San Antonio Art League & Museum

The San Antonio Art League & Museum was organized in March 13, 1912. Representing several art groups, the founders sought to achieve a three-fold goal; to provide artists with a place to exhibit their works, to acquire paintings for the public's enjoyment, and to found an art school. In 1926, the Art League began what was to become a 45 year alliance with the Witte Museum, sharing space. A dream was realized in 1927 when the Museum of Art school was born.

During 1927, 1928, and 1929 the San Antonio Art League conducted the Texas Wildflowers Competitive Exhibitions. These competitions were made possible through the generosity of Edgar B. Davis. The Davis Competitions, as they became popularly known, proved to be among the most significant cultural events in Texas during those formative years of the twentieth century.

The Art League experienced encouraging progress until World War II. In early 1942, the school closed for "the duration". Mrs. Marion Koogler McNay, a wealthy arts patron, and graduate of the Chicago Art Institute, assessed the situation. Thanks to her generosity, the Art League continued classes in a spacious aviary on the McNay Estate. Then, circumstances forced another move, this time to the Belgian Pavilion at HemisFair Plaza. After a brief stay, the Art League moved again to the Koehler Cultural Center. The Otto Koehler's had given their mansion to San Antonio Community College, and Mrs. Koehler requested that they allow the San Antonio Art League to office there.

Needs grew, times changed, and the Art League once again needed a home. More security and proper temperature control were prime requisites. The ideal opportunity arose in the King William Historic District, one of San Antonio's most notably distinguished areas. Within this highly restricted And historical environment home is, at last, a permanent place.

King William Historic District

What is now the King William Historic District was once farm land for the people attached to San Antonio's most famous mission, the Alamo. It's evolution involved the city's Spanish Governor, Indians, and other settlers. It is said that King William Street derived its name in honor of the Prussian ruler, Wilhelm I.

The area is a tapestry of influences: Native, European, Greek Revival, Victorian, Neoclassical and, simply, the times -1860's, 1920's and even later. The architecture reflects the eclectic personality.

130 King William originally served as a carriage house for a doctor's home. In 1926, it was converted into a duplex. The property remained the family home until 1949. Then, times gave way to degeneration, marked by empty aging mansions and absentee owners. 130 King William was sold, and remodeled for use as a chiropractic office. In 1970, caring people gained possession and transformed it in a style respectful of its true value. The King William area experienced a renaissance and now enjoys the status of an Historic District.

Mission Statement

The mission of the San Antonio Art League is to maintain an art museum in order to preserve and exhibit our collection of local and regional art, and to promote art by means of exhibitions, lectures, and other related activities.

The San Antonio Art League & Museum Future

The San Antonio Art League and Museum looks forward to attracting new artists and greater public awareness and participation. To help artists and the public bridge the gap to challenges of the new millennium, the museum is devoting its energies to finding new ways of familiarizing children, students, and adults with the diversified riches of the local cultural heritage.

With the aid of corporate and private sponsorship the museum should be able to realize the following goals within this century.