Page 31 - San Angelo

Tucked away on the North side of town between mobile homes, local restaurants, and MLK Park, the Chicken Farm Art Center has been keeping the love of all things art alive for the past four decades. Initially, the Chicken Farm was established as a place for artists to work and live but has since grown into one of San Angelo’s most distinctive attractions. Roger Allen, Chicken Farm Director, Founder, and local artist, explained, “I like doing everything: clay, metal, jewelry, casting, and painting. I wanted to do it all, but I realized I couldn’t. So, the next best thing was to be around it all.”

Roger’s mentality acted as the catalyst for the origin of the Chicken Farm Art Center. Currently, the Chicken Farm is a staple in the San Angelo and West Texas art community, but the artist group had a more nomadic past before settling in their current home. Roger rented several locations before purchasing the Chicken Farm property with the help of two friends. “I rented several places before fnally buying the property we’re at now. I rented the building next door to Miss Hattie’s, a warehouse by the airport, a place on Twohig Street, and some others. I fnally realized it was better to buy than rent because we could do what we wanted at that point,” Roger remembered.

Now, the Chicken Farm houses two art galleries, 15 artist studios, a bed & breakfast, as well as the Silo House Restaurant. The three acres sheltered behind an old wooden fence line brims with life-size artwork displayed around the grounds. The 15 artist studios are always occupied, proving the welcoming quality the Chicken Farm exudes.

“When artists get in here, they don’t leave. Rent is cheap, and there’s very seldom a turnover,” Roger notes.