10a.m. – 12p.m.
Conversations to Connect: A Playdate with nextTalk – Kim Elerick, co-host of the nextTalk podcast on cyber parenting, offers advice for building good habits, balancing screen time, and keeping kids safe online.
SPLASH PAD at Voigt Park 700 El Portal Hollywood Park, TX 78232
Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 10a.m. – 12p.m.
Strong Hands Strong Writers: A Playdate with TamboRhythms – Occupational therapist Jorge Ochoa explores fun ways to help kids use their fingers and build prewriting skills.
SPLASH PAD at Pearsall Park 4838 Old Pearsall Rd. San Antonio, TX 78242
Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 10a.m. – 12p.m.
San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) began as a blog in 2012 when Founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily find good information about high-quality school options. Starting with a focus on the growing local charter school offerings, the blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools. Established in 2018 as a nonprofit, SACM can accept funding that enables it to grow in ways that support accomplishing its mission of being the most trusted information source on education in the region. This growth includes Spanish-language blog post translations, surveying target publics, holding meetings with decisionmakers, supporting public speaking, community outreach and enhancing mobile technology.
A Blue Star Museum partner, SAMA will extend free admission for eligible families for up to five guests. Photo: San Antonio Museum of Art, used with permission.
Kicking off this Memorial Day, active-duty military members (including National Guard and Reserve) and their families of up to five people can enjoy free admission to the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA). As a designated Blue Star Museum, SAMA offers this free admission for service members who present their military ID from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year, so those who cannot make it in May will still have ample opportunity to enjoy all that SAMA has to offer all summer long. More information on SAMA or the Blue Star Museums program is available online. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2022)
Offer is valid Monday, May 30, 2022 – Monday, September 5, 2022 for active-Duty Military Members and their families.
San Antonio Museum of Art 200 West Jones Avenue San Antonio, TX 78215
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 words representing 5,000 years of history in the historic former 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. The Museum hosts hundreds of events and public programs each year, including concerts, performances, tours, lectures, symposia, and interactive experiences. 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.
The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America premieres at the Briscoe on May 27 and runs until September 5, 2022. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
A cowboy saddles up his horse, drives cattle from one pasture to another, gets down from his horse, and picks up a paintbrush. He is not doing typical ranch work as he stands in front of an easel, painting a scene inspired by the trail. He is authentically preserving and perpetuating Western life’s culture through fine art. Dedicated cowboy artists are the foundation and the future of Western art, showcased at the Briscoe Western Art Museum May 27 – September 5 with the premiere of The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2022)
An art form as uniquely American as jazz music, Western art has long defined the American West worldwide. Illustrating the lives, landscape, and wildlife that define the West fueled storied artists like Charles M. Russell, Frederic Remington, Edward Borein, W.R. Leigh, and Frank Tenney Johnson. Together, they then defined the look and style of traditional Western art and inspired the Cowboy Artists of America (CAA).
Spotlighting those founding fathers of Western art alongside the CAA artists who have safeguarded the traditional style of the genre, The Sons of Charlie Russell traces the roots and successive artwork of the Cowboy Artists of America and defines a core set of criteria for what constitutes traditional Western art. Encompassing 70 paintings, sculptures and works on paper dating from 1890 to the present day, the exhibition includes works typically only seen in private collections and never before exhibited together. Displaying the strength and vibrancy of the genre through the masterpieces of 40 artists, The Sons of Charlie Russell offers a rare opportunity to see contemporary art along with historical works.
Curated by Emily Wilson, the Curator of Art for the Briscoe, The Sons of Charlie Russell features works from 17 lenders including the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the Booth Western Art Museum, the Eddie Basha Collection, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and the Sid Richardson Museum, as well as private lenders from Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, making the exhibition the first and only time these works will be viewed together. Nine of the featured pieces are sourced from the Briscoe’s permanent collection.
