Blurring the Lines

Sixty-one years is a long time for any artist event. This year, the Texas Watercolor Society is holding their national annual exhibition at the Rockport Art Center. Texas watercolorists, along with those from thirty-three other states, will be competing for honor and prizes. The opening reception and awards are going to be presented on April 10 and works will continue on display through May 8. And, of course, it's a wonderful way to enjoy art with no expense (unless you see something you just cannot live without). Please plan on attending; you'll marvel at the bolder colors - these aren't the washed out watercolors we all played with in elementary school.

And I hope they still do play with watercolors in elementary school. With funding cuts, school art and music programs are often the first to go. Though I have no talent for it, I remember sitting at the table, with a little cup of water, a brush in hand and splashing water on the paper. Once I gave up trying to stay within the lines and just went with the flow, I had fun and enjoyed the experience.

All of us could do with a bit of that attitude these days. Why do we try to stay within the lines so much, anyway? A sense of security? Doing what's expected? Who sets those guidelines, anyway? I think too often we try to force ourselves into a narrower focus than is necessary. Worse, we try to impose a rigid set of "rules" on others when, at the heart of it, our differences are what make the world so interesting. This week, try blurring your lines a bit and see where the journey takes you.

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Thursdays - Saturdays through April 17, 7:30 p.m. - "Cheatin'" On Stage, Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: $10-15. Adults Only.
• Friday, April 2, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - "First Friday" Art Reception. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Tuesday, April 6, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Saturday, April 10, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Opening Reception, "Texas Watercolor Society" Art Exhibit. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Daily through April 22 - "Love of God's Creations" Art Exhibit by Pamela Sijansky. Main Gallery, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• Fridays and Saturdays, April 15 - May 2, 7:30 p.m. - "Rounding Third" Comedy Live on Stage. Thursday Preview on 4/15 free to Marquee Members, Sunday Matinee at 2:00 p.m. on May 2. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Saturday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. - "Greezy Wheels in Concert." 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 atjen@jenscoastalbend.com.

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.