San Antonio, TX – The Briscoe Western Art Museum invites everyone to start the new year on the right foot with art, storytelling, wildlife, and inspiration as it closes its acclaimed Storytellers: Narrative Art & the West exhibition. From a special conversation with celebrated artist Billy Schenck to the museum’s wildest day of the year, the Wild West Wildlife Festival, 2025 gets off to a great start at the Briscoe. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2025)
See the Stories of the Southwest through Narrative Art
Blending visual elements with symbolism, narrative art invites connection with stories on a deeper, more emotional level. On view now, Storytellers: Narrative Art and the West explores the many ways artists have told stories about the Southwest in their art, including religious, migratory, historical, and rural subjects. From Indigenous stories passed down through generations to the contemporary interpretations of Western life, Storytellers showcases how artists use visual narratives to capture the spirit, landscapes, and people of the West. It is on display now through January 19, 2025.
Guiding questions throughout the exhibition invite visitors to take a closer look at the works on display – and dive into the stories they tell – while stations throughout the exhibition ask visitors to share their own stories. Visitors can then hang their story on the exhibition’s community story wall, while a mini-drawing lab offers visitors the opportunity to practice the techniques of gesture drawing – a quick sketching technique that helps capture the essence of a subject’s pose, movement, or expression – to create their own narrative art.
Artist Talk and Book Signing: Billy Schenck
Storytellers and the Modern West with Billy Schenck: January 18, 2025, 1:30p.m. – 3:30p.m., included with museum admission.
Renowned artist Billy Schenck, a founding figure of the Western Pop Art movement, shares insights into his bold and iconic depictions of the American West. Known for his striking, cinematic style, Schenck’s work bridges the gap between Western tradition and contemporary artistry. Schenck will share how he weaves together the story of his artistic process from film stills to paintings and creating new narratives. His approach offers a critical perspective on classic and contemporary Western iconography. Learn about Schenck’s early career, artistic inspirations, and the influences that shape his work during this conversation with Tim Newton, Publisher Emeritus of “Western Art & Architecture” and the Briscoe’s Curator of Night of Artists and Special Exhibitions. Hear more about Schenck’s role in “Western Pop,” his Native pottery collection and his new book “Women Artists of the Ancient Southwest: A Tribute to Timeless Creators.”
Walk on the Wild Side: Wild West Wildlife Festival
January 25, 2025, 10a.m. – 4p.m., free admission
A celebration of the animals and natural beauty of the West, featuring crafts, animal encounters, and activities focused on the wildlife of the American West, one of the pillars of Western art. The Wild West Wildlife Festival celebrates the flora and fauna that define the West with a beastly day of animal fun, education and hands-on crafts and activities highlighting the truly wild side of the West. The festival features art, storytelling, and more to inspire everyone to explore the nature all around them.
Extended Hours & Programming Make 2025 a Great Time to Head West
The Briscoe is committed to engaging the community with a variety of family-friendly and educational programs for all ages – all included in museum admission. The museum offers extended hours on Thursday, 10a.m. – 8p.m. and is open 10a.m. – 5p.m. Friday – Monday.
Children 12 and under always receive free admission at the Briscoe, making these programs affordable family fun:
Highlights Tour – Enjoy a guided tour through the museum’s galleries through these 45-minute tours each Thursday at 2 p.m., with stops at some of the most significant and striking pieces in the Briscoe’s collection. With frequently rotating artworks on display, this tour is ideal for both first-time visitors and long-term friends of the museum.
Locals Day – Come say howdy and explore the West for free as a San Antonio local. San Antonio and Bexar County residents enjoy free admission on the first Sunday of each month. Upcoming dates: February 2, March 2.
Scout the Briscoe – Hunt and enjoy a fun interactive way to see more of the Briscoe’s collection in an educational scavenger hunt on the first Sunday of each month. Completing the hunt is a family affair and you’ll learn fun information about works throughout the museum. Upcoming dates: February 2, March 2.
Storytime Stampede – Enjoy a storytelling session designed for young children and families on the third Saturday of each month at 10:30a.m. Sing songs, engage in movement activities and create artwork together as you learn about the West. Even better: Adults bringing children to Storytime Stampede receive half-off general museum admission.
An oasis of Western beauty just off the River Walk, the Briscoe’s McNutt Sculpture Garden and the museum grounds feature 35 sculptures portraying various aspects of Western life. The museum’s beautifully restored historic home inside the former San Antonio Public Library building, includes 14 galleries, with special exhibitions, events and the Hendler Family Museum Store, providing art, culture, history and entertainment. Museum hours, parking and admission details are available online.
SA Examiner 