News and notes from the San Antonio art scene
A Texas TurnerHouston artist Eileen Maxson is the recipient of the first biannual Arthouse Texas Prize, which includes a $30,000 purse — not a Turner Prize, perhaps, but big league nonetheless. The winner was announced at a November 4 gala honoring Maxson and her fellow finalists, former Artpace resident Robyn O’Neil, Robert A. Pruitt, and Ludwig Schwarz. The accompanying exhibition is no longer on display in Austin, but it travels to the Dallas Center for Contemporary Art January 13-February 25, and to the Galveston Arts Center April 15-May 28. You can also see Schwarz’ show, Birdsongbird, at Sala Diaz through December 4 (517 Stieren, 695-5132). A warm spot
On October 28, Linda Pace dedicated Chrispark, an urban greenspace across the street from her Campstreet lofts, in memory of her late son, Chris. The cozy spot is made magical by a nightime blue-light show that recreates the constellations on the day of his birth. Mayor Phil Hardberger, who spoke at the dedication, thanked Pace for the park, which will be maintained with private funds but is open to the public. Former Artpace resident and recent MacArthur “genius” award-winner Teresita Fernandez designed several elements. Chrispark is located at 111 Camp St. Waxing Artistic
Blue Star Contemporary Art Center and the McNay are cosponsoring the second biannual Writers and Artists Exchange November 19 at Blue Star (119 Blue Star). The main event — a large panel featuring Texas art critics and writers such as Artlies’ Anjali Gupta, Glass Tire’s Rainey Knudsen, Dan Goddard of the Express-News, Current critics, and such out-of-town luminaries as Lily Wei and Carol Kino — will give local artists a chance to meet and greet with national and local writers. 10:30 a.m.-noon. For more info, call 227-6960. Finesilver is dead; long live Finesilver
Finesilver Gallery is throwing a housewarming party in Houston — Isabella Court, 3913 Main Street, close to the prestigious Inman Gallery, which has an opening the same night — Friday, November 18. But rumors of Finesilver’s San Antonio demise are exaggerated, says gallery owner Chris Erck. We’ll hold our breath and in the meantime give a warm welcome to new director, Eleanor Williams, who steps into the shoes of prior directors John Tevis and Gabriela Trench. For more info, visit finesilver.com or call 354-3333. Viewing the audience
The Wallace Foundation released a new study this week, commissioned from the Urban Institute, Motivations Matter: Findings and Practical Implications of a National Survey of Cultural Participation. Among the findings: 65 percent of museum attendees are motivated by a desire to learn something new whereas 68 percent of theater patrons are motivated by the desire to socialize; and, perhaps not surprisingly, folks who attend a cultural institution frequently are more likely to become donors. For more info or to download the report, visit wallacefoundation.org. - Elaine Wolff