Shadows of the West: Interactive Elements Add to the Experience
While visitors may not be able to rope and ride alongside the cowboys and ranch hands often depicted in Western art, thanks to immersive technology in the exhibition, The Sons of Charlie Russell allows visitors to literally add themselves to the scene. Visitors can virtually step into three works featured in the exhibition: “Rawhide Rhapsody by Charlie Dye (1906-1972),” “Texas Cattleman – Oil Man” by George Phippen (1915-1966), and “Pony Tracks and Empty Saddles” by Tom Lovell (1909-1997). Visitors will be able to see themselves as shadow outlines in the paintings, striking poses as they add themselves to the scene and find responsiveness to a few actions – such as strumming a guitar.
To help visitors learn more about Western art, the exhibition’s guide gives visitors the skills to interpret and evaluate works in the genre. After touring the exhibition, visitors can apply their art evaluation skills and vote on which art best illustrates the four categories explored in the guide: originality and uniqueness, technique and application, composition and subject matter, and aesthetic awareness. Different paintings will be featured throughout the exhibition’s run, allowing visitors to evaluate new paintings each month.
Cowboy Artists of America: Riding Together
Author and Western art scholar Byron Price’s book inspired the exhibition’s title, “The Sons of Charlie Russell.” The book commemorates 50 years of the Cowboy Artists of America, a membership organization of individual artists committed to authentically preserving and perpetuating the culture of Western life through art. Members of the CAA work to ensure authentic representations of the life of the West past and present. Many of these accomplished, award-winning artists are cowboys themselves, living the cowboy life as they work their own land and cattle.
The Sons of Charlie Russell Opening Celebration
To mark the exhibition’s opening, the Briscoe is hosting a series of events May 26-28, followed by monthly gallery talks and art demonstrations featuring current CAA members, including the museum’s annual National Day of the Cowboy celebration on July 23.
Opening weekend events include:
The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition Preview Party
Thursday, May 26, 6p.m. to 8p.m.
Help the Briscoe kick off the summer showcasing the foundation and future of Western art alongside members of the Cowboy Artists of America and Michael Duchemin, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Briscoe. The event includes complimentary beer, wine, specialty cocktails and light bites. Free for Briscoe members and $45 for non-members. In addition to enjoying the exhibition, guests may tour the museum from 5:30p.m. to 7p.m. Tickets are available online.
“The Sons of Charlie Russell: Celebrating Fifty Years of the Cowboy Artists of America” Book Signing with Byron Price
Thursday, May 26, 5:15p.m. to 5:45p.m.
Friday, May 27, 10a.m. to 10:45a.m.
Byron Price will be signing copies of his book “The Sons of Charlie Russell,” the inspiration behind the Briscoe’s exhibition. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Cowboy Artists of America, Price details the organization’s founding to perpetuate the history, romance, and significance of the American West. The stories of these cowboy artists come alive with essays, photographs and beautiful images of their work. Available for purchase in the Museum Store and online.
An Enduring Desire: Tradition and the Cowboy Artists of America
Lunch and Curator’s Tour
Friday, May 27, 11a.m. to 2p.m.
Join Emily Wilson, the Briscoe’s Curator of Art and the curator of The Sons of Charlie Russell for an in-depth look at the exhibition, detailing how traditional Western art represents an enduring desire for continuity, stability, and a fixed identity of what it means to be an American. Wilson will focus on the ties between CAA artists and historical artists of the American West, examining the artistic choices made by members navigating between cohesion and individuality and tradition and innovation in pursuing the work of creating traditional Western art. The lunch begins at 11a.m., followed by the tour at 1p.m. Tickets are $50 for Briscoe members, $60 for non-members and are available online.
Boots, Chaps, and Cowboy Crafts: Family Art Activities
Saturday, May 28, 10a.m. to 1p.m.
Explore America’s cowboy culture and heritage with hands-on activities available for visitors to celebrate the opening of The Sons of Charlie Russell. Crafts include Make Your Own Spurs, Make Your Own Paper Bag Cowhand and Hands-on-chaps, cowboy hat, and lasso. Included in general museum admission.
Cowboy Creations: Demonstration and Talk with C. Michael Dudash
Saturday, May 28, 10a.m. to 4:30p.m.
