Freddy Fender: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Baldemar Huerta is currently in view until November 9 at the San Benito Cultural Heritage Museum.
Freddy Fender was a celebrated American singer and songwriter known for his unique blend of country, rock, and Tejano music. Born on June 4, 1937 in San Benito, Texas, he gained fame in the 1970s with hits like “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” and “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights.” Fender’s soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics resonated with a diverse audience, bridging cultural gaps. He was a key figure in the Chicano music movement, showcasing the rich heritage of Mexican-American artists. Despite personal struggles, his legacy endures, influencing generations of musicians and leaving an indelible mark on American music.
The San Benito Cultural Heritage Museum is proud to present the first ever Freddy Fender Estate-sanctioned exhibit that spotlights musical trailblazer Freddy Fender, the stage name of Mexican American icon Baldemar Huerta, and coincides with the 50th anniversary of the recording of the album “Before The Next Teardrop Falls.” (San Benito Cultural Heritage Museum, 2024)
Freddy Fender: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Baldemar Huerta will be on exhibit from now until November 9, 2024. It is part of the ongoing collaboration between Veronique Medrano, a local archivist and musician, and the San Benito Department of Cultural Arts.
The opening reception took place on Thursday September 26 and began with speeches from co-curators Veronique Medrano and Aleida Garcia, San Benito Mayor Ricardo “Rick” Guerra, and City Manager Fred Sandoval. At the well-attended event, guests were able to enjoy DJ-provided music and light snacks while browsing the exhibit hall and mingling with fellow fans of Freddy Fender and community members alike. It’s always enlightening to learn new and/or lesser known facts about musicians and whether you’re a fan or not, Fender’s influence in music is undeniable. This exhibit is the first of its kind in San Benito and the Rio Grande Valley, so if you’re a music fan, a fan of Freddy Fender, or music history in general, I encourage you to stop by see it for yourself. The pictures and displays bring his story to life.
The exhibition walks visitors through the history of San Benito’s hometown hero and Fender’s impact on pop, Tejano, country, and rock music worldwide. Guests to the museum can view this once in a lifetime collection of objects and memorabilia as well as a selection of private collection artifacts including a commemorative plaque of Fender’s star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame, wardrobe worn during the filming of videos and movies, like The Milagro Beanfield War, and concert posters.
Some of the categories in the exhibit include:
“Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” Fame Interrupted Fender Beyond Music Los Supergroups
Guided tours and in-person access are available. Virtual programming, such as video presentations, interviews, and virtual tours will be available through the museum’s social media platforms.
Museum hours: Monday through Thursday 10a.m. – 4p.m. Fridays 10a.m. – 1p.m.
San Benito Cultural Heritage Museum 250 East Heywood San Benito, TX 78586
Sandra Cruz and Aleida GarciaCo-curators Aleida Garcia and Veronique MedranoFreddy Fender’s star on the Hollywood Walk of FameExhibit informationGuests to the exhibit
Killers of the Flower Moon is the next movie in the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s Film Series. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
As summer heats up, there’s nowhere better to stay cool than the Briscoe Western Art Museum, where it’s always 70 degrees. Families can unleash cool fun and learning to keep kids engaged and educated, while adults can enjoy the flavors of West in a special after hours mezcal tasting. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2024)
Trade Talks – Trades of the West: The Art, Culture and Craft of Mezcal with Bruxo Founders Santiago Barreiro and Luis Edwardo Manrique and Flavors from Cuishe Cocina Mexicana
Thursday, August 22, 6p.m. – 9p.m., $60 per person, $30 for Briscoe members Must be 21 and older to attend.
Experience the cool flavors of summer in this informative, educational and immersive program celebrating mezcal and the flavors of Mexico. Hear from the founders of Bruxo Mezcal as they share their stories about the people and the process of distilling this time-honored drink while enjoying samples paired with paired with traditional Oaxacan flavors through small plates of mole, bichos (bugs) and more, with a dash of sal de gusano – agave worm salt. Everyone will also enjoy light bites and small plates from Cuishe Cocina Mexicana. Advanced purchased tickets are required and include the program, mezcal tasting, light bites, small plates and specialty cocktails featuring Bruxo Mezcal, including the Mezcal Mule and Paloma Mezcal.
New Works to Enjoy: George Carlson
As the museum grows its collection, the Briscoe routinely shares newly acquired works in its first floor new works gallery. The museum is proud to share eight works by noted Western artist George Carlson. The works are gifts of Anne Postel, Estate of James Grey Postel and depict the Tarahumara people, an indigenous Mexican tribe native to the Sierra Madre Mountains, their ceremonies and daily life. Introduced to the Tarahumara in 1973, Carlson spent close to 15 years observing and documenting the tribe.
Monthly Fun: Free Admission, Scavenger Hunts and STEAM-y Hands-on Education
Locals Days: Free for Local Residents
First Sunday of the month, 10a.m. – 5p.m.
