Arts Alive San Antonio

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor

What is GAGA, you may ask. It’s an art organization focusing pm women artists from S. Texas, which helps its members through exhibitions, promotion and education. The acronym stands for Gentileschi Aegis Gallery Association, a name inspired by the first well-known female artist back in the 17th century. That lady’s name was Artemisia Gentileschi. She was the first woman to become a member of the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence, and she had an international following.

Founded in San Antonio in 2010 by artist and leader, Sylvia Benitez – who last year was chosen as Artist of the Year by the San Antonio Art League and Museum (SAALM) – the GAGA organization presents an annual winter online exhibition in addition to other show opportunities for its members. This year’s exhibit is titled “Winter Soul” and features 40 artists.

“The pieces are as varied as our members and deserve to be treated with the same respect the work would have received had it been intended for a physical presentation,” stated Benitez. “I chose to address the images as if these were being hung in a physical space – to ‘listen’ to how the pieces speak and flow together.”

The included artists speak in different voices and work in different media. “Artists pour their soul into their work. Hence the inspiration for the exhibition’s title,” said Benitez.

Though each work speaks for itself, the curator saw many common threads and grouped the pieces accordingly: Artistic handling of abstraction; Roads; Water; Color, and use of geometry in composition.

So, what are her favorite pieces?

“I really love Terry Gay Puckett’s piece, ‘Early Bird Gets the Worm.’ It’s fresh and Joyful.”

Among the participating artists are many San Antonians, including Lyn Belisle, Lesta Frank, Ilma Colemere, Vikki Fields, Diane Masuda, Carole Koutnik, Paula Sussman, Mary James, Caroline Royall, and others, including Sylvia Benitez. “Pyracantha on Edge” by Pamela Braun (below) graces the exhibition title page. You can read about each artist and their work on the exhibit’s site.

GAGA has tripled in size since its inception, today boasting more than 80 members. In fact, it’s not open to new members at this time. The organization does not have a 3D homebase. However, over the years, it has had exhibits in many 3D galleries, including in San Antonio and Kerrville.

To view the show, go to www.gagaart.org/wintersoul. All works are available for sale and the prices are reasonable. And original art is surely a great holiday present.
                                                         —————————————————