Autumn brings cooler temperatures to San Antonio making it a wonderful time of year to visit. The Fall also means the start of the city’s terrific art scene, something not to be missed.
It kickoffs in September with Fotoseptiembre USA exhibiting first class photography in restaurants, galleries and shops throughout the city. This is a juried event that includes work by photographers from across the country. The Blue Star Contemporary Art Center is San Antonio’s largest art space for contemporary artists. Their events for September include exhibits of works by photographer Chuck Ramirez, Carlos Betancourt whose art works are in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the San Antonio Museum of Art and works by visual artist Debra Sugarman.
Housed in the historic Lone Star Brewery building the San Antonio Museum of Art will host Animal Instinct: The Photographs of Daniel Lee, September 3rd – February 19th. In his work, Lee, a renowned nature photographer, uses digital technology to create juxtaposition between humans and animals. The Southwest School of Art exhibits River of no Return, September 1st – November 1st , Laura McPhee’s compellingly beautiful large scale photographs depicting the land and people of rural Idaho.
Starting September 14th and continuing to January 1st the McNay Art Museum will exhibit artifacts and sets from Tim Burton’s movie The Nightmare Before Christmas. While you’re there check out some other exhibitions; The Orient Express: Japan’s Influence on Western Art, 1854 – 1918 along with Cassatt and the Orient: Japan’s Influence on Printmaking which will be held from October 5th – January 15th.
San Antonio is a city that parties at the drop of a sombrero so Jazz’SAlive’s two day celebration of jazz falls right into that statement. This free concert is held September 24th & 25th at Travis Park and features local talent and legendary jazz musicians.
If you’re a fan of accordion music head over to La Vallitta for the International Accordion Festival that’s held in the historic villages’ plaza October 7th – 9th.
On October 8th Houston Street sparkles with sidewalk art in Artpace’s Chalk It Up a free event that’s sure to delight the entire family. Watch as local artists draw colorful elaborate murals on the walls and sidewalks.
Other festivals not to be missed are; October 8th, Una Noche de la Gloria: Contemporary Art in the Culture Zone celebrating artists and performers at Avenida Plaza Guadalupe, October 14th – 20th is Gallery Week at SAYSi with exhibits by young and emerging artists, October 21st – 23rd is the Shops at La Cantera Art Festival a free event featuring works by local and national artists, on November 2nd is Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) a citywide event paying homage to loved ones with parades and floats of altars decorated with multitudes of brilliant flowers.
All these lead up to one of San Antonio’s largest festivals, Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza starting on November 27th and lasting until December 3rd. This is a weeklong series of classes and juried competitions, and mariachi inspired art exhibits. It ends on Saturday, December 3rd with a concert in the beautifully restored Lila Cockrell Theater.
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