To thank the San Antonio community for its continued support, the Briscoe Western Art Museum greets locals with free general admission on the first Sunday of each month. Bexar County residents can enjoy the Briscoe’s Locals Days through 2024, with free admission on September 1, October 6, November 3, and December 1. Online registration for Locals Day is recommended. And if you can’t stop in on Locals Day, children 12 and under receive free admission to the Briscoe every day, as do active duty members of the military, making the Briscoe a terrific spot for everyone to enjoy any time.
Scout the Briscoe: Free Scavenger Hunt
First Sunday of the month, 10a.m. – 5p.m.
Visitors of all ages can learn about the American West in the Briscoe’s free monthly scavenger hunt. Test your skills navigating the museum’s 1.4 acre campus and 14 permanent galleries. Everyone who completes the scavenger hunt is rewarded with a 10% discount in the Briscoe’s Hendler Family Museum Store.
Full STEAM Ahead: Free Educational Series
First Sunday of the month, 1p.m. – 3p.m.
Learners of all ages work together and engage in hands-on, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) learning experiences about the American West. Each of the activities ties back to the Briscoe’s art and artifacts, bringing the West to life in a new way. Full STEAM Ahead is included with museum admission and all supplies are provided. Upcoming topics include:
September 1 – Full STEAM Ahead – Nature in Art
Bring nature and pottery together, learning about how Native Americans used nature for colors to create designs in their pottery. After the presentation, families will have the opportunity to create a pinch pot and decorate it with pressed flowers and leaves.
Storytime Stampede: Free Stories and More for Little Cowpokes
Third Saturday of the month, 10:30a.m. – 11a.m.
With stories told and acted out, books read aloud, movement activities, songs and art fun designed for young children ages 18 months to 5 years, Storytime Stampede is timed to keep young children engaged and entertained. Adults bringing children to Storytime Stampede receive half-off general museum admission and children 12 and under always receive free admission at the Briscoe, making Storytime Stampede affordable family fun.
August 17: “Way Out West Lived a Coyote Named Frank” by Jillian Lund. Frank’s the coolest coyote around. Whether he’s hanging out with his friends, chasing rabbits, mixing it up with a Gila monster, or pondering the setting sun, coyote Frank is one smooth character. Grab your shades, because you’re in for a bright and colorful cruise through the desert with Frank!
Survive the Summer with Wildlife and the “Big Four”: Through September 8
The exhibition’s title references Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, which had a revolutionary impact on how people from Western cultures envisioned our relationship with the other animals on Earth. In the post-Darwin era, a group of classically trained painters now known as the “Big Four” emerged and helped establish a vision of wildlife and nature that remains with us today. German Richard Friese (1854–1918) is the Big Four’s elder, followed chronologically by Swede Bruno Liljefors (1860–1939), German Wilhelm Kuhnert (1865–1926), and German-American Carl Rungius (1869–1959).
Survival Screening – Texas Wildlife: Our Future, by Fin and Fur Films
Thursday, August 15, 5:30p.m. – 8 p.m., $14 General Admission, free for Briscoe members
In collaboration with KLRN, the Briscoe is proud to celebrate the natural world and wildlife of Texas with an after hours documentary screening of Texas Wildlife: Our Future by Fin and Fur Films. Join us as we explore current research and conservation efforts happening across Texas. From ocelots in the shadows down in the Rio Grande Valley to helping bats survive the increasing number of wind turbines high in the Texas sky, learn how Texans are protecting the “wild” West. Tickets for the screening are $14, with complimentary beer courtesy of Ranger Creek Brewery, wine and snacks. Museum members enjoy the screening free as part of their Briscoe membership. Tickets may be purchased online.
Make this Summer One for the Books: Literary Cinema
The Briscoe’s Summer Movie Series explores Western movies based on popular novels on the third Sunday of each month. This summer’s screenings include a novel twist: the opportunity to win a visit to West Texas, a copy of the book featured in the movie and the chance to help fuel young readers by donating books.
All film series attendees will be entered to win a trip to stay at the Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Texas, where Hudson, Taylor and Dean stayed during the filming of Giant, the first screening in the Summer Movie Series, as well as tickets to the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine, Texas, and dinner for two at Reata Restaurant, named after the ranch featured in Giant. A short presentation begins at 1p.m., followed immediately by the screening. Each movie is included in general museum admission, with complimentary beer courtesy of Ranger Creek Brewery, wine and movie snacks. Pre-registration through an online museum admission ticket purchase is encouraged to save your seat. Museum members enjoy the series for free as part of their Briscoe membership.
Briscoe Summer Film Series: Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Sunday, August 18, 1p.m. – 4p.m., included with museum admission
Directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the non-fiction book by David Grann, this Oscar-nominated film shares the story of a series of murders of members of the Osage after oil was discovered on tribal and. The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lilly Gladstone. Come to the movie with three books to donate to the San Antonio Independent School District Foundation’s Book Buddies program and receive a free copy of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” filling your bookshelf while sparking a love of reading for SAISD children in grades K-8. Tickets may be purchased online to guarantee your seat.
