It's Never Too Late!

You know, it is never to late to learn or to try something new. There are two area art exhibits that focus completely on their members' works and/or the work of adult students who enrolled in classes within the last year. The Rockport Art Center has their annual "Currents" member show on display. We had friends visiting from Longview so we dropped in to visit the show. She is an artist at heart but, like many of us, has schedule issues - because, after all, how do you fit everything in, really? The support and encouragement the staff there showed us as we toured the exhibit was phenomenal. I think we all walked out feeling like anything is possible and we all have potential to express ourselves artistically if we just make the time.

The Art Center for the Islands in Port Aransas recently had their "First Friday" opening with their adult student art show. Another non-profit art organization accessible to all, they offer classes year-round in a variety of media. No experience is necessary although many artists will take a break from their primary media and take a class in something completely different to re-ignite their creative fires and feed the passion.

If you need further inspiration to start something new but feel it's "too late to try," consider "Grandma" Moses who didn't begin painting until she was in her 70's. Julia Child was just shy of fifty when she collaborated on her infamous French cookbook. Raymond Chandler introduced the world to Philip Marlowe when he published "The Big Sleep," his first novel, at fifty-one. So, if you're young and wondering what you're going to do "when you grow up," relax a bit. If you're older, just do it - what have you got to lose? Pick up the paintbrush, prepare your canvas and take the first stroke.

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Tuesday, January 19, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Daily through January 23 - "Currents" Member Show. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Fridays & Saturdays through January 23, 7:30 p.m. - "Clarence Darrow for the Defense." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Sunday, January 24, 2:00 p.m. - Final Matinee performance of "Clarence Darrow for the Defense." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Sunday, January 24, 7:30 p.m. - "Shane" classic western with the Cinema Flashbacks Club. Rialto Theater. Admission: $5 Membership; free to members.
• Fridays & Saturdays through January 27, 8:00 p.m. - "Greater Tuna." Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: $16.
• Daily through February 3 - "Adult Student Art Show." Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Fridays & Saturdays, March 5-20, 7:00 p.m. - "Sunshine Boys" Play by Neil Simon. Rockport Little Theatre. Admission: $10.

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.

Support the Arts in the Coastal Bend in 2010!

Happy New Year, everyone! There's so much to do and a whole 'nother year to do it in! I want to take this week's column to remind you of some of the great non-profit art centers we have right here in our region who need your regular attendance and support this year to keep their doors open in very challenging economic times!

Starting in downtown Aransas Pass, the Rialto Theater is home to art, music and live theater events. We are extremely lucky to have not only its art offerings but also recognize the value in keeping an old 1937 movie theater alive when so many have fallen by the wayside. The acoustics in there are amazing! Just down the road in Ingleside, check out the Golden Triangle Art Association; they have some great exhibits and classes you may find enjoyable this year for both adults and children.

Back up the road in Rockport, the Rockport Art Center hosts regular classes and art exhibits with world class distinction. Their annual July 4th Art Festival is an amazing undertaking. And every spring and fall, don't forget to attend The Rockport Little Theatre's events. RLT's productions specialize in farce and are always great fun in the old Rockport Elementary School building. They just finished renovation there, so I can't wait to see the next play and check out the improved space!

Now cross the ferry to Port Aransas. You'll find The Art Center for the Islands, a long-time member-driven center with monthly "First Friday" art receptions and art classes. They have been raising money to build and finally own their own facility and have a three year plan to make it reality. Their annual fundraiser, The Songwriter's Showcase and Art Festival on the Tarpon Inn's grounds is always enjoyable. Just outside of town on Hwy 361, you'll find the Port Aransas Community Theater. Not too long ago, they built a new facility and offer regular live stage productions throughout the year.

Space doesn't permit me to cover Victoria or Corpus Christi; but there are plenty of other non-profit art centers in our neck of the woods that need your help this year. Attend a concert, go to a jam, buy a ticket to a play, put a dollar in their donation jars. VOLUNTEER. These folks all need your help to keep going, keep focused, and keep the arts alive!

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Thursday, January 7, 7:30 p.m. - Preview of "Clarence Darrow for the Defense." Rialto Theater. Admission: Free to Marquee Members, others $12
• Friday, January 8, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - "First Friday" Opening Reception, Adult Student Show. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Friday & Saturday, January 8-9, 7:30 p.m. - "Clarence Darrow for the Defense." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Friday & Saturday, January 8-9, 8:00 p.m. - "Greater Tuna." Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: $16.
• Tuesday, January 12, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Sunday, January 24, 2:00 p.m. - Final Matinee performance of "Clarence Darrow for the Defense." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Sunday, January 24, 7:30 p.m. - "Shane" classic western with the Cinema Flashbacks Club. Rialto Theater. Admission: $5 Membership; free to members.
• Daily through January 23 - "Currents" Member Show. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Fridays & Saturdays, March 5-20, 7:00 p.m. - "Sunshine Boys" Play by Neil Simon. Rockport Little Theatre. Admission: $10.

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.

"To Make An End is to Make a Beginning" T.S. Eliot

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Christmas weekend. That's one holiday down and one to go! The birth of a new year is upon us once again. And just how did this past year go by so quickly? Funny how the sands of time sure seem to flow faster and faster as I get older. And, though I've stopped beating myself up by making unreasonable new year resolutions, I do enjoy looking back at where I've been and getting "back on track" in the months to come.

I've never heard of anyone saying from their deathbed, "I wish I'd spent more time at work." In the year ahead, remember in your rush to make ends meet that it's important to make time to do those things that bring joy into your soul. Spend some time letting your creative juices flow. How about flinging caution to the wind and trying something completely new that you haven't had the guts to tackle yet? Pick up a paint brush. Try out for a part in your local community theater. Let that piece of wood show you how to carve. Sing more songs - in your voice, not someone else's. Try saying, "I can't!" a lot less often and get out of your own way.

So, here's to what the future year brings for you with a quote from T.S. Eliot. "For last year's words belong to last year's language, And next year's words await another voice, And to make an end is to make a beginning."

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Daily through December 30 - "Student Art Show" Exhibit. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Sunday, January 3, 2:00 p.m. - "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" Cinema Flashbacks Club. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free to Members, $5 to join.
• Tuesday, January 5, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Daily through January 6 - "Bright Energy," The works of Narice Hopp. Rialto Theater Main Gallery. Admission: Free.
• Thursday, January 7, 7:30 p.m. - Preview of "Clarence Darrow for the Defense." Rialto Theater. Admission: Free to Marquee Members, others $12
• Friday, January 8, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - "First Friday" Opening Reception, Adult Student Show. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Friday & Saturday, January 8-9, 7:30 p.m. - "Clarence Darrow for the Defense." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Friday & Saturday, January 8-9, 8:00 p.m. - "Greater Tuna." Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: $16.
• Daily through January 23 - "Currents" Member Show. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.

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.