San Antonio Travel and Leisure Guide 2008 - (Page 24) Authentic Culture Many of the city’s museums, some housed in structures that are historic in their own right, also play into San Antonio’s cultural continuum. MUSEUMS & GALLERIES History comes alive in context, but there’s nothing like a museum for the big picture. Catch a truly cinemascopic glimpse into San Antonio and the rest of Texas at the Institute of Texan Cultures on the eastern edge of HemisFair Park. Within this distinctive structure, the fascinating stories of all the ethnic groups that make up Texas come to life, from African-Americans and Yugoslavs, to Mexicans, Syrians and Lebanese. For a more focused view, check out The Texas Ranger Museum. It has relocated adjacent to the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, itself worth a look, and documents the history and lore of the fabled institution. Ranger memorabilia formerly shared space with the Texas Pioneer Museum on Broadway, which has expanded to include exhibits of notable Texans. Fittingly, next door at the Witte Museum, reconstructed log cabins from pioneer times can be seen outdoors, and special shows on local history are frequently staged inside. Don’t miss the fanciful treehouse structure that contains kid-friendly exhibits with a science bent. Many of the city’s other museums, some housed in structures that are historic in their own right, also play into San Antonio’s cultural continuum. The San Antonio Museum of Art converted a 19th century brewery into a showcase for Latin Ameri- International Accordion Festival, can art across the centuries Fiesta de las Luminarias, McNay and an extensive Asian Art Art Museum and Fiesta Noche Wing, along with Greek and del Rio. Roman collections and American art from colonial times to the present. The Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum, with its focus on 20th century works, evolved from a 1927 Spanish-Mediterranean-style villa and has recently completed an extensive, contemporary addition for traveling exhibitions. Another contemporary structure, located at the foot of Market Square just west of downtown, houses the Smithsonian-affiliated Museo Alameda. Its shows are dedicated to presenting the Latino in America. Further proving that San Antonio can turn any facility to artistic ends, we find the Southwest School of Art & Craft in a convent built in 1851 for the Ursuline Academy of French nuns. In addition to creating classrooms, a gift shop, restaurant and gallery space from the historic compound, the school has converted a former tire store nearby into exhibition space. To complete the catalog of conversions, a complex of industrial buildings south of downtown is now home to the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center. With the center as a catalyst, adjacent galleries such as the UTSA Satellite Space, San Angel Folk Art and the Joan Grona Gallery now thrive. Blue Star Brewing Company provides more fun as well as nourishment. Museo Alameda, 210-299-4300, thealameda.org San Angel Folk Art, 210-226-6688, sanangelfolkart.com San Antonio Museum of Art, 210-978-8100, samuseum.org Southwest School of Art & Craft, 210-271-3374, swschool.org Texas Pioneer Museum, 210-822-9011, pioneermuseum.com Texas Ranger Museum, 210-247-4000, rangermuseum.com UTSA Satellite Space, 210-212-7146, art.utsa.edu UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures, 210-458-2330, texancultures.utsa.edu Witte Museum, 210-357-1900. wittemuseum.org Clockwise from top right: IF YOU GO (as referenced in text) Blue Star Brewing Company, 210-212-5506, bluestarbrewing.com Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, 210-227-6960, bluestarart.org Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, 210-247-4000, buckhornmuseum.com Joan Grona Gallery, 210-225-6334, joangronagallery.com Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum, 210-824-5368, mcnayart.org Market Square, 210-207-8600, marketsquaresa.com For complete listings, visitsanantonio.com 24 VISITSANANTONIO COM O. http://thealameda.org http://sanangelfolkart.com http://samuseum.org http://bluestarbrewing.com http://swschool.org http://bluestarart.org http://pioneermuseum.com http://rangermuseum.com http://buckhornmuseum.com http://art.utsa.edu http://joangronagallery.com http://texancultures.utsa.edu http://mcnayart.org http://wittemuseum.org http://marketsquaresa.com http://visitsanantonio.com http://visitsanantonio.com
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