Arts Alive San Antonio

The women’s art organization, GAGA, that we introduced to you last year, continues to grow and present shows by its members, albeit mostly online. The latest, “A Winter’s Song” includes 40 artists and is available for viewing on GAGA’s website, www.gagaart.org.  Just about all works are for sale at very reasonable prices, so, it’s a great place to start or add to your art collection.

GAGA, which stands for Gentileschi Aegis Gallery Association, was founded in 2010 “to help further women artists (of S. Texas) through exhibitions, promotion and education.” Founder Sylvia Benitez explained that without the help of an organization, it is very difficult for artists to get exposure for their work through galleries, festivals and other venues. At this time, however, GAGA is not accepting new members because its own activities have been curtailed due to COVID restrictions.

Still, in addition to the beautiful online exhibition, seven of its members are currently showing their work at the Kerr Art and Cultural Center, a brick-and-mortar building in Kerrville, (288 Earl Garrett St.; 830-895-2911). Sounds like a reason for a little trip into the Hill Country! The seven artists included in the show are newer GAGA members, said Benitez, who did not have a chance to take part in gallery shows before the pandemic. The exhibition honors the memory of former member Leslie Williams, who initiated the project before her untimely death. The seven artists are: Patricia Golden Cody, Marguerite M. McCarthy, Thelma Muraida, Stefani Job Spears, Dawn Marie Rae, Sylvia St. Jean, and Shea Daniel-Youngblood. The show closes Feb.14.

A new exhibit has also been installed in the Main Space Gallery at Artpace. Titled “de los ostros,” it features a sculptural installation “resembling the bracero farmworkers living and sleeping quarters.” The work of Jose Villalobos, the installation can be viewed from Main Street through the glass windows. Artpace is currently closed to visitors. Director of Residences and Exhibitions, Erin Murphy, will discuss the work with the artist during a streamed conversation Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. To view, go to the Artpace Instagram page.

Lots of new things await the visitors at the Briscoe Museum this weekend and beyond. First, the River Walk museum is extending its monthly Local Days program through the spring. What is “Local Day”? Something you should take advantage of! Every third Sunday of each month is Local Day, which means all of us who live in Bexar County pay 50 % less for admission to the museum. This month, the offer is also valid on Jan.18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As always, children under 12 and members of the military receive free admission.

What to see? The unique touring show of Chickasaw contemporary art, Visual Voices, should be your first destination since it’s scheduled to close in a few days. The new exhibit, The Art of the Rodeo: Student Western Art Competition Exhibit, sponsored by the San Antonio Stock Show &Rodeo is installed in the Clingman Education Gallery where 17 winning entries are displayed. The 2021 contest attracted the participation from 94 S. Texas school districts across 33 counties.  This year’s winning piece is the pastel, “Nolan” by Sophia Baldwin from Boerne.

And there are new acquisitions and new gallery arrangements. Probably the most eye-catching new sculpture (on loan to the Briscoe) is John Coleman’s “1876, Gall-Sitting Bull-CrazyHorse,” a 2011 bronze by one of the best-known Western artists in the world. You’ll find it in the museum’s San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Gallery. And the Briscoe also owns other Coleman pieces, both sculptures and paintings. And speaking of sculptures, don’t miss the Sculpture Garden outside. (For hours, tickets, and more go to www.briscoemuseum.org)

Did you know that DreamWeek starts this weekend and runs through Jan.24? The 2021 theme is Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, and, as in previous years, will feature a multitude of events, most of them virtual. The announced speaker series is focusing on the lives of descendants of slaves and indigenous people of America. To look at the schedule go to www.dreamweek.org. You can also call 210-444-2315. Though DreamWeek is not arts-centered, last year there were quite a few arts events.

A 2021 example is Arte y Pasion’s presentation of “Manta de Luz: El Diario de Ana Franco,” a “flamenco opera” that tells the story of a young girl named Ana Franco, whose diary is found on the U.S.-Mexico border. You can see where the inspiration came from. The story is presented through a series of vignettes that narrate the girl’s dreams, diary entries and her views of the world. Manta de Luz features  dancer Tamara Adira, flamenco singer Chayito Champion and guitarist Randy Cordero in collaboration with San Antonio’s poet laureate Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson. Knowing all these artists, we can confidently recommend this show. (Via Zoom, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.; cost $7; https://mantasdeluzdreamweek.brownpapertickets.com.)

The city’s Department of Arts & Culture has announced that 11-year-old Bernal Middle School student, Yesenia Morin, won the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission’s sixth annual art contest. Her entry will be used as the visual representation of the 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Virtual March.  Her artwork depicts people of different races holding hands in unity, with the San Antonio skyline behind them. Bravo Yesenia! (To find out more about the march and associated events go to www.SanAntonio.gov/MLK)

At the Public Theater of San Antonio, the 2020-21 season of solo shows continues with “Thurgood,” a play about the life of the first African-American Supreme Court justice and his role in the historic decision on the Brown v. Board of Education case. Written by George Stevens, Jr., “this is a story rich in history, humanity and humor,” says the promotional description. (Jan. 15 – Jan. 24, weekends only, virtual shows; for tickets go to https://bit.ly/33qgb16.)

The Classic Theater of San Antonio has also partnered with DreamWeek to present yet another of its community conversation with five black women it started months ago. The question they will be addressing: What are the choices you have had to make as black women that affect your “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness?” The panelists are: Linda Nance, Cynthia Freeman Gibbs, Melissa Sledge, Deborah Omowale Jarmon, and Danielle King. (Jan. 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., on Zoom. You have to register in advance. Go to www.classictheatre.org, then click on “Education” – “Community Events.”)

Luminaria has announced an open call for the 2021 Luminaria Artist Foundation Grants, with applications being accepted from Jan. 12 through Jan. 24. The grants are for new projects by individual artists living and working in Bexar County, including literary, visual and performing artists. Grant recipients must complete their projects within a year. Applications are accepted through the online portal at www.AnyArtist.org. For more info visit www.LuminariaSA.org.)