What a difference the arts make!

I spent two days in Austin last week at the Texas Commission of the Arts and Texas Cultural Trust's conference on "Leading the Creative Economy." I don't need to tell you it's a challenging time economically-speaking. While the realities are very demanding, it was also apparent that the arts benefit those communities the most that recognize its potential for making a difference. By attracting tourism and jobs to the areas, art and cultural centers can be a major influence on the financial health of local communities. Eye-opening sessions ranged from building a fundraising board of directors to supporting arts in rural Texas towns.

I walked away more determined than ever to support our local art centers, especially in Aransas Pass. We have so much creative potential with the Rialto Theater downtown and other galleries coming in to that area. It's key for us to encourage and take advantage of that - not just to bring tourist dollars in but also to draw people to purchase homes and businesses here. I know one couple who chose Aransas Pass over other towns in the area because we have a theater downtown. I bet more families made that choice as well. It gives us an edge even over Rockport, which was one of five towns in Texas recognized at the conference for making the arts community a focal point in their economic growth. We just need to leverage the art along with the saltwater heaven we have here.

So, get out there, folks - support your local artists and local businesses. Stop assuming you have to drive to Corpus Christi for shopping and entertainment. Make an effort this week to take another look right out your back door; you may be surprised at what you find!

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Daily through February 26 - "Hearts for the Arts" Exhibit. Annual Fundraiser for the Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Daily through February 26 - Steve Maness & Hooshang Khorasani exhibits. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Fridays-Saturdays, February 11-20, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:00 p.m. - "Hairspray" Harbor Playhouse. Admission: $6-16.
• Tuesday, February 15, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Fridays-Saturdays, February 18 - March 5, 7:30 p.m. - "The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Ensler. The Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Sunday, March 20 - 2:00 p.m. - Fashion Show & Matinee for "The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Ensler. The Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Fridays-Saturdays through February 27, 7:00 p.m. - "Footloose" Live on Stage in January. Aurora Arts Center. Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Admission: $14.
• Fridays-Saturdays, March 11-26, 7:00 p.m. - "Rumors" by Neil Simon. Rockport Little Theatre. Admission: $10.

Jen Rubinowitz is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rialto Theater, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization fostering art and education through visual art, music and live stage productions in the historic movie theater in downtown Aransas Pass. Her day job is in real estate at Kuper Sotheby's International Realty. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line at jen@jenscoastalbend.com.

Artists Contributing to Community

I talked to the Rotarians last week about why art is important to the community. Beyond improving the quality of life, drawing business to the area, and developing depressed downtowns by enticing artists in, we are often are the catalyst for fundraising and attention to aid good causes. Yesterday, after the final matinee performance and cast party for "Always...Patsy Cline" at the Rialto Theater, we joined a benefit for an ailing musician in Port Aransas (artists often don't have health insurance) at the Tarpon Ice House. Many of the silent auction items were donated by fellow musicians and visual artists in our area. Musicians came from all over to play the day-long event to help raise money for Dave's medical bills. And they didn't let a little pouring rain put a damper on the parade.

A great fundraiser is coming up next month! Mark your calendars for the 9th Annual Bountiful Bowl Clay Expo at the Rockport-Fulton High School Commons the first weekend in February. This great exhibition features fine artisans from around the country and benefits the Aransas County Council on Aging Meals On Wheels Program. There are, of course, artists booths with wares to sell but also regular demonstrations of hand-building and wheel work from talented potters.

