Eye of the Dog Art Center is worth checking out. Today was San Marcos Art Tour and Eye of the Dog…read moreArt Center was part of the tour. The art center is worth checking out. Nice drive to get to the art center.

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.

We had a private birthday party for our daughter and it was perfect way to spend a couple hours…read more They went way beyond our expectations. Zoey and her daughters have a really passion for the art and the house in W. 6th is a great spot. Filled with a lot of heart the team there really enjoyed it as much as the kids did. Probably one of the best hidden gems still left in Austin!

Austin Creative Art Center is a long standing educational space that inspires all who walk through…read morethe door! If you want to be a better artist look no further than ACAC!

The only knock I have against TXST's NSO is the king hike from the parking garage to the new…read morestudent center for the orientation. In this Texas heat, that was a bit inconsiderate. That aside, the new student orientation was very well organized and seamless!! I loved that they had incoming freshman partner up as roommates for the two day event. And upper classmates were everywhere assisting and directing during the event. Breakout sessions were informative and interactive which is a huge plus in my book. Students with registration holds were allowed to resolve them during the event and were offered assistance. The kids got to sample what their next four years would be like on campus. A huge benefit for kids traveling away from home for the first time

Having lectured at and worked with students from Texas State San Marcos, I definitely think that…read morethis is a top-dollar value for those looking to get a 4-year degree. Their programs in communications, business, physical therapy, and geology/geography are particularly well thought of. I can't speak to the housing situation, but the campus itself is beautiful, with the hilly terrain, well landscaped areas, and the San Marcos river itself. And yeah, while it does have a rep as a party school, so does UT at Austin, and that doesn't seem to hurt anything. (grin!) If you're a parent considering this school for your kids, it's worth a visit at the very least.

We experienced disability discrimination here a few years back.This is a social media platform so I…read moream going to speak freely about it with out intimidation though I realize they may try... Definitely left a bad feeling about this place regardless of a few of the good teachers that do work here my son met in the teen summer program. As a non profit based accredited establishment it just still doesn't sit well with me..The way everything was handled after my written complaint against the teacher was atrocious. It's a lot to process in ones heart and mind when something like this happens and the situation was It's a long story but In short.A glass blowing teacher who was working with the school reached out to me by telephone because my 16year old sons mild stimming (he is autistic) was making the 4 adult members of the class uncomfortable and they as well as the teacher seemed to conclude that the place was not for him because the other students and herself thought he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol... He has a mild fluttering of his hands and occasionally giggles subconsciously.. A common trait in folks with ADHD and on the autism spectrum. The teacher added insult to injury by claiming to "know how to work with autistic children and wanted to work with him 1 on 1" and she didn't think he was a good fit because he "could get hurt" Like I should trust a person like that 1 on one.Made it through the call and just let her rattle on then started up a email to Barbra the president of the SWAC at the time. FYI he has taken 2 welding classes prior from another company and been in metal jewelry making classes and worked with furnaces before. He is quite mature and intelligent. To Infantilize people on the spectrum IS discriminatory.To assume they are on drugs IS discrimination and gross. The arts community should be more accepting. This info I held back because the president elected of the school Barbra at was experiencing illness and I had sympathy for the situation but everything about this situation was mishandled.The theme was to try and prove my son was incompetent of being in a class without a appointed attendant by the school to watch over him only there wasn't any available and they didn't allow him to take any other classes he was signed up for because they concluded by the advice of the glass blower woman he was unfit and a danger to the class.This was untrue. Offered me most of my money back with the exception of a $900 credit they never honored.Still get mail and emails asking for contributions but when they redid their website my credit and history of purchases just disappeared... What happened was disability discrimination and injustice. Ran off with my credit for a $900 class too.Disappeared completely and I am not about to call them to have some bureaucrat mamm me and tell me how they won't return my money because I'm sure they have no record of it now.. Try and do what you can to ensure a good life for your kids and when you are met with this kind of thing it's not only discouraging but heartbreaking too. Made sure my son didn't know a thing about the awful things the teacher said but he was disappointed the classes got canceled and just didn't feel like a safe space for him anymore so never used my $900 credit of what they didn't refund me.

I have been by this place many times but had never stopped in. I was going for a walk along the…read moreriver and decided to take a peak. The grounds are breathtaking. I noticed signs pointing to a gift shop, gallery, museum and lunch place. So i ventured in further. The gift shop is a neat little shop with artsy stuff. The little museum is homage to the locations history as a convent school. I did not see the gallery but there were works of art on display in the hall. The lunch restaurant was closed today. Need to check the hours. This was worth the visit just fir the neat old buildings and beautiful grounds. Everything else a nice bonus. UPDATE: Unfortunately the gift shop is no longer here. The cafe here is the Copper Kitchen. A very nice inexpensive place for a delicious lunch. The menu changes daily but you can call them to see what they are serving that day. I have gotten tasty soups, salads and sandwiches here. Very good lunch fair.

Great sculptor Pompeo Coppini (the Cenotaph, Alamo Plaza), at 115 Melrose Place. His home is the…read moreCoppini Academy of Fine Arts. Coppini's artistic legacy lives on in hundred of artists around Texas and the world who have attended art workshops and classes for the past 85 years. Check it out! thecoppini.org

The Coppini Academy of Fine Art is a non-profit organization that is member-run and member…read moresupported. I frequently attended open drawing sessions on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. As far as I know, it is the only place in San Antonio , outside of the Universities and colleges , that consistently offers open drawing sessions in a professional studio, using live figure models. It even has open session for portraits on Friday mornings, using live models. Additionally it offers adult classes in oil painting, for beginners, intermediate, and more advanced painters. It has classes for children through its "Coppini Kids" program, and a "master class" in drawing for kids 11 - 17. As if this isn't enough, it offers workshops for members and the public, taught by popular and world-class artists who come in from across the country. If an artist is focused on representational art, the Coppini is a great place to investigate!

I enjoy Elizabeth's teaching style. She's quick to share her experience and knowledge and I'm…read morelearning so much from her sketching and tone series of classes.

From the owner: This "Art Study Program" offers the technical side of visual communication, the way art used to be…read moretaught for centuries. Paradoxically, once we have these technical skills, we can “let go” of trying to “do" art, and allow what is fresh and natural and authentic to emerge. Great artwork is the result of mastering these skills, and then getting the head out of the way, and letting the heart take over."

Take the private lesson!! It's soooo worth it!! Very informative, fun and friendly. Warning...it's…read morelike 100 degrees in there, but that's to be expected. :)

We've been dying to check this spot out for at least a year. Today was the day. The show room is…read morefull of amazing pieces ranging from jewelry to lamps. We watched the demonstration which was fascinating from start to finish. I am pretty sure we will be taking at least a couple of the classes which start in October. If you love glass be sure to check Wimberley Glassworks out.

Amazing incoming freshmen move in with students and athletes helping everyone to unload their…read morevehicles and bring boxes etc to their dorms. Amazing matriculation ceremony welcoming the freshmen. And an amazing surprise send off by the parents and supporters to the incoming freshmen. A class act all the way around!

Wonderful liberal arts school in South Central Texas.read more

I always check in to see what the latest theater performance is. All of the students, faculty, and…read moreparents work hard to put on amazing performances. I'm glad that San Antonio has a resource for theatrical arts. Don't sleep on picking up tickets and enjoy the live orchestra, the dances, the costumes, and vocals.

A five star performance by the NESA dancers in "Steppin Into The Holidays" at Robert E. Lee High!…read more If you can get a ticket you'll be pleased as Christmas Punch! This weekend only, box office opens at 1:30 today. Don't miss "Art Unplugged" on December 13th!