San Marcos Art League keeping the arts alive

The pandemic has been, for many, a time to delve into and immerse themselves in the arts they love — whether it be music, film, painting, knitting or photography. But for many working artists, the pandemic has meant a loss of markets, venues and income avenues they depend on for their livelihoods.

The San Marcos Art League (SMAL), the oldest arts organization in San Marcos, is trying to step up to support both art and artists in the community, according to Art League Board President Kathryn Welch.

The San Marcos Art League was founded in the 1970s and went on to obtain nonprofit status in 1983. Through the years it has grown into a dynamic organization that supports the vibrant arts culture in San Marcos through a web of events and resources for art and artists — from the Arts Squared Arts Market and high school senior scholarships to free workshops and artist demonstrations throughout the year.

 "O-Fish-All-Love," an assembalage by artist Lisa McPike Smith. 

In October 2019, the Art League reached a milestone by opening the downtown San Marcos Art Center. The art center serves many purposes, according to Welch, as a gallery space for fine art with rotating featured artists to artist receptions, demonstrations and talks. The center also, up until the pandemic, provided a steady sales floor for artists in all types of media. The SMAL had to close the doors to the art center in March, but the community can still support artists by shopping on the art center’s online gallery.

Every piece available for sale in the gallery is currently pictured and for sale on the art center website. Once someone’s chosen a piece of art, jewelry, ceramic or glass work they would like to purchase, they can complete the financial transaction online and a San Marcos Art League member will be in contact to arrange a time to pick up the piece at the art center — at 117 N. Guadalupe St., Ste. 101. Sales taxes are included in the online prices.

Welch said each purchase supports artists within the community as well as the San Marcos Art League.

"Blue," an acrylic on canvas by artist Rozita Moheimani.

Welch said the San Marcos Art League is working to find ways to help the artists and vendors that depend on the Art Squared Art Market to sell their works.

“It's been tough because Art Squared is a long standing market and we have vendors who are the same every month — month after month — and a lot of these vendors are professionals and they go to a different market every weekend. And they're no longer able to do that and so they're really hurting,” Welch said. “And a lot of artists also have jobs to supplement their income — driving Ubers, waiting tables or so many of the other things that artists do to make ends meet. And so it's been extremely hard... There's all kinds of questions that artists are having to deal with and overcome.”

The SMAL has also created an online list of all of the Art Squared Arts Market vendors available on the Art Squared website.

"Two Lips," an acrylic on canvas by artist Robyn Crowell.

Welch said the San Marcos Art League is also currently hosting a T-shirt design contest. The virtual art contest is a communitywide competition to design the 2020 Art Squared Arts Market T-shirt. To participate in the contest, simply come up with a T-shirt design that expresses the diverse art, artists and music that make up the Art Squared Arts Market. Submit a graphic or photo of the design to info@artleaguesmtx.org by 9 p.m. Thursday, April 30. After all the submissions are in, the San Marcos Art League will hold an online poll open to the public to vote for the community’s favorite design. The top three designs will receive prizes — first will receive $100 and a free T-shirt, second will receive $50 and a free T-shirt and third place will receive a bottle of Prosecco. The Art League will resume their regular artist demonstrations, now virtually, within the next couple of weeks, according to Welch.

“Artist demonstrations and workshops are something we've done for a long time live and in person,” Welch said. “We always have people coming out to see the artists that work, and it's been really fun. So that's something we're trying to maintain, but online.”

Welch said the coronavirus pandemic does have one possible silver lining: it has made the importance of art in our lives more apparent than ever, as people have turned to the books, music, films and art they love best to find comfort.

“I think the arts are more important than ever, we (artists) might have to lay low for a while, but hopefully, as people are resetting their priorities through all this, they're going to appreciate the makers of the world more and see how art is helping us all cope with this uncertainty,” Welch said.

Donations can be made to the Art League on the SMAL website. To stay informed about all things art in San Marcos, subscribe to the San Marcos Art League’s newsletter at their website.