Watts New in the Arts
Jo Watts
Feb. 8, 2010
The Bastrop Fine Arts Guild has come a long way since I first visited the gallery in 2005. The size of the gallery has increased by adding a third room, the office space has become better organized and more professional looking. No longer are folks crowded in the narrow hallway to eat, drink and be merry when attending receptions.
Stephanie Strange’s exhibition of her latest works made the most of the new face of the BFAG. The openness of the center gallery space accentuated the clean lines of her black on white images. All done with the “O” letter of her vintage typewriter, these pieces are quite striking. Many of them reminded me of pieces of antique jewelry that I collected in the Mid-East; chains, pendants, etc. Some called to me as landscapes and others were just well-balanced designs. All are unique and I hope you find time to see them.
The only thing better would be seeing Stephanie in action. The method she uses to produce her work requires dexterity and hand-eye coordination as well as a great imagination. With finger of her right hand pressing the typewriter key with quick tap, tap, taps, her left hand moves the paper up, down, around and around as the images emerge. It’s hypnotic .
The show will be hanging until the end of the month at the BFAG gallery at 1009 Main in Bastrop. Opening hours are 11 to 4 every day but Sunday.
The Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance Gallery, 301 Burleson in Smithville is open from 11 to 4 on Saturdays and, beginning this week, will be open on Wednesdays from 1 to 8PM. The current offerings are in the abstract. It’s a change from the traditional work you’ll most often find there, so stop in and have a look.
Wednesdays will also be “open studio” days at the LPAA center. You can bring a project and work on it in the company of other artists. If you don’t know just what you want to do, come anyway – someone will find something for you. The purpose is for artists to be in the company of other artists and would-be artists to exchange ideas, opinions and ENERGY! You can bring a drink, a snack, a whole meal if you wish. Just come prepared to leave full of ideas, energy and creativity! There is no charge and membership to the LPAA is not required.
The next LPAA meeting is Tuesday, February 16 at 6:30PM at the Mary Nichols Gallery on Burleson St. This program is going to be SO MUCH FUN and I’ll tell you why! All around town there are samples of the public art that we call “Art on a Stick”. These pieces are 2’ X2’ diamond shaped works of art, on posts. I hope you’ve seen some of them. On Tuesday evening YOU can make one yourself! We will have all the materials available: the primed sign-boards, paints, brushes, ideas, and even layouts if you don’t have anything in mind yourself. Each board member is to bring at least two drawings that can be traced or copied and be painted by a participant. These pieces are then “adopted” or sponsored by businesses, or individuals around town who display them. Richard Latham even does the installation as part of the deal! Our hope is to get enough “sticks” on display around Smithville that we can have a scavenger hunt in the summer. What a great way to encourage people to explore our town. Put the date on your calendar and wear old clothes (we sometimes get a bit rowdy when we paint!).
On February 14, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston will open three very special shows: “Sargent and the Sea”, “Houston’s Sargents” and “Pendergast in Italy”. Ten people are normally required for a guided tour but I have been in touch with the MFA director of tours who has agreed to make an exception. I am inviting six art lovers to go with me on March 11 to view these wonderful paintings. We’ll leave from the Mary Nichols Gallery in Smithville at 8:00, make a stop in Columbus if requested, and arrive in Houston by 10:30. Lunch will be on your own at the MFA and, depending on how much art the group wishes to absorb, we’ll be home in the early evening.
I have a good driving record with no citations (I was never indited), full insurance on my two year old Dodge van (with new tires) and have held a commercial drivers’ license. The cost will be $25. If you would like to be a part of what I hope to be a quarterly outing, call me at 360-4347. The deadline to sign up is February 17.
Watts New in the Arts
Jo Watts
January 10, 2010
This beautiful sunny cold day was a work of art itself! What a great way to begin a new year. The lower temperatures invigorate and inspire me. It’s time to make art for 2010!
The local clay artists are getting their clay ready to make bowls for the Empty Bowl Project. Watch for more information on this event which will take place on February 27.
The Executive Board of the Lost Pines Artisans' Alliance began the year with an all day retreat at the Mary Nichols Art Center in Smithville. Nine of us spent six intense hours on Saturday brainstorming and planning how to make things better for the arts, for artists and for our community in the upcoming year. This energetic and congenial group had several good ideas and even more great ones! Thanks to Pam Latham’s generosity and Sallie Blaylock’s good cookin’ , president Richard Latham, aka “Boss man” allowed us a break at the Katy House for a delicious brunch.
We’re going to continue the first Saturday Arts Festivals on a monthly basis at the Gazebo on Main Street, Smithville. The First Saturday of each month you’ll find great artists showing and talking about their work and, we all hope, selling much of it! The music will be wonderful, kids’ art projects will be fun and creative and we have some new ideas about getting everyone involved including having drawings for works of art!
One of the ways we hope to make the festival an even better event is to hire someone to direct the festival. A small stipend will be offered for anyone willing to take charge. Most of the work and responsibilities can be delegated to members of the group but we need someone who will spearhead and be accountable to the group - a “do-er, a git-er-done-er, a make-it-happen-er”! If you happen to be that person, call me for more information at 360-4347. I want to talk with you!
The plumbing has been repaired in the Arts Center in Smithville and that means that members will be able to use the building for classes and meetings! Watch this space for offerings and, if there is an art form that you wish to learn, call me. If you wish to teach, call me. The L PAA can help you to organize and advertise your class. It’s also a convenient and pleasant place to hold a meeting or get together. I, myself, have invited friends for coffee and we’ve enjoyed fellowship surrounded by art.
The L PAA meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM. Everyone is welcome, member or not. Once you’ve met this group, you’ll want to become one of us! The program for January 19 will concern the most effective way to write a press release.
February’s meeting will have all participants painting our “Art on a Stick” boards. If you haven’t yet noticed these diamond shaped artworks as you drive around Smithville, then slow down and look again! Whether or not you believe you can paint or draw, you’ll have help and guidance to put your mark on a board that will be on display somewhere around the town.
Stephanie McNabb has scheduled a program of six art classes for children aged 6 - 12 beginning on Feb. 4 from 6:00 to 7:00PM. Call me for more information and I’ll let you know what’s going on. An extremely versatile and talented artist, Stephanie is also an excellent teacher. She’s been the driving force behind the “Deck the Walls” project at the skate park as well as the leader of the very successful art camp in Smithville last summer.
As our membership is growing, a decision was made to have the Mary Nichols Gallery open on Sundays as well as Saturdays. We’ll need more volunteers as docents to keep the doors open both days from 11:00 to 4:00. The gallery is at 301 Burleson in Smithville.
The opening reception of “Beauty in the Abstract” on Friday was great fun in spite of the low temperatures. So many people told me that they came especially because they thought no one else would get out on such a cold night - as a result, we had a better turn out than usual - all crazy people, but those bodies helped to warm up the place! At our openings we always have a ballot box so that guests can vote for their favorite piece. Sgt. Colin Scott won the ribbon for “Best of Show” with his large painting.
The Bastrop Fine Arts Guild will be featuring the unique works of Stephanie Strange beginning February 1. Stephanie isn’t so strange (for an artist), but her work is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Using antique typewriters and typewriter keys, she creates wonderful undulating images in black and white. You’ll just have to go ad see them to appreciate what she does. The gallery at 1009 Main in Bastrop is open from 11:00 to 4:00 every day except Sunday.