Tag: Briscoe Western Art Museum

Briscoe Western Art Museum celebrates National Day of the Cowboy

Briscoe’s Day of the Cowboy celebration will feature free admission, live music, cowboy games, food trucks, art, and more. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

Celebrating the legacy of the cowboy, cowgirl, and vaquero, the Briscoe Western Art Museum presents its National Day of the Cowboy celebration on Saturday, July 23, 10a.m. – 5p.m. at the museum’s campus on the banks of the River Walk. The free community event, which includes free admission to the museum and its exhibitions, features indoor and outdoor activities for cowpokes of all ages, with live music in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden, a chuck wagon with tasty cowboy treats, artist demonstrations and hands-on arts, crafts and games for all ages to enjoy. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2022)

Cowboy Fun Under the Sun – And Throughout the Museum

One of the Briscoe’s most treasured annual events, National Day of the Cowboy works to highlight, share and preserve America’s cowboy culture and pioneer heritage. It was founded in 2005 as a day 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 celebration event, throwing open the doors of the museum to honor the cowboy, cowgirl, and vaquero in us all.

The celebration pairs perfectly with its fantastic summer exhibition The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America. Premiering at the Briscoe and including works from 17 public and private collections, The Sons of Charlie Russell features 70 works of art showcasing the forefathers of Western art and how their great works provide foundations, traditions and ideals for today’s contemporary artists. On display through September 5, the exhibition is the first and only time these works will be viewed together. While visitors may not be able to rope and ride alongside the cowboys and ranch hands often depicted in Western art, thanks to immersive technology in the exhibition, visitors are able to see themselves as shadow outlines in the paintings, striking poses as they add themselves to the scene.

Other National Day of the Cowboy Celebration highlights include:

  • Free admission and activities for the whole family, including scavenger hunts through the Briscoe. Museum volunteers will be on hand to share details about the museum’s art and artifacts, highlighting works that relate to lives and work of cowboys, cowgirls and vaqueros.
  • Cowpoke games and crafts, where you can outfit yer’self in a bolo tie and spurs, try your hand at silversmith etching, make a stick pony and try out some barrel racing, learn how to rope and ride, herd some balloon animals, do a little bull riding, toss horseshoes, craft a cowhand puppet, and more.
  • Demonstrations of how to craft the essential tools of the cowboy trade by members of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association of saddle making, braiding, and forging.
    • See the leather work and tooling that goes into making a saddle with saddle maker Troy West.
    • Learn the art of rawhide braiding from braider Leland Hensley.
    • Watch forger Wilson Capron shape metal into bits, spurs and more with a live forging demonstration in the Briscoe’s McNutt Sculpture Garden.
  • Western art brought to life through a live sculpting demonstration by Jason Scull, one of the Cowboy Artists featured in The Sons of Charlie Russell.
  • Lil Partners Reading Zone, offering up cowboy tales. Sit a spell and enjoy a book reading with Emily Wilson, the Briscoe’s Curator of Art. Wilson’s children’s book, “Charlie Russell and the Gnomes of Bull Head Lodge,” crafts a modern fairy tale based on the life of Charles M. Russell (1864–1926), the namesake of The Sons of Charlie Russell Stop by to learn the art of gnome-making so you can craft your own cowboy gnomes.
  • Storytime at the Stagecoach, featuring the story of 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.” 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.
  • Chuck wagon cooking with samples of peach cobbler and beans, along with food truck grub available to satisfy any hungry cowpokes.
  • Surrounded by the beauty of the garden’s fantastic bronze sculptures and lush greenery, kick back and soak in the sounds of West with live music throughout the day, including singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Clint Tomerlin.

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.

Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

The Briscoe heats up with sizzling events all summer long

Events at the Briscoe include artist demonstrations, paint-alongs, talks, movies, and family activities. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

Fathers, sons and tons of fun await everyone at the Briscoe Western Art Museum this summer. Featuring the fantastic summer exhibition The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America, the Briscoe is hosting an array of programming to allow everyone to step into the West from the heart of the River Walk. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2022)

Premiering at the Briscoe and including works from 17 public and private collections, The Sons of Charlie Russell features 70 works of art showcasing the forefathers of Western art and how their great works provide foundations, traditions and ideals for today’s contemporary artists. On display through September 5, the exhibition is the first and only time these works will be viewed together. To accompany the exhibition, the Briscoe is hosting a summer of programming that brings Western art to life through artist talks, demonstrations, and more. 

