The Briscoe Western Art Museum presents The Poetry of Art: National Poetry Month Celebration and Reading. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
Celebrate National Poetry Month by enjoying an afternoon of poetry inspired by art as the Briscoe Western Art Museum hosts “The Poetry of Art: National Poetry Month Celebration and Reading” in honor of San Antonio’s 2022 Ekphrastic Poetry Contest on Sunday, April 10, 2p.m. – 4p.m. The free reading and celebration is part of National Poetry Month San Antonio and will be held in the Briscoe’s McNutt Sculpture Garden, 210 W. Market Street, San Antonio. Admission to the reading is free. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2022)
Showcasing poetry inspired by select artworks at the Briscoe Western Art Museum, the McNay Art Museum, Ruby City, the San Antonio Museum of Art, and the Witte Museum, “The Poetry of Art” will feature local poet laureates reading their work and Jim LaVilla-Havelina, San Antonio’s National Poetry Month Coordinator, as well as adult and youth winners of San Antonio’s 2022 Ekphrastic Poetry Contest. Former San Antonio poet laureate Carmen Tafolla will read a poem inspired by a piece of art from the Briscoe, while other San Antonio poet laureates will be on hand to read their poems based on works from other local institutions. The pairings featured in this year’s ekphrastic poetry effort include Jenny Browne, the McNay Art Museum; Jim LaVilla-Havelin, San Antonio Museum of Art; Octavio Quintanilla, the Witte Museum and current San Antonio Poet Laureate, Andrea Vocab Sanderson, Ruby City.
An ekphrastic poem is based on a piece of art, taking an existing piece of visual art and using written words to describe and expand on the theme of that work of art. Many of these poems explore hidden meanings or an underlying story. Each local art institution selected one work from their collection to feature in the 2022 Ekphrastic Poetry Contest for adult and youth poets.
The featured works include:
The Briscoe Western Art Museum, With No Roof but a Resistol, Bruce Greene.
The McNay Art Museum, The Sole Sitter, Willie Cole.
Ruby City, Hub, 3rd Floor, Union Wharf, 23 Wenlock Road, London N1 7ST UK, Do Ho Suh.
San Antonio Museum of Art: Landscape of Four Seasons, Unkoku Togan.
The Witte Museum, Carretta Wheel from a Tejano Freighter.
From its McNutt Sculpture Garden to the museum’s beautifully restored historic home inside the former San Antonio Public Library building, the Briscoe’s collection spans 14 galleries, with special exhibitions, events and a fantastic Museum Store, providing art, culture, history and entertainment. Museum hours, parking and admission details are available online.
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.
The annual exhibition and sale that celebrates the beauty and spirit of the west returns to full schedule. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
The Briscoe Western Art Museum proudly welcomes Western artists and collectors to celebrate the vibrancy of Western art during the museum’s 2022 Night of Artists Exhibition and Sale, on March 25-26 in San Antonio. With the opportunity to view and purchase nearly 300 new works of painting, sculpture and mixed media by 78 of the country’s leading contemporary Western artists, Night of Artists draws artists, collectors and art enthusiasts to the banks of the San Antonio River Walk for two days of festivities kicking off one of the premier Western art exhibitions and sales in the world. Beyond the opening celebration, Night of Artists is a public exhibition and sale that spans six weeks at the Briscoe, March 27 – May 8, and is included with general admission to the museum. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2022)
“After the last two years, which included the temporary closure of the museum and an online celebration of Night of Artists, the opportunity to celebrate the beauty and impact of the rich stories shared through Western art is especially welcome. Now more than ever, the importance of art in our lives cannot be understated and the fantastic artists and the remarkable works featured this year deserve to be celebrated. We are honored to work with a premier showcase of emerging and well-renowned contemporary Western artists and grateful to the collectors and buyers who recognize the quality of the works showcased.” – Michael Duchemin, President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Art Museum
The wide range of artwork reflects the vastness of the great American West. From scenic landscapes and inspired Native Americans, classic cowboys and dazzling vaqueros to stunning wildlife and detailed portraiture, Night of Artists features something for every art enthusiast to enjoy. Some of the featured artistsinclude Mary Ross Buchholz, C. Michael Dudash, Teresa Elliott, Martin Grelle, George Hallmark, Z.S. Liang, Kenny McKenna, Jan Mapes, Don Oelze, Paul Rhymer, Stefan Savides, Billy Schenck, Michael Ome Untiedt, Kim Wiggins, and Xiang Zhang. Notable new artists participating this year include Teal Blake, Nancy Cawdrey, Donna Howell-Sickles, Brenda Kingery, Dave LaMure, Jr., Joshua LaRock, Bruce Lawes, and Jim Vogel.