A member of Cowboy Artists of America since 2016, C. Michael Dudash trained in the fine arts before working in classic illustration and gaining a prestigious and national reputation. In 2002, he left his illustration work behind and became a full-time painter in the fine art world. Hundreds of collectors and corporations have his paintings in their permanent collections, as well as The Booth Museum, the James Western Art Museum and the Briscoe. Included in museum general admission.
10a.m. to 1p.m. Live Painting Demonstration: Narrative Western Painting
Dudash will demonstrate and discuss the various approaches and painting techniques he uses to create his narrative western paintings. He will teach how to create a successful painting through dynamic design by prioritizing the position of the subjects and elements, effectively posing figures and animals, how to use color and value, making proper landscape choices, and adding “atmosphere and dust” to give a work of art an emotional lift.
2:30p.m. to 4:30p.m.Talk by C. Michael Dudash, “Illustrations’ Influence on Western Art”
Dudash will share illustration examples from the late 1800s to the year 2000 that have influenced Western Art’s biggest names and trends throughout the last 150 years. Understanding this subject will enhance one’s appreciation and enjoyment of the contemporary Western art being created today.
The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America is supported in part by Jan McCaleb Elliott, the Eddie Basha Collection, Mr. and Mrs. Marrs McLean Bowman, The Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992, the Klesse Foundation, Jessica Elliott Middleton, Debbie and John T. Montford, Western Art Collector.
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. Named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum includes the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for event rentals and programs, and the outdoor McNutt Sculpture Garden.
Chef and music line up includes Ashley Christensen, Fermin Nunez, Chris Shepherd, Joe Beddia, Chris Bianco, Superchunk, Shannon and the Clams, DJ Jazzy Jeff with DJ Mel, and more. Photo: Hot Luck Fest, used with permission.
Hot Luck Fest is officially back and returning to Austin this Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 – 29. Founded by James Beard Award–winner Aaron Franklin, Guerilla Suit principal and Mohawk owner James Moody, and Mike Thelin, cofounder of Feast Portland, Hot Luck feels more like a family get-together and a backyard cookout than just another big music and food festival. It brings together some of Aaron’s favorite chefs, cooks, and musicians from all over the country and beyond. Individual tickets and weekend passes for the four-day fest are available online. (Hot Luck Fest, 2022)
“Super stoked that we’re able to bring Hot Luck back this year. I’ve invited a whole lot of my homies to come down to Austin to cook,” said Aaron Franklin. “We’ve all been through a lot in the last year and a half, and it’s going to be fun to all get together and catch up, and help our friends at Southern Smoke, who continue to serve our industry unfailingly.”
The Hot Luck weekend means fun food events by day, featuring some of the most talented chefs in the world making food and serving good times at beloved Austin-area venues. At night, the focus shifts to music as guests can experience Austin nightlife with shows at some of Austin’s most iconic clubs, including Mohawk and Antone’s. This year, Hot Luck is excited to welcome Superchunk, Shannon and The Clams, DJ Jazzy Jeff with DJ Mel, Cam Cole, Joe Marcinek Band featuring George Porter Jr., (of The Meters) and more.
Hot Luck and the Southern Smoke Foundation are joining forces in a forward-looking partnership focused on helping folks in our industry when they need it most. To that end, the Hot Luck team announced recently that Southern Smoke will become the charity beneficiary of the Hot Luck festival.
Whether you want to attend every event for four days straight with the Whole Enchilada Pass or come check out one food or music event, Hot Luck has got you covered. Ticket prices for music shows start at only $10.
The 2022 events and chef lineup is as follows:
THURSDAY, MAY 26
The Giddy Up: Mohawk
Guests can expect to taste some of the best pies (among other things) gathered together in one place (plus tasty treats from Whole Foods and Christina Tosi’s Milk Bar). If you are into high-quality pizza, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and heroic excess in general, look no further than The Giddy Up event at Mohawk in downtown Austin. Presented by YETI and Whole Foods Market and with DJ Mel on the decks to get things started.
This event is from 6p.m. to 9p.m. and is accessible only via the Whole Enchilada Ticket Package. No individual tickets are available for this industry event. DJ Jazzy Jeff will follow immediately after the food event. Individual tickets for DJ Jazzy Jeff (with DJ Mel continuing) will be available at the door at 9p.m. Early entry for Whole Enchilada buyers is at 5:30p.m.
