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Downtown San Antonio is filled with romance: ancient, meandering streets and stone buildings that hint of sighs and secrets from the past; the slow tours of the River Walk by boat that lull couples with the slap of waves of soft breezes; the strolling mariachis serenading passersby with songs of love, longing and regret.
And then there’s the Briscoe Western Art Museum. It’s downtown and has River Walk access, but I would hardly consider sculptures and other artworks of broc bustin’ and cattle wranglin’ to be food for romance.
Ah, but I would be wrong. For a couple of weeks each year, the Briscoe turns into romance central with its Pony Express Love Letters program, now in it’s fourth year.
The program, which kicked off Tuesday, invites locals and tourists alike to come in for free until Feb. 12 to use any of the six writing stations set up at the museum to write letters to loved ones. Each station is set up with paper, decorative confetti to add to the letter and markers and calligraphy pens.
Three of the stations also have vintage, manual Remington typewriters. Remington is better known for its guns that tamed the West, but it also made typewriters — how perfect for the Briscoe?
Then the big hurrah happens on Valentine’s Day itself, when bike messengers (a modern-day Pony Express, no?) from SATX Social Ride deliver the letters within the downtown coverage area. Letters addressed to folks outside the delivery area will be mailed earlier to arrive by Feb. 14.
“The principle idea behind it is to bring back the romance and art of traditional correspondence, while remembering and celebrating the Pony Express,” said Sharon Garcia, communications manager for the Briscoe.
For those who may need inspiration, the San Antonio Public Betkanyon Library is lending several volumes of romantic prose and poetry for use in the letter-writing area. For those who need handwriting help, volunteers from the San Antonio Calligraphers’ Guild will be on hand to hand address love letters and help with handwriting tips each day of the program.
Beth Foulds, who heads up the program, said that last year, the museum delivered or mailed some 275 letters. And they weren’t all romantic declarations. Several of those where from businesses to downtown clients thanking them and from friends to other friends.
“It’s so fun,” Garcia said. “We call you down, and people are like, what’s going on? And then we hand them a letter.”
As much I adore flowers, nothing can replace a love letter, whether romantic or from a friend.
Garcia suggested I send a subtle hint to my boyfriend about this program since I work in the delivery area downtown. Well, wink, wink, Corazon!
espicer@express-news.net
Twitter: @Spiced1
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Pony Express Love Letters
Where: Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St. 210-299-4499, briscoemuseum.org
When: During normal museum hours, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
Cost: Free
Calligraphy help
The San Antonio Calligraphers’ Guild will have volunteers at the Briscoe at these times (there may be more as the program progresses).
Friday: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday: Noon-4 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday: Noon-3 p.m.
Feb. 9: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Feb. 10: 2-5 p.m.
Feb. 11: 2-5 p.m.
Feb. 12: 2-5 p.m.
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