Fernando Andrade

MEDIA CONTACT:

Elena Rodriguez, Curator of Exhibitions, RCA     Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

(361) 729-5519 / elena@rockportartcenter.com   (361) 729-5519 vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

 

 FERNANDO ANDRADE EXHIBITION COMING TO ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

April Show features works from Andrade’s ongoing Suspended Thoughts and Espacios series  

ROCKPORT, Texas (April 17, 2023) — Beginning April 28, Rockport Center for the Arts will host Confluence, an art exhibition featuring the abstract paintings and figurative/abstract mixed-media work of artist Fernando Andrade. Presented by Neiland Sammons II, the exhibition will be on display through June 11 in the H-E-B Gallery located on the upper level.

A members-only reception with the artist will take place Thursday, May 4, from 5­–7 p.m., with Andrade also discussing his work and process in a gallery talk on Friday, May 5, at 12:30 p.m., which is free and open to the public. Both events will take place in the H-E-B Gallery.

Confluence brings together select works from the artist’s two series, Espacios and Suspended Thoughts. Espacios is a series of abstract paintings, improvised organic compositions that are colorful and dynamic, while Suspended Thoughts, his new, ongoing body of work, represents the struggles of mental health taking place during the pandemic, utilizing contrasting mediums to create a pause in time using suspended bodies in an abstract space.

"Fernando has created a universe where these two completely separate worlds — the abstract and the hyperreal — exist together,”  said Elena Rodriguez, exhibitions curator for Rockport Center for the Arts. “He has created a body of work that has both tension and harmony.”

Born in 1987 in the border town of Acuña, Mexico, and living in San Antonio since the age of 7, Andrade began drawing professionally in 2012, often conveying the many facets of the immigrant experience through his work, including drawings, abstract paintings, and mixed media.

Today, he is known more for his representational, emotive drawings created by using figures and objects to explore sociopolitical commentary and his cross-cultural identity. “My figurative works are often reflective imagery capturing the emotional complexity of the immigrant experience. I attempt to emphasize humanity, isolation, mental health, and loss,” said Andrade.

In contrast, his abstract paintings are improvised and organic colorful compositions. “I view my abstract paintings as therapeutic, allowing myself to imagine space, arrangement, and rhythmic affinities.”

Andrade has worked with galleries in Manhattan and Santa Fe, Andrade has exhibited his work in numerous galleries including solo shows at Gerald Peter’s Project Gallery, Santa Fe, N.M.; and Blue Star Contemporary, San Antonio; as well as duo and group shows at the Mexican Cultural Institute, San Antonio; National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago; Meadows Museum of Art, Shreveport, LA; and Southwest School of Art, San Antonio. Andrade has attended residencies at the Vermont Studio Center, and Elevarte Community Studio in Chicago and was the recipient of the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures individual artist grant in 2018.

The exhibition at Rockport Center for the Arts will be Andrade’s first in the Coastal Bend. “I am happy to be exhibiting at the new Rockport Center for the Arts — it’s such a beautiful space.”

Confluence is a free show and open to the public. For general information, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

 

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, including a 4,400-square-foot ballroom and culinary arts kitchen (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. Hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519. For information on event space, or to book an event, contact Paulette Kluge at (361) 960-2090.

 

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Brian Wedgworth

MEDIA CONTACT:

Elena Rodriguez, Curator of Exhibitions, RCA     Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

(361) 729-5519 /elena@rockportartcenter.com  (361) 729-5519 /vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

 

 ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS WELCOMES WEDGWORTH EXHIBITION

Show to feature sculptural creations of artist Brian Wedgworth

ROCKPORT, Texas (April 19, 2023) — Tejidos en Fierro showcasing the welded sculptures of artist Brian Wedgworth, is coming to  Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA), April 28–July 16, featured in the Jeanie & Bill Wyatt Gallery located on the upper level.

Wedgworth will discuss his work and process in a gallery talk on Friday, May 19, at 12:30 p.m., which is free and open to the public, with a members-only reception from 5–7 p.m. that evening. Both events will be held in the Wyatt Gallery.

Tejidos en Fierro, or woven in iron, features Wedgworth’s sculptures comprised of found and fabricated geometric shapes welded into unique creations.

"Wedgworth’s sculptures have a very graphic quality to them,” said Elena Rodriguez, exhibitions curator for Rockport Center for the Arts. “When walking around the sculptures, I love seeing how the relationship between positive and negative space changes and morphs. The artwork has a very essential and unmoveable quality — the heavy metal, the geometric forms — and speaks to a certain universality of truth and physics.”

Working from his own Titan Studio located in Harlingen, Texas, which he and his wife have run for nearly 20 years, Wedgworth says he gains direction and momentum by working on multiple pieces at the same time to achieve a unifying cadence. Building components independently and then playing with different configurations until he finds something that feels right, he uses electrode welding to accentuate the seams and create a scarred or stitched effect, which he likens to learning and growing from experience.

“The sculptures are autobiographical narratives,” said Wedgworth. “The color, the treatment of the surface, and the welded seams convey my life’s journey but in reality, my core values are about process, form, and craftsmanship. I like to let the work speak for itself and I invite the viewer to reflect on the juxtapositions.”