The summer line-up includes:

Cowboy Creations:  Learn from Cowboy Artists

Bringing the art of The Sons of Charlie Russell to life, members of the Cowboy Artists of America are appearing in a series of demonstrations and talks throughout the exhibition. Guests can enjoy meeting and watching these talented cowboy artists share the processes behind their work. All sessions are included in general museum admission.

  • Saturday June 25 – Mikel Donahue
  • Saturday August 6 – Chad Poppleton (Paint-along)          
  • Saturday July 23, 10a.m. – 3p.m. – Jason Scull (Sculpture demonstration, part of the Briscoe’s National Day of the Cowboy Celebration)
  • Saturday August 27, 10a.m. – 11:30a.m. – Bruce Greene (part of The Lessons of Our Fathers Panel)
  • Saturday September 3, 11a.m. – 1p.m. – Teal Blake (Paint-along)
  • Saturday September 3, 11a.m. – 3p.m. – Jason Scull (Sculpture Demonstration)

STEAMing into the West with The Sons of Charlie Russell

Families and visitors of all ages are invited to learn about the American West through the works featured in The Sons of Charlie Russell during the museum’s “Full STEAM Ahead” series on the third Saturday of each month. From transportation and weather to animals, astronomy and engineering, each program explores an aspect of life in the West to engage and inspire learning. Full STEAM Ahead is included with museum general admission. Children 12 and under receive free admission to the Briscoe.

  • Saturday June 18, 11a.m. – 1p.m. – Full STEAM Ahead:  Red Moon – Participants will learn about the lunar eclipse, and the significance the moon had on the people of the American West. Guests will also learn and practice perspective and contrast in creating art, exploring “Red Moon,” by CAA member Phil Epp and featured in The Sons of Charlie Russell. Children and families will paint their own fizzy moons using special combinations of baking soda and paint to create uniquely textured and colorful moons.
  • Saturday July 16, 11a.m. – 1p.m. – Full STEAM Ahead:  All A-Gnome – Families will make their own gnomes inspired by the beloved children’s book “Charlie Russell and the Gnomes of Bullhead Lodge” by renowned author and Briscoe curator Emily Wilson. Wilson curated The Sons of Charlie Russell exhibition.
  • Saturday August 20, 11a.m. – 1p.m. – Full STEAM Ahead:  Whimsical Windmills – While conservation and renewable energy efforts may seem like new solutions to the energy crisis, cowboys and settlers alike used renewable energy long before access to gas and electricity was ever invented. Guests will learn how windmills were some of our first sources of alternative energy.

What is a Western? Summer Film Series

The Briscoe’s popular Summer Film Series returns with a question:  What is a Western? What are the elements of a Western and how has the Western been re-interpreted through the years? The first film in the series will explore the traditional components of Western cinema. A short presentation discussing the foundations of the Western will begin at 1p.m., followed immediately by the screening. Each film is included in general museum admission, with free brews courtesy of Ranger Creek Brewery. Popcorn, drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.

  • Sunday June 19, 1p.m. “The Searchers” – In the 1956 movie considered by many to be the greatest Western ever made, John Wayne stars as a post-Civil War veteran on a journey to find his niece after Comanche Native Americans kidnapped her. Its influence is reflected in the works of Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and other critical filmmakers.
  • Sunday July 10, 1p.m. “Dances With Wolves” – In his directorial debut and breakout role, Kevin Costner stars as a post-Civil War veteran who comes into contact with the Lakota while on assignment in South Dakota. The 1990 film was nominated for 12 Academy Awards, winning seven, including Best Picture and Best Director, and received Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
  • Sunday August 21, 1p.m. “Wind River” – In this tense neo-western thriller, Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen star as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife hunter and an FBI agent investigating a murder on the Wind River Indian Reservation. The 2017 film was “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan’s directorial debut.

Books and Brews:  Briscoe Book Club

  • Thursday July 14, 6p.m. – Briscoe Book Club: “No Country for Old Men” by Cormac McCarthy

Weathered Souls Brewery, 606 Embassy Oaks #500, San Antonio, 78216

Join the Briscoe Book Club for a lively chat in a laid-back social gathering as we explore significant works of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction inspired by the vast and varied experiences of the American West. We will discuss a new book each quarter. Books are available for purchase at the Museum Store, or you may reserve a copy for check out through the San Antonio Public Library system before each meeting. There is no charge to participate in the book club. Reserve your spot by registering online.

