This is a small art gallery in the town square. We stopped in here to see what they had. We were…read moregreeted when we walked in and the artist returned to her set up in the back. The items are all nice but this is a small gallery. We did get something but I sort of felt ignored when I was speaking to them. Not sure I'd need to come back.

Easy to find, parking isn't impossible, volunteers on hand to answer any questions…read more Covid had them closed a long while, but they're open limited hours two days a week now complete with masked volunteers and hand sanitizer. From sculpture priced at thousands to earrings under $15, there's a variety of prices and styles packed in this small storefront. Decorative to functional. Someone is doing day of the dead paintings of animals, and I'm quite fond of the pittie, horse and chihuahua. Given Art Squared was shut down half the year and local restaurants were a popular display for many, this is an important chance for artists to be seen and possibly earn some income. Nice peek at local artistry if you can't make the Art Squared fair (second Saturdays ea month except Jan/feb).

This top-shelf, free, destination-worthy cultural gem is on the 7th floor of the Alkek Library at…read moreTexas State in San Marcos. The Wittliff collects, preserves and shares Southwestern literary, photographic, and musical arts. Sounds stuffy as hell, right? Far from it! It's founder, Austinite Bill Witliff, was a screenwriter of the beloved miniseries Lonesome Dove, and this museum is home to the film's production archives, including props, costumes and other treasures. But that's only one of several collections. Witliff established the museum in 1986 with the encouragement and many gifts from author and folklorist J. Frank Dobie. Musicians and their fans will adore perusing private correspondence and journals, instruments, hats and so much more from people like Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jerry Jeff Walker, Willie Nelson, Ray Benson and on and on and on. It will take you a happy hour or more to acquaint yourself with its permanent and temporary collections. My favorite room was devoted to mind-blowing photography of native American people taken in the early 1900s by Edward Curtis. It hasn't been that long since they freely roamed and inhabited our wilderness and the beauty - and reality - of these captures took my breath away. If you are a rancher, a descendent of a rancher or even know a rancher, get yourself over there for an enlightened perspective on the lifestyles, struggles and beauty of the people who raise grazing animals. I figure the Witliff has about a dozen theme-specific rooms that are smartly curated and thoughtfully presented. HOT TIPS! - Parking is free on weekends in the Alkek parking lot. - Like all campuses, Texas State is not easy to get around... signage is downright absent or stupid. It doesn't help that hardly anyone at Texas State is aware of the Witliff Collection and can't point you to it. - As you exit the parking lot, make your way to the tallest building right above you. That's the library. Head to the 7th floor.

I attended a conference held by TSU and attendees were told about The Whitliff Collections, which…read morewas located in a nearby building. I used a few of my lunch hours during the conference to visit, but wish that I was able to spend the day browsing. There were many QR codes for videos online in one of the exhibitions and I wish that I had the time to see them all. My friend is a huge King of the Hill fan and was jealous that script archives were held with The Whitliff Collections. I would have asked to view them if I had more time to browse. Too bad they cannot be viewed online. Can't complain with a free museum. It was well kept!

This is the second time I have been here and both times I felt like it might just be the 8th wonder…read moreof the world. Went to the "Dirt Dauber" festival here which was a celebration of local pottery. Artists were set up everywhere, there were workshops/demos/contests, live music, pets and kiddos running around, hot dogs, and free beer (you were simply encouraged to purchase a vessel in which to pour it in). Everyone was ridiculously talented - and so friendly. The local community (san marcos I guess) is so supportive, but folks came out from all over in support. One highlight was they had the pottery wheels set up to play! SO. MUCH. FUN. (especially after beer) I totally want a wheel now, but it's easy to see it takes quite a bit of practice along with significantly more artistry than I possess. (Oh, and that scene from Ghost? Totally realistic because it's seriously erotic for some reason.) I am fortunate enough to be friends with the niece of the owners of the property (Beverley and Billy Ray rock!), and am unbelievably grateful for the opportunity to get a tour of the whole place. This includes their personal home which is a magical maze full of treasures. I have never seen so much art and sculpture and pottery and trinkets and souvenirs and momentos...the list goes on. It's a feast for the eyes. Everywhere you look there is something to explore. The house is divided up by season as well; for example, there is a "summer room" downstairs that has A/C, or the "Spring room" which has a handmade wooden murphy bed platform ON THE BALCONY that pulls down to sleep on. There is a fishtank for a wall by the tub indoors, or one could use the outdoor shower they crafted. They even have their own giant bar attached to the home. Walking around there is surreal; it makes you want an entirely different life. We also got to see a couple studios in which the owners (and visiting artists) work. So friggin cool. They do all sorts of workshops and also host celebrations/festivals/exhibitions of sorts (like the one I went to, or a salsa competition (the kind you eat ;). I encourage you to find any reason you can to get out there. The whole experience felt hippy dippy trippy to the max; by that I mean it didn't reek of patchouli or pot, but rather of a better place and time gone past where everyone was encouraged to be whoeverthefuck they want to be and express that however they wish (in dress, through art, or the way they live, who they love, and so on) and all were accepted, and appreciated. Good music, drank, and people all mashed up. Love.