Head West All Summer Long
The Briscoe is open Thursday through Monday, 10a.m. – 5p.m. and closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Admission is free for children 12 and under and for active duty members of the military. The museum is proud to participate in Museums For All 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.
Celebrate the legacy of the West at the Briscoe Western Art Museum this Saturday July 27, 2024. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
It’s time to celebrate the legacy of the West – the cowgirls, the cowboys, and vaqueros at the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s National Day of the Cowboy celebration Saturday, July 27, 10a.m. – 4p.m. at the museum’s campus on the banks of the River Walk. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2024)
This free community event includes free admission to the museum and its exhibitions, as well as indoor and outdoor activities. This year’s event tips its hat to the role cowgirls play in the West while showcasing cowboy life, skills, art, and more. Cowboys and girls of all ages can enjoy live music, games, crafts, a chuck wagon with tasty cowboy treats straight from the trail, artist demonstrations, and hands-on fun. Pre-register in advance to enjoy the free Western fun.
One of the Briscoe’s most treasured annual events, National Day of the Cowboy highlights and preserves America’s cowboy culture and pioneer heritage. The day began in 2005 to celebrate and preserve the heritage of the American cowboy, cowgirl, and vaquero in the United States. The state of Texas declared it a day of honor in 2015 and the Briscoe annually hosts a free community day marking the occasion, throwing open the doors of the museum to honor the cowgirl, cowboy, and vaquero in us all.
Free event and museum admission and activities for the whole family, including the museum’s 14 galleries and the McNutt Sculpture Garden.
Cowpoke games and crafts, where you can create your own cowboy hat and spurs, play horseshoes, make your own stick pony and try your hand at barrel racing. All arts and crafts are free and supplies are provided.
Cowboy music with The Barditch Hippies, playing live in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden, where the fantastic bronze sculptures and lush, shady greenery are the perfect backdrop for cowboy fun.
Authentic chuck wagon cooking with free samples of peach cobbler, along with food truck grub and tasty barbeque available from Cake ‘n Que to satisfy any hungry cowpokes.
Lassos and fun with local rodeo cowboys and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo and watch roper Cowboy Doug dazzle and delight with roping demonstrations.
Western art brought to life through live demonstrations:
Watch acclaimed, award-winning cowgirl artist Mary Ross Buchholz demonstrate illustration techniques using charcoal to create realistic imagery, sharing how to artfully capture Western scenes.
Enjoy a live sculpting demonstration by Jason Scull, one of the Cowboy Artists of America working to authentically preserve the culture of Western life through fine art.
See Texas cowboy artist Mike Capron showcase how he authentically portrays ranching and cowboy scenes.
Special appearances by Miss Rodeo Texas 2024, Ashlyn Williams, San Antonio River Walk Princess Annette Flores and Marina the Turtle, visiting to remind everyone “stuff the boat” to support this year’s Communities In Schools supply drive. Bring school supplies to National Day of the Cowboy and help Marina stuff the boat to benefit local children.
A display of escaramuza attire – what the talented women who participate in charreadas wear as they perform – and a local rider answering questions about what it’s like to be an escaramuza.
Storyteller Antoinette Lakey bringing the story of Mary Fields, the first African American woman stagecoach driver, to life. For many years, Fields traveled the West with her pet eagle, never losing a single horse or package. Hear her story as Lakey reads from “Fearless Mary: Mary Fields, American Stagecoach Driver.” A community leader, researcher, and dramatist, Antoinette Lakey currently serves as Artistic Director for Teatro Anansi, an organization with a mission to connect, celebrate and commemorate African American theatre, performing arts and history within the greater San Antonio community.
Cowboy poetry with poet Don Mathis, sharing his original poetry about the National Day of the Cowboy.
A look back at what it was like to be a trail rider and a black cowboy with a storyteller dressed in period attire, sharing about life in the West in 1875.
Nature’s beauty and resilience on display during the museum’s summer exhibition, Survival of the Fittest: Envisioning Wildlife and Wilderness with the Big Four, Masterworks from the Rijksmuseum Twenthe and the National Museum of Wildlife Art. The exhibition’s title references Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, which had a revolutionary impact on how people from Western cultures envisioned our relationship with the other animals on Earth. A special mini-drawing lab also offers step-by-step instructions to draw animals and landscapes.
Briscoe Western Art Museum: 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.
