Artfully Abilene Coming Soon!

Abilene is home to one of the first Cultural Districts in the state of Texas. Coming soon, the District will host Artfully Abilene Art & Culture Weekend.

Artfully Abilene Art & Culture Weekend Logo

The event takes place April 30 – May 2 and includes numerous events.

Kicking things off at Abilene Christian University’s Williams Performing Arts Center is the Abilene Philharmonic and a “Meet the Composer” master class with Chris Brubeck. The class takes place from 3:00 to 4:30 and will be open to the public.

Yosemite 1938 Logo Artwork

Later that day, the Grace Museum hosts a reception for Yosemite 1938: Ansel Adams On the Trail with Georgia O’Keefe in the Alice & Bill Wright Photography Gallery. Bill Wright is a former TCA Commissioner who served on the board from 1999 to 2005. Both he and his wife are accomplished photographers, and Abilene is fortunate to benefit from their talent and generosity.

Abilene Philharmonic festivities continue on May 1^st with an ACU Jazz Combo performance and Carver Teens project presentation at 7:00 and the premiere performance of Ansel Adams: America, composed by Dave and Chris Brubeck, at 8:00. For tickets call (325) 677-6710.

The Center hosts the official after party for Ansel Adams: America and a reception for the Take 5 exhibition with special guest Chris Brubeck, later that evening in the Jane Breed Adams Gallery.

On May 1 and 2, Abilene’s own regional ballet company, Abilene Ballet Theatre, presents Cinderella at the historic Paramount Theatre. Tickets go on sale April 26 and can be purchased by calling (325) 676-9621.

Illustration by Etienne Delessert at NCCIL

For some family fun, be sure to stop by Frontier Texas and check out the Texas Independence Day Exhibition. Also, the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) features an exhibition titled Why Grow Up: Etienne Delessert.

Take some time to stroll the Abilene Cultural District and enjoy the historic buildings, restaurants and retail shops. The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau has information on accommodations and other area attractions to enhance your Artfully Abilene weekend experience.

Texas Original Wayne Rossi

TCA Texas Original metal artist Wayne Rossi is keeping busy this spring with several upcoming shows.

Leaf Table by Wayne Rossi

Up next is the King William Fair in San Antonio where Wayne and many others will be exhibiting original art and crafts. The Fair is a fundraiser for the King William Association, which preserves the oldest historic district in the state of Texas and promotes the unique cultural heritage of San Antonio.

Custom Metal Fence by Wayne Rossi

Admission is $5 for adults with kids 12 and under getting in for free. You can purchase admission wrist bands at the event or in advance at the Fiesta Store located at 2611 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas.

On the Road with TCA: Tyler

By Chuck Winkler, TCA Program Administrator

I traveled to the lovely town of Tyler in East Texas this weekend.  I was there for a student art exhibit at the Texas Natural Wellness Expo in the Harvey Convention Center,  and brought back 20 beautiful pieces created by 5-10^th graders in Tyler to be displayed here at the TCA office until August 31.  It was wonderful seeing the town, meeting the artists, and enjoying a perfect spring day in East Texas.

Tyler Azalea Trail

Tyler, “the Rose Capitol of the World”, was ablaze with roses and azaleas when I was there, but flowers are not the only thing the town has to offer.  Ballet Tyler uses TCA funds to present educational performances throughout the city.  The East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association is an active force for music in the area.  With funds from a TCA Arts Respond/Education grant, the Tyler Museum of Art provides art education to area students throughout their school career.  The program “encourages middle school students to develop a life-long knowledge of art, museums and the beauty that each brings to life.” The Museum’s permanent collection has over 1200 works, including paintings, photographs, sculpture, and prints by some of Texas’ best known artists.  Rounding out the art scene in Tyler is Young Audiences of Northeast Texas who uses TCA funds to help school administrators and teachers to address classroom needs and integrate the arts into core subjects.

Tyler Museum of Art

Check out all that Tyler has to offer the next time you are in the area.

Texas Originals at Art City Austin

You can check out the work of two TCA Texas Original artists at Art City Austin on April 24 & 25, 2010.

Visitors at Art City Austin

Aly Winningham of Terra Firma Studios and Jennifer Chenoweth of Fisterra Studios are among the 190 juried artists at the festival. Art City Austin takes place in downtown Austin’s 2nd Street District.