Night of Artists is a fundraiser for the museum, benefiting the Briscoe’s full array of exhibitions and programs throughout the year. The event’s two-day opening weekend kicks off with the annual Briscoe Bison Society Collectors Summit, where artists, collectors and gallery owners gather to share their insights during panel discussions and conversations exploring the Western art market and trends. The two-part summit takes place March 25 and March 26 at The Westin Riverwalk. Intended for everyone from novice to seasoned art collectors, the panels feature nationally recognized Western artists, experts and gallery owners.
The Exhibition Preview, Dinner and Live Auction unfolds March 25 with an evening of cocktails in the Night of Artists exhibition, an elegant, seated dinner and a vivacious live auction. Conducted by Troy Black, the live auction features 32 separate works. The evening takes place in the Briscoe’s Jack Guenther Pavilion on the banks of the San Antonio River Walk.
New to this year’s schedule, the Night of Artists Awards Luncheon takes place March 26, honoring the artists in this year’s exhibition and recognizing the annual award winners.
Night of Artists’ signature event, the Exhibition Opening, Art Sale and Reception, takes place March 26. This memorable evening includes the “Luck of the Draw” Art Sale, where works of art are available for purchase at a fixed price established by the artist. Attendees are provided with a ballot book and may place an intent to purchase slip in the box by a work of art they would like to purchase. When time expires, two slips are randomly drawn allowing the first drawee the opportunity to purchase the piece or pass it along to the second drawee. All the excitement happens to the tune of live music under the stars in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden.
Tickets for all Night of Artists events are available online or by calling 210.299.4499. The Night of Artists public exhibition will be on display during regular museum hours March 27 – May 8 and is included in museum admission. Works that are not sold through opening weekend will be available for purchase both in-person and online.
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.
The Briscoe’s McNutt Sculpture Garden. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
Let romance take root in the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden during the museum’s “Sips and Sounds of the West” series on Friday, February 11. With live music, dinner and dancing under the stars, kick up your heels with your Valentine or grab your posse and enjoy a night out with friends surrounded by the beauty of the fantastic bronze sculptures and lush greenery that create the perfect getaway on the banks of the River Walk. Doors open at 6:30p.m. with music, drinks, and food until 8:30p.m. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2022)
Sips and Sounds of the West features singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Clint Tomerlin, with fantastic food truck fare available from Benjie’s Munch. Tickets are $5 per person for museum members, $15 per person for non-members, and include two free beer/soda/water tickets, with beer generously provided by Ranger Creek Brewery. Adding a sweet note for Valentine’s, each ticket also includes a complimentary chocolate covered strawberry.
Guests can also partake in the Briscoe’s annual tradition of penning a Pony Express Love Letter to be hand delivered by the museum as a tip of the hat to the historic horse-mounted riders mail delivery system. This year, the museum will be hand delivering letters to local frontline and healthcare workers. Guests can also pen a mad-lib to show their love to their honey or their friends. In addition to Sips and Sounds, visitors can stop by the museum during regular hours to craft letters of encouragement, thanks and support for our healthcare heroes, February 4 through 13.
The museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden offers the perfect respite during any River Walk visit. With the lights of downtown in the background, the garden becomes magical at night, making it the perfect spot for a date night or a night out with friends. If weather conditions turn frosty, the event will overlook the River Walk from the Briscoe’s Jack Guenther Pavilion.
