Our Mission

"Provide enriching and therapeutic art education experiences.
Foster an appreciation and understanding of the visual arts in the community through creative cultural engagement. Provide opportunities for working artists."

Outreach Program

Outreach Program Highlights:
Inspire Art Center CHILDREN’S COURT QUILTS designed by children in the safe haven waiting area.

Did you know there is an art program at the Bexar County Children’s Courthouse? Inspire Community Fine Art Center provides instructors twice a week to guide children through various art projects, to help them divert their attention from the stresses of the day.This year the children created quilt squares, a volunteer stitched the quilts and 8 quilts will be given to the Children’s Shelter.

The program was started at the request of Judge Peter Sakai and is funded by charitable contributions. 20 people giving $150 will keep this program going in 2012. THANK YOU!



Inspire Outreach in the Community:
Inspire currently has three other outreach programs in the city of San Antonio:

  • Art at Alpha Home Program, for women in recovery from drug dependency. The weekly art sessions are taught with the purpose of improving the emotional state of the women. The classes provide positive learning experiences, helping to develop self-confidence and resilience, which are essential in overcoming drug dependency. The program serves 500 women annually.
  • After school art classes with 5 primary schools in NEISD. Instructors go twice week to work with the children participating in the after school care program.
  • SAMM Transitional Living and Learning Center, providing art classes every week for the children and families residing at the facility.

Thank you to the foundations who generously support Inspire Community Programs! - Greehey Family Foundation, SAMMinsistries, Semmes Foundation and Walthall Charitable Trust.

Thank you to the following companies for their invaluable support of Inspire Art Center : Morrison Group, Systematic Communications, Target, Tesoro, Toyota, and Valero.


About Us

Inspire-Community Fine Art Center for San Antonio was incorporated in March 2005.

The Visual Art Education Program at the Center offers individuals ages 6-70+ classes in ceramics, technical and artistic welding, painting, drawing, jewelry making, and sculpture. In addition, a summer art camp, free family art days and discounted classes for seniors are offered.

The Center's community outreach program, Art for Wholeness, began in 2006. The purpose of the program is to help children and adults cope with difficulties through a creative and constructive manner in order to promote wholeness and healing. The program helps enhance personal growth, deepen self-awareness, and offers a constructive outlet for handling emotional distress.

The Art for Wholeness Program is comprised of four projects:

  1. Bexar County Children's Courthouse Art Program
  2. Enhancing Lives Program for homeless children at SAMM Ministries' Transitional Living and Learning Center
  3. Art After-School Program for low-income children in five primary schools in NEISD
  4. Art at Alpha Home for women in recovery from drug dependency

Inspire commits itself to maintaining a welcoming environment for all people and extends its welcome in particular to those who may be vulnerable to discrimination on the basis of their race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, disabilities, or sexual orientation.


Board Members

  • Dr. Maria Feliz-Ortiz - President
  • Mr. Cody Vance - Vice President
  • Ms. Lyn Belisle - Secretary
  • Ms. Anne Parker
  • Mr. Bert Hargesheimer
  • Ms. Helen Moore
  • Mr. Jean Loden
  • Ms. Jennyfer Sakiewicz
  • Mr. Jose Moreno

Advisory Board

  • Dr. Edward P. Sakiewicz
  • Mr. Kip Morrison
  • Mr. Phil Simpson

Our Staff

Executive Director: Susan Montagna
Facilities Manager: Charles Ingram

Our Instructors: