Sat. Sept. 22, 10:30 a.m. Lance Aaron Guided Tour of His Collection at Mexic-Arte, 419 Congress Ave. Repeated by popular demand! Curated by James Oles, this exhibit features an important modern Mexican art collection made possible through the generosity of Lance and Erika Aaron. Many of us who saw this exhibit with Lance on May 5, 2007 want to see it again, and certainly anyone who missed it before should not miss it this time!

Consumate collector Lance Aaron will guide us through an exhibit of more than 100 pieces from his collection of Mexican fine and folk art produced 1886-1957. This includes art of masters such as David Alfaro Siqueiros, Dr. Atl (Gerardo Murillo), Carlos Merida, Rufino Tamayo, Maria Izquerido, Roberto Montenegro, Alfredo Ramos Martinez, Olga Costa and Juan Soriano, as well as exquisite and rare pieces of folk art from the period.

The exhibit is divided into four categories:
- Rediscovering the Folk addresses the rediscovery, promotion and appropriation of rural folk art traditions by urban sophisticates.
- Reinventing the Nation explores how art was used to forge a national identity based largely on idealized visions of the peasantry.
- Return to Classicism includes images of mythical and allegorical figures more closely tied to a generic Greco-Roman past than to local realities.
- Portraying the Self focuses on portraits and self-portraits.

Based on Lance's own words in his small book that accompanied the exhibition of his collection at the MUNAL, the collection is focused geographically on Mexico, figuration rather than abstraction, chronologically emphasizing modern rather than contemporary, focusing on items from the Golden Age of Mexican art (1920's to 1950's).
Lance has huge paintings and a lot of sculpture as well as old pottery, exquisite lacquerware, one of four known masks in the world that is quite old and unique, small sculptures of wax figures, embroideries....

He has supporting documentation from books on most artists or pieces and that is all very interesting. Besides the history and details on all pieces of art, he knows the provenance of most, and the period the artist was in when he completed a piece. This is not a gallery walk, but a chance to hear stories and facts you'd never know, while getting a glimpse into the heart and soul of a collector.
Cost is just the price of admission to Mexic-Arte; free with a Mexic-Arte member card.

Wed. Sept. 19, San Antonio Excursion.  The day started with a visit to Barney Smith's Toilet Seat Museum in a garage in upscale Alamo Heights.

Barney (in apron) was delighted to have us view the 800 toilet seats he has decorated.
	This doggie seat was the retired plumber's first project.  "I realized how much I liked the seats as a canvas," says 86-year-old Barney, who has been making art on toilet seats for over 30 years.
His museum has been featured in national media, including an interview by Barbara Walters. Barney uses all sorts of objects, witness the spoon handle turkey seat, the American Sign Language Seat, a very dangerous looking seat, and the colorful "Free to Go" parrot seat below.
Candy Becker and Susan Frost took turns signing a toilet seat.  Barney will later engrave the signatures and create an AFFA seat to remember our visit by.
The day was warm, and the garage was not air conditioned but David Stark found a way to keep cool and everybody, including Pat Brown, Sharon Smith and Patricia Wise, left with a smile. See more about Barney Smith at roadsideamerica.com.
Next stop was Mi Tierra for lunch.
The poised Carolina Rubio gave us a sneak preview of the Huipiles exhibit at Museo Amaneda, where photography was not allowed. We also enjoyed trunk shows of (1) silver by the last surviving master from the Spratling era, Sigi Pineda, (2) silver jewelry by contemporary Mexican silversmiths, and (3) huipiles from our own Sally and David Hamilton. Merry Wheaton models her new huipil from Coban, Guatemala.
The trip concluded with a visit to the wonderful "new" home of Susan Toomey Frost, where we enjoyed her collection of San Jose tiles, glass, and other art.
Susan's gracious home invited relaxation, conversation and good times. Terry Tannert enjoys the garden room. Ed Jordan and Gary Plank are deep (?) in conversation, and Barbara von Mertz enjoys chatting with Susan Frost and a friend of hers in the lovely tiled kitchen.
Meanwhile Sylvia Guyton couldn't be happier with her genuine Mexican strawberry paleta.   Rush hour traffic on IH-35 home was the only part of the day we would't jump or repeat.
On the lid of the AFFA seat, Barney attached some of the nuts we gave him around our group picture. He added the logo from the package of nuts along with this comment, "At the rate I'm going, I'll end up in the nut house." On the underside, he put the AFFA logo and thank-you letter. We are the newest seat, and our number is 824.