Tile Mosiac by Aly Winningham

Aly works in glass and metal, and creates incredible mosaics. She has been commissioned to create public art works, as well as custom kitchens and other home designs. Her colorful mobiles and whimsical yard sculptures reflect Aly’s imaginative sense of fun.

Jennifer specializes in working with different colors and textures, favoring a variety of techniques and materials to create her paintings, sculptures and mixed-media functional artwork.

Detail of Artwork by Jennifer Chenoweth

In addition to the artists booths, Art City Austin features site-specific art installations, live music and a kid’s block with interactive art projects. Hours are Saturday, 10am to 6pm and Sunday, 11am to 6pm. Admission is $8 for adults, and children 12 and under are admitted free. Children’s art activities are $1 per activity.

If you are coming from out of town, be sure to check out the travel packages.

This unique festival dates back for 60 years and was once known as Laguna Gloria Fiesta. Today, the festival is located near the shores of Lady Bird Lake and the Austin City Hall. Purchase tickets in advance and allow plenty of time to enjoy this weekend arts festival.

Texas Original Joannie Morgan

TCA Texas Original (TxO) artist Joannie Morgan is keeping busy in the coming weeks with a variety of art festivals around the state. Joannie makes “art you can touch” by embossing sheets of aluminum. The metal is adhered to the underlying form, treated with various techniques and given a final finish of metallic wax that accentuates the design. Products include unique handbags, switchplates, photo frames, custom inserts for kitchen cabinets, and more.

Texas Purse by Joannie Morgan

Check out her work, plus that of many other artists, at these upcoming shows:

The Georgetown Red Poppy Festival takes place April 24 – 25 and begins with a Friday Night Kick-off Concert by Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes. The Red Poppy Market Place will feature artisans from across the nation. Other activities include the Open Car Show, the Safe Place Kids Village, and the Saturday Night Concert and Street Dance featuring Little Texas and Two Tons of Steel.

Red Poppy Festival Logo

Two weeks later, Joannie will be at the 30th Annual Pecan Street Spring Arts Festival, May 1-2 in Austin. Approximately 150,000 people are expected to attend this popular (and free) spring festival to view beautiful handmade arts and crafts by some 250 carefully juried artisans from all over the U.S. There will also be live music on six stages by local Austin entertainers.

The following weekend, May 7 – 9, you can find Joannie at the 2010 CityArts Festival at Fair Park in Dallas. Fair Park is a national historic landmark that boasts the world’s largest collection of art deco exhibit buildings, art and sculpture. This year the Artist Marketplace at CityArts is attracting more than 200 visual artists from throughout the country.

Dragonfly Switch Plate by Joannie Morgan

These are just a few of the fun festivals happening around the state, so take a cultural tour of Texas and enjoy the unique offerings.

Texas Originals Participate in Studio Tour

Mark your calendars for the Artists of Dripping Springs Studio Tour and Hill Country Art Show featuring Texas Commission on the Arts’ Texas Original (TxO) artists. The tour happens during Texas Tourism Week on Saturday, May 15, 2010 from 10am to 6pm.

Artist of Dripping Springs Studio Tour Brochure

You’ll have the opportunity to tour artist studios including Sunset Canyon, Wesley Gallery, Solstice Gardens and Carved Stone. It’s a great chance to meet the artists and watch them create their work. The Hill Country Art Show takes place at Roger Hanks Parkway (located off Hwy 290 just 1 mile west of the intersection of RR12).

Purse by TexasLeatherWorks, Brenda Watts & Steve Snell

Participating Texas Original artists include Gary Thompson, Bridget Hauser, and Wayne Rossi, all of whom live in the Dripping Springs area; Brenda Watts and Steve Snell from Lubbock; Nancy Lou Webster and Michael Strange from Elgin; and Lynda Watkins from Powderly.

Texas Original (TxO) was created by the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) to preserve Texas’ unique arts and crafts heritage by promoting Texas craft artisans and their original works. TCA encourages the public to travel the state to experience Texas’ craft arts legacy first-hand.

