Bihl Haus Arts Creates Community
Bihl Haus Arts Creates Community Through the Arts by Offering Free Art Classes, Exhibitions and the Annual Fredericksburg Road Studio Tour
By Rudy Arispe
Bihl Haus Arts was established by founder Kellen McIntyre on a simple idea – to create community through the arts. “To make that happen, we engaged our neighbors – resident artists, community activists, business owners and city representatives – in multiple round-table discussions over summer 2005. They wanted a local gathering place, a gallery that featured artists who lived in the area.”
Soon after, the Bihl Haus gallery opened in the historic Bihl house building on the property of the Sorrento senior apartments on Fredericksburg Road. Sorrento residents started attending events, McIntyre explained, and soon many volunteered their time to the gallery. From their input came the GO! Arts program for older adults, which now serves about 450 individuals each year in senior centers and communities in all 10 City Council districts. Classes are taught by professional artists and art educators, and all art supplies are provided.
“The classes are delivered in a social setting, so that the ability to socialize with peers is an important factor in their well-being, and the more connected we are to others we extend our lives,” Executive Director Nicholas Gonzales said. “The program prevents isolation and gives them an activity in which they can create, and creativity is vital to developing a sense of confidence and empowerment.”
Gonzales added that when they realized that 10-15% of their participants or their spouses are veterans, Bihl Haus envisioned an opportunity to serve a new population through what would become the Forward, Arts! program for veterans with PTSD, MST and depression. It currently serves about 45 individuals each week. Recently, Bihl Haus introduced a new art program, Onward Arts! for individuals dealing with mental health issues.
McIntyre was also instrumental in the creation in 2007 of the annual On and Off Fredericksburg Road Studio Tour. McIntyre and other Bihl Haus Arts members invited area artists to discuss what they envisioned for the nonprofit arts organization. One idea was to develop a studio tour since many artists were already living in the area. Thus, “Fred” was born with the first studio tour that included 25 artists.
The On and Off Fredericksburg Road Studio Tour is a two-day, self-guided tour of the homes, studios and galleries of more than 60 participating artists, including painters, sculptors, photographers and metal smiths. “The tour provides an opportunity for the public to meet the artists, see how they live and work, and to purchase art directly from them,” Gonzales said.
Artists featured in “On & Off Fred” live and/or work in surrounding Fredericksburg Road communities, including Alta Vista, Beacon Hill, Los Angeles Heights, Jefferson, Keystone, Monticello Park, Woodlawn Lake, and Edison.
“I think our greatest accomplishment is keeping true to our mission: creating community through the arts,” Gonzales said. “What began with the roundtable discussions and exhibitions of the works of neighborhood artists has expanded to include the On and Off Fredericksburg Road Studio Tour and all of our arts programs. I believe we are having an impact on promoting the arts throughout San Antonio and honoring the legacy of our founder, Kellen McIntyre.”
For more information or about registration for arts classes, visit www.bihlhausarts.org or call (210) 339-8982.