Sat. Sept. 15, Shield, Story & Song in the Lakota Tradition: A shield-making workshop for children ages 8 - 12, with mixed-media artist, Tim White Face. Fifteen Scouts and Webelos from Troop 345, sponsored by Knights of Columbus at St. William's Church in Round Rock, and some of their siblings spent an afternoon with Native American artist and sun dancer, Tim White Face, and they made shields to prove it. 

Drumming	James
Mr. White Face, who visited Austin from his home on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, started the afternoon with a prayer in the Lakota language, stressed the importance of treating each other and our world with respect, and then sang and drummed three songs.  "The drum represents a heartbeat," he told the group.	Mr. White Face showed the children how to stretch fabric around a hoop and when this was accomplished, they decorated their shields with enthusiasm and creativity.  James gave his design considerable thought before setting to work.
Christian, a 5th grader and a member of the Dragon Den, made a reversible shield.	Alex covered his completely with bright squiggly lines, and another Scout drew a very impressive longhorn on his.
Alex and Nick with Mr. White Face
Asked what his favorite part of the afternoon was, Scout Nick said, "Pretty much everything." Everyone involved was delighted with the program.  "Scouts have to do four craft projects to earn the Craftsman badge, so this was great for us," explained Cubmaster Laura Giovannetti.  President of AFFA's board Merry Wheaton said, "Awakening an appreciation for folk art among children is an important part of our mission," and board member Barbara Jackson noted, "The children really got into it in a way we adults sometimes have difficulty doing." For a group photo of the Scouts with Mr. White Face, see the "How We Support Folk Art" page.

Sunday, Aug. 19, 5 pm Indian Classical Dance Drama, Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum. The Silamban Dance Company is touring the US in a revival of this classic about "Krishna as a child, lover and God...playful, romantic and awe-inspiring by turns..." It premiered in India to rave review last year and those of us who saw it in Austin enjoyed it, too.  Plus the audience was a veritable fashion show, with Indian women dressed to the nines. Dinner at The Clay Pit followed, with a delicious and varied menu.  It's at 17th and Guadalupe, and reportedly has a great happy hour with half-price appetizers.  Check it out at www.claypit.com.

Saturday, July 28, 2007 Opening of Mexican Masters Galeria. The gallery--absolutely full of high quality folk art from Guadalajara, Tonala, Tlaquepaque, Oaxaca and elsewhere in Mexico--opened to an enthusiastic crowd.  Sales were lively, the food was delicious, the margaritas and agua de piña were terrific-even the weather cooperated!  Thanks to Teresa Kendrick, Carmen Sepulveda, Roberto Garduño, Linda Hannah, Suzy Kirchberg and Roberto Alvarado for all their efforts to bring this beautiful folk and us together!

	Teresa Kendrick makes a sale Susan White Vigliano and Elayne Lansford, lookin' good! Ed Jordan with a clay figurine from Santa Maria Aztompa, Oaxaca
Terry Tannert and Don Johnson Anna Prothro admires the pottery John Torres -- gotta have this fun canela pot by Nicasio Pajarito Gonzalez
Sharon Horowitz and Elayne Lansford check out papel picado Susan Lowrance, Monica Shomos and Ron Taylor (above, right)

Mexican Masters Galeria is pleased to offer, here in the U.S., high quality Mexican art by Master folk artists, as well as by up-and-coming artists who work in Mexican traditional arts. Artists are selected based on the merit of their work as well as their ability to continue making it. Art that has been in the same family for generations is of particular interest to the gallery. Mexican Masters Gallery is a joint project of the acclaimed El antiQuario magazine and works in conjunction with the Feria Maestros del Arte, a completely non-profit, 3-day market in Ajijic, Jalisco, that takes place each November.

