By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor — First, we are curious, what does the E in your name stand for?The members of my immediate family go by their middle names, not first names, so, that’s why I go by Loren. My first name is Elizabeth. It was back in college that I decided that I liked the idea of a first initial, …

It seems that a lot of people are turning to gardening to stay in touch with nature and to do something enjoyable and productive while they are “sheltering in place.” A talented pianist I interviewed recently decided to plant three new trees in his yard, for instance – a lemon tree, a lime, and I forget what the third one …

While visual and performing arts venues remain closed, arts organizations are coming up with more ideas on how to reach their audiences and help the artists who have lost income due to cancellations. Just last week, we told you about San Antonio Airport’s project designed to help local musicians with a series of performances from their homes, with shows happening …

(Agarita was founded in 2018 by Anastasio, Marisa Bushman, Ignacio Gallego and Sarah Silver Manzke) By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor — Agarita Chamber Players is the newest chamber ensemble in town. Could you tell us about the motivation and the goals you and your three colleagues had in mind when you founded Agarita?It happened two years ago when I got the …

Maybe you already know that the San Antonio Airport has an arts program that enhances the visitors’ experience by exposing them to outstanding visual arts works in various media – sculpture, painting, murals, photography, installations, and more. As a traveler, you have probably seen at least some of them. In addition, live performances by local music groups also welcomed travelers …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor — I think all of us will remember Easter 2020. Families could not gather, church services had to be watched online, parks were closed, and news reports were mostly grim, endlessly talking about the novel coronavirus that was threatening the health of Americans and people around the globe. Like so many others, our family resorted to …

Their doors may be closed but arts organizations are trying their best to stay active in a new way, which, of course, means generating online content, from broadcasting full concerts to providing educational material for youngsters and adults. Two music nonprofits, Agarita Chamber Players and the Musical Bridges Around the World, have taken the lead in using the internet to …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor — Most people probably know you as the executive director of the Overtime Theater. But you are involved with other arts organizations. Which ones?I am the executive director of Texas Light Opera and also of Aria Creative Productions. Those are two production companies that I started. I started them so that I could bring unique and …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor — The majority of arts organizations operate as nonprofits and, as such, depend on a combination of income sources to carry out their missions. Ticket sales, grants, and donations large and small, all play a role. But at present, when theaters, concert halls, galleries and museums are all closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there …

One thing we should be grateful for at this time of social isolation is that we can still go outside to walk or run, get some fresh air and enjoy sunshine. At this time of the year the temperatures are just right for spending time outdoors. So, my husband and I have been taking brisk daily walks around the neighborhood, …