If your love for mom knows no bounds, give her a gift that matches: the wide open spaces of the West. Let mom get away from it all and head West whenever she’d like with a membership to the Briscoe Western Art Museum. Mother’s Day didn’t become an official observance until 1914, but without a hardworking mom, the West as we know it might not have been discovered. Lewis and Clark’s guide Sacagawea began her journey West while pregnant, then gave birth and carried her baby with her through the exploration. The clay design sculpted for the Sacagawea dollar by late artist Glenna Goodacre is featured in the Briscoe’s Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers: Women of the West Gallery.
To honor mothers and all they do, the Briscoe is offering Mother’s Day membership specials that include a year-long membership to the museum, as well as gifts for mom to enjoy. The membership specials may be ordered online, with contactless curbside gift pickup from the Briscoe’s Museum Store in time for Mother’s Day. Package options include:
* “Lone Ranger”: Allow mom to escape to the museum on her own with an individual membership, along with a branded tote bag and Votivo travel candle from the Briscoe’s Museum Store, $65.
* “The Whole Posse”: Family membership includes museum admission for two adults and all children/grandchildren under 18, as well as a branded tote bag and a Votivo full-sized candle, $95.
* “Roam on the Range”: A museum supporter membership that features expanded membership benefits including admission reciprocity at member museums across the country, as well as a tote bag, a Votivo full-sized candle, and a stationary set, $140.
All membership options include unlimited admission to the Briscoe and its events, as well as invitations to private members-only events. Full membership benefits are detailed online. Memberships are instrumental support that help the Briscoe continue to share the art, history and culture of the American West and are tax deductible.
Bringing the West to Life
Sharing the spirit and beauty of the West through art and artifacts, the Briscoe brings the vibrant history and stories of the West to life. If mom has young buckaroos along for the ride, the museum features children’s activities, story times and displays to educate and entertain any age. For moms whose cowpokes have grown up and hit the trail, the museum’s monthly gallery talks, book club, exclusive member events and fantastic museum shop provide art, culture, history and entertainment year-round.
Honoring Women Every Day
The Briscoe spotlights the talent, skill and nuanced storytelling of Western women through the Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers: Women of the West Gallery, highlighting works that feature Western women and those created by women artists. The gallery includes both a mixture of art about women and by women artists. The diverse stories represented include Native American women from diverse cultures, working the land, as well as Hispanic women promoting the culture and legacy of Mexico; immigrant women looking for new and better opportunities; freed women forming colonies; and women ranchers reclaiming the West.
From Glenna Goodacre’s clay design for the Sacagawea dollar, portraying a woman who helped explore the West, to “Goat’s Head” from one of the most famous Western artists, Georgia O’Keeffe, the gallery weaves a tale of women in the west. “Goat’s Head” is on loan from the McNay Art Museum, where it is part of the McNay permanent collection. It is not usually on display, making its inclusion in the Women of the West gallery a rare opportunity to enjoy the piece.
The gallery’s namesake, the late Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers, was a philanthropist who championed a wide range of efforts to advance equality for women and girls. The Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers gallery is part of the Briscoe’s permanent collection and is included in museum admission.
While the Briscoe is currently closed, it will open again soon following state, city and county reopening guidelines. Museum hours and admission details are available online.
About The Briscoe Western Art Museum: Preserving and presenting the art, history and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is located on the San Antonio River Walk at 210 W. Market Street in the beautifully restored 1930s former San Antonio Public Library building. Named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum includes the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for event rentals and programs, and the outdoor McNutt Sculpture Garden. Follow the Briscoe on social media, @BriscoeMuseum.