AFFA members who visited the Mexican Masters of Folk Art show in Round Top, Texas, in April 2007 got a glimpse of the quality of art we offer in the Mexican Masters Gallery. http://www.mexicoetc.com

Thursday, June 21, 7 pm AFFA Movie Night

A mix of documentary, children's story and narrative drama, Cave of the Yellow Dog is a beautifully filmed adventure all ages will enjoy. The charismatic Mongolian family portrayed in the film are a real family—not professional actors, the scenery is breathtaking, the story is compelling, and the intimate look at a very different lifestyle is thought provoking. The Palme d'Or winner at the Cannes Film Festival, this movie is both heartwarming and pragmatic. 93 minutes. Sitter on hand.

AFFA's Cinco De Mayo Event, May 5, 10am -3pm

This was a triple treat 5 de mayo! Los Amigos del Arte Popular (LADAP), who came from Houston, had arranged for Lance Aaron to give each group a guided tour of his important collection of fine and folk art from Mexico's Golden Age (1920-1950), much of which was exhibited at MexicArte.
The exhibit "From Revolution to Renaissance" included more than 100 pieces from the collection of Lance and Erika Aaron. Lance talked about how he defined the collection and shared information about the artists, as well as anecdotes about how he acquired some of the pieces. Following that, we had lunch with the LADAP folks at the art-filled home of Nilda de la Llata, and then the LADAP members visited the colorful Mexican-inspired home of Merry Wheaton and Dick LeVan.

	At Mexic-Arte where Lance Aaron gave AFFA a tour of his collection of Mexican fine and folk art Aaron's Sculpture (left) Lance at MexicArte (above)
Hostess Nilda de la Llata and Sandie Huston	Susan White Vigliano and Susan Toomey Frost enjoyed talking with Francisco Kochen Berenstain, of Mexico City, who attended the Lance Aaron opening for ARTES DE MEXICO magazine.
At Nilda's house where AFFA and Los Amigos del Arte Popular (LADAP) members had a delicious Mexican lunch and got to know each other.

Saturday, February 24 8 am-5 pm Peckerwood Garden & Mexican Folk Art Gallery
Hempstead, Texas

This outstanding repository of rare plants & unique folk art from Mexico and the U.S. exists to encourage people to rebuild the common heritage that lies in our shared ecological & cultural experiences. You can read about John Fairey's 30-year effort and see gorgeous images of the garden at www.peckerwoodgarden.com but his folk art collection is rarely open to the public & there are no images on the web, so this opportunity to see it with AFFA was very special. We thoroughly enjoyed the gallery and the gardens, the chance to shop for plants at adjacent Yucca Do Nursery, and the delicious lunch at The Secret Garden Tea Room.

	Camelias and palm (left) Shirley Weiler enjoys fine wine at the pit stop on the way back from Hempstead. (above)
	Andrea Prestridge's purchase (the table) comes in handy at the pit stop. (above, left) Nancy Townsend strolls the gardens (above, right) Dagmar Grieder and Anna Prothro stroll along the creek. (left) Quiet corner by the fountain (above)

19 Years of AFFA Programs

2006

Sleeping Dog Studio tour. Carpool trip to San Marcos to tour the studio and hand-built home of Billy Ray and Beverly Mangham. Billy Ray makes raku sculptures and Beverly is a found-object artist. Their sense of fun was evident everywhere!

Annual membership party. Between dances to the music of Rumbullion, people plowed through lots of chocolate desserts, learned about the 7th St. Obelisco Project and met some of the local artists who received AFFA grants this year. Hosted by Vicky and Bob Bergin.

“Retratos: 2000 Years of Latin American Portraits.” First Marion Oettinger, curator, gave a slide presentation at U.T. about the creation of this fascinating exhibit, then AFFA members carpooled to San Antonio Museum of Art for a docent-guided tour. The 2000 years covered everything from Mochi portrait pots to Colonial saints, from Frida Kahlo to contemporary interactive works.

Art of the Pot Tour & Sale. Annual Mother’s Day weekend event organized by local potters who invite others from around the country. This year 16 artists participated through 5 different studios. Before the event, AFFA was invited to a slide lecture at St. Stephens for a first look at the artists’ works. We later met at the home of Terry Tannert for snacks and maps, then carpooled to participating studios, including that of AFFA member Marian (Bunny) Haigh.