Wedgworth’s work has been exhibited internationally with numerous solo exhibitions and more than 75 group shows throughout Texas and Northern Mexico, including the solo exhibit Solar Fusion installed at the Contemporary Art Museum of Tamaulipas, in Matamoros, Mexico. His workcan be found in several private and public collections throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Europe. 

One of the founding members of the McAllen Art Council, Wedgworth plays an active role in the Rio Grande Valley art community in South Texas and is a board member of the Texas Sculpture Group, one of three affiliates operating in cooperation with the International Sculpture Center (ISC). 

Tijedos en Fierro is free and open to the public. For general information, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

 

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, including a 4,400-square-foot ballroom and culinary arts kitchen (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. Hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519. For information on event space, or to book an event, contact Paulette Kluge at (361) 960-2090.

 

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Austin Street Art Walk

   

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sharen Chatterton, Moon Over Water Gallery                                     Elena Rodriguez, Curator of Exhibitions, RCA (361) 450-0545                                                                                                             (361) 729-5519 / elena@rockportartcenter.com

                               

AUSTIN STREET ART WALK READY FOR ROCKPORT DEBUT

Monthly event to highlight art, food and fun in downtown Rockport

ROCKPORT, Texas (March 16, 2023) – A popular monthly event is being reinvented in Rockport. The new Austin Street Art Walk, formerly known as Art Loop in 2019-2020, will kick off on April 8.

 

Presented by Rockport Center for the Arts and scheduled for the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Art Walk is a free, alfresco, walkable art experience featuring art galleries, art spaces and other businesses located along Austin Street in the Rockport Cultural Arts District. The monthly events will be held April through December and include an ever-changing mix of participants and art mediums such as paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography, textiles, as well as live music, artist demonstrations, food and more.

 

“Now that we have opened a campus dedicated to the Arts in the heart of our city, we are excited to collaborate with other art venues and businesses to create a cohesive, all-day activity once a month for the enjoyment of locals and visitors,” said Luis Purón, executive director of RCA. “We believe the event will be yet another plus for Rockport as it will draw more tourists and provide an economic boost to our community.”

 

Twin sisters Sharen Chatterton and Karen Rester, co-owners of Moon Over Water Gallery and Artisan Market, have been instrumental in efforts to revive the monthly downtown Art Walk event, seeking input from other longtime local businesses including Wind Way Gallery and The Gallery at Anita Diebel Studio. So far, more than 25 galleries, art spaces and other businesses are slated to participate in the April 8 event.

 

“Our local businesses are very enthusiastic about Art Walk, which promotes our amazing galleries, art spaces and supporting businesses of Austin Street, including shops, restaurants and other venues,” said Sharen Chatterton. “The events will showcase our vibrant art culture and will connect visitors to a diverse network of places where they can learn about, enjoy and even purchase original art. It’s a great opportunity for artists, artisans, art lovers, art collectors and supporters of the arts to come together each month.”

 

Follow Austin Street Art Walk on Facebook and #austinstreetartwalk on Instagram for the latest information.

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About Austin Street Art Walk

Austin Street Art Walk is a collective effort of the Rockport Center for the Arts and Moon Over Water Gallery in partnership with Rockport galleries, restaurants, and businesses located along Austin Street in the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Scheduled the second Saturday of each month, April through December, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Art Walk is a free, alfresco, walkable art experience featuring an ever-changing mix of participants and art mediums such as paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography, textiles, as well as live music, artist demonstrations, food and more. Follow us on Facebook for more information.

 

About Moon Over Water Gallery

A creative space full of moon and water energy, Moon Over Water Gallery and Artisan Market features a curated selection of various art mediums, including paintings, collages, jewelry, pottery, handmade vessels and more, while also serving as a space and creative community for the artists to collaborate and work together to feed their creativity. For co-owners and twin sisters Sharen Chatterton and Karen Rester, the gallery is the manifestation of their unfailing love for art and the artist community. Located at 302 South Austin Street, Suite 4, hours of operation are Tuesday–Thursday 10 a.m.–4 p.,m., Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. For more information, visit moonoverwatergallery.com or call (361) 450-0545.

 

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, including a 4,400-square-foot ballroom and culinary arts kitchen (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. Hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519. For information on event space, or to book an event, contact Paulette Kluge at (361) 960-2090.

 

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SPRING ART FAIR 2023 IN ROCKPORT

MEDIA REMINDER - PHOTO OP

 

WHAT:     Rockport Spring Art Fair to Feature Dozens of Artists

                                                                 

WHEN:     March 10–12, 2023

                             

WHERE:  The Rockport Conference Center, 106 S. Austin St., Rockport, Texas

 

Featuring fine art, textiles, photography, sculpture and mid-century modern furnishings from 13 participating galleries, the two-day booth-style show will be held at The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC), located at 106 S. Austin Street, on the Rockport Center for the Arts campus. The Art Fair will run Saturday, March 11, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, March 12, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., with a VIP Preview Party Friday evening, March 10, at 6 p.m. 