Metal Sculpture by Wayne Rossi

The Tour features watercolors, oils, prints, jewelry, woodturning, metal sculpture, stone carvings, knives, pottery and much more. There will also be a raffle to raise funds to help fund future scholarships for local art students.

Download a map and get more information on the Studio Tour and Hill Country Art Show at www.artistsofdrippingsprings.org.

On the road with TCA: Temple and Killeen

by Mia Marisol Buentello, TCA Program Administrator

The Azalee Marshall Cultural Arts Center in Temple, TX is home to some great family friendly programming. During my visit, I was given a tour of the Center, a multidisciplinary facility with five galleries, a 487-seat auditorium, two ballrooms, meeting rooms, and a studio featuring art and ceramics classrooms.

Teachers Preparing for ArtWorks Student Exhibit

As I made my way to the Galleries, I was introduced to several teachers who were preparing to hang their student’s work for the upcoming ArtWorks 2010 student art exhibit. The student exhibit occupies the galleries at the Art Center from April 12^th through May 7^th. Art work is produced by students from twenty-six schools from Temple and surrounding areas, ranging in grades from pre-kindergarten through high school. This event has been an important part of the Art Center’s mission for the last fourteen years, to provide meaningful art experiences for families and the community.

2010 Art & Culture Day Logo

Another family friendly event is Art and Culture Day scheduled on May 15^th. This event will include an art contest, performances, and a community mural dedicated to veterans. Other places to visit in Temple include the Czech Heritage Museum, Railroad & Heritage Museum, and the Wilson House which was awarded National Landmark status by the Texas Historical Commission and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

After my visit in Temple, I met with the staff of the City of Killeen, recipient of TCA funds for the 2009 Take 190 West: Killeen Salutes the Arts Festival. The City of Killeen together with the Killeen Independent School District (KISD), the Killeen Civic and Conference Center and Visitors Bureau, and the Killeen Art Guild, hosted the fist annual festival to foster a greater appreciation for the arts in the community.

Take 190 West Festival, Killeen, TX

The 2009 featured artist was Monte Selby, a critically acclaimed songwriter and recording artist who shares a comical and insightful music for children, parents, and educators. He is also an author and co-author of numerous articles including “Because You Teach, Middle School Matters” and “That’s What I Need!”.  As a way to reach underserved youth, a performance by Mr. Selby was given at the Killeen Boys and Girls Club. According to City of Killeen staffer, Beverly Zendt, the estimated attendance was around 1,000.

My final stop was meeting with the Killeen ISD Fine Arts director, Sheila Donahue and Fine Arts Instructional Specialist, Phyllis King. The District received funding through the TCA’s Arts Respond Performance Support grant to support performances by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO), currently on the Texas Touring Arts Roster. Along with the performances, a quartet of the FWSO provided a master class to all secondary string students in the district and a podcast was made available on the districts website for all schools.

San Angelo is a Ceramics Mecca!

Fans of ceramic arts will make their way to San Angelo this weekend for the 18th San Angelo National Ceramic Competition and many other related events.

San Angelo Museum of Fine Art

The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (SAMFA), Angelo State University’s Art Department and the Old Chicken Farm Art Center host the annual event, which includes a competition, artist workshops and a symposium. Folks can also take in the Texas Mesquite Art Festival and the San Angelo Art Walk, all happening the same weekend.

Chicken Farm Art Center, San Angelo

The weekend provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy the recently designated San Angelo Cultural District. Howard Taylor, SAMFA’s director, expects about 2,000 people to attend the competition. “If you add in the mesquite festival, the workshop and the downtown art walk, it’s probably closer to 6,000,” he said. The SAMFA website includes a complete calendar of events.

Pottery by TxO Artist Bridget Hauser

It should also be noted that TCA Texas Original artist Bridget Hauser will be featured in the Ceramic Celebration on Friday, April 16^th at the Bonnie Beesley Rug & Art Gallery, 221 S. Chadbourne Street.

Coming Soon: Texas Tourism Week

Plans are underway for Texas Tourism Week. This annual salute to travel and tourism is timed to coincide with National Tourism Week and takes place May 8 – 16, 2010.

Events are presented in cities, states and travel businesses nationwide to champion the power of travel. TCA is working with the state tourism partners – Office of the Governor Economic Development and Tourism, Texas Historical Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Texas Dept. of Transportation – on a series of celebratory events statewide.