The Briscoe’s collection of Western art and artifacts highlights the stories of the West through visual art. Collection highlights include Santa Anna’s sword, works by Frederic Remington, Pancho Villa’s last known saddle, a fantastic Alamo diorama and artifacts, contemporary and historic paintings and sculptures, as well as cowboy and Native American relics, weapons and photography. The museum 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.
The San Antonio Museum of Art is bringing visitors new exhibitions, new art installations, and a new executive director. Photo: San Antonio Museum of Art
The San Antonio Museum of Artis kicking off the New Year with a new executive director, new installations and new exhibitions in 2022. Following an international search, the Museum recently named Emily Ballew Neff, PhD, as its new executive director, just in time to welcome new works and exhibitions from renowned artists, including Wendy Red Star. From February 11 through May 8, 2022, contemporary artist Wendy Red Star will evaluate identity, cultural heritage, and American history in her mid-career survey and latest exhibition, Wendy Red Star: A Scratch on the Earth. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2022)
New Art Installations Now through June 26, 2022 visitors can explore new acquisitions from San Antonio artists in SAMA’s Contemporary gallery. SAMA acquired nine artworks by eight San Antonio-based artists, including Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Jenelle Esparza, Joe Harjo, Jon Lee, Ethel Shipton, Chris Sauter, Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga, and Liz Ward. SAMA acquired the works as part of an initiative developed to support the city’s visual artists and reflect the vibrancy of the community and its rich cultural landscape. All of the artworks, which include textiles, painting, photography, prints, and sculpture, mark first entries by the artists to SAMA’s collection.
Upcoming Exhibitions Wendy Red Star: A Scratch on the Earth: February 11, 2022 – May 8, 2022 Drawn from the collection of The Newark Museum of Art and museums across the country, Red Star’s mid-career survey will include photography, textiles, and film and sound installations, produced over a period of fifteen years. An immersive video will be screened inside a sweat lodge recreated within the gallery at the heart of the exhibition. An enrolled member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Tribe, Red Star works across disciplines to explore the intersections of Native American ideologies and colonialist structures, both historically and in contemporary society. Drawing on pop culture, conceptual art strategies, and the Crow traditions within which she was raised, Red Star pushes photography in new directions—from self-portraiture to photo-collage and altered historical photographs—to bring to life her unique perspective on American history. The importance of family, Indigenous roots of feminism, Crow mythology, history of the Montana landscape, and the pageantry of Crow Fest are among the subjects that Red Star brings to life in this exhibition.
Upcoming Events 24th Annual Mays Symposium: Contemporary Perspectives on Native American Art
Native American cultures have often been romanticized, appropriated, or erased from the canons of art history. This symposium seeks to provide greater context, understanding, and inclusivity through fresh insights into the personal and societal narratives that are woven into the practice of contemporary Native American artists.
Virtual Keynote with artist Wendy Red Star Friday, February 25, 2022 at 6p.m. (Virtual)
Lectures and Panel Discussion Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 9:30a.m.-12:30p.m. (In-person and live-streamed)
Artist Presentations by: Joe Harjo, Artist, Chair of Photography, Southwest School of Art Ruben Olguin, Artist, Educator
Panel Discussion by: Joe Harjo Dakota Hoska, Assistant Curator of Native Arts, Denver Art Museum Risa Puelo, Independent Curator, Writer Ruben Olguin Moderator: Dr. Annette Portillo, Professor, University of Texas, San Antonio
The San Antonio Museum of Art serves as a forum to explore and connect with art that spans the world’s geographies, artistic periods, genres, and cultures. Its collection contains nearly 30,000 works representing 5,000 years of history. Housed in the historic Lone Star Brewery on the Museum Reach of San Antonio’s River Walk, the San Antonio Museum of Art is committed to promoting the rich cultural heritage and life of the city. 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.
