2023 has been a year of milestones and growth for the San Angelo art community. The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (SAMFA) has a new interim president, and they have taken over the Texas En Plein Air Competition moving forward. The Artists of Artists show, put on by Art in Uncommon Places, made a big splash this year and is on track to build on that success. Chasity and Juston are making much needed improvements and plans to grow the Chicken Farm Art Center. We can expect to see more positive growth from them this coming year.

There have been some recent changes that may have an impact on how 2024 shakes out. Monk Gallery closed this year, which leaves only five galleries in town where artists can potentially show their work: Raw 1899, Blue Buffalo, Watson Wonderbox, The Kendall, and De Nada. For the Visual Arts Capital of Texas, that’s not much.

The Artists of Artists show, put on by Art in Uncommon Places, made a big splash this year and is on track to build on that success. Chasity and Juston are making much needed improvements and plans to grow the Chicken Farm Art Center

It is possible that 2024 will see an influx of artists coming from other areas. With the designation of Visual Arts Capital of Texas, many artists from Austin and other metro areas are making plans to transition to a slower pace and Southern hospitality offered in rural Texas. Given all the growth we have seen, I have heard of artists considering San Angelo as a new home. After speaking to a gallerist in Midland who is also in charge of recruitment for the Midland Art Association, they are very interested in having our Art Alliance artists show in their city and vice versa.

After speaking to a gallerist in Midland who is also in charge of recruitment for the Midland Art Association, they are very interested in having our Art Alliance artists show in their city and vice versa.

If San Angelo is to continue to grow as an art community, we need to address the issue of gallery space. We need to find ways to support and encourage the growth of existing galleries, and we need to attract new galleries to the area. We also need to continue to promote the arts in San Angelo and make it a destination for art lovers from all over the state. 

One problem that has been highlighted over and over is where to find local artists. The good news is that AASA has grown steadily this year to 32 members but this still doesn’t address the larger art community. Businesses, organizations, and patrons often want to find an artist to give them work but in most cases the only artists they usually find are the most vocal and top of mind in the community. By growing a comprehensive and diverse list of artists available to the community, we can help grow that art community organically.