San Angelo Chicken Farm Arts Center Kicks off it's 46th year.
The Chicken Farm Art center kicked off 2017 with the initial First Saturday of the year. The center owned by Roger Allen who also operates the StarKeeper Gallery, is open the first Saturday of every month and features artists, artisans, musicians, dining and more.
January in San Angelo, Texas is usually a moderate 40-50’s but this year a cold front had come through and limited some of the events that are normally held during the monthly event. However, the blustery 30-degree temperature didn’t deter the artisans who display their wares.
Music could be heard drifting out of Allen Stoneware as a group of friends, regulars at first Saturday, sat around playing whatever song someone came up with. Lori Joe Thomas took time to welcome everyone coming into the shop. Her grin was infectious and you instantly felt at ease. It was obvious that this was an ever-changing circle of friends with anyone welcome to come have a seat, enjoy the music and perhaps even join in. This sort of welcoming environment and down home charm describes the Chicken Farm and San Angelo to a T.
You travel through a small area where there are kilns and pottery equipment from Allen’s Stoneware only to enter the StarKeeper Gallery where the eclectic designs of Roger Allen surround you. Some of his wares are obviously for use while others are pure works of art. It’s easy to understand why the Chicken Farm has been here since 1971 with the quality and craftsmanship visible here.
Outside there are more vendors with everything from birdhouses to homemade candles and just across the walkway there are small shops where artists in residence ply their wares. One such studio houses husband and wife Matt and Ashley Crumley. They share a distinct style and again it fits in so well with the diverse environment that is the Chicken Farm Art Center.
Each first Saturday hosts a variety of resident artists and vendors along with the new. Here you find the spirit of San Angelo, Texas and can see where the growing art movement got it’s start.