Free Cowboy Fun:  National Day of the Cowboy Celebration

Tippin’ its hat and celebrating the legacy of the cowboy, cowgirl and vaquero, the Briscoe Western Art Museum presents its annual National Day of the Cowboy celebration on Saturday, July 23, 10a.m. – 4p.m. at the Briscoe. The free community event, which includes free admission to the museum and its exhibitions, features indoor and outdoor activities for cowpokes of all ages. This year’s celebration will feature The Sons of Charlie Russell, with artist demonstrations to include leatherworking, metalsmithing and more. Saddle up with your family and head west for a day you will not forget.

The Lessons of Our Fathers:  Panel and Artist Presentation

With The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America, the Briscoe Western Art Museum casts a spotlight on the history and significance of the Cowboy Artists of America and its efforts to maintain and evolve the style and subject matter of traditional Western art. The museum is hosting a panel of Western art scholars to discuss the importance of preserving traditions and the necessity for tradition to evolve and undergo revision to remain relevant in a changing world. The panel will also examine the CAA’s success at executing its mission: to authentically preserve and perpetuate the culture of Western life through fine art. The panel will be moderated by Emily Wilson, Curator of Art for the Briscoe Western Art Museum and the curator of The Sons of Charlie Russell. The panel is Saturday, August 27, 2p.m  – 4p.m.  

Before the panel discussion at 10a.m. – 10:30a.m., CAA artist Bruce Greene, the 2022 President of the CAA, will do a presentation detailing his journaling techniques and how he uses his journal to help with the accuracy of his art Both the presentation and the panel are included in museum general admission.

210 West:  Gallery Talks

Join the Briscoe for in-gallery chats featuring selected works from The Sons of Charlie Russell. Using the exhibition gallery guide, Curator of Art Emily Wilson will provide an overview of the tools and strategies used to evaluate narrative art. Guests will leave with a deeper appreciation of the artistic strategy, methods and design choices made by the artists. Gallery talks are included in general admission and start at 1p.m.

  • June 24, July 8, Aug. 12

The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America is supported in part by Jan McCaleb Elliott, the Eddie Basha Collection, Mr. and Mrs. Marrs McLean Bowman, The Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992, the Klesse Foundation, Jessica Elliott Middleton, Debbie and John T. Montford, and Western Art Collector.

Admission to the Briscoe Western Art Museum is always free for children 12 and under and for active duty military members. The museum is proud to participate in Museums For All, Blue Star Museums and Bank of America Museums on Us. The Briscoe is located on the south end of the River Walk, near the Arneson River Theatre and La Villita, with convenient parking at the Riverbend Garage directly adjacent to the museum or one of many downtown surface lots. Museum hours, parking and admission details are available online.

 

New exhibit at the Briscoe Western Art Museum

The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America premieres at the Briscoe on May 27 and runs until September 5, 2022. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

A cowboy saddles up his horse, drives cattle from one pasture to another, gets down from his horse, and picks up a paintbrush. He is not doing typical ranch work as he stands in front of an easel, painting a scene inspired by the trail. He is authentically preserving and perpetuating Western life’s culture through fine art. Dedicated cowboy artists are the foundation and the future of Western art, showcased at the Briscoe Western Art Museum May 27 – September 5 with the premiere of  The Sons of Charlie Russell:  Cowboy Artists of America. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2022)

An art form as uniquely American as jazz music, Western art has long defined the American West worldwide. Illustrating the lives, landscape, and wildlife that define the West fueled storied artists like Charles M. Russell, Frederic Remington, Edward Borein, W.R. Leigh, and Frank Tenney Johnson. Together, they then defined the look and style of traditional Western art and inspired the Cowboy Artists of America (CAA).

Spotlighting those founding fathers of Western art alongside the CAA artists who have safeguarded the traditional style of the genre, The Sons of Charlie Russell traces the roots and successive artwork of the Cowboy Artists of America and defines a core set of criteria for what constitutes traditional Western art. Encompassing 70 paintings, sculptures and works on paper dating from 1890 to the present day, the exhibition includes works typically only seen in private collections and never before exhibited together. Displaying the strength and vibrancy of the genre through the masterpieces of 40 artists, The Sons of Charlie Russell offers a rare opportunity to see contemporary art along with historical works.

