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.

For the last couple of weeks, Jake and I have been stealing whatever spare time we can to build a 16x20 workshop in the backyard. This will be a place where he can finally have room to work his magic with wood; building furniture and boats and I can get back to doing stained glass again. At least, that's what we're telling ourselves.

Like most folks who aren't independently wealthy, we struggle to make time to pursue the things that stoke our personal creative fires. We've been pretty successful at finding time to sing and perform; it's the rehearsals that are the challenge. Many artistic people figure out that they really can't pursue all the avenues they would like to try. I struggled for quite awhile trying to decide how to limit and focus on what to pursue. And, honestly, I still do fight the overwhelming urge to take more classes in untried arenas: "Oh! Fused Glass 101 - cool! Hey, here's a session on Creative Writing. Oh, wait...I haven't finished this-or-that - how can I start something new?"

The reality is there are only so many hours in the day and so many things to try and/or create! So. If you find yourself pulled in one hundred different directions, narrow it down to just three (at any one time, anyway!). This month, just focus on those three things to work on. Keep the self-discipline; it's difficult but you can do it. If you need some free inspiration, go visit a gallery or two for ideas!

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• 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.
• Thursdays - Saturdays through April 17, 7:30 p.m. - "Cheatin'" On Stage, Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: $10-15. Adults Only.
• Daily through April 28 - "Island Women" Group Show. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Tuesday, April 20, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Daily through April 22 - "Love of God's Creations" Art Exhibit by Pamela Sijansky. Main Gallery, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• Saturday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. - "Greezy Wheels in Concert." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Daily through May 8- "61st Annual Texas Watercolor Society Nationals" Art Exhibit. 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. Tarpon Inn Courtyard. Admission: Varies.

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.

For the last couple of weeks, Jake and I have been stealing whatever spare time we can to build a 16x20 workshop in the backyard. This will be a place where he can finally have room to work his magic with wood; building furniture and boats and I can get back to doing stained glass again. At least, that's what we're telling ourselves.

Like most folks who aren't independently wealthy, we struggle to make time to pursue the things that stoke our personal creative fires. We've been pretty successful at finding time to sing and perform; it's the rehearsals that are the challenge. Many artistic people figure out that they really can't pursue all the avenues they would like to try. I struggled for quite awhile trying to decide how to limit and focus on what to pursue. And, honestly, I still do fight the overwhelming urge to take more classes in untried arenas: "Oh! Fused Glass 101 - cool! Hey, here's a session on Creative Writing. Oh, wait...I haven't finished this-or-that - how can I start something new?"

The reality is there are only so many hours in the day and so many things to try and/or create! So. If you find yourself pulled in one hundred different directions, narrow it down to just three (at any one time, anyway!). This month, just focus on those three things to work on. Keep the self-discipline; it's difficult but you can do it. If you need some free inspiration, go visit a gallery or two for ideas!

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• 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.
• Thursdays - Saturdays through April 17, 7:30 p.m. - "Cheatin'" On Stage, Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: $10-15. Adults Only.
• Daily through April 28 - "Island Women" Group Show. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Tuesday, April 20, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Daily through April 22 - "Love of God's Creations" Art Exhibit by Pamela Sijansky. Main Gallery, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• Saturday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. - "Greezy Wheels in Concert." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Daily through May 8- "61st Annual Texas Watercolor Society Nationals" Art Exhibit. 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. Tarpon Inn Courtyard. Admission: Varies.

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.