Arts Alive San Antonio

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor —

What motivated you to open a gallery that represents contemporary San Antonio artists?
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always liked art, design, fashion. But when I grew up, I didn’t have a chance to stay in college and get a degree. So, when I finally had time to go back to school, I decided to take art classes. That’s how it all started. My dream started at the University of the Incarnate Word when I came back here from Colorado. One day, I had an idea: We need a gallery here in San Antonio that represents San Antonio artists and good contemporary art.

My first exhibit was at Chateau Dijon in my condo, and the artist featured was the first artist that I started collecting, Jorge Puron, from Piedras Negras. I had a little show for him and we literally sold out. Then I started my first gallery on Hildebrand, a teeny place, and Jorge was one of my first artists there, along with, maybe, two or three others. I had never run a business before, so I was taking a big chance. Risky, but now, the dream has totally come true.

Sadly, I ended up quitting school back then because I was so busy with the gallery, and I was taking care of my son. He’s been working in the gallery since he was a little boy.

How many artists do you represent?
(After consulting her computer) Close to 50. Not all are equally active, however. About 70 percent are San Antonio artists, including Eric Breish, Ben Mata, Lucy Peveto, Kathy Sosa, Brook Rosser, Amada Miller. But we have artists from foreign countries, too, such as Anna Wypych from Poland.

How did you find her or how did she find you?
Our best-selling artist, Steven DaLuz – he’s amazing! – curated a show here at our gallery two years ago. I gave him carte blanche to do what he wanted to do for his exhibition. It was called “Human Condition.” From all the submissions he received, he chose 12 artists from around the world, and Anna was among them. From the 12, 8 chose to stay with us.

Has it ever happened that an entire show sold out completely on opening night?
Yes, it has happened. Brook Rosser’s show, “Viva San Antonio,” which featured beautiful paintings of historic San Antonio buildings. We had this one client who was building a new office space downtown. She walked in, looked, and said, “I want them all.” There were 14 paintings. It happened the day of the opening. She came early, so when everyone else walked in, there were red dots by all the paintings. People were disappointed: “What about us!?”

How would you describe your clients? Are they mostly collectors, or impulse buyers, or individuals looking for that special something?
All of the above. We have collectors from around the world who found us through social media. We hope to expand our wings and embrace collectors from all over the world who want to collect art by San Antonio artists.

Which artists are part of your personal collection?
Let’s see…In our private collection my fiance, Gobie (Walsdorf), and I have Steven DaLuz, Lucy Peveto, Kathy Sosa, Eric Breish, and I just bought a piece by Amy Young. And I also commissioned works from Bibbi Anderson, Brook Rosser and from Sandra Mack-Valencia (whose work is currently on view at AnArte Gallery.)

How has COVID-19 affected your business?
Yes, it has affected us but I was determined not to give up. (AnArte was the first private gallery to reopen after the shutdown.) We are very cautious. We have sanitizer all over the place and we require that people wear masks as well as stay socially distant.

We survived the closure period because we kept the art alive online, always posting pictures of beautiful, colorful paintings that make people smile. If you look at our art, you’ll see, most of it is joyful, happy and colorful and, right now, that’s what people need. They are tired of the news and the sadness. I try not to get depressed, and I had COVID myself in April, though in a mild form.

What would be the first thing you would like to do – or the place to go to – after this crisis is over?
Honestly, the first thing I would do is celebrate and have an amazing party here at the gallery and I would invite all of San Antonio.

If you could meet any artist from the past or present, whom would you like to meet?
Boy, that’s tough because there are so many I admire. (But after a short mental search she had the answer.) Artemisia Gentileschi! (born in 1593). I would like to ask: “As a woman at that time, what did you have to go through to become a successful artist?” Her story is so sad because most of her works were destroyed. Today, a few are available for viewing at the Women’s Museum in Washington D.C.

Who are your personal heroes?
My mother and my grandmother. They are my idols, especially my grandmother who had to go through a lot raising four children in Mexico. She even raised me for the first few years of my life because my parents got a divorce when I was very young. She worked very hard as a beauty stylist and a seamstress, and she always made sure that we had food and clothes. And just to see her joyful face no matter how hard life was, and to always have music in the house, that was a big influence and inspiration for me. She is my number one! (Later in life) I called her every day. I still remember her phone number. She always said to me, “No matter how you feel, get up in the morning, put your high heels on and your lipstick and move forward.”

What is the hardest thing you have ever had to do?
The hardest and yet the most joyful thing is to raise a child. My son, Luis, is not only my son but also my best friend and my partner here at the gallery.

What’s your happiest childhood memory?
It’s cooking with my grandmother when I as with her.  Yes, we were living in a tiny little house but there was so much laughter and music, and love.

If someone wanted to surprise you, what would be a welcome surprise?
A vaccine for COVID! (We both laugh.)

Lots of people refuse to wear masks and observe social distancing. How do you react to that?
We need to respect each other. And right now, that means wearing masks an observing social distancing.

What do you like best about San Antonio?
I love the culture. I think people are friendly and the city is so colorful. San Antonians are ready to embrace everyone. I feel like it’s a big family. I also love the food, the arts, the museums, the architecture! The weather, not so much.

Is there a behavioral trait that you find annoying?
Arrogance. I wish everybody could be just down to earth, and be sweet and nice to everyone.

If you could change one thing in San Antonio right now, what would it be?
I am hoping that it doesn’t grow too much because it’s already pretty big. If it grows too much it may lose its family feel and atmosphere.

What are you most afraid of losing?
My zest for life. (Laughs) That’s what keeps you going.