"Tears From the Crown of Thorns." Austin resident and photographer Charlotte Bell presented a slideshow of images from her bilingual book. Bell’s poignant photographs and considerable research into the life and work of santero families combine to document rich local traditions of San Miguel de Allende.

“Essence of Mexico 1991-2002.” Exhibit, slide show and talk by photographer, social anthropologist and captivating storyteller, George O. Jackson, Jr., whose photographs stunningly document over 300 indigenous festivals—many largely unknown to outsiders. At U.T.’s Benson Library.

“Insider View of San Miguel de Allende.” Susan White and Charlotte Bell conceived and ran this July 25-Aug. 2 trip for AFFA members. It included visits to the hooked rug project in San Agustín González, the ancient mining town of Los Pozos, Gorgy Gónzalez’ majolica shop in Guanajuato, and artists, homes and shopping in San Miguel.

Movie Night: The Story of the Weeping Camel. Film about a family of herders in Mongolia's Gobi region who face a crisis when the mother camel rejects her newborn calf after a difficult birth. The big screen TV of Vicky Bergin’s gracious neighbors opened a large window into a different way of life.

David Linares at Mexic-Arte. We visited with David Linares of the famous Mexican family of papier maché artists, joined in painting skeleton figures for the Day of the Dead Celebration, and viewed altars that were created for the museum.

Day of the Dead party. We created an altar, shared a meal, danced to a DJ on Vicky & Bob Bergin’s deck, and told stories about the people we memorialized on the altar.

Demetrio Aguilar demo. Terry Hennessey of The Turquoise Door brought this outstanding potter from Oaxaca, and AFFA enjoyed watching him at the home of Terry Tannert as he created a clay sculpture of a mother and child.

A Festival of Lights party. Held at the home of Patricia McMillan, this annual celebration took a new approach. Food featured holiday dishes from India, France and Mexico. The new band (Don Leady & Alamo Suite) didn’t show, so the 97 people who attended enjoyed talking with each other. The live auctioneer was a hit. At year’s end the whole event had netted a record $3,130, plus $310 in pending income.

2005

Annual holiday party at Mary and Larry Craddock’s home with good food, music by the Bells of Joy, and a silent auction.

Andy Goldsworthy Exhibit at Austin Museum of Art, docent-guided tour of the work of British sculptor

Annual membership party with food, prizes, and the music of Catavento in Dagmar and Terry Grieder’s wonderful new home.

Easter egg painting

A driving trip to Santa Fe for a long weekend. Martha Egan of Pachamama spoke about her book, Clearing Customs, and Mr. and Mrs. David Mathers hosted a cocktail party and showed their folk art collection—and their wine cellar, which is in a centuries old portion of their house. Plus the regular Santa Fe activities!

Jennifer Myers’ central Austin garden, which has been featured in articles and books—a couple of inspiring and relaxing hours.

Talk by Andrew Small about his collection of Tonka art from Nepal. Joan Griffith served dinner and drinks at Wild Wood Art Cafe.

Demetrio Aguilar created stunning clay figures before our eyes while telling folk tales like how the marigold got its smell. Sponsored by Terry Hennessey of Turquoise Door and hosted –-potluck-- by Priscilla Murr.

Arnold Lopez video about his trips to India

“Celebrity Politics: W. Lee (Pappy) O’Daniel and the Power of Radio Entertainment,” talk by historian, Patrick Hughes who also performed songs from that time in Texas history.

Beading with Barb Jackson. Members got instruction in making bracelets or necklaces, some of which were auctioned at the holiday party.

“What Is This Thing?” A Folk Art Road Show! Experts—Nancy Fullerton of the San Antonio Museum of Art, Hank Lee of San Antonio, Mary Ann Walborg of Interweavers, Terry Hennessey of Turquoise Door, Marcia Lucas of El Interior, Donna Endres of Istanbul to Samarkand, Terry Grieder and Juan Isart—identified folk art items members and the public brought in.

Day of the Dead celebration. Altar-building, tamales, a talk by Susan Frost about the history of the San Jose pottery and tile tradition and an update on work underway to install tiles on the San Antonio River Walk.