Curated by Emily Wilson, the Curator of Art for the Briscoe, The Sons of Charlie Russell features works from 17 lenders including the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the Booth Western Art Museum, the Eddie Basha Collection, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and the Sid Richardson Museum, as well as private lenders from Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, making the exhibition the first and only time these works will be viewed together. Nine of the featured pieces are sourced from the Briscoe’s permanent collection.

Shadows of the West:  Interactive Elements Add to the Experience

While visitors may not be able to rope and ride alongside the cowboys and ranch hands often depicted in Western art, thanks to immersive technology in the exhibition, The Sons of Charlie Russell allows visitors to literally add themselves to the scene. Visitors can virtually step into three works featured in the exhibition: “Rawhide Rhapsody by Charlie Dye (1906-1972),” “Texas Cattleman – Oil Man” by George Phippen (1915-1966), and “Pony Tracks and Empty Saddles” by Tom Lovell (1909-1997). Visitors will be able to see themselves as shadow outlines in the paintings, striking poses as they add themselves to the scene and find responsiveness to a few actions – such as strumming a guitar.

To help visitors learn more about Western art, the exhibition’s guide gives visitors the skills to interpret and evaluate works in the genre. After touring the exhibition, visitors can apply their art evaluation skills and vote on which art best illustrates the four categories explored in the guide: originality and uniqueness, technique and application, composition and subject matter, and aesthetic awareness. Different paintings will be featured throughout the exhibition’s run, allowing visitors to evaluate new paintings each month.

Cowboy Artists of America:  Riding Together

Author and Western art scholar Byron Price’s book inspired the exhibition’s title, “The Sons of Charlie Russell.” The book commemorates 50 years of the Cowboy Artists of America, a membership organization of individual artists committed to authentically preserving and perpetuating the culture of Western life through art. Members of the CAA work to ensure authentic representations of the life of the West past and present. Many of these accomplished, award-winning artists are cowboys themselves, living the cowboy life as they work their own land and cattle.

The Sons of Charlie Russell Opening Celebration

To mark the exhibition’s opening, the Briscoe is hosting a series of events May 26-28, followed by monthly gallery talks and art demonstrations featuring current CAA members, including the museum’s annual National Day of the Cowboy celebration on July 23.

Opening weekend events include:

  • The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition Preview Party

Thursday, May 26, 6p.m. to  8p.m.

Help the Briscoe kick off the summer showcasing the foundation and future of Western art alongside members of the Cowboy Artists of America and Michael Duchemin, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Briscoe. The event includes complimentary beer, wine, specialty cocktails and light bites. Free for Briscoe members and $45 for non-members. In addition to enjoying the exhibition, guests may tour the museum from 5:30p.m. to 7p.m. Tickets are available online. 

  • “The Sons of Charlie Russell: Celebrating Fifty Years of the Cowboy Artists of America” Book Signing with Byron Price

Thursday, May 26, 5:15p.m. to 5:45p.m.

Friday, May 27, 10a.m. to 10:45a.m.

Byron Price will be signing copies of his book “The Sons of Charlie Russell,” the inspiration behind the Briscoe’s exhibition. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Cowboy Artists of America, Price details the organization’s founding to perpetuate the history, romance, and significance of the American West. The stories of these cowboy artists come alive with essays, photographs and beautiful images of their work. Available for purchase in the Museum Store and online.

  • An Enduring Desire: Tradition and the Cowboy Artists of America

Lunch and Curator’s Tour

Friday, May 27, 11a.m. to 2p.m.

Join Emily Wilson, the Briscoe’s Curator of Art and the curator of The Sons of Charlie Russell for an in-depth look at the exhibition, detailing how traditional Western art represents an enduring desire for continuity, stability, and a fixed identity of what it means to be an American. Wilson will focus on the ties between CAA artists and historical artists of the American West, examining the artistic choices made by members navigating between cohesion and individuality and tradition and innovation in pursuing the work of creating traditional Western art. The lunch begins at 11a.m., followed by the tour at 1p.m. Tickets are $50 for Briscoe members, $60 for non-members and are available online.

  • Boots, Chaps, and Cowboy Crafts:  Family Art Activities

Saturday, May 28, 10a.m. to 1p.m.    