Briscoe Western Art Museum upcoming events include the new STEAM education series and The Art of Rodeo. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
The Briscoe Western Art Museum is steaming into the 2022 with a new educational series, free days for local visitors, and a picture-perfect weekend to close out the U.S. premier of Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo, the fantastic photography exhibition highlighting the birthplace of the modern cowboy. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2022)
The museum’s upcoming calendar includes:
The Art of the Rodeo: Student Western Art Competition Exhibit
On display January 7 – February 5, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s Student Western Art Competition Exhibit fills the Clingman Education Gallery and is included with general admission. Featuring the ten winning entries in the 2022 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s Western Art Competition, the pop-up exhibit displays the best work from the annual contest that includes 159 South Texas school districts across 48 counties. Each of the works show an appreciation of western heritage, something the Briscoe and the Rodeo happily share. The 2022 Best in Show, and 2022 Painting Watercolor Class Champion, scholarship recipient is Madelyn Teter from The Christian School at Castle Hills. Enjoy the rodeo exhibition during regular museum hours and be sure to stop by when you are downtown for the Rodeo’s Western Heritage Weekend.
Full STEAM Ahead: New Education Series Offers Hands-on Learning Fun
Families and visitors of all ages are invited to learn about the American West in the Briscoe’s new education series, “Full STEAM Ahead.” Learners of all ages will work together and learn about the American West by engaging in hands-on, STEAM learning experiences. Sharing the American West through STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics – 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.
Closing Weekend Photography Celebration: Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo
Closing out its successful United States debut at the Briscoe, Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo features celebrated photographer Werner Segarra inviting audiences to peer into the world of the Norteño Cowboys from Sonora, Mexico – not as a casual tourist, but as an intimate observer. With almost 60 images spanning more than 20 years of the lives of the vaqueros, Segarra’s images display the expansive landscape, their daily work, and the intimacy of their homes, not merely documenting the vaquero, but celebrating his subjects and their way of life. The exhibition’s closing weekend, January 22-23, features artist talks and exhibition tours with Segarra. Closing weekend events are included with general admission and free for museum members.
Storytime at the Stagecoach: “Fearless Mary Fields”
On Saturday, January 29, 11a.m. – 1p.m., join the Briscoe for a special Storytime at the Stagecoach and learn about Mary Fields, the first African American woman stagecoach driver. For many years, Fields traveled the West with her pet eagle, never losing a single horse or package. Hear her story as Antoinette Lakey reads from “Fearless Mary: Mary Fields, American Stagecoach Driver” and enjoy arts and crafts. 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. The presentation is part of San Antonio’s Dreamweek and is included with general admission.
Howdy Neighbors: First Sundays Free for Local Residents
To show how friendly the West is and to thank the San Antonio community for its continued support, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is making the first Sunday of each month “Locals Day,” greeting locals with free general admission. Bexar County residents can enjoy the Briscoe’s Locals Days through 2022, with free admission on February 6, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5, July 3, August 7, September 4, October 2, November 6 and December 4. As always, 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 local families to enjoy any time.
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, 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.
Wendy Red Star, Indian Summer – Four Seasons, 2006 Archival pigment print on sunset fiber rag, 23 x 26 in. (58.4 x 66cm). Gift of Loren G. Lipson, M.D. Collection of The Newark Museum of Art. Photo: Wendy Red Star, used with permission.
The San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) will present a mid-career survey of the work of Portland-based artist Wendy Red Star starting February 11, 2022. The exhibition Wendy Red Star: A Scratch on the Earth features forty works drawn from the collection of The Newark Museum of Art and museums across the country and includes photography, textiles, and film and sound installations, produced over a period of fifteen years. At the heart of the exhibition, an immersive video will be screened inside a sweat lodge recreated within the gallery. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2021)
An enrolled member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Tribe, Red Star works across disciplines to explore the intersections of Native American ideologies and colonialist structures, both historically and in contemporary society. Drawing on pop culture, conceptual art strategies, and the Crow traditions within which she was raised, Red Star pushes photography in new directions—from self-portraiture to photo-collage and altered historical photographs—to bring to life her unique perspective on American history.
