the arts

A downtown reception will be held in Marble Falls Friday, Dec. 24, to honor one of the Highland Lakes most revered artists, Father Jario Lopez.

When you visit the Highland Lakes, you are visiting an unofficial gallery of Father Lopez’ artistic work. On the city streets, local homes and Saint John The Evangelist Catholic Church in Marble Falls, his art is lovingly displayed.

Beginning at the turn of a new century, Father Lopez’s calling to mosaic art and to the Highland Lakes were in harmony. With reserve and reverence he explains, “Art lasts forever.”

In the year 2000, his art and his work meshed when he arrived in the rolling hills and lakes. "It's a part of my prayer life and my spirituality, for when you meditate, you see the beauty of God in the materials, colors and textures,” he smiles with having spoken his heart.

His seaming of church and community is similar to his mosaic art.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Paint the Town, this year billed to rise to the top five of plein air exhibits in Texas, is set to open March 27-29.

The event is an invitational for 40 juried, open-air artists to invade Marble Falls and create scenes of the city on site.

“We will see them painting in historic Marble Falls, along the waterfront and on private countryside properties,” said Carolyn Bates, one of the organizers. “A map will be provided of all locations so visitors can watch the artists at work.”

“Eric Rhoads, who is the major U.S. advocate for the plein air movement and also the owner of Streamline Publishing's “Plein Air” and “Fine Art Connoisseur” magazines, is the Paint the Town judge for this year,” said Bates.

Bates will be mentoring the sponsoring organization, Highland Lakes Creative Arts (which members refer to simply as the arts) and Paint the Town in their goal of being one of the top five plein air events

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Eleven sculptures will be featured in the 11th Annual Sculpture on Main event in Marble Falls, opening with fun from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.

Highland Lakes Creative Arts, the new non-profit organization coordinating the event will add an indoor small works exhibit and sale all day at Lakeside Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista Drive. Visitors will be able to purchase table-top pieces, meet artists and watch live sculpture demonstrations.

From 6:30-9 p.m., Sculpture on Main will honor all the artists in the new year-long exhibit. Meet the Artist is a ticketed reception and awards ceremony with three 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 watch a culinary show.