San Antonio is known for the Alamo and the River Walk, but some may not know about the diverse art scene the city has to offer.

Tucked away right outside of downtown, you will find Southtown, San Antonio’s Art District. Surprised? Those who are familiar may know it for “First Friday,” but many people don’t realize there is more to Southtown.

Southtown is a quirky area that consists of a wide range of assorted shops, restaurants, galleries and museums that you can visit any day of the week. From folksy art to “out there” art, you will find something to satisfy every taste.

“It’s off the beaten path, a different scenery from the River Walk,” said Thomas Jenkins, an undeclared major at Palo Alto.

During the day, you may stroll from shop to locally owned shop perusing their goods, or go to Madhatter’s Tea House Café for a tea party. If you visit El Sol Studios, you will find Mexican Folk Art, handmade cards, and an art gallery with contemporary art for sale. Visiting the Jewelry Box and Art Gallery, you will find vintage jewelry and the work of local artists. At Garcia Art Glass, you can view a free glass blowing demonstration and view one-of-a-kind pieces.

You can take in the live jazz every Tuesday night at Blue Star Brew Pub, or other live music at Madhatter’s on Friday night. If theater is more your taste, you can stop by the Church Bistro and Theatre at King William. On most evenings, they offer two plays that go on at the same time. The reservation-only presentations include comedies, mysteries, or melodramas that follow a delectable dinner. More traditional theater productions are held upstairs.

For those who don’t know much about “First Friday,” it’s Southtown’s monthly celebration of the arts, held on the first Friday of each month. Merchants, restaurants and art galleries join together. Everywhere you look, you will find street vendors selling a variety of unique items.

“It’s a fun time. The community comes out to sell their wares,” said John Sutton, an Aviation major at Palo Alto. Everything from music to art to jewelry to food, there is no other gathering or event like this in San Antonio.

Another artistic side of San Antonio to explore is the San Antonio Museum of Art , which is located at 200 W. Jones Ave. SAMA features Greek and Roman antiquities, Asian art, Latin American folk art and American paintings. The museum also features one-of-a-kind exhibits, poetry readings, concerts, storytelling, dance performances, lectures, family days and art workshops.

One of the newest exhibits at SAMA is “Retratos: 2,000 Years of Latin American Portraits,” which will be on display through April 30, 2006. The traveling show has about 115 paintings and sculptures gathered from museums in Latin America, Europe and the United States.

Better known for its lush gardens and landscape, the McNay Art Museum holds a collection of 19th and 20th century European and American paintings and sculptures. Some of the artists’ works on display include Rodin, Cezanne, Picasso, Gauguin, Matisse, O’Keeffe and Hopper. Viewing, the art on display is just one of the many experiences the McNay has to offer. The McNay Museum Library, which is located on the lower level of the Tobin Wing, supports museum exhibitions, museum programs, and a permanent collection. The library is open to the general public on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Also available throughout the year are exhibitions, lectures from visiting scholars, artists, or curators, family days and educational programs. For more information on the McNay Art Museum and a complete schedule of events, visit their website.

Deep in the heart of the West Side, you will find the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. The whole mission is to preserve and promote the art and culture of Chicano, Latino and Indigenous people.

To expose San Antonio and its surrounding communities to Latino art and culture, the center offers classes in music, visual, art, dance, theatre, media arts and literature. The Guadalupe also presents and produces events, exhibitions, and festivals throughout the year. An upcoming event in the Guadalupe’s near future is “What’s Funny in Spanish.” The live, multi-media comedy sketch, which has been compared to Saturday Night Live, will run from March 30-April 1 and will finish the following weekend, April 6-8. Admission is $10, but students pay a discount price of $7. If you would like to purchase tickets for this event, contact Marisella at (210) 271-3151, extension 26.

San Antonio’s arts scene has something to offer every man, woman, and child. Whatever your preference–art, music or theater–take advantage of all that San Antonio has to offer this Spring Break and beyond.