Day trip to Smithville. Mary Ann Walborg spoke at Interweavers about MaXimon, an important Guatemalan religious folk figure. Lunch followed, then a “tourist train” tour of Smithville’s historic homes.

“Hooked on Rugs: the women of Agustin Gonzalez and their hooked rug project.” This North American craft became a profitable enterprise for 21 women in a village near San Miguel de Allende. Susan White has been helping the women market their rugs since 2000, and this event sold more than any other. The rugs are charming and 100% of the purchase price went directly to the women in Mexico.

Demetrio Aguilar returned, this time to the home of Anna and Bill Prothro, where he fashioned clay figures and talked about folk lore and history, his sources of inspiration and his methods.

2004

Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas, at Houston Museum of Natural Science, followed by a visit to the home of folk art collectors Judy Klugle and Jim Saunders. A bus trip.

Annual membership meeting

Carpool to San Antonio Museum of Art, first stop of the international tour of the exhibition of Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.’s collection of Mexican art, plus a Marion Oettinger-guided view of “Semana Santa: the Art of the Passion of Christ”

Austin neighborhood mosaic murals: tour and talk by artist Jean Graham

Lecture on Mexican curanderos by Carlos Hernandez Calderoni

Movie night, "Life Lessons," with discussion led by Dr. Bill Tullis on the role of psychological and emotional conflict in artistic creativity

Movie night, "Children of Heaven," about Iranian life and culture

Mexican calendars—private showing at Mexic-Arte Museum: themes of nationalism, historical events, heroes and the Golden Era of Film

Carola Pfau on Japanese kimonos

What Is That Thing? A Folk Art Road Show! A panel of experts in pre-Columbian, African and Oceanic art, textiles, ceramics, santos, retablos and other types of folk art identified and evaluated members’ pieces.

Day of the Dead with Sharon Smith slide show. We viewed slides of her altars and built one of our own.

Tour through Mexico's Copper Canyon

Annual holiday party (formerly the Christmas party)

David Linares papier mache demonstration. The third generation of the famous Mexican art family

2003

Joan Griffith on Oaxacan wood carvings, and supper at Wildwood Cafe

“Talavera Tile: Alma de Barro/Soul of the Clay,” a talk by collector Susan Toomey Frost

Annual Valentine membership party

Austin artist Candy Becker's studio and folk art collection

The Lion of Kabul with sculptor and architect Bob Coffee

Dig with Llano Archeological Uplift Society at sites of 1,000-year-old Indian camps

Huichol yarn "painting" demo by Casimiro de la Cruz Lopez

Movie night, "Black Orpheus"

Movie night, "Pow Wow Highway"

Gloria Giffords on retablos, presentation by the author of "Mexican Folk Retablos: Masterpieces on Tin"

Gloria Giffords on the religious structures of Northern New Spain, AFFA hosted San Antonio Friends of Latin American Folk Art

Postcards from Afar: a gallery talk, by Dr. Jean Andrews, on clothing and folk art along the Silk Road

Life in ancient Egypt, Linda Robinson, Ph.D. in Egyptian archeology and murder mystery writer

Day of the Dead altar-making, hosting members of the Mexican Folk Art Society of Houston and California's Los Amigos de Arte Popular, followed by Mexic-Arte's annual Day of the Dead parade

Images in Central Texas Graveyards, an illustrated lecture by Marian High on customs and traditions associated with cemeteries of Mexicans, Germans and other cultures in Texas

Christmas party

2002

Master Folk Potter Dolores Porras of Atzompa, Mexico, demonstration sponsored by Marsha Lucas of El Interior.

"Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art,” trip to the Dallas Museum of Art

Valentine annual membership meeting

Easter egg decorating party

Trip to the San Antonio Museum of Art for exhibit and lecture by Dr. Marion Oettinger on the Museum's newly acquired pre-Columbian collection

Trip to Castroville to visit old French and German homes and the St. Louis Catholic Church

Visit to the Lebanese Maronite Catholic Church

Treasures of the Cathedral of Saltillo at Mexic-Arte with art historian Clara Bargellini

"From Mother to Daughter: Passing on the Art of New Mexican Retablo Making" with Cecilia and Carla Romero

