Students may attend area museums for free

By Steven Rodriguez | Pulse Staff Reporter

Palo Alto students may use their student IDs to get into three major museums for free: the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Institute of Texan Cultures and the McNay Art Museum. Five other art institutes are free for everyone: Artpace, Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, The Coppini, San Antonio Art League & Museum, and Southwest School of Art.

Student IDs can be used anytime the museums are open except during special events. If students don't have an ID, they can go to Brazos Hall, Room 100, to obtain one.

Crystal Rochelle, sophomore Art major, said, “One of my favorite museums to go to is the San Antonio Museum of Art because of all the amazing art and different styles they have from around the world.”

The San Antonio Museum of Art has Asian, Islamic, Oceanic, Contemporary and many other art forms.

SAMA’s hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Wednesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. SAMA is located on the northern edge of downtown at 200 West Jones Ave.

Currently, Rostros de Maria: The Virgin as Archetype and Inspiration exhibit runs from August 18-February 20, 2013, in the Golden Gallery. Adad Hannah: Intimate Encountersexhibit runs from September 1-December 30 in the Focus Gallery. Aphrodite and the Gods of Love exhibit runs from September 15-February 17, 2013, in the Cowden Gallery.

Sarah Ortiz, sophomore Education major, said, “The McNay is a beautiful museum in San Antonio with the greenery and art they have there. When I go, there are always wedding pictures being taken, and I love all the art they have.”

At The McNay Art Museum, students will find more than 20,000 works of art to see from Medieval and Renaissance to the present day. The McNay’s hours of operation are noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The McNay is located in Alamo Heights at 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave off of Austin Highway.

Current exhibits include Estampas de la Raza: Contemporary Prints from the Romo Collection from September 25-January 27,2013. Prints of the People: The Taller de Gràfica Popular exhibit runs from September 19-January 20,2013. America’s Finest: Recent Works by Vincent Valdez runs from September 25-January 27, 2013. For Jerry: Masterpieces from the Lawson Bequest runs from September 12-January 13, 2013.

At the Institute of Texan Cultures, students will learn the heritage of more than 130 ethnic groups that settled in Texas. Their hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It is located next to the Tower of the Americas at 801 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd off of I-35.

In addition to The Back 40, a hands-on, outdoor living history area, other exhibits include Arte Chihuahua from November 12-May 5, 2013. Bantu Eyez: Somali Bantu of Texasfrom August 29-March 3, 2012. Texas Contemporary Artist Series: Ana Fernandez from September 10-January 20, 2013. Made in Texas will run from July 7-September 29, 2013.

Victoria Campos, sophomore Biomedical Science major, said, “Yes, I know about getting into the museums for free. But, didn’t know about the five extra art institutes. It’s pretty cool that we get to go to these museums and institutes for free.”

The five art institutes have a variety of contemporary art. Some of them showcase Texan artists while some have art from all over the world.

Artpace promotes art as a dynamic social force by supporting emerging and established contemporary artist. Artpace hours of operation are noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Artpace is located at 445 N. Main near the Central Library.

Blue Star Contemporary Art Center is the first and longest-running venue for contemporary art in San Antonio, and it hosts over 20 exhibits annually. Blue Star’s hours of operation are noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday; and noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday. Blue Star is located at 116 Blue Star in the King William District off of Alamo.

The Coppini is an academy of fine arts and was founded by the sculptor Pompeo Coppini and his protégé Waldine Tauch in 1945. It is devoted to classical representational art. The Coppini hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. It is located at 115 Melrose Place off of McCullough.

San Antonio Art League & Museum is the oldest art institute in San Antonio. It was founded March 13,1912, and it houses a permanent collection of Texas art as well as exhibitions of contemporary San Antonio artists. Its hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. San Antonio Art League is located in the King William District at 130 King William St. off of Cesar Chavez.

Southwest School of Art is both an educational and an exhibit institute, and part of its mission is to preserve the former Ursuline Convent and Academy, founded in 1851. Starting in the fall of 2013, the campus will offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Southwest School of Art hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Southwest School of Art is located downtown at 300 Augusta Street

Dani Rae Padilla, a freshman History major, said, “I always thought it was just a discounted price to get in, not actually free. Now that I know, I’m going to go.”