Sculpture on Main

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.

Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA) has announced the first purchase in the permanent sculpture installation initiative of Sculpture on Main.

Eleven sculptures were introduced at the opening of the 11th annual event Dec. 2. Although entries in the show remain on exhibit along Marble Falls' Main Street, all are for sale.

The colorful set of metal sculptures, “3 Ponies” by Johnny Shipman has been purchased by an anonymous donor who already has named the three to represent family residences. The stallion will be named Kosse for a Limestone County family ranch, the mare will be called Dallas and the colt will be Rocky, for a Rockport residence.

Shipman has exhibited all over the Central Texas Area and several years in the Sculpture on Main event, selling several premier pieces to local patrons.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

With 11 new works in place, the 11th Annual Sculpture on Main in Marble Falls began officially Friday, Dec. 2, with a Meet the Artists reception and the presentation of four major awards.

Best of Show was awarded to “Bull's Eye,” and 8-foot tall, 2,500-pound creation by acclaimed New Mexico granite sculptor Candyce Garrett.

“We were pleased to receive an entry by a sculptor of Candyce Garrett's stature,” said Carolyn Bates of the board of directors of Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA), sponsor of Sculpture on Main. “The entry is valued at $120,000.”

The Commendation Award went to “Cache del Mar” by Marshall Cunningham and the People's Choice Award, to “Trois Jets D'eau” (Three Water Jets) by Helene Vachon and Mark Jaschke.

“We were able to add a new award this year—a Kid's Choice Award,” said Bates. “That went to the “Freshwater Cowgirl” by Anthony St. James.

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.”