I finally made it out to the annual Dirt Dauber festival and I loved it! Eye of the Dog is an…read moreamazing art center with something unique in every little corner. The people were incredibly friendly and the talent persistently blew me away. I can't wait to come back!!

While walking around the Hays County Courthouse checking out the businesses on the square we came…read moreup to this museum. There was a sign saying which said free admission, so decided to check it out. It was an old building and when I entered I was told to sign in. I guess they want to keep a record of guests and there was a donation jar next to it. I started exploring all about Lyndon Baines Johnson who not only was President of the United States of America but graduated from Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State Teachers College in 1930). The museum is a bit small but does recognize his achievements as president by all the Acts he passed. There are some mementos on display and information about Lady Bird Johnson. It is very positive here so will not find anything about the Vietnam War or old political controversies. There is an upstairs but nothing much up there except a few exhibits and a large room for meetings and presentations. I enjoyed it and dropped a few bucks in the donation jar on my way out.

An excellent museum! You will leave with a newfound respect for LBJ and his presidency. A…read morefascinating insight into the 1960's and the impact of his time in office which we still benefit from today.

Visited this location several times in an attempt to contract for a job but the front door is…read morelocked and no one ever answered the door / ringer. The front windows are covered with heavy curtains, most likely due to welding activity but this combined with the lack of obvious activity gives this place a totally creepy vibe. I took my business elsewhere.

Came into repair a piece of metal art. They jumped on it immediately and did a fine job in just 20…read moreminutes. Quality durable weld on difficult material (brass). Cool art for sale in their shop at reasonable prices. They do the impressive metal art you are seeing recently in San Antonio parks.

Owned and run by the kind Nabil and his family, Tribal Oriental Textiles has the most extensive…read morecollection of beautiful rugs and other textiles I have ever seen! I believe most of their rugs are Middle Eastern, including Persian rugs and Turkish rugs with a huge variety in color, pattern, style, and size. It is a treasure to have such a place owned by such warm people in the heart of Texas! I called before I made the trek from Austin to San Marcos and I'm glad I did, because they have recently moved. The address listed here on Yelp and on their website is incorrect, but the phone number listed on the website is correct, so I recommend calling first. It is still near San Marcos and not far from Austin. Here is a link to their website where the phone number is listed: http://tribalorientaltextiles.com/aboutus.htm I was greeted with warm tea (it is currently January) by Nabil and his wife and daughter when I arrived. They run the business out of their quaint and charming home on the outskirts of San Marcos. I described to them the style and size I was looking for and told them my budget and they pulled beautiful rug after beautiful rug until I selected a beautiful Kilim. I absolutely love my new rug and feel I got it for a fair and affordable price. I highly recommend Tribal Oriental Textiles if you are looking for something high quality, handmade, and one of a kind.

Tribal Oriental Textiles has an extraordinary collection of handmade rugs from around the world,…read moreeach one of which is unique. My girlfriend and I ended our long search for the perfect rug here, where we found a vibrant hand-dyed Kilim that is now the centerpiece of our living room. The showroom is a little out of the way, as the owner Nabil lives on a ranch with his collection of rugs and Arabian horses. However, the rugs here are well worth the drive, and the prices are probably better than you will find anywhere unless you travel to the tribal regions yourself. Nabil treated us with genuine warmth and hospitality, which we are reminded of each time we walk into our living room. If you are in the market for a tribal rug, this is the place to go.

