Artpace San Antonio Celebrates Artist Residency Alumni Sir Isaac Julien

By Lance Avery Morgan            Photography by Abraham Aguillon Orsagh

The Setting: Artpace San Antonio celebrated its Artist Residency alum, Sir Isaac Julien, and Emeritus Board Member, Janet Lennie Flohr, at An Intimate Evening with Sir Isaac Julien. The event included a cocktail reception, dinner in Artpace’s Hudson Showroom, and an after-dinner rooftop lounge featuring music by Carbonlily. The floral designs were created by Statue of Design, and the cuisine was provided by Rosemary’s Catering.

The Style: Guests learned from Honorees Sir Isaac Julien and Janet Lennie Flohr about the essential role Artpace’s International Artist-in-Residency program plays in the local, regional, national, and international contemporary art communities. Since its founding in 1995 by artist and philanthropist Linda Pace (1945-2007), Artpace has hosted 275 artists through its world-renowned residency chosen by 89 of the world’s leading contemporary art curators. Artpace Artist Residency Endowment Chairs Rick Liberto and Patricia Ruiz-Healy encouraged guests to continue to be a part of the organization’s goals.

Sir Isaac Julien, RA (b.1960) is a critically acclaimed British artist and filmmaker. Julien is the recipient of numerous awards, including a coveted Turner Prize nomination in 2001 for his films, one of which he created during his residency at Artpace in 1999. He was made a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2017 and granted a knighthood as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Honours List 2022. His most recent exhibition, What Freedom Is To Me, is a 40-year survey of his work currently on view at the Tate Britain.

The Purpose: Event Chairs AnaPaula and Mark Watson helmed the stellar evening. Artpace San Antonio is a nonprofit residency program which supports Texas, national, and international artists in the creation of new art. The organization is committed to providing the public the opportunity to challenge themselves to expand the bounds of creativity and engagement.