FREE Kid's Music Workshop

Ron Rebstock and Reta Rebstock of the band “Southern Light” will be hosting a workshop in the Ross Gallery at Arts for Rural Texas for our local children on January 14th from 10AM-12PM. In this workshop,  students will learn and participate in several sing-along songs such as “You Are My Sunshine”,  banjo tunes like “Turkey in the Straw”, and dances like the “Hokey Pokey” Ron & Reta will also do a show-and-tell on the banjo, guitar and the upright bass violin and give the kids a close look and careful touch on the instruments.

 This workshop is free to the children and on a first come, first serve basis.
 All materials will be provided.
 Ages 5-11
 Please call ARTS today to register your child! (979)378-2113, info@artsforruraltexas.org.

Award-winning Artist Mary Quiros to Conduct Water Color Class at ARTS

Mary Quiros, who recently won the Mark Chapman Award for 2D art at ArtWalk 2011, will conduct a class for beginners as well as advanced water color artists at ARTS in September.


Mary and her husband Evan moved to Fayette County from Laredo several years ago. Mary has exhibited throughout Texas and the US, and she continues to paint at her studio in her home. We are very happy that she is taking the time to extend to us her knowledge and expertise.


The class size will be limited, so please call the ARTS office early if you want to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.


Here is the information:



September 7, 8 and 9
(Wednesday, Thursday & Friday)  9:00am to 3:00pm

Class Fee:  $195
$50 Non-refundable deposit due by Friday, August 19th

Class Description:
Day One:
Discussion of the elements of design, and drawing  from a still life set-up.

Day Two:
Instructor demonstration, plus students will create a watercolor painting from the still-life design using different techniques.

Day Three:
Critique of the completed paintings and discussions on how the  elements of design were used to finish the paintings.

New Sign for ARTS Offices in Fayetteville

Recently, our new logo was installed on the front of our offices in Fayetteville. With the kind assistance of Mark Kluckman, a general contractor from Houston, the 10-foot wide metal sign was carefully installed on the upper facia of our building. Mark brought some of the people who work with him at ECI, his company that recently has built several projects in Fayette County. The group donated their time and expertise to help raise our profile. Thanks guys!

ArtWalk 2011 a Great Success; Juried Winners Celebrated

ArtWalk 2011, held on Fayetteville's historic square,  experienced increased crowds, great weather (although a little windy) and an expanded music program. 


ArtWalk has steadily grown each year in terms of artists and crowds, and this year continued the trend. A large tent was added this year to house the stage for music and the Artist Reception, at which the juried awards were presented. 


Mark Chapman and Cheryl Mellenthin generously donate the funds for the awards, and Mark personally presented the awards to the artists.

 Mark Chapman presents $1,000 award for Best 2D to Mary Quiros.

 Mark Chapman presents $1,000 award for Best 3D to Oscar Silva.

ArtWalk 2011 Mark Chapman Sponsored Awards:

Best 2D:  $1000     Mary Quiros - Painting

Best 3D:  $1000     Oscar Silva - Mixed Media/Sculpture

Artistic Award of Excellence 2D:  4 Awards at $400 Each

Melanie Fain - Water Color/Etching

Janice McCubbin - Painting

Jeri Salter - Pastel

Bruce Williamson - Painting

Artistic Award of Excellence 3D:  4 Awards at $400 Each

Martha Breternitz - Jewelry

Lyn Foley - Jewelry     

Shikha Joshi - Ceramics

Jack Roseman - Glass

Mark Chapman Creative Expression Awards:  

o   1st Place:  $600    Gerald Tobola, Leslie Ravey, Jo Alcalde - Mixed Media Collaborative

o   2nd Place:  $400    Lenore Prudhomme - Painting

o   3rd Place A:  $300    Aly Winningham - Mixed Media

o   3rd Place B:  $200    Carol Lyon - Photography

 The Austin Clasical Guitar Society performs under the big tent.

The wind was a blessing for the children who made kites at the Kids Tent.

Excitement Building for ArtWalk 2011

The excitement for ArtWalk 2011 is building. An unprecedented lineup of visual artists and musicians promises to make this weekend's event one to remember. Advertisements in local and regional publications and radio stations from Houston to San Antonio to Austin have been placed. Over 60 participating artists will be setting up tents on Fayetteville's historic Town Square and a full schedule of musical performances will take place in the Music and Food tent. Children’s art activities will also take place on the Square. 

A panel of judges will award over $5,500 in prize money to the participating artists who had to be "juried" or selected into the show.

One of the more popular spots will be the Wine Tent, where visitors can participate in wine tastings and purchase fine wines to take home. This year there are ARTS Commemorative Wines to chose from as well.

Plus, Royers and the Texas Pizza Wagon will be there.

All of these attractions make for a wonderful “fresh air” event this weekend in Fayetteville.

Austin Classical Guitar Society will bring a large group of guitarists to perform at ArtWalk.

Large Crowd Sees Pat Johnson Opening

A packed house came to see Pat Johnson's opening at ARTS Ross Gallery on the Square in Fayetteville. Saturday afternoon, April 9th. This was the local artist's first show at our gallery, and she presented current work as well as many older pieces on loan from collectors around the state. Pat's show will be up through May 1st, so visitors to ArkWalk (April 30th and May 1st) will have an opportunity to see this wonderful show of ceramics, drawings and paintings. Pat also opened her studio to visitors, allowing people to stroll several doors down the Square to see where she makes her clay pieces. 