Don’t miss the Scratchboard Art Workshop taking place today June 20 with Master Scratchboard Artist Sally Maxwell. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
There is always something interesting happening at the Briscoe Western Art Museum,especially in the summer. This week’s summer spotlight event at the Briscoe is the Scratchboard Art Workshop, taking place today with internationally recognized, local artist Sally Maxwell. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2024)
Scratchboard Art Workshop A hands-on session for all skill levels with San Antonio artist Sally Maxwell Thursday, June 20, 5:30p.m. – 8 p.m., $25 for members, $45 for non-members
Join San Antonio-based, internationally recognized artist Sally Maxwell to leave your mark in art. Scratchboard art, also known as scratch art, is a form of direct engraving where the artist scratches off dark ink to reveal a white or colored layer beneath. Following a presentation to introduce everyone to the scratchboard process and the different kinds of boards and techniques used, guests will work on a 5” x 7” personalized square to complete and take home. The workshop is for all skill levels and all supplies are included. Pre-registration is required.
Selected by the International Society of Scratchboard Artists to be designated as one of only 12 in the world with the status Master Scratchboard Artist, Maxwell is a Signature member in the Society of Animal Artists, a Silver Signature member of Artists Changing Tomorrow, and a Master Signature member of American Women Artists. Maxwell will have pieces of her work on display during the workshop, as well as copies of her book for purchase.
Can’t make it to the Scratchboard Art Workshop? No Worries. Here are some more events scheduled this summer.
Thanks to the Briscoe Western Art Museum, families can unleash fun and learning to keep kids engaged and educated all summer long with a wide array of programming that includes wildlife, cowboys, movies, art, and more. From free locals days and hands-on education sessions and story fun to a day celebrating cowboy life and a summer filled with art, the Briscoe is the place to be to survive this summer.
Cool Summer Fun: Free Admission and Scavenger Hunts Locals Days: Free for Local Residents – First Sunday of the month, 10a.m. – 5p.m.
To thank the San Antonio community for its continued support, the Briscoe Western Art Museum greets locals with free general admission on the first Sunday of each month. Bexar County residents can enjoy the Briscoe’s Locals Days through 2024, with free admission on July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3 and December 1.Online registration for Locals Day is recommended. If you can’t stop in on Locals Day, children 12 and under receive free admission to the Briscoe every day, as do active duty members of the military, making the Briscoe a terrific spot for everyone to enjoy any time.
Scout the Briscoe: Free Scavenger Hunt – First Sunday of the month, 10a.m. – 5p.m.
Visitors of all ages can learn about the American West in the Briscoe’s free monthly scavenger hunt. Test your skills navigating the museum’s 1.4 acre campus and 14 permanent galleries. Everyone who completes the scavenger hunt is rewarded with a 10% discount in the Briscoe’s Hendler Family Museum Store.
Unleash Hands-on Education: Monthly STEAM Learning The Briscoe’s free monthly education series Full STEAM Aheadeducates and entertains from 1p.m. – 3p.m. on the first Sunday of every month. Full STEAM Ahead is included with museum admission and all supplies are provided.
Learners of all ages work together and engage in hands-on, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) learning experiences about the American West. Each of the activities ties back to the Briscoe’s art and artifacts, bringing the West to life in a new way. From transportation and weather to animals, astronomy and engineering, each program explores an aspect of life in the West to engage and inspire learning.
Summer 2024 Full Steam Ahead dates and topics include:
July 7: Full STEAM Ahead – Whose Track is That? – Learn how to identify the tracks different animals leave behind. After a short presentation, families will have the opportunity to identify animal tracks and make some tracks of their own to take home.
August 4: Full STEAM Ahead – Creating Colors – Discover how color is harnessed from nature in this survey of dyes and pigments from around the world. After a short discussion, everyone will have the opportunity to make their own paint to take home or use in creating artwork to take home.
September 1: Full STEAM Ahead – Nature in Art – Bring nature and pottery together, learning about how Native Americans used nature for colors to create designs in their pottery. After the presentation, families will have the opportunity to create a pinch pot and decorate it with pressed flowers and leaves.
Stories and More The younger set – and their caregivers – can stampede into the Briscoe on the third Saturday of the month, 10:30a.m. – 11a.m. to enjoy Storytime Stampede, then enjoy the Briscoe’s collection. With stories told and acted out, books read aloud, movement activities, songs and art fun designed for young children ages 18 months to 5 years, the short session is timed to keep young children engaged and entertained. Adults bringing children to Storytime Stampede receive half-off general museum admission and children 12 and under always receive free admission at the Briscoe, making Storytime Stampede affordable family fun.
Summer dates include: July 20: “Rio Ruby Invents the Pecan Pie” by Robin Davis. Rio Ruby makes the yummiest pies this side of the Rio Grande, but one day after she’s closed her pie shop, she finds out that she’s almost out of ingredients. Even worse, all the animals seem to have eaten all the pie-worthy fruit! She sets out to find a new ingredient to invent a new kind of pie, but one just as delicious and yummy.
August 17: “Way Out West Lived a Coyote Named Frank” by Jillian Lund. Frank’s the coolest coyote around. Whether he’s hanging out with his friends, chasing rabbits, mixing it up with a Gila monster, or pondering the setting sun, coyote Frank is one smooth character. Grab your shades, because you’re in for a bright and colorful cruise through the desert with Frank!
