Near Texas State sits a cozy cafe where guests, surrounded by walls of locally produced art, quietly sip their coffee.
Jo’s Cafe is a laid-back, art-loving coffee shop fit for any student or resident. The cafe can be found just off Texas State’s main campus and is owned by San Marcos residents Elizabeth Rios and Leah Molina. Jo’s Cafe has showcased local art since its opening four years ago, with a revolving monthly residency of local artists’ work.
This month, the coffee shop features local artist Michael Hannon, whose collection features San Marcos wildlife in the form of scratchboard pieces. Scratchboard is a drawing method that uses white clay and ink to create precise, etch-like lines.
Hannon has been using scratchboard to create his pieces for over 20 years. Hannon said it has been his mission to showcase the overlooked beauty of the wildlife in San Marcos. He said he is constantly influenced by the diversity of wildlife and aspires to influence his audience.
“I hope to inspire my audience to notice realities in the world a little more closely,” Hannon said.
Leighann Gardner, a barista at Jo’s Cafe, said she enjoys walking into work and noticing her friends’ artwork hanging on the walls. She said she has seen how influential the exposure of local artists can be in the everyday conversations that float in and out of the cafe.
“(Jo’s Cafe offers) space for artists to gain a platform and exposure,” Gardner said.
Jackie Lynn, Jo’s Cafe barista and art coordinator, has worked at the cafe for about four years. Lynn said she hopes to inspire customers to join the conversion on local artists.
“I am trying to diversify traditional art,” Lynn said. “Often times traditional art is only two dimensional.”
Lynn said she hopes to add more textiles or fashion to showcase the diversity of mediums in art culture.
Jo’s Cafe strives to create a space for diverse conversation. Lynn said she aims to showcase art with intention, which displays controversial and thought-provoking imagery. With Lynn’s work, Jo’s Cafe offers more than just coffee to the San Marcos community.
If interested in showcasing your art at Jo’s Cafe, contact Jackie Lynn at [email protected].