As part of their educational outreach program, coordinated by Roland Mazuca, Blue Star Contemporary Art presents a series of exhibits and workshops at the Julia Yates Semmes Branch Library, which anchors the Southeast corner of Comanche Park at the intersection of Judson and Nacogdoches. The Semmes Library -a very pleasing, dramatic, airy structure designed by the San Antonio firm Rehler, Vaughn and Koone- is hosting the exhibit Journey Into Civilizations a collection of photographs made by artist/psychologist Patrice Villastrigo during her travels. As an extension of the exhibit Patrice conducted an image appreciation/interpretation workshop, Finding The Beauty Within From Without, with library visitors. Also involved in the workshop was famed San Antonio icon, our good friend and artist, Alex Rubio.

Julia Yates Semmes Branch Library. Main entrance. “Using Comanche Tower as a focal point, the Library’s reading areas are oriented to take advantage of views into the park. The site orientation also takes into account the solar path, capturing indirect natural light while minimizing the amount of direct sunlight. Rainwater is collected in this environmentally friendly building and piped into water cisterns to be used to help meet irrigation demands on the site.”

Featured artist, Patrice Villastrigo with one of her images.

Partial view of the photography display.

Another partial view of the display of images by Patrice Villastrigo.

Patrice Villastrigo conducting her workshop.

Artist Alex Rubio, in full compliance with regulation San Anto garb codes (shades included), conducting his segment of the workshop.

Little Daisy, outside looking in. Budding photographer, maybe?

Roland Mazuca working it. Preparing for the reception in the library’s patio/garden.

We have tallied our David Rubin and Nancy Fullerton sightings over the month, and are pleased to announce that, as of this post, Nancy Fullerton has a two point lead over David Rubin, in the number of FOTOSEPTIEMBRE USA 2008 exhibit openings attended. Here she celebrates her record pace with Roland Mazuca and Patrice Villastrigo.

Semmes Library patio/garden/reception area. Sculpture by George Schroeder. Access to the Comanche Park trails is at left.