Killers of the Flower Moon is one of the movies that will be featured in this summer’s Briscoe Summer Film Series. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
Stampede into the Briscoe Western Art Museumfor a wild summer of survival. From hands-on workshops and book signings, film screenings and conversations about wildlife and conservation to the museum’s beloved National Day of the Cowboy celebration, the Briscoe is the place to be to survive this summer. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2024)
The exhibition’s title references Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, which had a revolutionary impact on how people from Western cultures envisioned our relationship with the other animals on Earth. In the post-Darwin era, a group of classically trained painters now known as the “Big Four” emerged and helped establish a vision of wildlife and nature that remains with us today. German Richard Friese (1854–1918) is the Big Four’s elder, followed chronologically by Swede Bruno Liljefors (1860–1939), German Wilhelm Kuhnert (1865–1926), and German-American Carl Rungius (1869–1959).
The Rijksmuseum Twenthe in Enschede, Netherlands, and the National Museum of Wildlife Art are the only two museums in the world to hold masterpieces by each member of the group. Survival of the Fittest brings together the best paintings from these two esteemed institutions for the first time. Along with the 45 works featured in the exhibition, the Briscoe will feature eight works by Robert “Bob” Frederick Kuhn (1920-2007), on loan exclusively to the Briscoe to showcase how Kuhn – one of the most prolific American wildlife artists – was greatly influenced by the Big Four. Separately, the Briscoe’s permanent collection includes “Rainbow Rams” by Carl Rungius, giving everyone 54 wildlife works to explore.
The Briscoe is hosting a preview party to open the exhibition, followed by a series of events that feature the exhibition curator and other special guests. Opening events include:
• Survival of the Fittest – Exclusive Preview Party Thursday, June 13, 6p.m. – 8p.m.
The event includes complimentary valet, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and light bites. Tickets are $25 for museum members and Contributing and President’s Society membership tiers receive two tickets. Museum members may upgrade their membership by calling 210.299.4499. Nonmembers may purchase tickets for $35. Tickets are available online.
• Survival of the Fittest: A Tour on the Wild Side Exhibition tour and book signing with curator Adam Duncan Harris Friday, June 14, 1p.m. – 2p.m., included with museum admission
Enjoy a tour of the exhibition with curator Adam Duncan Harris as he dives into the lasting impact of the Big Four and places their paintings in an international context – and how these paintings invite visitors to reflect on their relationship with the natural world. Harris will also sign copies of his book, “Survival of the Fittest: Envisioning Wildlife and Wilderness with the Big Four, Masterworks from the Rijksmuseum Twenthe and the National Museum of Wildlife Art,” available in the Briscoe’s Hendler Family Museum Store.
• Film Screening, Conversation and Tour: The Role of Artists in Wilderness Conservation – “There is a Place on Earth” Curator Adam Duncan Harris and filmmaker Ellen van den Honert Saturday, June 15, 1:30p.m., included with museum admission
Dive into the role artists play in wilderness conservation through “There is a Place on Earth,” Dutch filmmaker Ellen van den Honert’s beautiful and poetic journey around the world, meeting artists and conservationists who share extraordinarily creative work and a commitment to the environment. Following the screening, Harris and van den Honert will answer audience questions, then lead a tour of the exhibition.
• Watercolor Workshop: A Study of the Animal Form A hands-on session for all skill levels with artist Teal Blake Thursday, June 20, 6p.m. – 8p.m., $25 for members, $45 for non members
Award-winning artist and member of the Cowboy Artists of America Teal Blake returns to the Briscoe for a night of watercolor painting, guiding inspiring artists and providing instruction in how to portray the animal form with watercolor paint on paper. The workshop is for all skill levels and watercolor kits, brushes and paper are included. Pre-registration is required.
Following the Survival of the Fittest opening events, the Briscoe will be the place to be throughout the summer. Other activities on tap include:
Make this Summer One for the Books: Literary Cinema The Briscoe’s Summer Movie Series explores western movies based on popular novels on the third Sunday of June, July, and August. A short presentation begins at 1p.m., followed immediately by the screening. Each movie is included in general museum admission, with complimentary beer courtesy of Ranger Creek Brewery, wine and movie snacks. Pre-registrationwith an online museum admission ticket purchase is encouraged to save your seat. Museum members may enjoy the series for free as part of their Briscoe membership.
o Briscoe Summer Film Series: Giant (1956) Sunday, June 16, 1p.m. – 4p.m., included with museum admission
Spend a Giant Father’s Day at the Briscoe with dad enjoying this classic American epic brought to life with Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean. All attendees will be entered to win a trip to stay at the Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Texas, where Hudson, Taylor and Dean stayed during filming, and tickets to the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine, Texas. Tickets may be purchased online.
