SAN ANGELO, TX — When stopping at the San Angelo Visitors Center, 418 W Avenue B, patrons can now purchase San Angelo swag. A full selection of mugs, sportswear, and items created in San Angelo that were curated by the Destination Marketing Organization staff can be purchased.
The gift shop was closed about five years ago for a revamp of the product line. Things were moving slowly and then the pandemic hit. This year, the staff redoubled its efforts to reimagine the selection of items and relaunched the gift shop Tuesday evening with a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting.
Mayor Brenda Gunter is a strong advocate of relaunching the “San Angelo” branded items at the Center. She said as a restauranteur, she is often asked about where a tourist can get a “San Angelo, Texas” t-shirt or a coffee mug. She said she was excited the store has re-opened.
Chamber CEO Walt Koenig said the Visitors Center will also take a bow to San Angelo being named the Arts Capital of Texas, a designation that puts this fair city in the direct sights of Fredericksburg and Marfa of all places.
In order to promote the arts and celebrate San Angelo’s statewide Art Capital status, the Center will name an artist of the quarter from San Angelo. Alex Freeman or the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts will spearhead naming the quarterly winner and runner-up, according to Alejandro Castanon, a local artist who organized the Art Alliance of San Angelo.
The inaugural Artist of the Quarter is painter Keith Stinnett who was in attendance displaying his latest pieces.
The west wall of the Visitors Center needs a mural. The Chamber and DMO are accepting RFPs from prospective mural artists for a commission to paint the entire wall. Contact Alejandro Castanon for details.
The ribbon was cut to loud applause and Chamber supporters and volunteers enjoyed appetizers and a beer and wine bar.
The Visitors Center was built in 2005 in the distinctive building located on the Concho river. The building’s facade is made of limestone with Brock accents. Tall windows line the back of the center facing the river. The San Angelo Health Foundation and a large conference room are located on the west side of the Visitors Center and the Chamber of Commerce Office is on the east side.
The Visitors Center on the Concho River.
Chamber CEO Walt Koenig introduces the Chamber staff who implemented the new gift shop at the Visitors Center.
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