Check out the art at Clamp Light Gallery 1704 Blanco Rd Ste. 104, clamplightstudios.com Checking out art is always a classy and inexpensive date idea. San Antonio has a number of cool galleries to choose from. Routinely, Clamp Light seems to be on the cutting edge. Clamp Light Gallery has operated in the Alamo City for over a decade, providing a gallery space for artists such as Cassie Gnehm, whose work is pictured here. Credit: Instagram / Clamp Light Gallery

San Antonio’s Clamp Light Studios & Gallery has launched an online fundraiser and issued an urgent plea for help staying open.

As of press time, Clamp Light has raised $1,621 of its $7,000 goal via the GoFundMe campaign. The Beacon Hill gallery needs help covering February’s rent by the end of this month to keep its space, according to details shared in the fundraiser. “Clamp Light has been a cornerstone of the San Antonio arts community for over a decade, providing studio spaces and a gallery for local artists to create, connect and thrive,” the GoFundMe description reads. “Clamp Light is now at risk of closing its doors — and we need your help to keep this vital place alive.”

The gallery will use additional funds raised through the effort to “lower rent for resident artists” and make its spaces “more accessible to emerging talent.” It also plans to “host events that enrich the community and create opportunities for connection and creativity,” the fundraiser description adds.

In addition to issuing the plea for donations, the gallery on Monday welcomed two new directors, Bridgette Ralph and Symone Martinez.

Ralph is a Beacon Hill resident who explores a variety of media in her work, including digital art, abstract painting and folk art. She’s also the author of the children’s book The Pirates are Coming!

Martinez is a self-taught artist and mother of three in San Antonio whose creations explore Xicanx themes and motifs including pińatas, papel picados, cacti and Topo Chico.

The gallery’s fundraiser and new leadership follows news that longtime director and resident artist Raul Rene Gonzalez has left those roles, as reported by the Current over the weekend. Gonzalez led Clamp Light for the past four years.

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This article appears in Dec 26, 2024 – Jan 1, 2025.

Stephanie Koithan is the Digital Content Editor of the San Antonio Current. In her role, she writes about politics, music, art, culture and food. Send her a tip at skoithan@sacurrent.com.