o Briscoe Summer Film Series: News of the World (2020) Sunday, July 21, 1p.m. – 4p.m., included with museum admission
Based on the 2016 novel by Paulette Jiles, Tom Hanks portrays an aging Civil War veteran who must return a young girl who was taken in by the Kiowa – and raised as one of them – to her last remaining family. Everyone who attends the screening will receive a free copy of the book. Tickets may be purchased online.
o Briscoe Summer Film Series: Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) Sunday, August 18, 1p.m. – 4p.m., included with museum admission
Directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the non-fiction book by David Grann, this Oscar-nominated film shares the story of a series of murders of members of the Osage after oil was discovered on tribal and. The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lilly Gladstone. Come to the movie with three books to donate to the San Antonio Independent School District Foundation’s Book Buddies program and receive a free copy of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” filling your bookshelf while sparking a love of reading for SAISD children in grades K-8. Tickets may be purchased online to guarantee your seat.
The Briscoe presents its annual National Day of the Cowboy celebration on Saturday, July 27, 10a.m. – 4p.m. at the museum. The free community event, which includes free admission to the museum and its exhibitions, features indoor and outdoor activities across the museum’s River Walk campus for cowpokes of all ages to enjoy and explore the west. This year’s celebration spotlights cowgirls and their role in roping, riding and taming the West to inspire young cowgirls – and cowboys – to follow their western dreams. Saddle up with your family and head west for a free day of fun you won’t forget.
Spring into the West for extra hours and hands-on programming during Spring Break Round Up at the Briscoe. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
Spring into the west without ever leaving the River Walk at the Briscoe Western Art Museum. Normally closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, extended hours during spring break mean the Briscoe will be open 10a.m. – 5p.m. each day March 7 – 18, giving everyone the opportunity to lasso some western fun this spring. With the museum’s location in the heart of the River Walk, it’s the perfect stop for families exploring downtown – and anyone enjoying the St. Patrick’s Day parades and festivities March 16-17. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2024)
The Briscoe is also hosting its annual Spring Break RoundupMarch 11-16. Art and craft activities, building with LEGOs, stories and fun capture the excitement and adventure of the West for all ages, while adults can get in on the fun with an evening painting session served with a side of margaritas. The come-and-go family programs includes activities that celebrate the heritage and culture of the American West. Different activities will be available each day, bringing the West to life in a variety of hands-on ways.
Spring Break Roundup is included in museum admission, with no charge for craft supplies and no reservations required. The adults-only painting session is a ticketed event for those 21 and up. Children 12 and under and active duty military members always receive free admission to the Briscoe, making it a wonderful destination for family fun. Caregivers must accompany participating children for each activity.
Spring Break Roundup scheduled programming includes:
Monday – Friday, March 11 – 16: Hands-on Arts & Crafts, 10a.m. – 5p.m.
Head West for hands-on fun any time during the day to make and take fun crafts that tie to the pillars of Western art – cowboys, Native Americans, wildlife and vaqueros, all themes celebrated by the Briscoe’s popular Community Days. Stop in and make bison masks, a fun balancing cowboy or weave your own basket. Families can choose and create one – or all! – of the crafts using the free supplies provided. This is a drop-in event included with museum admission.
Thursday, March 14:Building the West: Native American Homes, 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Drop by the Briscoe to explore the museum’s collection of Native American paintings and sculptures, then create your own Native American home or village. Honor the environment and the native beauty of the West by using recyclable and found materials to build a tipi, longhouse, wigwam or other type of traditional Native American shelters. Decorate it and take your creation home.
Thursday, March 14: Painting with DiZurita!, 5:30p.m. – 8p.m., $45, $35 for museum members
Kick back and enjoy your Spring Break during a painting session with energetic and charismatic international artist DiZurita. Based in San Antonio, DiZurita tells stories through her art, an everlasting transformation of life experiences. Enjoy a relaxing evening sipping margaritas while painting an agave plant – a Western plant and the source of tequila. Create your own agave acrylic painting on an 11 x 14 canvas in a hands-on session as DiZurita guides guests in creating their own work of art. Registration for this 21+ event is per person and includes drinks and all supplies. Class size is limited, so register today to secure your spot.
Friday, March 15: Building the West: Stop Motion LEGOs, 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Explore the West at the Briscoe, then create a short stop-motion video with LEGOs featuring the Alamo, a train station or other western scenes found in the museum’s collection. Get imaginative at the LEGO creation station and build your own scenes, then create a video using your own phone or device.
Saturday, March 16: Storytime Stampede: Cowboys, 10:30a.m. – 11a.m.
Families and caregivers of young children can enjoy western fun and stories each month at the Briscoe’s Storytime Stampede. Featuring 30-minute programs designed for young children ages 18 months to 5 years, each event includes stories told and acted out, books read aloud, movement activities, songs and art fun.
The spring break story is “Cowboys” by Lucille Recht Penner. Learn all about the day-to-day life of a cowboy in the Old West, from round-ups and trail drives to meals around the campfire and nights under the stars. Then make a cowboy hat you can wear home.
