Art In Uncommon Places Pleases Patrons With Lighting of Lone Wolf Bridge

Most San Angeloans have seen, driven, walked, and/or ran across a well-known historical site on the South East side of town. Built in the late 1800s, the "Lone Wolf Crossing Bridge" has had many stories written about it from paranormal sightings, links to Ft. Concho, and even a man named "John Hull," who is said to have entertained spectators by diving off of it into the Concho River.

San Angeloan Joy Thomas said she's seen a black and white photo taken on the other side of the bridge in 1910.  

"It shows wagons and buggies with women dressed in their Sunday best, long white dresses with the cinched waists"  They came to watch Hull jump off the bridge for a minimal amount of money, and that is a part of what inspired her group to recreate a picnic along with Friday night's event.

Thomas, of San Angelo, is a "full-time volunteer" for "Art in Uncommon Places," a local non profit organization.  Around 2006, a group of Art school teachers started the organization, but, over the years, it gradually dwindled down.  Julie Raymond and Sue Raney started it back up, opening a studio at 701 South Irving. Thomas said Julie and Sue had been to different cities and had seen artwork involving LED lights, and they wanted to provide something of that nature for San Angelo.

"After the lights are turned on tonight, they'll be on continually," Thomas said.

For any event that's taking place in San Angelo, the colors will reflect the seasons, holidays and will celebrate the school colors of ASU, Central and Lake View High School, she added.

Last night, for a $20 donation each, carloads of people entered the grassy area near the river, spread blankets on the ground, and sat together enjoying picnic-type meals. A balloon artist walked around making animals for children, and a couple of Military veterans visited with spectators educating them about their 1800s Infantry uniforms. Jesse James and John Smith said, "We're both History Buffs and got into the Ft. Concho group to share a little history."

At around 8 p.m., a parade started on the west side of the bridge, running about 30 minutes. Jay Michaels was the Emcee, and each group of participants had different scripts written by Nancy Gant, a teacher for the San Angelo ISD. About 20 young "Ballet Azteca" girls performed, and music played over the loud speakers by Dorothy Ortega and her husband, who generously provides all the sound for AIUP events.   

After the parade, participants and spectators returned to center field, regrouped, and everyone put on glow bracelets and necklaces as dusk fell amongst the crowd. Thomas said the group "has been advertising the event for several weeks through Facebook, and had over 500 people who clicked 'interested,' but there was no telling how many had come out." Cars lined up bumper to bumper, and, despite the mosquitos, it was an opportunity for the community to get together, share a meal, enjoy the warm weather, and witness a new dedication of artwork to make San Angelo a little more beautiful.

Thomas said she has heard people say many times that there is "nothing to do in San Angelo." 

"There is a lot of art here along with some very talented artists," she said. "That's what is so wonderful about AIUP, is the volunteers in the community who do it. Many claim they are not artists, but when they start doing projects like mosaicing, they all get into it, and many times, want to continue the creative process past the allotted time space."  

One example is a recent creation of the fire truck, (for the "Touch-a-Truck" event).  Thomas said, "There were so many volunteers. They had finished the project in two days instead of the anticipated three." 

The group has many more events lined up including their "Moonlight in White,"  and "Art on the Red A ," (Arroyo). If one is interested in spending time in their studio (starting at 13 years of age and up), or even donating monetarily, labor, or supplies, please feel free to check them out on their Facebook page or call  325-245-5472 for more information.