Also next month, the Rialto's production of "The Vagina Monologues" joins playwright Eve Ensler's worldwide movement with a play that continues to bring focus to the fight against domestic violence. Through humor & drama, this play is a perfect example of a grassroots effort that has sparked ongoing debate and attention to a problem everyone has been touched by in one way or another. Keep in mind art not only beautifies but can also electrify a community. Play a part in their efforts to make the world a better place one painting, one song, one play at a time!
Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Thursdays-Saturdays through January 29, 7:30 p.m. - "Opal's Baby" on stage. Port Aransas Community Theatre. Admission: $15.
• Tuesday, January 25, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Saturday, January 29, 7:30 p.m. - Encore Performance of "Always...Patsy Cline" musical on stage. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Daily through February 2, 7:30 p.m. - "Adult Student Show" Exhibit. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Saturday, February 5, 5:00-7:00 p.m. - Opening Reception for Steve Maness & Hooshang Khorasani. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Saturday-Sunday, February 5-6, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.- "Gallery Art Walk" Rockport Cultural District. Admission: Free.
• Saturday-Sunday, February 5-6, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.- "9th Annual Bountiful Bowl Clay Expo" Rockport-Fulton High School Commons. Admission: $4.
• Monday, February 7, 6:30 p.m. - First Monday Membership meeting, Golden Triangle Arts Center.
• Fridays-Saturdays, February 18 - March 5, 7:30 p.m. - "The Vagina Monologues." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Fridays-Saturdays through February 27, 7:00 p.m. - "Footloose" Live on Stage in January. Aurora Arts Center. Sunday matinees at 2:3 p.m. Admission: $14.

Jen Rubinowitz is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rialto Theater, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization fostering art and education through visual art, music and live stage productions in the historic movie theater in downtown Aransas Pass. Her day job is in real estate at Kuper Sotheby's International Realty. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line at jen@jenscoastalbend.com.

I'm in Seattle this week honeymooning and celebrating two milestone birthdays as well! And, of course, loving all the artistic expressions to be found here. I love visiting new places and observing how regional differences influence the work of local artists. The waterfront and the Native American presence is obvious here in the beautiful works we see everywhere. Larger metropolitan areas also tend to provide support (financial and otherwise) with artistic avenues in the public spaces and that's always inspiring.

It seems everywhere we look, there's sculpture sitting alongside a park walkway, or a highway or a street corner. Many buildings and walls have colorful murals or mosaics displayed. We even saw a very colorful installation using chewing gum for its media as we were walking along Post Alley in the Pike Market area. And, yes, the public is welcome to and happily adds to the work. Art? In this case, believe it or not, yes. But don't try that at home, folks!

Closer to home, we've got some great live stage events to see (but leave the chewing gum at home...). It's the final weekend for "Rush Limbaugh at Night School," at the Rialto, the "Yee Haw" variety show is on at PACT, "Aida" continues at Harbor, and "Rocky Horror Picture Show" explodes at the Aurora. The rain will stop, the sun will shine and art will continue to inspire. Go grab some!

Upcoming Events:

• Fridays & Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., through September 25 - Final Weekend. "Rush Limbaugh Goes to Night School" Stage Comedy. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Saturday, September 25, 7:30 p.m. - "Yee Haw!" Variety Show. Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: Call for Info.
• Fridays & Saturdays, 7:00 p.m. and Sundays, 2:00 p.m. through September 26 - "Aida!" Harbor Playhouse. Admission: $16.
• Tuesday, September 28, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Fridays, 7:30 p.m., Saturdays, 7:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m. through October 31 - "Rocky Horror Picture Show," Aurora Arts Center. Admission: $14.
• Daily through September 24 - "Man Alive Group Show" Art Exhibit. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Daily through September 30 - "Young Musings." Anita Bransom Debut Art Exhibit and Aransas Pass Chamber Mixer. Main Gallery, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• Saturday, October 2, 7:30 p.m. - "Yee Haw!" Variety Show. Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: Call for Info.
• Saturday, October 16, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. - "4th Annual Port Aransas Art Walk." Self-guided tour of art galleries and studios on the island. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Daily through October 16 - "Sylvia Benitez" Art Exhibit Opening Reception. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.

Jen Jones Rubinowitz is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rialto Theater, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization fostering art and education through visual art, music and live stage productions in the historic movie theater in downtown Aransas Pass. Her day job is in real estate at Coldwell Banker Myers-Gallagher. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line at jen@jenscoastalbend.com.