Art & Music in the Coastal Bend

The Art Center for the Islands in Port Aransas has been running their non-profit member organization since 1996. They have over 200 member-artists. One of their great annual fundraisers is coming up. "Fiesta de Mayo" kicks off this long, active weekend starting off with dinner and an auction on Thursday evening at the Port Aransas Community Center. Then, go and enjoy the artists participating in the Art Festival on Saturday and Sunday on the grounds of the historic Tarpon Inn.

This showcases some wonderful, unique artists around the state but, more importantly, you'll meet some local artists who normally don't exhibit at art shows. So, you'll see a range of work not normally seen outside of galleries or their private studios. Last year's show was quite diverse in its offering even though the courtyard at Tarpon Inn is a rather small show space.

Monday night brings the events of the weekend to a close. My favorite event, the Songwriter's Showcase, has been going strong for the last twenty-seven years and is a great way to enjoy wonderful music while supporting the Art Center's cause of bringing art to the public. This year, for the first time ever, it's taking place at Cinnamon Shore, a relatively new seaside development on HIghway 361 outside of Port Aransas. Come join me for some great music with a backdrop of waves hitting the shore. Should be an awesome weekend of art and music!

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Saturday, May 15, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - "Deborah Males and J.P. Morton" Opening Reception. Art on exhibit through June 12. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Thursday - Monday, May 13-17 - "Fiesta de Mayo" Art & Songwriter Annual Fundraiser for Art Center for the Islands. Multiple locations; call Art Center for info. Admission: Varies.
• Tuesday, May 18, 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.
• 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.