Art Meets Downtown

I returned not too long ago from a road trip to Orlando visiting two of my three kids. We didn't spend all of it on the interstate; taking the road less traveled from time to time. I saw some great inspiration for downtown areas where someone had obviously made it a priority to focus on and renovate their historic spaces. I took some footage of "The Rex" theater in Pensacola and pictures of some east Texas downtowns in the Longview area that had participated in Main Street programs. They were very interesting comparisons to the "la-la land" of Universal Studios in Florida which depicted landmarks of "downtowns" from around the country with faux storefronts interspersed with rides and exhibits.

Where do the lines get drawn when art and entertainment meet downtown design and development requirements? What role do the arts play in drawing folks into a region or a downtown area? Obviously, cultural potential is great as a tourist draw but also contributes to quality of life for the inhabitants in our area. Like most of you, artists struggle to maintain the balance between budget and needs (or, to be honest, "wants" since creating art is a bit below air, water and food on our survival scale).

I see the potential of where we could go and what we could show at our own little bend in the road. It's just a matter of fortitude and patience to continue to strive for it. In the meantime, artists will keep throwing their pots, painting their pictures, singing their songs, and acting their hearts out on the stage for you. Spend some time this week showing your appreciation for the difference they make for our communities here!

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Thursday, May 20, 7:00 p.m. - "The Three Little Pigs" Houston Children's Theatre production. Port Aransas Community Theatre. Tickets: $15/$5.
• Tuesday, May 25, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Daily through June 2 - "Hot Shot Photography" Art Exhibit. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Friday, June 4, 7:30 p.m. - "Jack and the Beanstalk" Houston Children's Theatre production. Port Aransas Community Theatre. Tickets: $15/$5.
• Daily through June 12 - "Deborah Males and J.P. Morton" Art Exhibit. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Daily through June 23 - "First Look" Debut Art Exhibit by Norma Gafford and Mary Rush-Griffin. Main Gallery, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• Fridays and Saturdays, June 25 through July 10, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m. - "Showtime on the Showboat (or Don't Throw Garbage in the River)" Summer Melodrama. Live on Stage. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.

Jen Jones 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.