Fort McKavette, a THC Property

The Texas Historical Commission is hosting Free Historic Sites Day on May 16, 2010, giving the public an opportunity to experience the real stories of these real places. Among the participating 19 THC properties are Caddo Mounds, Fort Griffin, Fort McKavett, Fulton Mansion, Sam Rayburn House Museum, Starr Family Home, and Varner Hogg-Plantation. For more information on the Texas Historical Commission’s Historic Sites and events for the Free Historic Sites Day visit www.texashistoricsites.com.

Amarillo Travel Information Center

The Texas Dept. of Transportation has events planned at 11 Travel Information Centers. There will be refreshments, entertainment, games with prizes, and more. In Amarillo, travelers will hear cowboy singers and learn to yodel. Denison will welcome storytellers from the local area, and in Texarkana, area 3^rd and 4^th graders will display their artwork at the TICs in an exhibition titled “My Texas Dream Vacation.” These are just a few the many events planned in the TICs around the state.

TPWD Paddling Trail

On May 11^th, Governor Perry will be in the Fort Worth Stock Yards for a tourism rally. Numerous other rallies are scheduled to take place around the state that same day. Also on May 11^th, Texas Parks & Wildlife will launch a new Texas Paddling Trail near Village Creek State Park, just outside of Lumberton.

And what about the Arts? Well, TCA will highlight the state’s Cultural Districts with a variety of public relations activities. The Huntsville Cultural District will host the May 11^th rally, and TCA is coordinating a media tour of the area. Festivities begin the evening of May 10^th with the opening of an exhibition of works by self-taught artists at the Wynne Home Arts Center. Tuesday will bring a morning filled with musical performances, art demonstrations, food, and both walking and driving tours of the Huntsville Cultural District. Check back for more details as the event gets closer.

The Wynne Home Arts Center - Huntsville

Throughout Texas Tourism Week, TCA will promote arts activities taking place in all state Cultural Districts. There is a lot to look forward to so stay tuned!

Texas Original Artist Wells Mason

Texas Original (TxO) artist Wells Mason tells us he is keeping busy at his Ironwood Industries studio in Coupland, TX. To quote Wells, “We’re having so much fun! NO KIDDING!”

Work-in-Progress: Sideboard by Wells Mason

One project currently underway includes a dining table and sideboard built with bubinga wood, bronze, recycled plastic and glass. Wells is also working with a client to create a home office. Like most offices there will be file drawers, shelves and a desk. Unlike most offices, the project is designed around a single piece of art photography that shows an ocean wave crashing onto shore. According to Wells, “every aspect of this project echoes that crashing wave, including the fiddleback maple veneer doors and drawers, the cast aluminum desk legs, the door and drawer pulls, and even the custom crown moulding!”

Other projects in the works include custom furniture pieces, fireplace designs, a credenza, and a memorial project.

You can see Wells’ work on his website or better yet, check it out in person this coming weekend. On Saturday, Apr 17^th, he’ll be part of the Outdoor Living Tour that showcases spectacular garden design in the Austin area. His work is included in a beautiful new sculpture garden in the Tarrytown neighborhood by Davis-Jane Garden Design. The tour is open from 10AM to 6PM.

Umasi Chair by Wells Mason

Through 2010, “Umasi Chair” (subtitled “Mobius Band”) is touring Texas as part of the “New American Talent” Exhibition sponsored by the Jones Center for Contemporary Art (a TCA grant recipient) in Austin. And, through 2012, “Umasi Chair” (subtitled “Multi-Tasking 101X”) will continue to tour up and down the east coast as part of the “Transformations 7″ Exhibition sponsored by the Society for Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh.

“Big Black,” a credenza from The BigLittle Series, has been selected to appear in an upcoming book (to be published by Lark Books) about new directions in furniture design.

Huntington Sculpture Foundation in Coupland, TX

If you miss the Outdoor Living Tour, you can always take a drive to Coupland and visit Wells in his studio. It is really a wonderful space to see. Coupland is a small town located 25 miles northeast of Austin. It offers several interesting and fun things to experience including the Hunting Sculpture Foundation and the Coupland Inn and Dancehall.

Coupland Inn and Dancehall