Trip to the San Antonio Museum of Art for "Maestros de Plata," an exhibit and lecture on William Spratling and the Mexican silver renaissance, combined with Day of the Dead traditions at the San Fernando Cemetery and an altar exhibit at the Mercado

Reception for AFFA members at Mexic-Arte Museum

Christmas party

2001

"Mosaic Mastery," the Southwest Indian art of Santa Fe artist Angie Reano Owen, at the Turquoise Door

Valentine party (annual membership meeting)

The Works of Oaxacan Artist Josefina Aguilar, exhibit and lecture by Terry Hennessey

Easter egg decorating party

Tour of San Antonio's Spanish missions with Alfredo Rodriquez

Movie documentary on Genghus Blues, Tuvan throat-singing

Trip to the G.J Ranch (a restored working ranch) and to Texas Specialty Cut Flowers flower farm near Blanco

Visit to Doug Rhodenbaugh’s private collection of international art

Visit to the private collection of Mehta Butler Hunt, a collection of art from throughout the world

Visit to the private collection of Robert Hollingsworth, pre-Columbian, African, Oceanic and Mexican folk art

Oaxacan wood carver Epifiano Fuentes, exhibit and demonstration at El Interior

Pre-Columbian Globalism, a presentation by Dr. Terry Grieder

Christmas party

2000

Tour of the painted churches of Schulenburg

Valentine party (annual membership meeting)

Visit to private collection of folk art from Africa, the Caribbean, South America and Afro-American artists, home of Rudy Green and Joyce Christian

Film night, "Under the Volcano"

Paper villages of Don Juanito, private collection of Guatemalan miniature villages, home of Mary Ann Walborg

Introduction to Bosnia, Bosnian refugee families exhibiting hand crafts

Gary Plank's private collection of Mexican masks

Casa Neverlandia, the home of architect and artist James Talbot, mosaics and other art media

Sharon Smith home altar exhibit and demonstration

Tour of Homestead Heritage Learning Center for Crafts and Skills at Elm Mott

Gourd artist Laura Cano exhibit and demonstration

Living in Ajijic, Mexico, Teresa Hendrick lecture and slide show

Oaxacan ceramist Josefina Aguilar demonstration

Oaxacan wood carver Epifiano Fuentes exhibit and demonstration

Christmas party

1999

Tobey studio and saddlery work, a field trip to Mason

Mexican costume exhibit at Mexic-Arte

Valentine members party

Archeological excavation in Llano County, an active dig

Visit to the private collection of Dr. Jean Andrews

Garden fiesta and book signing party with Lucinda Hutson, author of "The Herb Garden Cookbook"

Demonstration of capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian art form by Grupo Capoeira

"The Virgin of Guadalupe: From Spain to the Americas and Back,” Dr. Marion Oettinger lecture and slide show

Lecture on retablos by Martha Egan

Papier mache mask-making demonstration by Stacy Newport

Mexican haciendas, lecture and slide show by Joe P. Carr and Karen Witynski

Trip to Oaxaca, Mexico for Day of the Dead

Christmas party

1998

Tour of Barsana Dham, a Hindu temple

Byzantine Paintings of the Russian Tradition with Vladislav Andrejev

Field trip to Smithville for furniture-makers, weavers and wrought iron artists

Faux finishing techniques, lecture and demonstration at the Pat Brown studio

Valentine members party

A day in Blanco with visits to pottery studios and demonstrations of chain saw sculpture

Demonstration of papel picado art

Tour of the newly opened Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art at the San Antonio Museum of Art

"Recycled, Reseen,” lecture and exhibit by Dr. Suzanne Seriff

Christmas party

1997

"Mexican Toys and Miniatures,” Dr. Suzanne Seriff lecture

Field trip to archeological sites in Kingsland

Lecture by Dr. Marion Oettinger on pre-Columbian art at the San Antonio Museum of Art

Annual Valentine members party

Visit to the Texas Archeological Reserve Laboratory

Syria and Bedouin textiles, lecture by Dagmar Grieder

Folk art trip to Guadalajara and Ajijic, Mexico

"The Peoples of the Amazon Region,” lecture and slide show by Dr. Gibbs Milliken

Romanian folk art, private home showing with Dr. Bennett Sewell

"Spanish Folk Art and Its Transformation in the Americas,” lecture by Dr. Marion Oettinger at the San Antonio Museum of Art