Adults bringing children to the Storytime Stampede receive half-off general museum admission and children 12 and under always receive free admission at the Briscoe, turning Storytime Stampede into affordable family fun.
Building the West: Stop motion LEGOs. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
The Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio will host the Hate Ends Now: The Cattle Car Exhibit from January 29 through February 20, 2024. Photo: The Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio.
Featured Speakers: (in order of appearance): Nehemia “Nammie” Ichilov, President and CEO, Jewish Federation of San Antonio Leslie Davis Met, Director, Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, City of San Antonio Todd Cohn, CEO, Hate Ends now
Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio 12500 NW Military Hwy. San Antonio, TX 78231
The Hate Ends Now Exhibit is presented through a traveling cattle car replica with moving holographic images and narration by survivors. During a 30-minute, 360-degree immersive presentation for groups of 20-30, students and visitors will be exposed to the development and aftermath of the Holocaust through a collection of imagery and footage dating from 1933-1945. It includes recorded testimonies of Holocaust survivors sharing their personal stories in a holographic virtual presentation. The exhibit will encourage visitors to reflect on the depth of evil while inspiring thoughtful conversations about genocide and indifference.
The cattle car exhibit will be in San Antonio from January 29-February 6 open for free public tours, private tours, visits to local middle schools, and Trinity University. Following its tour in San Antonio, the exhibit will spend two days respectively in Austin, Corpus Christi, McAllen, and Laredo.
Title Sponsors include: The Lubetzky Family Foundation, Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission, Texas Historical Commission. Additional support of the exhibit from The Bar-Yadin Family Foundation, Arlene and David Starr, Spurs Sports and Entertainment, and Dr. Elizabeth Glazier and Dr. Michael Piesman.
The Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio, the only museum of its kind in South Texas, opened its doors in 2000. Since then, thousands of guests have continued to visit and engage in interactive educational programming, customized tours, and intergenerational discussions, bridging the lessons of the past to a brighter future.
Through its customized tours, intergenerational conversations with survivors and their children, and creative educational programming, the Holocaust Memorial Museum aims at forming a community of “Upstanders” throughout South Texas – those who stand up for each other and are not bystanders. Today, the Holocaust Memorial Museum impacts over 40,000 students and visitors annually.
San Antonio Museum of Art’s American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection will close on January 7, 2024. Photo: San Antonio Museum of Art
The San Antonio Museum of Art’s special exhibition American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection is set to close on January 7, 2024 after an acclaimed run. The exhibition features more than a hundred artworks depicting the American experience in striking landscapes, Colonial-era portraits, still lifes, impressionist paintings, abstractions, and bronze sculptures. Spanning over 250 years of American art, American Made features exemplary works by renowned artists, including Baby Charles Looking Over His Mother’s Shoulder (No.3) by Mary Cassatt, An American Landscape by Luigi Lucioni, Elsie Wagg by John Singer Sargent, Chow Choy by Robert Henri, Seated Woman by Elizabeth Catlett, and Paris le Soir by Loïs Mailou Jones. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2023)
American Made demonstrates not only how American art has changed stylistically, but also how the face of American art has changed — literally and figuratively. Though many objects from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection have been on view at museums around the country, American Made is the first exhibition to bring together highlights of this extensive private collection.
American Made was organized by The Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis, Tennessee.
San Antonio Museum of Art 200 W. Jones Ave. 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 works representing 5,000 years of history. Housed 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.
Thomas Moran (American,1837-1926), Moonlight in Venice,1898, Oil on wood board. Courtesy of the Thomas H. and Diane DeMell Jacobsen PhD Foundation. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
SAMA announces acquisition of two major gifts of ancient art from the Americas Museum as well as a selection of contemporary artworks. Photo: Google
The San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) recently announced the acquisition of two extensive collections focused on the art of the Americas before 1500. The first is a gift from collectors and longtime SAMA supporters John M. and Kathi Oppenheimer and features nearly two hundred objects, primarily ceramic and stone figures and vessels, which represent societies that thrived in West and Central Mexico and Central America, including the Aztec, Mixtec, Colima, Nayarit, and Jalisco, as well as objects made by the Maya, Zapotec, and Olmec cultures. The second collection comes from Lindsay and Lucy Duff and includes 110 objects, including ceramics and textiles and carved stone and wood objects, from early South American cultures, such as the Moche, Nasca, Wari, Chimu, and Inca and spanning from around 500 BC to AD 1500. Several of the works in the Duff Collection are currently on loan to SAMA, including a large gold beaker and a ceramic portrait vessel. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2023)
As part of SAMA’s acquisitions, the Museum also acquired a range of objects across its Contemporary, American, Latin American, Asian, and Ancient Mediterranean collections. Some of the highlights include a photograph by Stuart Allen, titled Shadow No. 10, 9 Pixels (2005), which reflects the artist’s interest in examining abstract composition through digital photographic pixelation; two Transport Amphorae (Roman-Byzantine, 5th–7th century AD), which were likely used to ship commodities like wine across the Mediterranean; ten ceramic works by modern and contemporary Japanese artists, including Nakamura Takuo, Koie Ryoji, Takiguchi Kazuo, Ito Motohiko, and Seto Hiroshi; the oil on metal work Emma Tenayuca Retablo (1993) by Santa Barraza, a major figure in Chicana/o art and the Chicano Art Movement in South Texas; the mixed-media sculpture Space In Between: Nopal (Candelaria Cabrera) (2010) by Margarita Cabrera, which continues the artist’s ongoing explorations of cultural identity, migration, labor, violence, and empowerment through sculpture, craft, and social practice; and the large-scale portrait Yemayá, one of the three paintings in the Goddess Triptych, a set of paintings by San Antonio artist Ángel Rodríguez-Díaz that celebrates the beauty, confidence, and power of women of color. Rodríguez-Díaz’s three large-scale nude portraits will be featured in the focus exhibition Ángel Rodríguez-Díaz: The Goddess Triptych Reunited, which will be on view from January 27, 2024, through January 26, 2025.
