Editor’s note: “Tía Chuck: A Portrait of Chuck Ramirez” is the feature length directorial debut by San Antonio filmmakers Angela and Mark Walley that chronicles the life and work of the late artist Chuck Ramirez. Gene Elder: Thanks for your great film about Chuck. And have a seat on the green sofa. I know that…
Commentary: Is the Rainbow Crosswalk Worth the $30,000 Price Tag?
Can we talk about the rainbow crosswalk now, please, and the $30,000 raised to paint it? I know with all my heart how joyous it was for those young, pride-inspired community minded artists who did all that work to get permission to brighten up our day with a rainbow. And the Express-News was all supportive…
Commentary: Wedding Cake Debate Will Create a Backlash
This commentary was originally published in the San Antonio Express-News. It is reprinted here with the permission of the author. “To cake! or not to cake!” that is the question. The judges’ decision is final. And the winner is? Who knew that cake decorating could be so confrontational? And, as I like to say from…
On the Chartreuse Couch: Gene Elder Interviews Frates Seeligson, Director of Confluence Park
San Antonio’s Confluence Park opened on March 3. In this edition of the Chartreuse Couch series, Gene Elder interviews environmentalist Frates Seeligson, the director of Confluence Park. Gene: Frates, welcome, sit on the Chartreuse and feel the love. You are heading up a terrific San Antonio River improvement called Confluence Park and we want to…
On the Chartreuse Couch: Gene Elder Interviews Andrew McPhaul
Gene: So Andy, so nice to have you visit the Chartreuse Couch. You have been in San Antonio since the early ’70s. What brought you here? Andy: My first visit happened in 1970. I came to visit a friend who lived at 323 East Park Avenue, in a duplex in the back of the property.…
On the Chartreuse Couch: Gene Elder Interviews Nancy Russell
Gene: Nancy, so nice to have you here on the Chartreuse. There is certainly a lot of military history we want to talk about. But of most importance to us is your project to have a gay monument installed in Washington, D.C. Tell us about that. Nancy: Thanks for having me. I have looked forward…
On the Chartreuse Couch: Gene Elder Interviews Ansen Seale
Gene: Hi Ansen! Nice to have you back to the Chartreuse Couch. I know you have been doing some really exciting projects since we last spoke. And all our listeners want the inside insight to your projects. Let’s start with money. You have a great light show at Frost Bank. Start there. Ansen: Hi Gene.…
On the Chartreuse Couch: Gene Elder Interviews Tony Villejo
Gene: Hi Tony! Welcome to the Chartreuse Couch. Tony: Hi Gene, thanks for the interview. Gene: Well, we have been friends since you were one of the first artists to have a studio at Blue Star. It was quite a dump then. Why don’t you recall that experience for us. Tony: Well Gene, 1986 at…
Political Art Month on the Chartreuse Couch
Ask your doctor if political art is right for you. May cause hindsight, nausea, projectile vomiting, heart palpitations, sweaty palms, bowel irregularity, dry mouth, high blood pressure, blurred vision, violent laughter, and other uncontrollable irritations. But relax it is only art. With your host, Gene Elder It is impossible to ignore politics, especially now, and it will be…
On the Chartreuse Couch: Gene Elder Interviews Ken Slavin
Gene: Ken, here you are at last. On the couch where you belong. Now, I want you to just lie down and make yourself comfortable and just say the first thing that comes to mind. What do you think of when I say, “Artists giving their art to fundraisers and musicians playing for free at…