The importance of family, Indigenous roots of feminism, Crow mythology, history of the Montana landscape, and the pageantry of Crow Fest are among the subjects that Red Star brings to life in this exhibition. The artist’s exploration of ancestral Apsáalooke land culminates in the recreation of a sweat lodge. Inside, an immersive 360-degree video is projected onto the interior walls joining imagery from Crow mythology and the Montana landscape. Another large-scale wall installation maps the ancestral lands of Apsáalooke women. To reclaim the matrilineal society disrupted by the reservation system, Red Star contacted women across the country and researched their familial ties to the land. Also included is a powerful series of self-portraits, titled Apsáalooke Feminist, for which Red Star and her daughter Beatrice pose wearing traditional elk-tooth dresses, symbols of Crow womanhood.
The title A Scratch on the Earth is a translation of the Apsáalooke word Annúkaxua and refers to the period after 1880 when U.S. government policy prioritized keeping Crow people on their reservation. Red Star mines archives to investigate the boundaries of the Crow reservation and how they came to be negotiated throughout the nineteenth century. Growing from the somewhat arbitrary borders that were historically imposed on the Apsáalooke, the exhibition also explores how boundaries between cultural, racial, social, and gender categories have subsequently been reinforced, and how they blur across time and space.
The exhibition was organized by The Newark Museum of Art and curated by Nadiah Rivera Fellah, guest curator, and Tricia Laughlin Bloom, Newark’s Curator of American Art. In San Antonio, it is generously funded by The Ford Foundation, The Betty Stieren Kelso Foundation, and The Brown Foundation, Inc. It is accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue published by The Newark Museum of Art. A selection of programs and a symposium featuring the artist will also be offered during the exhibition.
“Red Star’s work engages images and materials that are rich with meaning to initiate vital conversations about identity, culture, and American history. SAMA is thrilled to share this important exhibition with our community.”
Lana Meador, SAMA’s Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art
The Briscoe Western Art Museum’s sneak peak into what is coming up at the museum next year. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
From the best of today’s leading contemporary Western artists and the future stewards of the genre to the founding fathers of this purely American art form, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is celebrating the past, present, and future of Western art throughout 2022. A robust range of exciting exhibitions and programs is sure to make the Briscoe a frequent destination for those who love the genre as well as those who simply enjoy the rugged beauty, diverse people, and wildlife who call the West home. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2021)
Scholars and cultural institutions including the Briscoe identify distinct themes within Western Art including wildlife, Native American heritage, and of course, cowboys. Due to the undeniable influence of Mexican and Spanish heritage across Texas and the Southwest, the Briscoe also shares that influence on Western Art.
The Briscoe’s 2022 calendar includes:
Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo: Photography of the Contemporary Northern Mexican Cowboy Through January 24, 2022 Closing out its successful United States debut at the Briscoe, Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo features celebrated photographer Werner Segarra inviting audiences to peer into the world of the Norteño Cowboys from Sonora, Mexico – not as a casual tourist, but as an intimate observer. With almost 60 images spanning more than 20 years of the lives of the vaqueros, Segarra’s images highlight the expansive landscape, their daily work, and the intimacy of their homes, not merely documenting the vaquero, but celebrating his subjects and their way of life. The exhibition’s closing weekend, January 22-23, features artist talks and exhibition tours with Segarra.
2022 Night of Artists March 25-26, 2022 Opening Weekend Events, Celebration, and Live Auction March 27 – May 8, 2022 Public Exhibition and Sale One of the premier Western art events in the world, Night of Artists includes the viewing and sale of almost 300 new works of painting, sculpture, and mixed media by nearly 80 of today’s leading contemporary Western artists. The Briscoe Western Art Museum’s 2022 Night of Artists Exhibition and Art Sale returns to a two-day opening weekend that includes the Briscoe Collectors Summit, a preview dinner and live auction, an awards luncheon, the exhibition opening, and the popular “Luck of the Draw” sale. The public exhibition is a unique opportunity to see a fantastic array of the best of today’s contemporary Western art before the works join private collections, making the opening weekend and the exhibition itself something all Western art fans should see.