Explore America’s cowboy culture and heritage with hands-on activities available for visitors to celebrate the opening of The Sons of Charlie Russell. Crafts include Make Your Own Spurs, Make Your Own Paper Bag Cowhand and Hands-on-chaps, cowboy hat, and lasso. Included in general museum admission.

  • Cowboy Creations:  Demonstration and Talk with C. Michael Dudash

Saturday, May 28, 10a.m. to 4:30p.m.

A member of Cowboy Artists of America since 2016, C. Michael Dudash trained in the fine arts before working in classic illustration and gaining a prestigious and national reputation. In 2002, he left his illustration work behind and became a full-time painter in the fine art world. Hundreds of collectors and corporations have his paintings in their permanent collections, as well as The Booth Museum, the James Western Art Museum and the Briscoe. Included in museum general admission.

10a.m. to 1p.m. Live Painting Demonstration:  Narrative Western Painting

Dudash will demonstrate and discuss the various approaches and painting techniques he uses to create his narrative western paintings. He will teach how to create a successful painting through dynamic design by prioritizing the position of the subjects and elements, effectively posing figures and animals, how to use color and value, making proper landscape choices, and adding “atmosphere and dust” to give a work of art an emotional lift.

2:30p.m. to 4:30p.m. Talk by C. Michael Dudash, “Illustrations’ Influence on Western Art”

Dudash will share illustration examples from the late 1800s to the year 2000 that have influenced Western Art’s biggest names and trends throughout the last 150 years. Understanding this subject will enhance one’s appreciation and enjoyment of the contemporary Western art being created today.

The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America is supported in part by Jan McCaleb Elliott, the Eddie Basha Collection, Mr. and Mrs. Marrs McLean Bowman, The Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992, the Klesse Foundation, Jessica Elliott Middleton, Debbie and John T. Montford, Western Art Collector.

Preserving and presenting the art, history and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is located on the San Antonio River Walk at 210 W. Market Street in the beautifully restored 1930s former San Antonio Public Library building. Named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum includes the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for event rentals and programs, and the outdoor McNutt Sculpture Garden.

Celebrate National Poetry Month at the Briscoe Western Art Museum

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.

Valentine’s Day activities at the Briscoe Western Art Museum

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.

Briscoe Western Art Museum’s ongoing events

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.

A look ahead at the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s upcoming exhibitions

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.

Norteño Night at the Briscoe’s next Sips and Sounds of the West

Briscoe’s Sips and Sounds of the West hosts Los Callejeros De San Anto on October 24, 2021. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

From the banks of the River Walk, travel to Northern Mexico as you enjoy a night of music under the stars at the Briscoe’s “Sips and Sounds of the West” Norteño Night on October 24. Celebrating all things vaquero in honor of Hispanic heritage and the Briscoe’s fantastic fall exhibition, Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo: Contemporary Photography of the Northern Mexican Cowboy, the Briscoe’s Sips and Sounds series will spotlight Norteño music with band Los Callejeros De San Anto in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden at 6p.m. The ticketed event is a night of music, drinks and tacos under the stars. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2021)

Launched by Piñata Protest front man Alvaro Del Norte with bandmates Jose Morales on bajo sexton, bassist Richie Brown and Chris Ramirez on drums, Los Callejeros De San Anto blends well known influences of Conjunto and Norteño into the perfect Tex-Mex street band and is “abuela approved.” Sips and Sounds of the West: Norteño Night tickets are $15 for museum members and $25 for non-members. Each ticket includes two complimentary beer tickets. Food Truck fare is available for purchase from Dona Kika’s Tacos & Gorditas.

Norteño music is native to the Mexican state of Sonora, the birthplace of the modern cowboy featured in Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo. Making its United States debut at the Briscoe, the exhibition details a legacy with profound influence on the American West. With almost sixty images that span more than twenty years of the lives of the vaqueros, Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo features celebrated photographer Werner Segarra inviting 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, and is included with museum admission.

Courtesy photo, used with permission

The Briscoe’s Sips and Sounds of the West series highlights the soundtrack of the West through live music while surrounded by the beauty of the garden’s fantastic bronze sculptures and lush greenery. The museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden is an oasis featuring a beautiful courtyard surrounded by bronze sculptures depicting iconic figures of the American West. The sculpture garden offers the perfect respite during any River Walk visit, with tables, chairs and benches to rest and enjoy the view. With the lights of downtown in the background and stars overhead, the garden becomes magical at night, making it the perfect spot for a date night or a night out with friends.

