If you are looking for a creative place to spend an afternoon in San Antonio, investigate the Marion Koogler McNay Museum. The McNay Art Museum was long-known as a small but well-funded art museum, housed in the old house of its patroness, Marion Koogler. The McNay recently underwent a facelift and major expansion, and now offers San Antonio audiences more than 14,000 square feet of additional gallery space in the Stieren Center for Exhibitions wing of the museum. The McNay offers lovely gardens and outdoor sculptures, including fountains and a Japanese koi pond, as you drive past its gates. Many local residents choose this spot for beautiful but informal outdoor portraits for weddings and quinceaneras, or just picnic out on the grassy lawn. Inside the McNay, visitors have access to Matisses and Picassos that are part of the permanent collection, as well as a substantial collection of Medieval and Renaissance artwork. Recent traveling exhibitions have included the Art of Edward Gorey, sets from the Tim Burton film The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Andy Warhol-inspired Pop Art exhibits. Upcoming exhibitions focus on Impressionist painting and prints, which has long been a collecting interest for the McNay. Tickets cost $8 per adult, with free admission for children 12 and under. The museum is closed on Mondays, and open 10am-4pm most of the rest of the week. On Thursday evenings, however, the McNay stays open until 9pm, and general admission is free. Instead of opening up the phonebook, click on over to globalYP.net, online yellow pages.