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 thirty thousand works representing five thousand years of history and is particularly strong in arts of the Americas, ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman art, Asian art, and modern and contemporary art.
Amphora (jar) with Dionysos and satyrs, Greek (Attic), ca. 530–510B.C., Attributed to the circle of the Antimenes Painter, Terracotta, black-figure technique; h. 15 3/16 in., Purchased with the Grace Fortner Rider Fund, 2023.6 Photo: SAMA, used with permission.
Head west on the River Walk to take pictures with Cowboy Santa and make western holiday ornaments. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
Get wrapped up in Western fun and meet Cowboy Santa at the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s annual free Cowboy Christmas, 10a.m. – 2p.m., Sunday, December 3. Cowboy Christmas is included with museum admission, making the Briscoe the perfect way to enjoy holiday fun and make memories with your family, especially since this year’s celebration falls on the Briscoe’s monthly “Locals Day.” On Locals Day, all Bexar County residents receive free admission to enjoy the museum. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2023)
Cowboy Christmas features a day of family fun exploring the museum with holiday crafts and visits with Cowboy Santa from 11a.m. – 2p.m. Families are welcome to snap pictures with Cowboy Santa, while a special 12 Days of Christmas scavenger hunt leads you through the Briscoe’s fantastic collection. Christmas crafts, including ornament making, will give everyone a bit of the West to take home.
Holiday Fun with American Cowboys: Anouk Masson Krantz
Everyone who attends Cowboy Christmas can step into the intimate lives and culture of today’s cowboys through a showcase of stunning black and white photographs during Anouk Masson Krantz: “American Cowboys,” the Briscoe’s exhibition that highlights the enduring traditions around ranching and rodeo life from an outsider’s perspective. American Cowboys shares an intimate look at America’s Western heritage through nearly 100 images captured on solo journeys across the American West by the celebrated photographer Anouk Masson Krantz.
A French fine-art photographer and author based in New York City best known for her American Western work, Krantz has logged more than 125,000 miles traveling the West by herself in her quest to reveal the authentic daily lives of humble and virtuous American cowboy. Krantz’s photography has received worldwide acclaim, including the 2023 Western Heritage Award for her latest artbook, “Ranchland: Wagonhound.” The exhibition is included with museum admission and is on view through January 22, 2024.
Howdy Neighbors: Ways to Head West and Save
To show how friendly the West is and to thank the San Antonio community for its continued support, the Briscoe Western Art Museum makes the first Sunday of each month “Locals Day,” greeting locals with free general admission. Bexar County residents can enjoy Cowboy Christmas and Locals Day by registering online.
Not a local? The Cowboy Christmas fun is included with general museum admission. As always, children 12 and under receive free admission at the Briscoe, as do active duty members of the military, making the museum a terrific spot for families to add to their holiday plans. Active duty military families receive half-price admission when accompanied by their active duty family member. Year-round, retired and former members of the military also received discounted admission.
The first weekend of each month also includes free museum admission thanks to Bank of America Museums on Us, allowing Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and U.S. Trust cardholders to gain one free admission to the museum. Through Museums for All, recipients of SNAP, WIC, and MAP receive free general admission throughout the year.
Fill Your Stocking with the Best of the West
For everyone looking to fill their gift lists, the Briscoe’s Hendler Family Museum Store features something for everyone on your list. Shopping the museum includes holiday finds, home décor, and gifts for men, women and children that aren’t the cookie cutter things you’ll see at traditional retailers. Something sure to be popular in Cowboy Santa’s bag of gifts this year: gift memberships to the Briscoe. Membership includes free and discounted museum event admission, exclusive member events and so much more, all on the banks of the River Walk.
The museum is open Thursday through Monday, 10a.m. – 5p.m. and closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 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.
SA Examiner 