Paint the Town

Artists are all around Marble Falls, competing in Paint the Town, the annual plein air art event of Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA).

Fans and visitors can soak up their techniques and artistic vision in three days of fun events.

“We are billed as one of the top 5 plein air events in Texas,” said Carolyn Bates of the HLCA board. “And, we're asking the community to 'Fire Up for Paint the Town.'

“Through Saturday, plein air artists will be painting in Marble Falls and the surrounding bluebonnet-filled countryside. Visitors will be able to watch them at work and view the finished art.”

Paint the Town, the annual plein air art event of Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA), will bring 40 open-air artists to Marble Falls, along with three days of fun events for fans and visitors.

“We are billed as one of the top 5 plein air events in Texas,” said Carolyn Bates of the HLCA board. “And, we're asking the community to 'Fire Up for Paint the Town.'

“Thursday through Saturday, plein air artists will be painting in Marble Falls and the surrounding bluebonnet-filled countryside. Visitors will be able to watch them at work and view the finished art.”

From 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day Paint the Town Galleries will be open and exhibiting/sales space is doubled.
Now is the time, Bates said to purchase the $50 tickets for the Friday night reception, Introducing 2017 Paint the Town, that will include the results of the Nocturnal Paint Out, with local craft foods, wine, beers and live music.

Paint the Town, a plein air, or open air, competition March 30 – April 1 will host 40 artists from around the country to capture the scenes of Marble Falls and you can have a ring-side seat.

Texas bluebonnets are a topical favorite and you can pack a lunch and a lawn chair and watch their artworks magically appear. Organizers of the event from Highland Lakes Creative Arts suggest looking for artists at work at these prime locations:

• Bella Vista B&B--1455 Cimarron Ranch Road--off Ranch to Market Road 1431 east on Lake Travis. (Charming country inn with beautiful vistas.)

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 Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

While out and about in Marble Falls during the 10th annual Paint the Town celebration this weekend folks will see artists young and old at their easels, perfecting plein air techniques and showing their passion.

The Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA), the nonprofit that is organizing Paint the Town, are ready to promote the arts in the region during a three-day celebration and competition in downtown Marble Falls from Thursday, March 31-Saturday, April 2.

Students from Marble Falls Middle School and Marble Falls High School have been preparing for weeks to show their skills to community members.