Troy Wise Art & Photography: Image Amplified

COLOR PHOTO: Urban Light 2

COLOR PHOTO: Urban Light 1

THE DIY FACTORY FASHION SHOW: Paris Ann

One of the highlights of the DIY Factory Fashion Show was the work of Paris Ann. This was only the second time I've seen her fashion on the runway, but what she does left me wanting to see more.

THE SECOND TIME AROUND: DIY Factory 2008

It's hard to throw a successful event in San Antonio, y'all. It might be even harder for a semi-successful one-off to go annual. The city is undoubtedly hungry for contemporary cultural happenings, but let's face it: there's a pretty small pool of resources and talent available.

So I've got to give this team its due: Marc Jacobs, MTV and Vogue might be scaling back on their parties, fundraisers and events, but DIY Factory aimed higher and larger this year. Now if only the rest of San Antonio would have followed along...

The best part of the event clearly belonged to the musicians and vendors. For the most part, the music gave a loud, fun vibe to the hall that's usually used for BINGO. And there was some truly remarkable work to be found. Most of the crafters offered unique, well-designed work. It was fun to browse and shop, even if the room was inexplicably dark in some spots. By the time we arrived, though, there was little enthusiasm to be found. Attendance nor sales met expectations, and it showed.

But the fashion show was unfortunate. Standouts were some excellent designs by Paris Ann, as well as truly nice hair and makeup work by Aveda and the Eden Spa. That a few of the designers incorporated pieces made by participating vendors, was the sort of innovative thinking mostly missing from the runway presentation. Instead we got a lot of sloppy, eccentric and unflattering. 

I'd suggest that next year, the fashion show maybe kick-off the event so that inspired DIY-enthusiasts can actually go and buy pieces shown on the runway. This time around, most vendors had cleared the building before the show even began.

So, starting with the best part of the night, here's the first batch of photos focusing mainly on the vendors. Nice job, guys!

   

PHOTOS: More Behind the Scenes of Tom Pressly Retrospective at Radius in San Antonio

The opening reception for the retrospective of paintings by Tom Pressly is tonight at Radius. And here a couple of more photos of getting the gallery space ready.

COMING SOON: The City at Night Photos

PHOTOS: Stella Haus Art Space, Cactus Bra Space for November's First Thursday Art Night in San Antonio

These photos are from our stops at Stella Haus Art Space and Cactus Bra Space, both at Blue Star Arts Complex.

Showing at Stella Haus are new paintings by Marcy McChesney.

And showing at Cactus Bra Space are drawings by Anne Ferrer. Look for more work by Ferrer at Blue Star in March. Looks to be an amazing show.

Information for the galleries and show spaces we visited last night:

Jump-Start Performance Co. 

210-227-5867

108 Blue Star, San Antonio, TX 78204

Jump-Start Performance Co. website

Joan Grona Gallery

210-225-6334

112 Blue Star, San Antonio, TX 78201

Joan Grona Gallery website

Stella Haus Art Space

106 A Bldg B Blue Star, San Antonio, TX 78204

Stella Haus Art Space website

Cactus Bra Space

106 C Blue Star San Antonio, TX 78204

Cactus Bra Space website

PHOTOS: Joan Grona Gallery, Jump-Start Performance Co. for November's First Thursday Art Night in San Antonio

Frank and I had a great time last night, taking in art of all types. We watched a performance at Jump-Start Performance Co., stopped by Joan Grona Gallery, Stella Haus Art Space, as well as the Cactus Bra Space.

Jump-Start presented STARDIVER, created by Billy Muñoz.

Joan Grona Gallery is featuring work by Julie Shipp, Tom Hollenback and more.

MORE PHOTOS: Miss Alexis Meridians' First Annual Masquerade Ball at Radius

Some additional shots from one fun night: Miss Alexis Meridians' First Annual Masquerade Ball at Radius.

MORE PHOTOS: How Obama's Victory Night Looked From One Spot in San Antonio

Again, I am so glad that I got to be at El Tropicano with so many Obama supporters last night. The celebration was just amazing. It felt like we were all waking up again, somehow. It really is a new day, a new chapter in America.