Pat's work has been featured in many one person and group shows in Texas, including exhibitions at the Longview Museum of Fine Art and McNay Art Museum in San Antonio. She has also shown in Houston galleries such as Hooks-Epstein and Goldesberry.

The large crowd at ARTS Ross Gallery on the Square.

Detail of the ceramic piece titled "Lost & Found".

County Judge Ed Janecka with artist Pat Johnson.

Pat Johnson with Louis Greco. 

ArtWalk 2011 Announces Live Music Schedule

The lineup for the live music stage at this year's ArtWalk is an exciting mix of local favorites and new visitors to the Fayetteville Square. Make plans to spend some time in our Music and Food Tent at ArtWalk this year.

Mike Stroup                          Just Duet

ArtWalk 2011 - Live Music Schedule

SATURDAY, April 30, 2011

Event Hours:  10:00am - 5:00pm

10:00am   "Mike Stroup & Friends"  (country & western)

11:00am   "Mike Stroup & Friends"  (country & western)

12 Noon   "Jim & Bobbi"  (guitar and fiddle)

1:00pm    Terry Ross, Harpist

2:00pm   Fayette Czech Singers and Youth Dancers with Jimmie Fucik on Accordion

3:00pm   "Just Duet - Plus Two"  (guitars and singer)

4:00pm    "Just Duet - Plus Two"    (guitars and singer)

SUNDAY, May 1, 2011

Event Hours:  11:00am - 4:00pm

11:00am   "Jalapeno Honey"  (traditional and contemporary Celtic music)

12 Noon   "Jalapeno Honey"  (traditional and contemporary Celtic music)

1:00pm   "Austin Classical Guitar Society" (group of 15 classical guitarists)

2:00pm   "Just Duet - Plus Two"  (guitars and singer)

3:00pm    "Just Duet - Plus Two"  (guitars and singer)

Houston Grand Opera to Go Delights Local School Children

Arts for Rural Texas brought the Houston Grand Opera's "Opera to Go" to perform in local schools on March 24th and 25th. Over 1,300 children from La Grange Intermediate school, Hermes, Schulenburg Elementary, Weimar Elementary, St. Rose Catholic School, Fayetteville Elementary, Fayetteville Middle School and West End Elementary were treated to a performance of "The Princess and the Pea."

The young performers — 5 singers and an accompanist — played their parts with great animation and passion and had everyone totally engrossed in the production. At one point in the opera the lead singer went into the audience to sing, drawing excited responses from the children.

The Opera to Go two-day event was generously underwritten by Cheryl Mellenthin and Mark Chapman, who were in attendance at the second performance in Fayetteville. 

Jeanne Reavis Show Opens at Ross Gallery

A nice crowd gathered during the afternoon of March 12th at the Ross Gallery in Fayetteville to see the latest work of Jeanne Reavis. A consistent ArtWalk participant, Jeanne has a loyal following in the Fayette county area as well as in Houston, where she lives. Her popular landscape oils were well received, and can be seen through April 2nd. 


Jeanne's work will be on view again during ArtWalk 2011 on the Square in Fayetteville April 30th and May 1st.

The Art Guild of Rural Texas changes its name!

Hello, and welcome to the ARTS blog!

First order of business: change.

To better reflect the mission of our organization, the Board has changed our name to Arts for Rural Texas, or ARTS.

We have unveiled a new name, a new logo and a new web site.

We have instituted these changes to better reflect our mission, which is “to heighten the visual and performing arts experience in our rural communities with an emphasis on providing educational opportunities for children.”

We are making a concerted effort to let people of the area know what we really do. Founded in 2003, we have been augmenting school art programs in Fayette, Colorado and Austin counties with Art After School and Fine Art Assemblies. The Assemblies bring individual artists and groups, such as the Houston Grand Opera and Ballet Austin, to perform and teach in local schools. Summer Art Camps are
held annually for area school children. We also host art exhibitions, music events and film screenings. We sponsor ArtWalk, an annual outdoor art show which draws visitors from around the state to the Square in Fayetteville. ARTS is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Membership in Arts for Rural Texas is open to everyone.

To better communicate with our friends, volunteers and the audiences we serve, we have launched a new web site. Please check us out at: www.ArtsForRuralTexas.org

We’ve changed our name, but not our passion!

ARTS President Jeanne Schilling

To celebrate the name change and to unveil the new logo, we held a party in the back yard of the ARTS building. It was quite a night. ARTS President Jeanne Schilling addressed the group of around 175 people. Michael Stroup headed up a trio that played through the night.

ARTS co-founder Jeanette Brown

The original founders — Jeanette Brown, Michael Clann and Judge Terry Ross — of ARTS (back when it was called the Art Guild of Fayetteville) came out to meet the current volunteers and to share memories. Michael gave a bit of history to the group, and Jeanette thanked all those that have volunteered through the years.

Mike Stroup trio plays to the back yard audience.

Back porch conversations.