Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Mangan.
Hi Peter, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Attending an arts magnet school in Dallas and going to UT Austin
at the end of the hippie era laid the foundation of my art
career. I chose San Francisco as the next step. The open minded
west coast proved a great place to expand creatively…
leading to gallery representation across the USA
and an outlet in Europe. I returned to Texas 27 years ago
and feel at home in the Hill Country. Owning 14 acres of
land in Blanco County allows me the space to pursue my
artistic ideas. This includes taking in the local materials,
landscape, plants, animals, and people. My work has been
shown all over this big state. Highlights were exhibits at the
Texas State Capitol, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, the
Art Museum of South Texas, and many temporary
(plus some permanent) public art projects.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The struggle with ideas, materials, and tools is a challenge.
It is rewarding to bring something original into the world and
see how people respond. Metals and glass are my primary
media. The solid metal is an interesting contrast to the
transparent glass. Old and new techniques are used, from
laser-jet metal cutting to medieval glass painting methods
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have made my living as a self-employed artist for over 35 years. For the last 22 years, I’ve been actively exhibiting in Texas and enjoy the opportunities here. My work has been in over 25 public 1-2 year sculpture exhibits in Texas and California. Successfully completed permanent public art projects are in Lubbock, TX 2019, Las Vegas, NM 2019, Moriarty, NM, 2012 and Austin, TX, 2000. During the course of my career there have been different phases. I have sold multiple sculptures to private collectors. One notable client was the late Robin Williams. I created pieces for 3 of his residences.
Through the 1990’s, I designed functional art furniture for JRW Contemporary. In the 1990’s my one-of-a-kind sculptural art lighting sold in galleries across the USA. Eight restaurant/hotel projects were successfully completed. Sculptures and functional art pieces were shipped to a company in Germany, named Wohnsinn, where they were exhibited and sold throughout Europe.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
In April 2026 I helped put on the First Annual Blanco Open Studios Tour. This event was hosted by the Gem of the Hills Community Center in Blanco, TX. 16 local artists participated. The public got to see and learn about our resident creative people.
I had been in similar events back in San Francisco.
Next spring, keep an eye out for the 2nd Blanco Open Studio Tour!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.petermangan.com
- Instagram: peter_mangan_artist
- Facebook: Peter Mangan