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.

Smoke & Embers: The Art of Vaquero BBQ with pit master Adrian Davila at the Briscoe

Smoke & Embers: The Art of Vaquero BBQ is this Thursday, October 7 at the Briscoe. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

There is no doubt that good Texas barbecue is a masterpiece to be admired, but is your barbecue museum-worthy? Join the Briscoe Western Art Museum for “Smoke & Embers: The Art of Vaquero BBQ” as acclaimed pit master, author, and chef Adrian Davila leads an in-depth, hands-on demonstration of the history and techniques behind the cuisine that once kept vaqueros and cowboys fed. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2021)

“Smoke & Embers: The Art of Vaquero BBQ” is this Thursday, October 7, from 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m. Third generation pit master Davila will guide guests through perfecting Texas barbecue on the pit in the Briscoe’s McNutt Sculpture Garden, discussing and exploring barbecue and traditional vaquero cooking methods on the range.

The evening is a perfect side to complement the Briscoe’s fall exhibition, Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo: Contemporary Photography of the Northern Mexican Cowboy. Making its 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 sixty images spanning more than twenty 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 opened to the public September 25, 2021 and will run through Monday January 24, 2022.

The Art of Vaquero BBQ is $55 for museum members and $65 for non-members. In addition to the barbecue presentation and hands-on pit demonstration, the evening includes a three-course tasting to enjoy with wine and beer, and Davila’s special Dry Rub to take home. Space is limited on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets must be purchased in advance.

A world-recognized barbecue pit master and author, Davila is a third-generation pit master, chef and restaurateur at his family’s acclaimed Davila’s BBQ in Seguin. Davila has been featured as a guest chef on Food Network’s “The Kitchen” and “Barbecue Beatdown,” and at restaurants La Fama Barbecue and The Ugly American, in Bogota, Colombia. His book, “Cowboy Barbecue: Fire & Smoke from the Original Texas Vaqueros,” celebrates traditions of Latin America and Texas, taking inspiration from the vaquero lifestyle and his own family history, goes beyond standard grilling and offering techniques for smoking, cooking directly on the embers, underground, on a spit, and more. The book will be available for purchase and Davila will be signing copies during the event.

Davila’s BBQ’s special dry rub is available in more than two hundred H-E-B stores across Texas after Davila was named a finalist in the grocery chain’s Quest for Texas Best competition. Invented by Davila’s grandfather, the dry rub is used on all of Davila’s BBQ’s meats, including lamb, pork, brisket, and chicken. In addition to taking home Davila’s BBQ’s rub, there will be a raffle during the event and the prizes will include a Davila’s Decadent Dinner for four at the restaurant that includes a behind-the-scenes pit tour, two bottles of Davila’s BBQ sauces and a $25 gift certificate for a return visit. The dinner is a complete meal for four hungry people, featuring a wide array of menu items and a few off-menu items for everyone to enjoy.

The 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.

Adrian Davila. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

New installations and blockbuster programs at the Briscoe Western Art Museum

The Briscoe Western Art Museum’s New Works Gallery. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

Whether it is chatting with the Duke’s Daughter, kicking back to watch an iconic movie, seeing art that highlights the true diversity of the West, or checking out the real spurs that helped shape San Antonio and the West, the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s blockbuster summer fun continues. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2021)

Head to the Briscoe Western Art Museum to enjoy:

• A Conversation with The Duke’s Daughter
Join the Briscoe as John Wayne’s daughter, Aissa Wayne, shares memories of her father with guest curator Andrew Patrick Nelson. Then take advantage of the last chance to see the Briscoe’s blockbuster Still in the Saddle: A New History of Hollywood Westerns exhibit and a unique opportunity for a guided tour with Nelson and Aissa Wayne. The program begins at 2p.m. with a Q&A, followed by the guided tours at 3p.m. on September 4. Wayne, daughter of John and Pilar Wayne, appeared in four of her father’s films as a child, “The Alamo,” “The Comancheros,” “McClintock,” and “Donavon’s Reef,” as she regularly traveled to her father’s movie sets during his career. She wrote a memoir of her life with the Duke, “John Wayne, My Father,” and is a retired criminal and family law attorney.

