A Guide To Experiencing The Arts in Bryan, Texas
Bryan is a vibrant, diverse community home to a thriving arts scene, rich in cultural diversity, and rooted in a storied past more than 150 years in the making. From 30-foot murals & historical statues, to local artwork displayed in almost every business you visit, there is no question that Bryan embraces the art and artists that call this community home.
Murals
Murals In Historic Downtown Bryan
Starting on the southern end of Bryan with the West 31st Street Murals (pictured above) to Caffe Capri's side brick wall (pictured above) and all the way up to Blackwater Draw Brewing Co.‘s “I Love Beer So Much” wall, you can find more than a dozen murals on historic buildings throughout Historic Downtown Bryan. All created by local artists, they are colorful, creative and down right fun. Check out the full list here, and plan to grab your friends and family for an Insta-worthy photo-op.
Sculptures + Statues
At least three sculptures and statues have called the sidewalks of Downtown Bryan their home for many years. With a nod to the history of the Carnegie Library, Andrew Carnegie can be seen reading to children on a bench on Main Street. On occasion you can catch him dressed up for the holidays or posing with new friends. Just across the street you’ll find a statue honoring the legacy of our local baseball team, the Brazos Valley Bombers. At the north end of Main Street, you’ll find the Arc De Luna anchoring the roundabout at 23rd Street. Across the street opposite of Blackwater Draw Brewery are sculptures (pictured above) featured by ArtFill.
Featuring Local Art
First Fridays
Historic Downtown Bryan | First Friday of each month | 5:00PM-11:00PM
Being an officially recognized Texas Cultural District, Downtown Bryan is a hub for local art and artists. First Friday is one of those places that you can see an array of local art every month. Art979 features an artisan area with over a dozen live art demonstrations. There are also rotating art shows and live music in various restaurants and shops, and live music along the sidewalks and at various Downtown businesses.
Downtown Street & Art Fair
Historic Downtown Bryan | Occurs annual each Spring
The Downtown Street & Art Fair features artists and artisans from across the region selling their handmade creations. There is also live music, art demonstrations and street performers for your entertainment. Over the last several years, Historic Downtown Bryan has actively fostered arts & culture. This fair continues to build on that by inviting our local artists as well as regional artists to support the rebirth that is occurring there. Admission is free and participants are encouraged to spend the afternoon and experience all that Bryan has to offer.
The Village
210 West 26th Street | Open Daily
For over a decade, The Village has showcased a multitude of local and regional art on the walls of the beloved cafe. These rotating art exhibits are one of the many reasons locals rave about the welcoming atmosphere of The Village. Grab lunch & a latte while visiting The Village and channel your inner artist.
The Frame Gallery
108 North Bryan Avenue | Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00AM-6:00PM
Since opening its doors in 2001, The Frame Gallery has created a haven of local art. Many Brazos Valley artists have hung their creations inside The Frame Gallery at some point in their careers and owner, Missy Baron, does everything she can to help keep the arts alive in the community. You can purchase a piece of art and get a custom frame all in the same place!
Creating Art In Bryan
Degallery
930 North Rosemary Drive | Open Daily
Degallery showcases rotating exhibits of art from around the world including landscape pieces, handmade jewelry, pottery and more. They also offer art classes for you to create your own masterpiece, no worries, they help you every step of the way. Whether you’ve never picked up a paint brush, or have a fully stocked art studio of your own, their classes offer an incredible experience for artists of every background and every age! Also, on each first Saturday of the month Degallery hosts their First Saturday Art Faire at Degallery's Square.
Purple Turtle Art Studio
800 South Bryan Avenue | Offering weekly art workshops
Purple Turtle Art Studio aims to equip kids with the tools of creativity so they can express themselves visually with confidence. They offer classes and camps, and they’re the perfect spot to host an “art party!” Their students’ works can often be found at restaurants and galleries throughout Historic Downtown Bryan. Learn more about their offerings here.
Intersections Textiles Learning Center & Gallery
2116 South College Avenue | Open Thursday-Saturday 12:00PM-6:00PM
The Brazos Spinners & Weavers Guild was established and has been active since 1976 and their public outreach works in two ways: primarily, offering free workshops which introduce the public through a wide variety of textile and fiber arts techniques and hands-on instruction to various age groups. The Intersections Textile Learning Center & Gallery was established in August 2013 as a ‘brick & mortar’ location for local spinners, weavers and other fiber artists. This is their space to share their fiber art knowledge and skills with the public through teaching, demonstrating, exhibiting and selling their work. Learn more about becoming a member here.
Performance Arts
Grand Stafford Theater
106 South Main Street
Bryan’s Grand Stafford Theater is heir to a lengthy heritage. The building itself dates back as far as the early 1910s and has endured through cultural and technological innovations. From DJ hosted Emo Nights to Indie rock bands, the Grand Stafford offers a wide variety of shows weekly!
Plan your itinerary by ear! Whether it's a concert under the stars at Lake Walk or an intimate performance in an historic Downtown Bryan venue, there is almost always live music to be found in Bryan.
Check out Bryan's full calendar of live music events here.
The Theater Company
3125 South Texas Avenue | Offering Seasonal Shows
The Theater Company productions are staged in a former movie theater that has been redesigned to suit live theater. Due to generous contributions from our friends and countless volunteer hours, the TTC stage is the only one in the State of Texas to feature two permanent revolving platforms built right into the stage!
StageCenter Community Theater
218 North Bryan Avenue | Offering Seasonal Shows
Since 1964, StageCenter remains the only totally all volunteer community theatre and our doors remain open to those who want to participate in the exciting and rewarding experience of live theatre. In StageCenter’s 57 year history, over 500 various plays, musicals and melodramas have come to life on stage!
While we do our best to stay in-tune with the community & keep up with all things in Bryan, we may have missed a spot or two. If you believe we left off your favorite art spot, kindly send us an email at marketing@destinationbryan.com.
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