Here's more from the head of our Lost Pines Artisans' Alliance - the group that runs our art gallery (among other things!) in Smithville:
The Lost Pines Artisans' Alliance was founded 4 years ago by several artists and craftspeople in the Smithville/Bastrop area who wished to promote arts in the region. To that end, we have promoted several projects. The First Saturday Arts Festival is now entering its 4th successful season. On the first Saturday of every month from March through December you'll find artists gathered under the oaks in the park at the south end of Main Street in Smithville. We have all original artwork shown by the producing artist, live music and free arts and crafts projects for children. Around Smithville you'll find works of art ranging from painted fireplugs as a fund-raiser for the volunteer fire department to works called "Art on a Stick". Most importantly, we maintain the Mary Nichols Art Center at 301 Burleson in Smithville. The historic building was donated to the city about 20 years ago with the stipulation that it would be used for the arts. For 17 years, the Art League of Smithville called the house their home. In 2008, because of maintenance issues, they decided to give it up and the city allowed the LPAA to rent it for a nominal fee. The LPAA is responsible for all maintenance, upkeep and utilities. We fund this mostly with revenue from our First Saturday booth sales. Today it is used as a gallery for fine arts and is open to the public on Saturdays and Wednesdays. As our membership grows, we hope to be open more days but for the moment, our volunteers manage those two days. We are always happy to open the gallery for a private tour. It's just a matter of phoning the gallery director. For now you can call me (Jo Watts) at 512-577-5252. Wednesdays double as an "open studio"; a time for members and non-members to gather and be in the presence of like minded and creative people. Some people bring projects that they are working on and some just want to "hang out" with other artists. We've always got materials and ideas ready for anyone who just wants to make art. In addition to a glassed in back porch which is a great place for painting, there are rooms upstairs that are used for classes and workshops. We also have a kiln on that porch. All members as well as non-members are encouraged to share what they know and you'll find something going on several times a week. I hope I've answered some of your questions. Feel free to call me if I haven't, and come to the gallery! -Jo Jo Watts Lost Pines Artisans' Alliance [email protected] Judith M. Bergeron Smithville Public Library 507 Main Street Smithville, TX 78957 TEL: 512/237-3282 ext. 2424 CELL: 512-848-5377 FAX: 512/237-4549 email: [email protected] website: www.smithvillepubliclibrary.org ________________________________ From: Laurie Mahaffey <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tue, March 9, 2010 8:50:38 AM Subject: [ctls-l] FW: libraries & museums Does your city have a museum? Aside from La Grange (in which the museum, archives, and library are all in one building), who else out there has a museum that is run by a unit of local government (city, county, etc.)? If there is a non-government sponsored museum, who operates it? Do any city/county funds go to help support it? Has your library ever been asked to take over & staff or fund a museum? How about those in historical homes? Thanks. Laurie Laurie Mahaffey, Deputy Director Central Texas Library System, Inc. 1005 West 41st Street Austin, Texas 78756 www.ctls.net [email protected] 512-583-0704 x18 800-262-4431 x18 Are there any libraries in our system that have museums in their towns? If so, who oversees the museums? Are any of the libraries involved in museum operations? ________________________________
