Awesome Western Museum has Many Fantastic, Family-Friendly Events for Summer Including a Father’s Day Event
This awesome western museum, The Briscoe, is offering summer fun including art, aliens, cowboys and more.
Hands-on fun, free family activities and saddling up with sci-fi fill the summer with art and adventure at the Briscoe Western Art Museum. The Briscoe is hosting an array of programming to explore the Southwest influence on Western art during Southwest Rising: Contemporary Art and the Legacy of Elaine Horwitch Now – September 4.
The summer exhibition celebrates one of the most powerful and influential art dealers in the Southwest. Horwitch was responsible for launching the careers of hundreds of artists and was a leader in fostering “new Western art” or “Southwest pop.” During the exhibition, Southwest Rising artists will demonstrate their techniques and lead sessions where everyone can create a masterpiece of their own. Along with artist talks, monthly hands-on learning, free Locals Days and the museum’s annual National Day of the Cowboy celebration on July 22, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The summer line-up includes:
Celebrate the opening of Southwest Rising
by exploring the way light and color interact with one another. In the exhibition’s interactive gallery, visitors can construct a display that will allow them to experiment with how light can change the way our eyes see color. This hands-on program is family-friendly, and all ages are welcome. Children 12 and under always receive free admission to the Briscoe.
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Southwest Rising with Mark McDowell
Saturday, July 8, 1 – 3 p.m. $25 for nonmembers, $20 for museum members
Southwest Rising
artist Mark McDowell leads guests in creating a work of art with colored pencils on wood, his preferred technique. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, McDowell’s been featured in more than 40 one-man shows and numerous group exhibitions in museums, art centers and galleries across the United States and Europe. His work is in many public, corporate and private collections. Class size is limited, so register today to ensure your spot! All skill levels are welcome and supplies are included with registration.
Art-FULL Summer: Painting Sessions
Enjoy painting sessions led by energetic and charismatic international artist Gio DiZurita. Based in San Antonio, DiZurita tells stories through her art, an everlasting transformation of life experiences. Two summer dates include:
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Father’s Day Fun: Painting with Gio
Saturday, Jun 17, 10 a.m. – Noon, 2 – 4 p.m.
Bring your dad jokes and have some hands-on fun! Fathers and their children (5 years or older) can enjoy a creative and fun family painting adventure, creating a Western scene in acrylic on an 11 x 14 canvas. Tickets are $45, or $35 for museum members. Registration is needed for each participant over the age of 12 and includes all supplies. The class size is limited, so register early to ensure your space.
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Create Together: Painting with Gio Date Night at the Briscoe
Thursday, July 13, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Let love and creativity bloom during a hands-on date night under the stars. Create a work of art during a relaxing evening sipping beer and wine in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden. Couples will enjoy a creative painting adventure, creating a Western scene in acrylic on an 11 x 14 canvas. Tickets are $45, or $35 for museum members. Registration is per person and includes beer, wine and all supplies. The class size is limited, so register today to ensure your spot.
Summer Movie Fun in the Really Wild West: Where Cowboys and Aliens Meet
Can Science Fiction and Western film genres exist together? Of course – it’s the movies! The Briscoe’s Summer Movie Series explores films that merge these two unique and contrasting styles on the third Sunday of June, July and August. A short presentation begins at 1 p.m., followed immediately by the screening. Each movie is included in general museum admission, with free brews courtesy of Ranger Creek Brewery. Popcorn, drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. Pre-registration is encouraged to save your seat.
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Briscoe Summer Film Series: Wild Wild West
Sunday, June 18, 1 – 4 p.m., included with museum admission
Bring your dad to the Briscoe to enjoy a laidback afternoon of Western movies at the Briscoe as we sit back and revisit the Western steampunk masterpiece, “Wild Wild West” (1999) by director Barry Sonnenfeld (“Adams Family”, “Men In Black”). Loosely adapted from the 1960s television series, “The Wild Wild West”, the film stars Will Smith and Kevin Kline – who plays two roles, including President Ulysses S. Grant. The film also boasts an original film score by Western film score veteran Elmer Bernstein. A short presentation discussing the elements of Western films and steampunk kicks things off. Pre-registration is encouraged to ensure your seat.