The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America May 27 – September 5, 2022 Showcasing the foundation, traditions, and ideals established in the great works of Frederic Remington, Edward Borein and Charles M. Russell – the forefathers of Western art – The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America illustrates the evolution of contemporary Western art in the modern era. Demonstrating how the Cowboy Artists of America provides a core set of criteria for what traditional Western art looks like, it solidifies the strength and vibrancy of the genre for present and future generations. On display May 27 – September 5, 2022, The Sons of Charlie Russell includes approximately 80 works of art encompassing paintings, sculpture, and works on paper, dating from 1890 to the present-day from 40 artists drawn from exceptional institutional and private collections – and never before seen on view together. The 17 lenders to the exhibition include institutional and private lenders from Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Georgia, as well as works drawn from the Briscoe’s permanent collection.
Thomas D. Mangelsen: A Life in the Wild September 29, 2022 – January 29, 2023 Western Art celebrates the American West, including the wild places and wildlife that grace the land. Featuring 40 of the renowned nature photographer’s most resonant photographs, Thomas D. Mangelsen – A Life in the Wild take viewers on a journey across the West and around the globe. Each image in Mangelsen’s portfolio has been taken in the wild under natural conditions, the result of him waiting for the “picture perfect moment” across decades and often in hostile conditions, allowing viewers to peer into the wild through Mangelsen’s lens. One of the most prolific nature photographers of our time, Mangelsen is an award-winning photographer whose images have been exhibited internationally and published in iconic mediums such as “National Geographic,” “Good Morning America,” and “60 Minutes.”
The Briscoe traditionally hosts free community events throughout the year, featuring complimentary museum access and activities. Community days at the Briscoe, with programming and entertainment throughout the museum campus, include:
National Day of the Cowboy July 23, 2022 One of the Briscoe’s most treasured annual events, National Day of the Cowboy is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of July each year. Attracting Western fans of all ages for a day filled with fun, music, and art throughout the museum’s home on the River Walk, the day is filled with boots, hats and all things cowboy, cowgirl and vaquero. The celebration typically includes western lessons like the art of the lasso, cowboy poetry, chuckwagon treats, and cowboy crooning filling the air of the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden.
Yanaguana Indian Arts Celebration November 19, 2022 Highlighting the continued vibrancy and artistic traditions of Native American communities, Yanaguana Indian Arts Celebration offers a glimpse into traditional and contemporary Native American culture. Featuring Native American artists, musical performances and dancing, the event features storytelling, artist demonstrations of painting, printmaking, pottery, weaving and carving, as well as Native American-inspired food. Yanaguana Indian Arts Celebration also features workshops and lectures celebrating Native American culture.
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, 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.
Agarita celebrates San Antonio Museum of Art’s 40th anniversary with free community concert. Photo: Agarita
An innovative chamber ensemble dedicated to producing bold, collaborative musical events, Agarita offers a new way to experience classical and contemporary music. Rooted in San Antonio and founded by Daniel Anastasio (piano), Marisa Bushman (viola), Ignacio Gallego (cello), and Sarah Silver Manzke (violin), Agarita nourishes the local community through artistic collaborations, community engagement, and free, adventurous programming. (Agarita, 2021)
Agarita was recently named San Antonio Magazine’s Best of the City 2021: Culture winner for its collaboration with area partners. It works intimately with local artists of various genres to weave cross-artistic narratives for each concert. Agarita’s past collaborations have included the McNay Art Museum’s Pop América exhibit, lighting artist Chuck Drew, Cameron Beauchamp from the Grammy Award-winning vocal group Roomful of Teeth, chef Elizabeth Johnson and Pharm Table restaurant, poet Laura Van Prooyen, sculptor Danville Chadbourne, educational arts institution SAY Sí, and the Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival for a concert inside San Antonio’s historic Mission San José.
