Art Scared 2023: A creative tradition in full bloom

By Omar Gonzalez

News Reporter

SAN MARCOS – With Halloween approaching and fall in full swing already, the San Marcos Art League once again geared up for a beloved local tradition: the fourth annual Art Scared event, which took place in the downtown Square this past Saturday. This temporary public art installation was designed for children of all ages, from elementary to high school. 

All attendees had the opportunity to unleash their creativity by painting fall or Halloween-themed images on designated windows in local downtown businesses in the Square. Painted windows will remain on display through early November. Participants, courtesy of the San Marcos Art League and their sponsors, received well-deserved recognition, gift bags, and extra art supplies.

The San Marcos Art League hosted the Art Scared alongside many local area schools and several sponsors who helped shape this event into such a tradition for the city. One of the dedicated individuals contributing to this yearly tradition is Nancy Brown, a member of the Board of Directors for the Art League. 

Brown shared her perspective on the origins of Art Scared and the artwork’s significance for the community. Brown, originally from New York, was inspired by a long-standing tradition in her hometown where children would paint business windows near Halloween.

“Every year, we would have this event near Halloween where the kids from the schools would go down and paint the business’s windows,” Brown said.

When Brown moved to San Marcos five years ago, she saw a similar opportunity in this tight-knit community.

“I thought you could do that here. And I brought it [window painting] up at a board meeting and said, you know, how about we do this, and we collaborate with the school district and bring the kids down to paint the business windows,” said Brown. 

Brown mentions how the Art Scared played a pivotal role in supplementing art education during the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic for local students. With many schools facing disruptions and closures, students often missed out on essential art curriculum. The event provided a way for students to express themselves and receive hands-on experience and artistic education.

This became a platform where they could paint, experiment, and learn, bridging the gap created by the pandemic’s challenges. The event’s potential to support local youth in their artistic journey made Art Scared not just a beloved tradition but a valuable educational opportunity.

With dedicated individuals like Nancy Brown and the San Marcos Art League and the support of local schools and sponsors, this event has left a lasting impression. Helping bridge the gap created by the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, while providing a platform for young artists to express themselves and receive valuable artistic education. 

If you have any questions about Art Scared please contact, info@artleaguesmtx.org.