Meet the artists of Sculpture on Main Dec. 2
Glynis Crawford Smith/The Highlander
Anthony St. James, right, prepares to install 'Fresh Water Cowgirl,' his sculptural creation of stainless steel and brass for the 11th Annual Sculpture on Main. Downtown islands proved too confining for the 14-foot mermaid, who now rises up from the grounds of City Hall at the intersection of Avenue H, Third Street and US 281.
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
Sculpture on Main is celebrating a big coming out party for its 11th annual event all day today and into the night today, Friday, Dec. 2.
The doors open at 10 a.m. at Lakeside Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista Drive, to art exhibition, demonstration and sale until 6 p.m. Nine artists of table top art works will be on hand to meet the public there and discuss their works.
Among them will be Beth Schoen exhibiting for sale her bronze of Willie Nelson and a ceramic of Albert Einstein.
Downtown, tours of the 11 new juried entries in the year-long exhibit of Sculpture on Main will be going on.
“You can ask for a tour or join one that is going on,” said Carolyn Bates of the board of directors of the event sponsor, Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA) “Volunteer docents will be dressed in turquoise artists aprons imprinted with “the arts.” That's how we refer to HLCA.”
All of the art is for sale and guides can provide information about the creators who will be presented at the “Meet the Artists” event in the evening.
The public will have a chance to turn hands to three-dimensional art under the guidance of one of the country's eminent artists, Susan Norris.
“Susan Norris is the judge of the Sculpture on Main exhibit,” said Bates. “She is the official sculptor of Boy Scouts of America and she is in the process now of creating a work for the BSA Philmont Ranch.” Marta Stafford Fine Art is the local representative of the New Mexico artist and exhibits some of her finished works at the 200 Main Street gallery. Norris will be judging competition entries during the morning. But afterward, her attention will turn to 72 Marble Falls Middle School Students, age 9-13, and to the public.
From 1-3 p.m. the students will rotate between hands-on work in clay on the Lakeside Pavilion stage and guided tours of Main Street exhibits. Then it will be the turn of adults to take part from 5-6 p.m.
Norris will determine the winners of Best in Show and Commendation. A committee of Highland Lakes Creative Arts board members and supporters will select the People's Choice winner.
Tickets will be available at the Lakeside Pavilion entrance for Meet the Artist, the reception and awards ceremony that begins at 6:30 p.m. The $65 ticket not only supports 'the arts' non-profit, but opens the evening's doors to live music performances, gourmet food and wine. Surrounded by the glow of the Walkway of Lights, guests will meet all the artists and peruse table-size sculptures and art for sale and watch a culinary show.
To the strains of classical guitar, Rafael Garcia, a local LeCordon Blue-trained chef, will prepare paella in a custom traditional pan over coals on the pavilion deck. His creation of “Perfect Paella,” in authentic Spanish tradition, includes seafood, chicken, sausage and vegetables over a layer of toasted rice, called socarrat.
Following dinner, guests can visit the gourmet coffee bar and taste Mexican Cafe de Olla (a decaf coffee version) with cinnamon, chocolate and flavored cream.
Dessert creation will be in the hands of Steve and Michelle Parsons of Choccollate sweets shop. They will offer their famous pecan toffee, handmade truffles, cookies, cakes and gelato, dark chocolate bites with a hint of chipotle pepper and drizzled with ganache and “The Arts!” signature sugar cookies.
Learn more about Sculpture on Main and Highland Lakes Creative Arts online at www.hlcarts.com.x
