Artists Contributing to Community

I talked to the Rotarians last week about why art is important to the community. Beyond improving the quality of life, drawing business to the area, and developing depressed downtowns by enticing artists in, we are often are the catalyst for fundraising and attention to aid good causes. Yesterday, after the final matinee performance and cast party for "Always...Patsy Cline" at the Rialto Theater, we joined a benefit for an ailing musician in Port Aransas (artists often don't have health insurance) at the Tarpon Ice House. Many of the silent auction items were donated by fellow musicians and visual artists in our area. Musicians came from all over to play the day-long event to help raise money for Dave's medical bills. And they didn't let a little pouring rain put a damper on the parade.

A great fundraiser is coming up next month! Mark your calendars for the 9th Annual Bountiful Bowl Clay Expo at the Rockport-Fulton High School Commons the first weekend in February. This great exhibition features fine artisans from around the country and benefits the Aransas County Council on Aging Meals On Wheels Program. There are, of course, artists booths with wares to sell but also regular demonstrations of hand-building and wheel work from talented potters.

Also next month, the Rialto's production of "The Vagina Monologues" joins playwright Eve Ensler's worldwide movement with a play that continues to bring focus to the fight against domestic violence. Through humor & drama, this play is a perfect example of a grassroots effort that has sparked ongoing debate and attention to a problem everyone has been touched by in one way or another. Keep in mind art not only beautifies but can also electrify a community. Play a part in their efforts to make the world a better place one painting, one song, one play at a time!
Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Thursdays-Saturdays through January 29, 7:30 p.m. - "Opal's Baby" on stage. Port Aransas Community Theatre. Admission: $15.
• Tuesday, January 25, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Saturday, January 29, 7:30 p.m. - Encore Performance of "Always...Patsy Cline" musical on stage. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Daily through February 2, 7:30 p.m. - "Adult Student Show" Exhibit. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Saturday, February 5, 5:00-7:00 p.m. - Opening Reception for Steve Maness & Hooshang Khorasani. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Saturday-Sunday, February 5-6, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.- "Gallery Art Walk" Rockport Cultural District. Admission: Free.
• Saturday-Sunday, February 5-6, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.- "9th Annual Bountiful Bowl Clay Expo" Rockport-Fulton High School Commons. Admission: $4.
• Monday, February 7, 6:30 p.m. - First Monday Membership meeting, Golden Triangle Arts Center.
• Fridays-Saturdays, February 18 - March 5, 7:30 p.m. - "The Vagina Monologues." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Fridays-Saturdays through February 27, 7:00 p.m. - "Footloose" Live on Stage in January. Aurora Arts Center. Sunday matinees at 2:3 p.m. Admission: $14.

Jen Rubinowitz 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 Kuper Sotheby's International Realty. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line at jen@jenscoastalbend.com.

I'm in Seattle this week honeymooning and celebrating two milestone birthdays as well! And, of course, loving all the artistic expressions to be found here. I love visiting new places and observing how regional differences influence the work of local artists. The waterfront and the Native American presence is obvious here in the beautiful works we see everywhere. Larger metropolitan areas also tend to provide support (financial and otherwise) with artistic avenues in the public spaces and that's always inspiring.

It seems everywhere we look, there's sculpture sitting alongside a park walkway, or a highway or a street corner. Many buildings and walls have colorful murals or mosaics displayed. We even saw a very colorful installation using chewing gum for its media as we were walking along Post Alley in the Pike Market area. And, yes, the public is welcome to and happily adds to the work. Art? In this case, believe it or not, yes. But don't try that at home, folks!

Closer to home, we've got some great live stage events to see (but leave the chewing gum at home...). It's the final weekend for "Rush Limbaugh at Night School," at the Rialto, the "Yee Haw" variety show is on at PACT, "Aida" continues at Harbor, and "Rocky Horror Picture Show" explodes at the Aurora. The rain will stop, the sun will shine and art will continue to inspire. Go grab some!

Upcoming Events:

• Fridays & Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., through September 25 - Final Weekend. "Rush Limbaugh Goes to Night School" Stage Comedy. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Saturday, September 25, 7:30 p.m. - "Yee Haw!" Variety Show. Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: Call for Info.
• Fridays & Saturdays, 7:00 p.m. and Sundays, 2:00 p.m. through September 26 - "Aida!" Harbor Playhouse. Admission: $16.
• Tuesday, September 28, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Fridays, 7:30 p.m., Saturdays, 7:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m. through October 31 - "Rocky Horror Picture Show," Aurora Arts Center. Admission: $14.
• Daily through September 24 - "Man Alive Group Show" Art Exhibit. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Daily through September 30 - "Young Musings." Anita Bransom Debut Art Exhibit and Aransas Pass Chamber Mixer. Main Gallery, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• Saturday, October 2, 7:30 p.m. - "Yee Haw!" Variety Show. Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: Call for Info.
• Saturday, October 16, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. - "4th Annual Port Aransas Art Walk." Self-guided tour of art galleries and studios on the island. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Daily through October 16 - "Sylvia Benitez" Art Exhibit Opening Reception. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.

Jen Jones Rubinowitz 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.

The Art of the Story

Joe Hayes, resident storyteller at Santa Fe's Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, says "I think the greatest contribution you can make with storytelling is that it really builds a sense of community. The tellers and listeners work together, and when we share a story, it removes barriers of strangeness." I have yet to make it to the annual George West's Storyfest every November, usually because it conflicts with the Rialto Theater's "Black Tie & Blue Jeans" Gala, but I can certainly relate to Mr. Hayes' point of view.

Every artist, whether visual or performing, attempts to impart a story in that moment to their audience. Some via a two-hour play, others through a painting, a three minute song or through touch of a sculpture. In today's culture of soundbites, the internet, and instant gratification, artists are challenged to capture the patron's interest and attention with their work. Some painters spend their life telling a story through a series of paintings while others paint a picture with only one. A triptych is a series of three panels comprising one body of work. You'll often see them in the regional art exhibits here in the Coastal Bend.

Regardless of how the artist chooses to share in their media of choice, think about art as simply a way of telling a story to you. It's nothing more or less than that; a way of reaching out to you, removing the barriers of strangeness that separates and alienates us as individuals. Art can provide a common bond and enable you to see someone else's point of view in a whole new way.

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Friday, August 6, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - "First Friday" Opening Reception. Live Music, Food & Drink. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Tuesday, August 10, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Daily through August 7 - "Shirley Blackman Poster Artist" Reception and Opening Exhibit. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Fridays & Saturdays, 7:00 p.m. and Sundays, 2:00 p.m. through August 8 - "Chicago" Harbor Playhouse. Admission: $16.
• Fridays & Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, 2:30 p.m. through August 15 - "Cabaret" Aurora Arts Center. Admission: $7-$14.
• Daily through September 23 - "Young Musings." Anita Bransom Debut Art Exhibit and Aransas Pass Chamber Mixer. Main Gallery, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• Friday & Saturday, 7:30 p.m., September 10-11 - "Rush Limbaugh Goes to Night School" Stage Comedy. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Fridays & Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. September 24-October 9 - "Driving Miss Daisy" Rialto Theater's 2010-2011 season opener. Final Performance October 10, 2:00 p.m. Matinee. Admission: $12.
• Saturday, October 16, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. - "4th Annual Port Aransas Art Walk." Self-guided tour of art galleries and studios on the island. Art Center for the Islands. 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 atjen@jenscoastalbend.com.