4th Annual On & Off Fredricksburg Road Studio Tour

Images: 

Taking You Into the Studios and Out to See Public Art

In San Antonio's Historic Neighborhoods...

The 4th Annual On & Off Fredericksburg Road Studio Tour 

Self-guided tour anyone?  Get ready to emerge onto San Antonio's inner-city art scene with the fourth annual On & Off Fredericksburg Road Studio Tour, presented by Bihl Haus Arts, on Saturday, February 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 20th from noon to 5:00 p.m.  The studio tour kick-off is set for Friday, February 18th with the On & Off Fred Autograph Gala and Opening Reception at Bihl Haus Arts, 2803 Fredericksburg Rd., from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.  The exhibit will feature works by each of the studio tour participating artists who will be on hand to autograph copies of the tour catalog while hors d’oeuvres, wine, and live jazz by Johhny P and the Wiseguys are enjoyed. New to the tour this year is the Closing Reception on Sunday, February 20th, 5:30-8:30 pm, at Long Hall Gallery, 618 Craig Place.

This year's tour touts 90+ artists at more than 40 locations, including a new, large presence of young, emerging artists who join veterans on the tour such as Danville Chadbourne, Adan Hernandez, David S. Rubin, and Jane Madrigal. 

"The On and Off Fred Road Tour has proven to be more successful each year; it provides an opportunity to meet the diverse San Antonio art community and promotes and encourages the understanding and collecting of local contemporary art," said San Antonio Artist David Zamora Casas who is participating in the tour for his third consecutive year. 

The On & Off Fred Road Studio Tour takes place in San Antonio’s famed Deco District, along a section of the celebrated Old Spanish Trail Auto Highway.  The event features two full days of leisurely self-guided tours that offer visitors the rare opportunity to interact with area artists in their work spaces. From reclaimed former neighborhood grocery stores to intimate backyard sanctuaries, the studios on the tour provide the environments in which artists create a variety of works, such as large ceramic sculptures, metalworks, one-of-a-kind light fixtures, art photography, and a variety of paintings in various styles. Demonstrations, hospitality, and opportunities to purchase art are all part of the On & Off Fred experience.

"Visitors can get together a carpool or group of cyclists and, with a catalog map in hand, hit the tour," said Bihl Haus Arts Executive Director Dr. Kellen Kee McIntyre.  Adding, "entering the studio environment is an intimate experience that makes the art you already love more meaningful.  You begin to understand how the artists' personalities creep into their work through the music they listen to or the way they arrange their art materials and favorite possessions in their working spaces." 

On the tour visitors are guided by a color-coded map that makes navigating easy.  Seven neighborhoods are featured on the tour this year: historic Monticello Park, stately Jefferson, peaceful Woodlawn Lake, Los Angeles Heights, eclectic Keystone, charming Beacon Hill, and delightful Alta Vista.  Patrons will see yellow yard signs and balloons that identify stops on the tour.   

The On & Off Fred Studio Tour catalog and map guide is $10 in advance ($15 during the tour). Purchase of the catalog includes free admission for 2 to all events. The catalog may be purchased at local participating businesses: Artwerx Alley (1717 Blanco Rd./210.320.5585), Big Grass (637 W. Hildebrand/210.735.7999), Optical Headquarters (1710 Fredericksburg Rd./210.735.3507), and Vee’s Hair and Spa (1022 Donaldson/210.733.7131), and at Bihl Haus Arts (2803 Fredericksburg Rd./210.383.9723) at the Autograph Party and during the tour.