As a nonprofit organization, Agarita believes that the arts should be accessible to everyone in its community. Agarita presents free public concerts, performs at local schools, and offers opportunities for other artists through its collaborations. The next event will take place on Sunday, December 12 at the San Antonio Museum of Art.
Agarita Celebrates SAMA’s 40th! Date: Sunday, December 12, 2021 Time: 11a.m. – 12:15p.m. Location: San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 West Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215 Collaborator: Highlights of SAMA’s permanent collection Description: Agarita returns to the San Antonio Museum of Art for a concert celebrating the museum’s 40th anniversary. Musical selections will reflect artworks on display in the special exhibit. This concert is FREE and open to the public.
The Briscoe’s Cowboy Christmas adds western fun to the holidays. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
Everyone knows that in Texas, the real Santa wears a cowboy hat and boots and thanks to the Briscoe Western Art Museum, everyone can meet him. Enjoy the holidays in a Western way at the Briscoe’s Cowboy Christmas unfolding 10a.m. to 2p.m. on Sunday December 5, 2021. With the Briscoe brimming with holiday cheer, 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 local families to add to their holiday plans. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2021)
Cowboy Christmas features a day of family fun exploring the museum with holiday crafts, hot cocoa, and cookies. A special 12 Days of Christmas scavenger hunt will lead you through the Briscoe’s fantastic collection and there will be Christmas crafts and coloring sheets to enjoy onsite or take home. Of course, a stroll through the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden is the perfect path to enjoy the River Walk and all of its holiday beauty.
Family activities during Cowboy Christmas include making ornaments with a nod to Mexican and Latino influence on the West. The Briscoe’s fall exhibition spotlights vaqueros and the birthplace of the modern cowboy through almost sixty images from celebrated photographer Werner Segarra in Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo: Contemporary Photography of the Northern Mexican Cowboy. Making its United States debut at the Briscoe, the exhibition details the vaqueros’ profound influence on the American West. Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo invites audiences to peer into the world of the Norteño Cowboys, not as a casual tourist, but as an intimate observer. The exhibition is open to the public through January 24, 2022.
For everyone looking to fill their gift lists, the Museum Store is offering special deals during Cowboy Christmas, including 10% off all holiday, home décor, and gifts for men, women and children. From Western-themed wine stoppers that make the perfect hostess gift, a serape bib for the most stylish San Antonio babies and fantastic story books that take young readers on Western adventures to sterling silver cufflinks and jewelry that will add sparkle to every holiday occasion, make sure to do your holiday shopping at the Briscoe. A great find to fill your wish list: a platter that is TV-famous. Currently featured in Paramount’s television show, “Yellowstone,” add a fantastic Christmas platter from True West to your holiday table this year.
Something sure to be popular in Cowboy Claus’ bag of gifts this year: gift memberships to the Briscoe. Share the wide open spaces of the West – and all of the art, heritage and programming of Briscoe – with someone special on your gift list by giving them a museum membership. Holiday deals on Friend, Duo and Family memberships are available through December 31. With $10 off of regular museum membership pricing and packaged with a gift-wrapped ornament, Cowboy Claus’ elves will be snapping these up for all of the good cowboys and cowgirls this year.
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.
The San Antonio Museum of Art will present a new orchestral suite by composer Nathan Felix. Photo: San Antonio Museum of Art, used with permission.
On Friday November 12, 2021, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) will present a new orchestral suite, Black Neon Rose, by composer Nathan Felix, featuring newly written music for four harpsichords, strings, and a choir. The music draws inspiration from SAMA’s exhibition America’s Impressionism: Echoes of a Revolution. Local harpsichord builder Gerald Self will introduce the performance with a brief discussion on the history of harpsichords and give insight into his building process. The musicians will be in a formation that best activates the acoustics and spatial qualities of the Great Hall. This performance will be limited to fifty (50) people. Tickets are $15 for non-members and $10 for members. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2021)
Nathan Felix – Composer, Filmmaker, Recording Artist Friday November 12 from 7p.m. to 8p.m.
The Great Hall 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.
SA Examiner 