• See the Spurs at the Briscoe
Of all the gear that cattle drovers carried with them, few pieces of equipment were as notable and personal as the spurs of Spanish and Mexican vaqueros and American cowboys. The Briscoe’s display highlights the variety of spurs seen on the major cattle trails of the 19th century. From the functional design of Texas cowboys to the elaborate silver inlays of California vaqueros, the collection highlights the finest spur makers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The placement of each spur approximates where each maker lived with an example of the work he forged.

• Sharing the True History of the West: “Frank Chisum – Wild West Icon”
The Briscoe is proud to share a bold new addition to its collection, Kim Wiggins’ “Frank Chisum – Wild West Icon.” Wiggins’ fifth piece in his Goodnight-Loving Trail series documenting the first major cattle drives in American history, it portrays black cowboy Frank Chisum roping a stallion out of a large box canyon. A slave until 1860 when cattle king John Chisum paid $400 for his freedom, Frank Chisum gained acclaim during the second great American cattle drive. He assisted in wrangling about 3,000 cattle from Texas to New Mexico. “Frank Chisum – Wild West Icon” is a gift from the Jack and Valerie Guenther Foundation and is on display on the Briscoe’s third floor.

• Showcasing the Missions: New Works Gallery
The Briscoes’ New Works Gallery continually rotates new works, giving everyone an opportunity to enjoy the museum’s collection as it expands. The current selection of works features paintings by Enrique “Kiko” Guerra that show the five San Antonio missions in their full splendor, while the complimenting stereographs—two almost identical photographs that, when viewed side-by-side, create the illusion of a three-dimensional image—show how the missions looked in the 1860s after a century of disrepair and modification. E.M. Hennings’ painting “Spanish Occupation of Texas,” reflects how daily life for indigenous people under Catholic rule must have looked. Crowning the gallery is Jean-Marie Alfred Paris’ “The Siege of Puebla, 1902,” depicting the short-lived French victory outside of Puebla in an otherwise crushing defeat that saw the final withdraw of European military forces from North America.

• Adding Vision to the Sculpture Garden
The latest addition to the museum’s stunning sculpture collection, “Hunters Vision,” 1989, bronze relief with brown patina, ed. 2/6, 51” x 66” x 31 ½,” is on view in the McNutt Sculpture Garden. On loan from the Jack and Valerie Guenther Foundation, “Hunters Vision” is the third piece from Allan Houser (1914-1994) displayed in the garden. A member of the Chiricahua Apache tribe, hunter-gatherers who roamed from New Mexico to northern Mexico, Houser’s “Dance of the Eagle” and “Buffalo Dance Relief” greet visitors to the Briscoe’s McNutt Sculpture Garden.

• Summer Film Series Features Cool, Classic Cowboys on the Silver Screen
Escape the heat with an afternoon at the movies. The Briscoe’s popular Summer Film Series features an iconic Western film. Briscoe guest curator Dr. Andrew Patrick Nelson will introduce the movie and explain how it relates to Still in the Saddle: A New History of the Hollywood Western, the Briscoe’s fantastic summer exhibition. The movies are free with museum admission. Popcorn, candy, and food truck grub are available to enjoy in the museum’s draft house-style theater, along with free beer courtesy of Ranger Creek Brewing.

o “The Long Riders”
Sunday, August 22, 1p.m.

Grab your brother and watch real-life brothers portray the Jesse James gang in a sympathetic portrayal of the brothers who begin their legendary bank raids because of revenge. Brothers James and Stacy Keach star as Jesse and Frank James; David, Keith and Robert Carradine play Cole, Jim, and Bob Younger; Dennis and Randy Quaid play Ed and Clell Miller, and Christopher and Nicholas Guest play Charlie and Bob Ford.

o “The Shootist”
Sunday, September 5, 1p.m.

Close out the summer with John Wayne in his final film role in 1976’s “The Shootist.” Wayne portrays a dying gunfighter who spends his last days looking for a way to die with minimum pain and maximum dignity. Still in the Saddle closes on Labor Day and this last film of the summer series is a fantastic way for a fantastic exhibition to ride off into the sunset.

Locals Day: August 15, 10a.m. – 5p.m.
The Briscoe welcomes its neighbors to head West by hosting a Local’s Day the third Sunday of each month. All residents of San Antonio and Bexar County receive 50 percent off general admission on August 15. As always, children twelve and under receive free admission, as do active-duty members of the military, making the Briscoe a terrific spot for families to enjoy.

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.