10th Anniversary celebration

"The Art of Feng Shui,” lecture by designer Michael Kelly

Self-taught Texas Artists exhibit at the Huntington Art Gallery with curator Lynn Adele

Mask-making workshop with artist Sharon Smith and Priscilla Murr

"Images of Death in Mexican Art," lecture by Dr. Marion Oettinger, at the home of Pat Tyler

Wood sculptor Alfredo Rodriquez lecture on santos and demonstration

"Heroes and Villains," Abby Levine demonstration of wood-burning art

Day of the Dead celebration

Christmas party

1996

Wendish Easter eggs, lecture and slide show on wax batik decoration

Trip to the San Antonio Museum of Art for an exhibit, "Tesoros Nuevos: Recent Acquisitions of Latin American Art," and lecture by Dr. Marion Oettinger

Charles Moore: architectural visit to an Austin home designed by Charles Moore, then a visit to the Charles Moore house and art collection

Rock art trip to the Pecos region, the White Shaman

Annual Valentine members party

The Cult of St. Ursula, lecture by Dr. Joan Holladay, associate professor of art history at U.T.

Metal sculptor Bill Worrell, studio visit in Mason

Portuguese folk art traditions, lecture by Juan Isart

A day in the country, visiting sculptor Jim Huntington in Coupland, ceramic mask artist Letitia Eldredge and bronze and stoneware sculptor Ishmael Soto

Outsider folk art exhibit, at Yard Dog

Field trip to Matagorda Bay and Port LaVaca for the excavation of explorer La Salle's ship "LaBelle" and the museum

"From Gaudi to Tapies: Catalan Masters of the 20th Century,” field trip to the San Antonio Museum of Art

Visit Ann McEldowney’s home and folk art collection

Slide show on outdoor murals, Dr. Ricardo Romo

Day of the Dead celebration

Christmas party

1995

Garden party at the home of author Lucinda Hutson, author of "Tequila! Cooking with the Spirit of Mexico"

Lecture by Juan Isart on Latin American traditions at the annual Valentine members party

Trip to the San Antonio Museum of Art for a lecture by Dr. Marion Oettinger on "San Antonio Collects Folk Art," an exhibit of private collections

Trip to Santa Fe and Chimayo for visits to private collections and a lecture on penitentes by Martha Weigle, professor of anthropology at the University of New Mexico

Trip to Schulenburg for the town's painted churches

"Mexico: A Land Revisited," a Smithsonian Institution exhibit at Laguna Gloria

Victorian whimseys: exhibit and lecture

Day of the Dead skeleton prints of Jose Guadalupe Posada, Dr. Suzanne Seriff lecture

Music and dances of Bolivia

Trip to Ft. Davis for rock art and private art collections

West African masks: exhibit of a private collection

Trip to the San Antonio Museum of Art and a lecture by Dr. Marion Oettinger on "Gloria in Excelsis Deo: Mexican Colonial Paintings"

Day of the Dead celebration

Christmas party

1994

"The Virgin of Guadalupe," Dr. Marion Oettinger lecture, co-sponsored with Laguna Gloria

Trip to San Antonio for an exhibit of Texas folk art at the Witte Museum, a program at the San Antonio Museum of Art by Dr. Marion Oettinger on "The Household Saints of Puerto Rico," and a visit to the Southwest Crafts Museum

Lecture on Nahuatl culture, by Maria Anzures-Malintzin, a Nahuatl Indian, co-sponsored with Mexic-Arte

Slide show on "Life in Tibet" with Tibetan dancers and examples of Tibetan crafts

Visit to the home of Ann Bahan for her private collection of santos and retablos, with a lecture by Juan Isart on retablos

Lecture on the art of Brazil, by Ann Hartness, librarian of the University of Texas Latin American Collection

Rock art field trip to Gallup and Springerville, Arizona, with a side trip to a Zuni pueblo

The Barnes Collection of Impressionist Art, Megan Granda lecture

Field trip to Fort Worth for an exhibit of the Barnes collection, followed by visits to two private homes for collections of American Indian and pre-Columbian art

Navajo weavings, Jackson Clark lecture