Artists & Chefs

Where food and art combine to fill tables and appetites alike.

Thursday, October 2, 2025

6:30PM Reception - 7:30PM Seated Dinner

OPEN TO RLSC MEMBERS & THE PUBLIC

DRESS CODE: JACKET REQUIRED FOR MEN, TIE OPTIONAL (NO DENIM, SHORTS, T-SHIRTS AND, FOR MEN, NO OPEN TOED SHOES OR HATS)

ARTIST – Mary James

With layered textures and sweeping gestures, Mary creates abstract paintings that feel both dynamic and deeply reflective. Working in acrylic and mixed media, she transforms personal recollections into visual experiences that connect memory and emotion. Mary studied at the San Antonio School of Art and with nationally and internationally recognized artists. After a successful career in interior design, she now devotes herself fully to painting.

ARTIST – Valerie Larson-Lohr

Valerie’s passion for glass art is driven by detmination — if someone tells her an idea can’t be executed in glass, she will find a way to do it. She loves working with glass powders and pieces of glass to create impressionistic wall art. When her youngest granddaughter went to culinary school and requested a set of sushi platters, Valerie began work on a line of functional dishware — items you dream of and wish you could find that are colorful and always unique.

ARTIST – Andre Bally

Andre’s career in clay began in 1973 as a high school student, given the opportunity to express himself with sculpture and wheel thrown objects. He has an education in Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and has dedicated over thirty years to researching and experimenting with ceramics. His deep passion and meticulous craftsmanship define his unique approach to pottery.

ARTIST - Virginia Bally

Virginia’s passion for artistic endeavors began at an early age, being encouraged by her great Uncle John who would give her pencils and paper to draw from the age of 3. She earned her associate degree in fine arts with honors from North Harris County College, where she won a Fine Arts Scholarship for her exceptional work. Virginia has a strong background in floral design and is an avid gardener and Horticulturist.

CHEF - Shih-Hua Fuh

Shih-Hua became chef of the Roosevelt Library in 2013, and in 2016 took on the role of chef for the Roosevelt Library Social Club, founded by Leland Stone. His culinary artistry has been recognized well beyond the Library, from cooking as a guest chef for the Tour de Forks in Crested Butte, to preparing private dinners at Château Fayrac in France for the owner and for Leland Stone during his visit, to being featured alongside many of San Antonio’s most notable restaurant chefs in a prestigious series of charity dinners.

SOMMELIER - Cecilia Barretto

Cecilia’s passion for wine started 23 years ago, to include three years in Burgundy for an MSc in Wine Business, and many exam trips to Napa to complete the Level 4 Diploma of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). For the last three years she has run a wine edutainment business, with a particular joy for events with pairings that go beyond food. Cecilia is also a Certified WSET instructor, a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist, and an adjunct professor for the viticulture program at Palo Alto College.

PARKING AT THE ROOSEVELT LIBRARY

The Roosevelt Library has about 50 complimentary self-parking spaces available to guests. Street parking is often available. Vehicles are not to be left in the Roosevelt Library parking lot overnight. The Roosevelt Library will not be liable for theft or damages to vehicles or the contents of vehicles.

MAP TO THE ROOSEVELT LIBRARY

HISTORY OF THE ROOSEVELT LIBRARY

The First Carnegie Library of San Antonio opened in 1903. The original building at 210 W. Market Street was constructed with funding donated by Andrew Carnegie, on property donated by Caroline Kampann. On September 9, 1921, a storm event created from the remnants of a hurricane moved through Central Texas and produced over seven inches of rainfall in downtown San Antonio and the near west side of the city. The flooding forced the temporary closure of the Carnegie Library. It was razed in 1929 and the new main library was completed in August 1930 on the original site. The name changed from Carnegie Library to San Antonio Public Library.

In 1929 the Roosevelt Park Branch Library, San Antonio’s South side library, opened and in 1968 it closed. The building is located across from the Roosevelt Park which marks the beginning of the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project, an eight mile stretch of the San Antonio River that has received designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, the building’s architect was John Marriott who also designed the Carnegie Library in Delaware, Ohio. Leland Stone purchased the building in 2013. The building is the home of the Roosevelt Library Social Club.