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 on January 9th. 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.

The First Saturday in Smithville project has met with continuing success. In addition to planning and running the Festival, the Lost Pines Artisans Alliance is constantly developing additional projects to foster the arts and public art in the area. LPAA member Richard Latham has been working in conjunction with Keep Smithville Beautiful on mural restorations around Smithville. Two murals have been restored to date. The train mural on the side of Bayer Pharmacy facing Loop 230 was completed last year as well as a mural done by the crew of "Hope Floats" on the wall of the gymnasium building. Our "Art on a Stick" program went public this year with the sale of several pieces which are popping up all over Smithville.

Kids art classes have been going on at the Mary Nichols Art Center on Thursday nights and will continue through the summer. For more information go to our classes page. Sculptor Bill McGlaun is currently teaching a basic sculpture classs for adults at the center.

We are currently incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the State of Texas and have filed for 501 3(c) status with the IRS.