Fiesta Arts Fair
Posted by thomas-cummins on 15 Apr 2010 at 03:06 pm | Tagged as: upcoming events
| Sat, Apr 17 10:00 am | to | Sun, Apr 18 5:00 pm |
Insiders Guide to Fiesta Arts Fair
Plan ahead for a great time!
What is Fiesta Arts Fair?
What began as a small art fair 37 years ago has grown into one of the highlights of Fiesta® San Antonio. In both 2008 and 2009, readers of The SA Current ranked Fiesta Arts Fair as the “Best Arts Fair” in San Antonio, citing the outstanding juried artists and the Southwest School of Art and Craft’s “gorgeous grounds.” Readers also ranked Fiesta Arts Fair as one of the three “Most Family-Friendly” Fiesta events.
The 2010 Fiesta Arts Fair showcases the contemporary art of 119 artists from all over America. Ceramics, paintings, jewelry, glass, photography, wearable art and other high-quality artworks are for sale to accent one’s home, table, or body.
The art fair is nestled among the shady trees of the school’s historic Ursuline Campus adjacent to San Antonio’s River Walk, and in the art school’s gothic chapel. This event draws over 12,000 people to enjoy art along with regional music and favorite Mexican fiesta food.
Fiesta Arts Fair has something for everyone – especially children. At the Children’s Art Garden, kids work with professional artists and volunteers to create their own mini-masterpieces. From stained glass to clay to creative new fiesta medals, there is an art project for everyone to discover.
Admission to the art fair sustains educational programs at the non-profit Southwest School of Art & Craft.
Helpful Information
Fiesta Arts Fair provides a fun-filled experience for the entire family, but with so many options it can be overwhelming. Get basic information and tips from the regulars to plan out your strategy and have a great time!
Hours
Fiesta Arts Fair is open to the public:
Saturday, April 17 from 10A – 6P, and
Sunday, April 18 from 11A – 5P.
Admission & Coupons
$12 weekend pass; $8 daily for adults; $4 daily for children 5-12, and free for children under 5 accompanied by adults.
Buying advance tickets at the SSAC gallery Shop, the Fiesta Store, or H-E-B saves you $1 on daily admission.
May I leave and come back inside?
Yes, but you must have the gate attendant to stamp your hand first.
What and where are the Coupon Booths?
There are two coupon booths in the parking lot, and one in both the Convent Garden and the Children’s Art Garden. Coupons are required for the purchase of food, drinks and the activities in the Children’s Art Garden.
Do I need to buy different coupons?
The same coupons may be used for food & drinks or for the Children’s Art Garden Activities.
Can I get a refund on unused ticket coupons?
No refunds are given for coupons; however, they can be applied to the purchase of t-shirts and medals at the Information Booth only.
Forms of Payment
Admission and coupon booths accept cash only. Coupons are required for the purchase of food, beverages and children’s activities. Many vendors accept credit cards, but it is not guaranteed.
Where’s the nearest ATM (automated teller machine)?
An IBC mobile ATM is located in the parking lot near booth #79.
Information Booth
The Information Booth is located in the Frost Garden off the parking lot in front of the two-story Dormitory Building. Stop by to purchase t-shirts and medals, pick up a class catalog, inquire about classes, become a member or just say ¡viva fiesta!
Where can I get information about anything related to the Fair or School?
At the Information Booth and at the tented area in the Children’s Art Garden.
May I sign up for classes at the Fair?
You may enroll children and teens in Summer Art Camp in the Children’s Area. For adult classes, please visit the information booth for a class catalog and call our registration office Mon – Fri, 8:30A – 5:00P to register or enroll on-line.
Art Demonstrations
Take a look at the creative process in action. Stop and watch demonstration by staff, faculty and students taking place in the Frost Garden, located next to the Information Desk.
Saturday, April 18
10:30 – 11:30 | Stone Carving
12:00 – 1:00 | Metalworking
1:30 – 2:30 | Clay – Wheelthrowing
3:00 – 4:00 | Papermaking
4:30 – 5:30| Printmaking
Sunday, April 19
11:30A – 12:30 | Weaving on Loom
1:00 – 2:00 | Surface Design on Fabric
2:30 – 3:30 | Photography
4:00 – 5:00 | Clay – Wheelthrowing
Children’s Art Garden
Sponsored by CPS Energy Windtricity and Target
The Children’s Art Garden is the place for the little ones to get creative and make some art.
Activities are led by a talented artist volunteer. Activities include clay, stained glass, printmaking, stamp art, face painting, fiesta medals, fiesta crowns, beading & paper quilling, and metal embossing. Each activity costs $2.50.
Where is the Children’s Art Garden?
The Children’s Art Garden is located in the River Garden. PLEASE, no alcoholic beverages or smoking while in Children’s Area.
