San Marcos Sees New Art Gallery Opening, ‘218 studioworks’

By Holly Ratcliff,

‘218 studioworks’ opened its doors on the evening of March 5. By 7 p.m., the studio was filled with viewers, many still waiting to slip through the packed entrance. A cozy space, this gallery is composed of three rooms. Works of acrylic, oil, photography, various fibers, sintra, 3D printed materials, and video projections lined the gallery’s walls. In the first room, viewers circled around a wood and steel sculpture.

“It’s nice to have a new gallery space,” remarked Jaime Hernandez, one of the participating artists. “I’m just now getting involved with the San Marcos culture.” Hernandez displayed a digital collage on painted wood, marked “untitled.”

The gallery owners, Steven Ness and Kevin Huffaker, intend on providing San Marcos artists with positive opportunities. Their “Student in Residence,” Helen Jade Shedd, is currently a student at Texas State University.

Ness is a graduate of Texas State University. He has practiced photography in Los Angeles, Austin, Asheville (North California), Atlanta, and returned to San Marcos in 2010. He works in several genres, including portrait, fashion, art nudes, product, and food.

Huffaker has been involved in art and sculpture formally for 20+ years and did “most of [his] growing up” in San Marcos. For 10 years, he exhibited regionally in bronze and steel sculpture, and [he] helped to found the Texas Metal Arts Festival in Gruene, Texas, which ran for 4 years. He has also produced movies, most notably Yakona which has won awards and is currently distributed via Sundance Channel, iTunes, Hulu, and Netflix.

When asked what Ness hopes the space will bring to San Marcos, he responded, “[w]e would like to provide a unique gallery space for local and regional artists (both beginning and established), showcasing multiple genres and styles in all mediums. This would include sculpture, painting, photography, performance art, and music. We also want to establish an outlet for students of the university to help establish their art careers and provide them with a local venue while still in school as well as educational seminars by [already] established working artists. When not in use for art shows, our space will be available for community workshops, seminars, meetings, etc. We also offer a photo studio for rent by the hour.”

Ness’ own piece “Hammer of the gods” was also displayed; a well-worn hammer hung by its claw from the gallery’s cement wall. This piece is currently available for $1500.

One work begged for a particular interaction: viewers would place their heads in a raised box sheathed in beige carpet. The box’s interior was lined with mirrors and a single, beaming light bulb. Surrounded by their reflection, participants received a glimpse at their personal reaction to this conceptual piece of art.

218 studioworks is located on 218 North Guadalupe Street. The space is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Appointments may be made through their website:http://www.218studioworks.com/.

composed of three rooms. Works of acrylic, oil, photography, various fibers, sintra, 3D printed materials, and video projections lined the gallery’s walls. In the first room, viewers circled around a wood and steel sculpture.

“It’s nice to have a new gallery space,” remarked Jaime Hernandez, one of the participating artists. “I’m just now getting involved with the San Marcos culture.” Hernandez displayed a digital collage on painted wood, marked “untitled.”

The gallery owners, Steven Ness and Kevin Huffaker, intend on providing San Marcos artists with positive opportunities. Their “Student in Residence,” Helen Jade Shedd, is currently a student at Texas State University.

Ness is a graduate of Texas State University. He has practiced photography in Los Angeles, Austin, Asheville (North California), Atlanta, and returned to San Marcos in 2010. He works in several genres, including portrait, fashion, art nudes, product, and food.

Huffaker has been involved in art and sculpture formally for 20+ years and did “most of [his] growing up” in San Marcos. For 10 years, he exhibited regionally in bronze and steel sculpture, and [he] helped to found the Texas Metal Arts Festival in Gruene, Texas, which ran for 4 years. He has also produced movies, most notably Yakona which has won awards and is currently distributed via Sundance Channel, iTunes, Hulu, and Netflix.

When asked what Ness hopes the space will bring to San Marcos, he responded, “[w]e would like to provide a unique gallery space for local and regional artists (both beginning and established), showcasing multiple genres and styles in all mediums. This would include sculpture, painting, photography, performance art, and music. We also want to establish an outlet for students of the university to help establish their art careers and provide them with a local venue while still in school as well as educational seminars by [already] established working artists. When not in use for art shows, our space will be available for community workshops, seminars, meetings, etc. We also offer a photo studio for rent by the hour.”

Ness’ own piece “Hammer of the gods” was also displayed; a well-worn hammer hung by its claw from the gallery’s cement wall. This piece is currently available for $1500.

One work begged for a particular interaction: viewers would place their heads in a raised box sheathed in beige carpet. The box’s interior was lined with mirrors and a single, beaming light bulb. Surrounded by their reflection, participants received a glimpse at their personal reaction to this conceptual piece of art.

218 studioworks is located on 218 North Guadalupe Street. The space is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Appointments may be made through their website: http://www.218studioworks.com/.