Paint the Town is on the horizon

The beginning of spring in the Highland Lakes brings another Marble Falls arts tradition: Paint the Town, now in its 10th year and still full of family activities free of charge.

From March 30-April 2, artists young and old, experienced and amateur, will take part in the experience.

"Listen to great music, watch students and professional artists paint, browse the expansive gallery, test your own creativity at the interactive arts stations, eat and drink wine," said Carolyn Bates, member of the Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA) board of directors. 

The HLCA is a recently created nonprofit that also will manage Sculpture on Main in the fall.

"The Arts (HLCA) is joining the wave of energy and people coming to The Highland Lakes," Bates said. "We have a message of inclusion, collaboration and the 'power of Creativity' to connect everyone."

At least 40 artists will be visiting the Highland Lakes from as far away as Alaska, California, Florida, New Mexico and Oregon (of course, plenty of Texas artists will be participating.) They will be painting scenes along the waterfront and around Marble Falls.

Grown-ups can't have all the fun, though.

Middle and high school-aged students have been competing for their opportunity to spend all day Friday, April 1, sharing plein air demonstrations with four professional artists. Students' plein air pieces will be exhibited and for sale in the Student Gallery.

Paint the Town is about more than visual art: the HLCA is incorporating culinary and musical arts also. Five local restaurants and caterers will have a creative food challenge display.

It's not meant to be a passive experience: organizers want folks to experience Paint the Town through art stations with interactive experiences.  

For more, see The Highlander on March 18.