FRIDAY, MAY 27
Hi, How Are You?: Franklin Barbecue
Welcome to Hot Luck ’22, and for a lot of you, welcome to Austin. Join us for our extravagant East Side backyard get-together featuring Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue — famous for the longest lines in the history of lunch. We will eat, drink, and hoot with the chefs and culinary nerds behind all this prandial extravagance. All are welcome. Presented by our friends at Creekstone Farms.
SATURDAY, MAY 28
Al Fuego: Wild Onion Ranch
What happens when the masters of flame and forge gather together on a Texas ranch to sacrifice sparks unto the heavens? The answer is Al Fuego, Hot Luck’s celebration of live-action, flame-fueled cooking styles that run the gamut. A place where we ask chefs to utilize fire as inspiration and where chefs use all types of cooking contraptions, Al Fuego is an obsessively imagined and passionately executed showcase of the most inspiring food on the planet. If you ever wonder what chefs cook for their friends in their backyard, this is the shindig for you. Boots optional. Koozies required.
This event is from 7p.m.–10p.m. and is included in the Whole Enchilada Ticket Package who can get in early at 6:30. Individual tickets are also available.
TICKETS
The Whole Enchilada Ticket Package: $500 for adults, $150 for ages 12-20; $75 for 12 and under, and $1,000 for family (two adults and two kids).
Hot Luck is offering a limited opportunity to experience the full weekend of the fourth annual Hot Luck food and music festival. Enjoy main events, music shows and more. Come hang with chefs, mingle with the industry and enjoy the most intimate festival experience available. For a behind-the-scenes look into Hot Luck, look no further. Limited to a handful of (really) lucky folks.
The Whole Enchilada Ticket Package includes:
The Giddy Up — Thursday night industry welcome party (only available with Whole Enchilada Pass)
Hi, How Are You? at Franklin Barbecue — Main event Friday evening with early entry
Al Fuego at Wild Onion Ranch — Main event Saturday evening with early entry
The Whole Enchilada Pass is the only way into the industry kickoff Giddy Up at Mohawk and offers access to every music show
As always, Whole Enchilada passes as well as industry passes can be picked up at the YETI Austin Flagship on Thursday, May 26 where Luis ‘Beto’ Robledo from Cuantos Tacos will be cooking. There will be a window early on the 27 to pick up passes there too.
Hot Luck would like to thank its partners, YETI, Whole Foods Market, Goldbelly, Karbach Brewing Co., Knob Creek, Hornitos, VANS, Creekstone Farms, Tillamook, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, KeVita, Performance Food Group, Fernet, Vital Farms, Rambler Sparkling Water, Big Green Egg, Johnnie Walker, American Lamb Board, Oatly, Desert Door, Tabasco, Montinore Estate Wine, Minamoto Foods, Genji Sake, William Chris Vineyards, Medici Roasting, Spiritless, LoLo, Alaska Seafood, Thaan Charcoal, Jacobsen’s Salt Co., Rock Sound Rum, JuiceLand & Music Water.
Fairmont Austin continues to be Hot Luck’s preferred accommodations partner, along with Austin Motel, Hotel Magdalena, South Congress Hotel, East Austin Hotel, Hotel Van Zandt, The Carpenter Hotel, Hotel San Jose, Hotel Saint Cecilia, and Hotel Ella.
Hot Luck is a food and live music gathering in Austin, Texas, brought together by James Beard Award–winner Aaron Franklin, Guerilla Suit principal James Moody, and Mike Thelin, cofounder of Feast Portland. Hot Luck is inspired by friendly tailgates, family reunions, get-togethers, and potlucks of our past and present. It is a fun, chef-driven celebration of fire, food, music and camaraderie. An a la carte, eat-with-your-fingers picnic and party experience that highlights open-pit feats of culinary know-how and music in your ears that is as thoughtfully curated as the food on your plate. Come hungry, thirsty, and bring your dancin’ boots.
SA Examiner 