November 16 - January 6, 2008
Whimsy, History and Gifts
Three new exhibits through the holiday season run the gamut
of styles, mediums, and ages. From Recycled to Rescued: The World
of Skeeter and Linda Bockman introduces a menagerie of fanciful
animals, all of which represent endangered African species. Reflection
of a Journey: Engravings chronicle Native American cultures no longer
in existence. The Gift explores the past century's evolution
of a Christmas tradition stemming from the Magi's gift to the Christ child.
After touring all three new exhibits inside, move to the outside rooftop
deck to get a close-up look at Downtown San Angelo's new painted sheep.
I Just Make Stuff out of Junk
Harold (Skeeter) Bockman has been dabbling with metal recycling for over
40 years. His wife Linda has been challenging herself with painting and
arts and crafts all her life. Together they have created a zoo of African
animals, all of which are on the endangered species list. They both harbor
concerns about the thousands of tons of waste material going into landfills
each day, encouraging people to ask, "Can this be used for something
else, or can someone else use it?" Their other shared concern is for
the protection of the varied species which populate the earth. These concerns
and their art come together in an inventive collection of wildlife.
Indigene
In the mid 1800's Swiss artist Karl Bodmer toured North America, sketching
and recording tribes of people whose culture and identity would soon disappear.
His aquatint engravings of Indian people and their culture are on loan from
the Museum of the Southwest in Midland, Texas.
The Gift 
Each year the Museum contributes its own special offering to the lineup
of exhibits. We are particularly pleased this year to present a special
exhibit called The Gift. The tradition of gift-giving during the holiday
season, around the time of the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice, goes
back to ancient times and spans many cultures. Former San Angelo resident
Christopher Tuck is a descendant of Rafael Tuck, whose British company is
credited with the creation of both Christmas cards and paper dolls during
the Victorian era. Chris is lending the Museum a wonderful collection of
antique Christmas cards, paper dolls, and children's gifts from the Victorian
era. Some of the children's gifts are items that would have been given as
far back as 150 years ago. Sponsored by Historic
City Center Project, Inc., d.b.a. Cactus Hotel.
A
Colorful Flock
The sheep grazing on the rooftop deck of the Museum this Christmas will
be anything but white. Downtown San Angelo, Inc. recently sponsored this
project of painted sheep which will eventually be displayed throughout the
city. For the holiday season, however, they can be seen altogether in one
bright flock at the Museum.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Opening Reception for 3 New Exhibits
5:30 - 8 pm at the Museum
Refreshments were prepared by the Culinary Arts classes of Central High School
VIEW PHOTOS from the opening!
The Sculpture of Jeffrey Mongrain: Secrets and Revelations
VIEW PHOTOS
from the opening!
"Bella Serata"-Beautiful
Evening
Waterford Wellness Spa, San Angelo Community Medical Center,
and SAMFA Collectors Society held an "Art of Living" evening of
music, hors d'oeuvres, wine, and other refreshments from Tuscany at the
Museum on August 21. Special guests Julie and Gianni Baldecchi from Pistoia,
Italy, exporters of fine majolica, della robbia ceramics, and other Italian
handcrafts taught us a little more about the Tuscan life. VIEW
PHOTOS from this event!
