Community of Art

According to the Brazilian artist Romero Britto, “Art is too important not to share.” Taking this message to heart, Jacqueline Overby and Courtney Peterson of MotherShip Studios will present its inaugural city-wide San Marcos Studio Tour, launching with a kick-off event on Friday, March 31.

The weekend-long event, organized by Overby and Peterson, is a free, self-guided tour featuring over 50 artists all across San Marcos, Martindale and surrounding areas. Additionally, MotherShip Studios will hold a group exhibition featuring one artwork from all participants at MotherShip’s newly- completed warehouse gallery, located at 20027 San Marcos Hwy 80, Bay 5.

The studio tour’s aim is fostering the already existing arts community within the San Marcos area while at the same time inviting others to interact with the artists’ work.

“Our efforts surround wanting to establish a community of artists that work together around Mothership,” Peterson said. “And, In doing so, uniting the art scene in the greater San Marcos Area.'

As part of the community building aspect, the San Marcos Studio Tour will highlight local artists and their own workspaces, allowing the public an insider’s look into the artistic process, creating an exchange between fellow artists, community members and art collectors.

“We will showcase the messy workspaces, the paint-splattered floors, the at-home and garage studios, the cluttered art supplies, the inspirational walls of reference photos and the clay-ridden wheels,” Peterson said. “We will provide an opportunity for artists to show the raw spaces from which they create. These environments, though sometimes unpolished, are where the magic happens and creativity flourishes.” For the tour, Mothership Studios will provide a tour map with numbers for each artist and signs to display during the tour weekend. A catalog of the tour participants will be available for purchase at MotherShip Studios. In addition to the map of all tour stops, this catalog will provide details on each artist, including images of work and short statements about the artists.

The kick-off event will feature the group exhibition, a live printing demo, music by local musicians, a raffle giveaway and complimentary drinks sponsored by local breweries such as Middleton Brewing, Still Austin Whiskey and Austin Beer Works.

Overby and Peterson hope that with this event, the arts community will grow and become more connected, which ultimately leads to a happier overall society.

“Artists provide creative, intellectual and emotional perspectives on the big picture, impacting society as a whole and challenging tradition,” Peterson said. “Creating a space in which artists can gather and grow is vital to the artistic community. Many spaces are disappearing and with them, the community that artists need to survive.”

MotherShip not only hopes to build community with this studio tour, but they are also dedicated to providing affordable space for artists to work.

“This has been one of the main motivating factors in starting Mother-Ship Studios,” Peterson said. “Please join us for an inspiring and interactive weekend of San Marcos arts and events.”

The San Marcos Studio Tour kicks off at MotherShip Studios on Friday, March 31, from 7 to 10 p.m. at 20027 San Marcos Hwy 80, Bay 5. The tour continues April 1 and 2, from 12 to 6 p.m. at participating gallery spaces within the cities of San Marcos and Martindale. This event is free and open to the public. For information, visit the website at mothershipstudiostx. com and follow on Instagram at @mothershipstudios. smtx.

“We will showcase the messy workspaces, the paint-splattered floors, the cluttered art supplies, the inspirational walls of reference photos and the clay-ridden wheels.”

— Courtney Peterson