60 Artists to take Part in On&Off Fred Tour
By RUDY ARISPE, Contributor
In Sarah Shore’s small, ceramic sculpture, “On the Shelf,” a delicate figure of an aging senorita, is making a statement. No longer pursued by suitors, she is still putting her best foot forward, still hoping that she will be noticed
Her dark hair, a bun on each side, is more gray than black; her posture is slightly bent; and the long, green, off-the-shoulder dress she wears has seen better days. It’s been dyed in an attempt to restore its former emerald luster, evident by the dye that stains her hands.
“She’s trying to push the envelope. She’s no longer young. She’s saying, ‘I’m still available,’” Shore, a ceramic artist, said. “Women sometimes get labeled a certain way based on their age. That’s the direction this piece is going.”
This weekend, Shore will invite visitors to come and visit with the senorita and maybe take her home by purchasing the ceramic figurine during the 13th annual On and Off Fredericksburg Road Studio Tour scheduled for Saturday and Sunday throughout San Antonio’s Deco District.
Now in its 13th year, the On and Off Fred Tour – or “Fred” as it is referred to by aficionados – is a self-guided tour of the studios, galleries and homes of 60 participating artists, including painters, sculptors, photographers, metal smiths, and other artists and artisans. The tour is a unique opportunity for the public to get close and personal with the artists, see their work and buy original pieces directly from their creators.
The studio tour kicks off with the On and Off Fred Autograph Party and opening reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at Bihl Haus Arts, 2803 Fredericksburg Road. Munchies and entertainment by Los Nahuatlatos will be part of the fun.
All participating artists live and/or work in the surrounding Fredericksburg Road communities: Alta Vista, Beacon Hill, Los Angeles Heights, Jefferson, Keystone, Monticello Park and Woodlawn Lake, explained Kellen McIntyre, executive director of Bihl Haus Arts, the nonprofit that organizes the event each year.
“Our goal is to highlight the quality, variety, and sheer numbers of professional artists who live and work in these neighborhoods,” said McIntyre, a founding member of the studio tour.
A color catalog with artists’ bios and photos of their work, plus a map to help attendees plan their route, will be available for $10 at the Bilh Haus.
“Fred” was launched in 2007 when McIntyre and other Bihl Haus Arts members invited area artists to discuss what they envisioned for the nonprofit arts organization. One idea was to develop a studio tour since many artists were already living in the area. Thus, “Fred” was born with the first studio tour that included 25 artists
Artist Ben Mata, whose work has been widely exhibited in San Antonio and elsewhere in Texas, has been part of On & Off Fred for the past seven years. He paints layered abstract images on aluminum surfaces, relying on intuition to develop each work into a unique visual composition. One of the pieces he will show at his studio space is a 2019 untitled work of brilliant blue oil on aluminum.
“I am drawn to aluminum’s illuminating qualities and the surface’s physical memory,” he said. “But each material is equally important in creating visual balance and mystery.”
For Mata, the studio tour allows him to interact with the public as they watch him work. “I like talking to visitors and answering their questions,” he said, adding that he also likes selling his art on the spot. “It’s also good for the community. People discover there are a lot of artists in the neighborhood.”
In addition to visual artists, “Fred” features a variety of poets and performers, such as Victor Payan and Pocha Peña, two multidisciplinary artists whose works promote social justice, community empowerment and tolerance. They will present their satirical and humorous performance project called “Dreamocracy in America,” that was supported by a Creative Capital Award grant. The performance will take place at 3 p.m. Feb. 23 at Casa Colibri, 1417 Santa Monica St.
The show is a humorous examination of Alexis de Tocqueville’s influential book, “Democracy in America,” in which the French sociologist wrote about American life, culture and politics following his nine-month visit to the United States.
“When he wrote his book, he only interviewed white landowners,” Payan noted. “We’re taking the conversation to people he didn’t interview from places on both sides of the 1831 border – Latinos, immigrants, women and Native Americans. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
This year will mark Payan and Peña’s 10th year as “Fred” participants. “We’ve been amazed to see how big (the event) has grown and the impact it’s made on these communities,” Peña said. “Artists are selling works, restaurants are doing business, people are looking at the housing and storefronts. The Fred Road Studio Tour has made a huge impact on the community, businesses and on our fellow artists.”
Shore, too, looks forward to her 10th year with the studio tour. She’s excited about opening her home to the public and chatting with new and repeat visitors. “I get to meet people from all over the city,” she said. “We’re getting more and more people from outside of San Antonio, including Austin and Houston.”
The artist, who taught art to elementary and middle school students for 25 years, has been working with clay as her current medium of choice. “On the Shelf” is part of her doll series with influences from Asian, Native American and folk-art figurines.
For those who would like to learn more about firing techniques, Shore will demonstrate the two methods she uses – saggar firing and pit firing – at 12, noon, on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. And she has invited Northside IDS teachers and potter friends to join her. She will also talk about clay choices. (Check the map for address)
“Ceramics are heavy, so doing ‘Fred’ means I don’t have to pack the car and move everything,” Shore said with a laugh. “I always price my work so that the average person can buy it. I want people to have artwork, not just look at it.”
On and Off Fredericksburg Rd. Studio Tour, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday throughout the Deco District. Get catalog with map at Bihl Haus Arts,2803 Fredericksburg Rd., 210-383-9723; www.OnandOffFred.org