Chamber Music
SAMFA kicked off its first Chamber Music Series Concert of the season with songs and sounds of South America. Wayanay Inka played Sunday, September 16th at the Museum to a full house. Learn more about the group here. The second concert on October 21, featured pianist Helen Lin playing with ASU Professor John Irish. Learn more about Helen.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Children’s music and art workshop- 3 - 4:30 p.m. at the Museum
"The Harp and Bass Guitar - A Kaleidoscope of Sound"
2 tone musicians Cindy Horstman and Michael Medina talked about and demonstrated
music on their instruments and involved those present with different musical
techniques. After learning about the instruments, children attending the
workshop designed their own harp or guitar. They created colorful musical
instruments using feathers, pipe cleaners, paper, and markers. This
program has received support from the Texas Commission on the Arts, a state
agency
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Chamber Music Series Concert -
2 p.m. at the Museum
2 tone -(Jazz harp & bass guitar)
Collectors Society
Learn More about Collectors
Society
Thursday,
October 18, 2007
"Collecting Photographs" - Ben Breard (pictured
right)
Owner/Director of Afterimage Gallery, Dallas, TX
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Collectors Society - 5:30 p.m. at the Museum
Mark Prendergast
Christie's, Houston, TX
Eco Fair Family Day
Conservation and Clean-up Along the Concho
"You must be the change you
wish to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi-
Every day is now Eco Day at SAMFA as we continue to endeavor
to "be green," adopting policies and products that recycle, conserve,
and protect the environment. The "green" event focused on stewardship
and awareness of our natural resources, as well as celebrating fall fun
with outdoor music and food. 40 exhibitors sold original art and handmade
wooden furniture and crosses, gave away
trees, solicited participation in community organizations, and informed
people about things they can do to make a better world. Keep San Angelo
Beautiful, under the energetic direction of Tom Nurre, kept SAMFA grounds
beautiful by supervising volunteer cleanup details. The sounds of drum circles
and jazz bands mingled in the air with the aroma of fresh-grilled fajitas
and hot dogs. Children painted pumpkins and threw clay pots, and more than
2,000 people attended our first annual Eco Fair. With the growing global
awareness of ecological issues, we expect next year's Fair to be bigger
and better. VIEW PHOTOS from the event!
The Museum extends a hearty thanks to this year's sponsors:
ETHICON
Linda and Bill Noelke
Area-Wide Phone Book
Bank of San Angelo
Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Farmer's Daughter
Gandy Ink
San Angelo Family Magazine
Check out the Green Page on our website, where we will give you tips on green living as well as show you what we're doing. The Green Page is our scorecard on being good stewards.
Out of concern for our outdoor environment, SAMFA has a new program called DOTE, or Docents of the Environment. Described as an "ecological support group" for the Museum, these specialized docents will help raise funds for landscape maintenance and projects, conduct tours, and provide labor and expertise in planning, maintenance, and care of the Museum landscape. The group may also sponsor symposiums on nature-based environments and sound ecological practices, and organize local and travel garden tours. Anyone may join this group, and annual dues will be set at $50 per member. Please contact SAMFA at 653-3333 if you're willing to serve as a DOTE.
San Angelo Ceramics in Austin
Last spring, residents of Austin got a wake-up call: there's more than one
"happening" city in the state of Texas. SAMFA collaborated with
Austin's Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum to create a show entitled Ceramics…on
the Edge. Did that mean ceramics on the "edge of civilization,"
way out here in West Texas? Or did that mean ceramics that represent the
"cutting edge" of creativity and innovation? Both, actually. The
Umlauf Museum, situated at 605 Robert Lee Road in Austin, hosted the edgy
event that included more than 38 artists and almost four dozen sculptural
ceramics, more than half of which came from SAMFA's notable permanent collection.
"To
be from a small town in West Texas and put on a show of this caliber is
just incredible," remarked Austinite Joni Sager. Of course we would
take issue with her characterization of San Angelo as a "small"
town!
The 500+ attendees of the exhibit opening were treated to specialty drinks, such as SAMFAritas, SANtinis, and SANhattans, as well as the new BlueHead Tequila (courtesy of Andy Buckingham), serenaded by San Angelo musicians, such as "Slim Jim" Rose, Don Gabbert, and Willie Alavarado, and fed royally by San Angelo Community Hospital's nationally-recognized resident chef, Henry Wiens. Besides cultural and political leaders of Austin, many former San Angeloans stopped by, including Nancy Loving, former director of the San Angelo Cultural Affairs Council and Kevin Barry, former publisher of the San Angelo Standard-Times. Close to 100 other current and former residents of San Angelo attended.
"It was one rollicking party, done as only we in San Angelo can do it," said Howard Taylor. "People in Austin, when listening to their public radio stations, hear the call letters 'KUT and KUTX in San Angelo.' Many have no idea who we are. Many of the cultural and political luminaries of Austin are now very aware of one of the hippest and brightest places in the country. Not only are we on the edge of the American frontier, but also on the edge of cultural and artistic innovation in San Angelo."
SAMFA extends a hearty thanks to the sponsors of Ceramics … on the Edge:
Texas Commission on the Arts
San Angelo Community Hospital
Andy Buckingham
San Angelo Cultural Affairs Council
San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau
San Angelo Museum
of Fine Arts
One Love Street
San Angelo, Texas 76903
Fax: (325) 658 - 6800
Phone: (325) 653 -
3333
e-mail:
museum@samfa.org