If I can give this shop 10 stars I would…read more The piercers, Evette and Daniel are the most educated and professional piercers I have ever been to. I came to Daniel to get a vertical labret a few years ago, and after he approved that I have the right anatomy, he talked me out of it after noticing I have a habit of chewing my lips. I cannot explain enough how grateful I am for that, and he explained that I could possibly hurt myself and even mess with the piercing as it heals, and cause it to migrate. We ended up doing my second lobes instead and the experience was extremely quick and easy, and probably the most pleasant piercings I've had done in my life. I just saw Evette today, as I was having a bit of a piercing emergency. A month ago, I had my third lobes done at a different studio and that piercer used these rubber/silicone backings instead of the standard flat backs, and had them shoved so far up the piercing my ear had no room to heal or swell properly. After 4 weeks of agony (even compared to a blackout sleeve and nipple piercings), I came to One and Only today to see about getting these changed out. Evette managed to pry the balls off, and I mean they were on so tight that at some point she had to yoink that shit off like King Arthur, and after about 45 minutes of working on them both of the bad, old piercings were off and I felt comfort for the first time in a month. This whole time she explained what she was doing, and was extremely sweet, professional and empathetic. Her daughter (I believe her name was Emily) was with her training and I don't know if I could've gone through that experience with anyone different. Ultimately, we couldn't save one of the piercings as the pressure wound was so bad Evette did not feel comfortable with the risk of putting another earring in. (pics of the wound below, trigger warning as it is gnarly) I was given very clear and explicit instructions on after care and invited to come back to repierce it once the area is completely healed. Evette and Daniel are both honest, and it's so so clear that they care and have a passion for the people they work with, as well as the art of piercing. They could've easily sold me a vertical labret and a second piercing, but they cared for my well being more than the money they could've easily got out of me. This level of honesty and integrity is something I have yet to come across again in the industry. I don't think I'll visit another piercer again as long as these two are in business. Evette and Daniel, thank you. Yall are angels

I got my seconds (ears) pierced here and they're lopsided. Uses AI for fliers in a town that is…read moreactively fighting against data centers that will destroy the river ... and insults people as "c*nts" when you call them out about it. Yikes. I'm sure the tons of graphic design students at TXST could've made a flier for an affordable price...or you could've just used Canva. Legit no excuses when you charge people $91 for seconds... Also not their bio on here written with AI... it doesn't feel sincere at all. EDIT: Nice to see they'll also respond with whataboutism and AI generated responses too LOL. Turns out you can't be mad at two things at once! As a small business owner myself funnily enough, I make use of my own personal creativity and do not cheapen my work by using shortcuts. Two or three years ago we weren't using AI to this extent and everyone was just fine. Canva may use AI, but there's a thing called OPTING IN. All in all, as someone with integrity and appreciates genuine artwork from real people, I won't be returning-- especially with the repeated unprofessional responses from the owner. Can't wait for the AI bubble to burst. :)

Jennifer did a fantastic job with some portraits from an old jazz-themed calendar I brought her…read more They turned out exactly the way I envisioned them and look great in my home office! Jennifer's pricing is very reasonable and I highly recommend the non-glare museum glass. Worth the extra $. Will gladly do business again!

I've been a client of Cardinal Framers since they were on RR12 on the edge of town--think my mother…read morefound them while I was in college. I've taken them various photos, art prints, paintings, old magazine advertisements, even some feathers over the years. I frame most of my pieces to showcase the artwork, not to match decor, and they always have great ideas for frames and mats. Whether I go with their ideas or my preconceived notions, the pieces have always turned out beautifully. They are probably not the cheapest option in three counties, but they are professional. I have always been satisfied with their work. You can choose different grades of glass from plain to conservation quality. There are a wide range of prices on framing materials so you don't have to break the bank, and I used some of their bargain precut frames for small things in the past. They complete work in a reasonable amount of time and contact me when any project is ready for pickup. The married couple who run it have always been friendly, and the new lady (assistant or family, I don't know) was very efficient on this last project. She had picked a couple frames out to start and when I showed her the kitchen for which the labels were intended she quickly shifted gears (probably the first time in my life anyone associated me with the word "modern" out loud). She also called me by name when I went to pick up my piece today although it has been a while--I always notice that because it is a skill I know I lack. They also have loose posters/prints available for purchase. They have a good eye if you tell them what you are aiming for--I've admired lots of the waiting projects for people with clearly different tastes than me but which are completed flawlessly--plus it is clear they enjoy their work. I look forward to each visit, which I can't say about every business. I dread the day they retire or move because I like knowing I have a place I trust.