The Glass Feeling: Chamber Ensemble Agarita to Collaborate With Glass Artist Gini Garcia Saturday

January 31, 2022 - San Antonio

**Warehouse wonders.** “Every single one of our concerts brings something new to us,” said Marisa Bushman, a founding member of the chamber ensemble Agarita. “It’s like taking a deep dive into the amazing art scene that San Antonio has.” Gini Garcia’s glass artwork (pictured) will be on display during the Agarita concert on Saturday. *Courtesy photo.*

By Jade Esteban Estrada, Co-Editor | San Antonio Sentinel

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

On Saturday, chamber ensemble Agarita and local glass artist Gini Garcia will present a collaborative concert at 7 p.m. at The Warehouse

The concept for the show was inspired by Garcia’s art and creative process

On Saturday, acclaimed chamber ensemble Agarita and local glass artist Gini Garcia will unite to present a unique collaborative event. The concert will take place at 7 p.m. at The Warehouse located at 221 Burleson.

The art of glassblowing has been described as a mixture of spontaneous improvisation and intricate design. According to a press release, the concept for this show was inspired by Garcia’s art and process.

“As creative individuals, we all are looking for a way to have autonomy over our own art and further the reach of classical music in the community,” said Marisa Bushman, a founding member of Agarita, during a phone interview Sunday.

The Agarita players believe that collaborating with artists that inspire them is the best way for them to improve their musicianship and become more creative individuals.

“Because every artist, we’re all just looking for inspiration at the end of the day,” she added. “We also feel that [collaborations] help break down barriers.”

And the partnerships keep coming.

Agarita and Garcia are also teaming up with lighting artist Chuck Drew (The Overtime Theater, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts) and visual artist Patrick McMillan, to produce a changing luminous display for the live show using Garcia’s glass works as a filter that will reveal the colorful inner world of her glassworks by projecting them against the warehouse walls.

“Our city is so rich, it was a no-brainer that our mission was going to be collaborating with other artists from our community,” said Bushman, who plays the viola in the group.

Additionally, Garcia is producing a new glass artwork specifically for this program based on the musical selections, which will be displayed during the production.

The concert will feature music by Kerekes, Kenji Bunch, Piazzolla, Reich, Rachmaninoff, and Kapustin - musical selections that were inspired by the glassblowing process. Special guest artists will also include flutist Jessica Petrasek and percussionist Joseph Petrasek.

“I think a lot of times when people think of classical music, they think of this archaic notion of classical music,” said Bushman. “You know, where you have to sit there and you can’t clap at the wrong moment. We really want to create this immersive experience that sort of feels like...I don’t want to say a rock show, though sometimes it feels like it could turn into that.”

Through its unique programming and distinctive collaborations, Agarita continues to be the most innovative arts group in San Antonio.

“Every single one of our concerts brings something new to us. It’s like taking a deep dive into the amazing art scene that San Antonio has.”

READ: Local Theatre Seeks New Works From Black Playwrights for New Play Development Series

The socially distanced concert is free and open to the public. For the safety of others, organizers urge audience members to wear a face covering while attending the presentation.

Learn more about Agarita here.

Jade Esteban Estrada is a co-editor for the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. jade@sasentinel.com | Twitter: @satx_writer