Hank Lee spends his days surrounded by a collection of
colorful hookers, skeletons, saints, and animals at San Angel Folk Art.
The handmade Mexican art fills Lee’s gallery in the Blue Star Arts Complex
south of downtown San Antonio.
In Mexico, the papier-m�ch� and clay figurines originated as
religious symbols, Lee said. The shelves of his shop are filled with brightly
painted objects stacked to the ceiling. The center of the small room is filled
with the strangest assortment of objects of all sizes. The whole place is an
assault on the senses, from the flurry of colors to the strange shapes and the
chirping of the real parrots.
Lee began the business four years ago as a wholesale company. Most of the
items come from the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Michoacan where Lee works with
15 families. For the families, manufacturing the figures is a family business,
going back generations for some.
“We look for the biggest, funkiest, and wildest things,” Lee said of his
shopping excursions out of Mexico City. He works closely with three families
and gives them a monthly stipend to inspire their creativity.
San Angel Folk Art is one of 11 retail shops in the Blue Star Arts Complex
on the southern edge of the historic King William District at the corner of
South Alamo and Probandt streets. The former Hormel Meat packing plant on the
banks of the San Antonio River has been turned into three rows of galleries,
studios, and offices.
Rotating exhibits of contemporary art can be found at the Blue Star Art Space,
or the Satellite Space operated by the University of Texas at San Antonio
graduate art program. High school students show their art and learn retail
commerce at Say S�.
Regional and international artists show their work at the Rathburn Gallery.
The Cactus Bra Gallery, the studio of artist Leigh Ann Lester, shows other
artists’ work. Milagros Contemporary Art sells traditional Mexican good luck
charms next to the work of contemporary artists. The Blue Star Brewing Company
opened this month.
Most of the galleries and shops in the complex are open Wednesday-Sunday,
noon-6pm. On the first Friday of each month the complex merchants stay open
until 9pm and often sponsor special artist receptions. On the first Saturday of
the month the Bazaar Blue Star fills the complex with an outdoor market
complete with food vendors, entertainment, and a variety of local and guest
artists.
San Angel Folk Art carries a variety of handmade pieces including furniture,
jewelry, and wood carvings. The shop is at 110 Blue Star in the heart of the
complex and opens Wednesday-Sunday, noon-6pm, or by appointment
(210/226-6688).
Coming up this weekend…
July is Contemporary Art Month and the Southwest Craft Center sponsors special
exhibits and activities at the San Antonio Central Library, 600 Soledad, and at
the Hertzberg Circus Museum, 210 W. Market St. 210/224-1848.
July Fourth Pari-Mutual Horse Race Meet heats up the fairgrounds outside of
Fredericksburg, July 6-7. 210/997-2359.
Half-Moon Days in Shiner. The town is known for the Spoetzl Brewery products
and having fun, July 6. 512/594-4180.
Coming up…
Great Texas Balloon Race at Gregg Co. Airport outside of Longview is one of
the premier ballooning events in the country, July 12-14. 903/237-4000.
Free Day at the Dallas Zoo includes special activities and live entertainment,
July 16. 214/670-6842.
This article appears in July 5 • 1996 and July 5 • 1996 (Cover).
