Luminaria - Illuminated Wonderland Luminaria is not your typical “art festival” meandering through art on canvas, or folk art tables and acoustic music. It is innovative, contemporary, multi-media, “light inspired art meets music.” Being outdoors, it takes advantage of the ambience of the night’s darkness, light and shadows. This is the fourth year for Luminaria and it has always been the first weekend of spring break in March, taking advantage of the spectacular weather at this time of year. The "footprint" has changed each year out of necessity.
This is my fourth year working as a volunteer behind the scenes. I think this year was a huge improvement over last year, but the 1st year was my favorite, not necessarily, because the art was better, but because like the magic of a first love, the first year was an all-new experience. While well attended, it was not crowded, because few knew about it, so, there was a more intimate feel of a smaller arts festival.
This year, the art was just as spectacular. I read in a review of this year’s event, that it was “King William on steroids,” but to me, it was more like the 1st year of Luminaria on steroids. Many new surprises, engaged visitors, like the 3D video, musical projection on the side of Magik Theatre and the glowing lantern lift off finale. It fulfilled the artistic vision of “a child of Hemisfair ‘68, a glimpse of light, as it intersects and interacts with art in San Antonio.” For some it brought back that moment in time, by “reimagining HemisFair as a canvas for enlightened, innovative, and interactive contemporary artwork from all artistic disciplines.”luminariasa.org/artistic_vision
The food was awesome, (the 1st year, did not have any food). Two of our Fund Board members, Paul Greer and Kathy Swanson, went out and recruited some of the new Mobile food vendors from the mobile vending park: “The Boardwalk on Bulverde”, along with a few upscale restauranteers, a few specialty shops, and a few caterers, for a unique eclectic blend of food for a festival in San Antonio.
Kathy LeMaster
thefund.office@sbcglobal.net
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My experience at Luminaria this year was very fulfilling. I really enjoyed seeing the faces of many different types of people coming together to celebrate the arts. I even saw one couple who just got married and were walking through Luminaria together straight out of the chapel. The dancers were beautiful, the music was great, the art was captivating, and the people were unforgettable. It was a great night.
-Viviana
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The only time the atmosphere of Luminaria took the backseat of my attention was when I would walk by a stage with performance art. These artists should all be held in great regard for their skillful productions. The performers won first place in my heart, this year. If anyone saw Ballet SA’s performance at the Valero Stage, I am sure you would agree.
Did I mention the food?!? Granted, I have been looking at the vendors’ menus for the past month in theFund office, salivating over the things I would taste and my delectable dreams became reality. I consider food to be an art form, so was very happy to see Food4Luminaria’s first year to be such a success.
I had the pleasure of experiencing Luminaria this year in two different ways. I was the normal art lover attendee for the first few hours, and then for the latter half, a volunteer. I can honestly say that I had an equal amount of fun in both roles. This being my first Luminaria, it was a fulfilling feeling getting to enjoy the whole experience. I had a greater sense of appreciation for the work I was doing, because I knew there were thousands of people enjoying what I had a few hours before, partly because of the work I and the other volunteers were contributing.
-Allison Kantner
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