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Briscoe Summer Film Series: Cowboys & Aliens
Sunday, July 16, 1 – 4 p.m., included with museum admission
Join the Briscoe for the second film in the summer “Western Sci-Fi” series, director Jon Favreau’s (“Iron Man,” “The Mandalorian”) science fiction Western action film “Cowboys & Aliens” (2011). Based on a graphic novel of the same name, the movie has a star-studded cast that includes Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, and Harrison Ford. The movie will follow a short presentation discussing the crossover of the genres of Western film and science fiction. Pre-registration is encouraged to ensure your seat.
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Briscoe Summer Film Series: Nope
Sunday, August 20, 1 – 4 p.m.
Say “nope” to the dog days of summer by enjoying a cool movie at the Briscoe, a Western Sci-Fi horror film from director Jordan Peele (“Us,” “Get Out”), “Nope” (2022). A family that trains and handles horses for film and television productions has to wrangle something they have never encountered before in a movie that will give you chills. Enjoy this fun flick, popcorn and free beer courtesy of Ranger Creek Brewing. A short presentation discussing the elements of Western films and emerging Black cinema will precede the film. Pre-registration is encouraged to ensure your seat.
Add Some STEAM to Your Summer: Hands-on Learning
The Briscoe’s free monthly education series “Full STEAM Ahead” sprinkles educational fun into the summer the first Sunday of each month. Learners of all ages work together and learn about the American West by engaging in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) learning experiences. Full STEAM Ahead is designed for all ages to enjoy, making it a terrific family activity. Enjoy STEAMing with your family 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month at the Briscoe – the same day that locals are welcome to enjoy the museum for free. Summer 2023 Full Steam Ahead dates and topics include:
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July 2: Full STEAM Ahead – Tools of the (Cattle) Trade
The cattle industry is a vital part of the West. Hear more about the cattle industry and the simple machines cowboys used in their daily work, then create a simple machine using found and recyclable materials.
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August 6: Full STEAM Ahead – Gone for the Winter
Learn more about wildlife and the fall migration of hummingbirds. After a short presentation, families will have the opportunity to create a hummingbird feeder using found and recyclable materials.
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September 3: Full STEAM Ahead – Art in the Sky
Study the night sky through Kim Wiggins’ “Colonel Crockett’s Return to Cibolo Creek.” After a short study of the painting, everyone will create a bedroom planetarium to take home.
Free Cowboy Fun: National Day of the Cowboy Celebration
Tippin’ its hat and celebrating the legacy of the cowboy, cowgirl and vaquero, the Briscoe Western Art Museum presents its annual National Day of the Cowboy celebration on Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Briscoe. The free community event, which includes free admission to the museum and its exhibitions, features indoor and outdoor activities for cowpokes of all ages. Saddle up with your family and head west for a day you won’t forget.
Head West at the Briscoe This Summer
Highlighting the purely American art form of Western art, the Briscoe Western Art Museum celebrates the past, present and future of the storied genre through the art and artifacts in its permanent collection as well as through the range of exhibitions it features annually.
An oasis of Western beauty just off the River Walk, the McNutt Sculpture Garden and the museum grounds feature 35 sculptures portraying various aspects of Western life. Inside the museum’s beautifully restored historic home inside the former San Antonio Public Library building, the Briscoe’s collection spans 14 galleries, with special exhibitions, events and the Hendler Family Museum Store, providing art, culture, history and entertainment.
The Briscoe is open Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Admission is free for children 12 and under and for active duty members of the military. The museum is proud to participate in Museums For All, Blue Star Museums and Bank of America Museums on Us. The Briscoe is located on the south end of the River Walk, near the Arneson River Theatre and La Villita, with convenient parking at the Riverbend Garage directly adjacent to the museum or one of many downtown surface lots.
Southwest Rising: Contemporary Art and the Legacy of Elaine Horwitch
is sponsored in part by The City of San Antonio, Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation, Jan McCaleb Elliott, Jessica Elliott Middleton, Debbie and John T. Montford, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Texas Commission on the Arts, and Williams-Chadwick Family Charitable Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation. The exhibition is organized by the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block.