May I leave my child while I enjoy other parts of the Fair?
The Children’s Art Garden is a participatory learning experience. Parents are expected to participate alongside their child. We request that you remain with your child.
T-Shirts and Medals
Where can I buy a Fiesta Arts Fair medal or t-shirt?
Medals are available at the Information Booth and in the Gallery Shop. T-shirts are available at the Information Desk only.
Getting to Fiesta Arts Fair
Fiesta Arts Fair takes place on the ground of the Southwest School of Art & Craft’s Ursuline Campus, 300 Augusta at Navarro.
Street Closures
Please note that Augusta is closed during Fair hours between Navarro & Giraud:, Sat. 9A – 6P & Sun. 10A – 8P
Parking
There are many paid parking garages and self-pay parking lots within two blocks of the Southwest School of Art & Craft along St. Mary’s, Navarro, Augusta and Soledad streets. Visit the Downtown Alliance website for a map of nearby parking, http://downtownsanantonio.org/park/parking.
Where can I pick up artwork I purchase?
Individuals needing to pick-up large items purchased during the Fair may pull in to the Club Giraud’s parking lot (entrance on St. Mary’s) to pick up their item.
Public Transportation
Riding the bus is a great option to get to Fiesta Arts Fair. The School is located on several major VIA bus routes; connect to VIA for a trip planner.
Where do I catch the bus/trolley?
Just outside the Fair, on Navarro St, is a major north/south bus artery and the stop for the BLUE LINE Trolley.
Wheel Chair Accessibility
Guests may use the Club Girard parking lot (entrance on St. Mary’s) as a drop off/pick-up location for individuals with mobility issues. This is for drop off/pick-up only; no parking allowed at this location.
Food& Beverages
The menu runs the gamut from gorditas to roasted corn and pralines to palettas, and a special kids area will serve items sure to quell youngsters’ appetites.
Hungry fairgoers can enjoy Mexican favorites by La Margarita, an anchor restaurant in the city’s Market Square and the chief food vendor for Fiesta Arts Fair.
Beverages available at the Fair include beer, margaritas, soft drinks and aguas frescas. The vendors and their locations are as follows:
Parking Lot:
La Margarita (Mexican, hotdogs, palettas & drinks); Corn Wheel (corn & baked potatoes); Saweet Cupcakes (cupcakes & coffee)
Convent Garden:
La Margarita (Mexican, hotdogs, palettas & drinks)
Children’s Art Garden:
La Margarita (Mexican, hotdogs, palettas & drinks)
Restrooms
Portable facilities are located in the corner of the parking lot near booth # 64. There are also restrooms down the hall from the Gallery Shop and in the breezeway to the Convent Garden.
Pets
We love animals too, but the Fair is not the place for them. While service animals are permitted with proper identification, absolutely no pets are allowed on the grounds of Fiesta Arts Fair in order to ensure the security of visitors and artwork. This includes animals in small carriers or bags. Please leave your pets at home.
Volunteer Information
Volunteers are essential to the Fair’s success and we love them!
How can I volunteer to help with the Fair?
Volunteer by signing up online here. Not only do you get a warm fuzzy by giving back to your community, but volunteers also receive free admission on the day of the Fair as well as 2 complimentary drinks.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers help at the admission & coupon booths, greet patrons, pass out Fair Programs, Artists Relief, and Children’s Art Activities.
How long are the shifts?
Volunteer shifts are either 2.5 to 3 hours. Volunteers can sign-up for as many shifts as they like.
Where do volunteers enter?
The volunteer gate is on Augusta at Giraud Street, in front of the historic Chapel. Follow the signs around the perimeter of the campus to the gate.
Where do volunteers park?
Volunteers can park in any of the nearby paid parking garages or lots or we recommend that you take the bus (see parking above.)
Parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis to volunteers that work 3 or more shifts during the Fair; parking passes are required and will be provided by the Volunteer Coordinator.
Other things to see while at the Fair
While on the Ursuline Campus be sure to visit the Visitor Center Museum (located near the Information Booth) and the Gallery Shop (inside the Urschel Dormitory Building.) The Visitor Center Museum details the early days of the Ursuline Convent and Academy and the Southwest School of Art & Craft. The Gallery Shop features an eclectic mix of art work by nationally recognized artists year round.
While there will be no exhibitions open during Fiesta Arts Fair this year, we encourage you to visit the Navarro Campus, located just across the street, where most of our adult classes take place.
Sponsorship
Who sponsors Fiesta Arts Fair?
To view a current list of sponsors, click here.
How can my company to sponsor Fiesta Arts Fair next year?
We welcome new sponsors of Fiesta Arts Fair. For more information, contact , Director of Development, at (210) 224.1848 ext. 304.