 

Throughout the weekend, guests may stroll through The ROCC while acquiring fine art for their private collections from 13 reputable and established galleries representing dozens of artists. 

 

The Spring Art Fair kicks off Friday evening, March 10, at 6 p.m., with a special VIP Preview Party at The ROCC featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by Middle East Deli of Corpus Christi and a full bar, live music by The Third Coast Jazz Band, and valet parking. Patrons attending the VIP Preview Party will get to see the work first and have the opportunity to acquire it that evening directly from exhibitors before the event opens to the public on Saturday.

 

Individual tickets to both the VIP Preview Party and two-day event are available for purchase online at www.RockportArtFair.com. VIP Preview party tickets are $125 per person; single-day art fair tickets are $10 per person, ages 13 and up; children 12 and under are free.

 

Salemi’s Ace Hardware returns as title sponsor for the event along with other sponsors including First Community Bank and New Beginnings, and media partner KIII-TV. Government supporters include the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of Rockport Texas, and Aransas County. Guests in search of lodging on event weekend can find nearby options on The ROCC website. 

 

For a detailed exhibitor list and more information on the Spring Art Fair and VIP Preview Party, visit www.RockportArtFair.com or call (361) 729-5519.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: List of participating galleries and artists to follow.

MEDIA CONTACT: Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

(361) 729-5519 // vanessa@rockportartcenter.com.

 

 

ROCKPORT SPRING ART FAIR 2023 PARTICIPATING GALLERIES

 

A Smith Gallery Johnson City, Texas

Established in May 2010, A Smith Gallery exhibits photographic art in all its manifestations including analog, digital and alternative of both amateur and professional photographers through juried and invitational exhibitions. A Smith Gallery will be featuring both the orotones and hand-colored pigment prints of Kate Breakey, Rusty Yates’ digital pigment prints, Kevin Tully’s gilded prints on kozo with cold wax, Wendy Schneider’s gilded wildlife images, Jaimie Ladysh’s hand-colored digital seascape images and Amanda Smith’s gilded composited imagery.  

 

Artspace111 Fort Worth, Texas

Located in downtown Fort Worth Artspace111 specializes in the exhibition of Contemporary Texas Art. Established originally as artist studios and small gallery space to support and celebrate the work of local artists, current owner/directors Margery Gossett and William Grella further developed the gallery into a celebrated and distinguished 3,000-square-foot art gallery after purchasing the space in 2007. Artists represented in the show include original Artspace111 owners, brothers Dennis and Daniel Blagg, Danville Chadbourne, Jules Buck Jones, Nancy Lamb, Layla Luna, and Robert McAn among others.

 

Caliente Hot Glass San Antonio, Texas

At Caliente Hot Glass, the focus is on the fine art and experience of creating with molten glass. Caliente will present the work of owners Ralph and Luke Laborde and talented Caliente resident artist Glen Andrews, who also creates under his own brand, Glen Andrews Art Glass. 

 

Cerulean Gallery Dallas and Amarillo, Texas

Cerulean Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery founded in Dallas in 2006 with a San Antonio location as well. The feature artist will be Robin Hazard, along with work from Hamilton Aguiar, Costa Christ, Paige Follmann and Xan Sinclair Koonce.

 

Cothren Contemporary Houston, Texas

With 23 years of art world experience, Houston-based Cothren Contemporary follows their passion to build meaningful relationships between artists and collectors, representing a wide variety of well-established gallery and museum-collected contemporary artists, from Texas and around the globe. Cothren will feature paintings and textile works by Texas contemporary artists Cande Aguilar, Jesse Amado, Lucinda Cobley, Heather L. Johnson and Jorge Puron; contemporary print works by Houston artist Janice Freeman, NYC artist Jill Moser and CDMX contemporary photographer Cha Baez.

 

Echo Gallery Blanco, Texas

Echo Gallery is a curated gallery with mid-century treasures from big-name designers and artists, including the estate of the late master artist James Joe Froese, glass artist Glenda Kronke, Karen Salem, Graham Harmon, Tula Robbins, and Ronnie Weeks. Included in the work they will showcase and offer is fine functional art from mid-century artists Charles Eames and Alvar Aalto, as well as master artist Ira Kennedy.

 

K Space Contemporary Corpus Christi, Texas

K Space Contemporary (est. 2001) is a 501c3 non-profit arts organization located just blocks away from the bay in beautiful downtown Corpus Christi. In addition to offering contemporary art exhibitions by exemplary regional artists, K Space organizes cultural community events, public art projects, and art education programming.

For the Spring Art Fair, K Space will be presenting works of art in a variety of media by the following Coastal Bend artists:  Jennifer Arnold, Courtney Bracco, Alexandria Canchola, Georgia Griffin, Nola Guajardo, Dennis Kemmerer, Payton Koranek, Leandra Urrutia, Kathleen Mekailek, Sonia Ortega, Joe Pena, Clay Reuter, Greg Reuter, Ricardo Ruiz, Kelly Schaub, Christian Stiles, Nora Verdin, and others.

 

Kirchman Gallery Johnson City, Texas

Upon retiring as Professor Emerita from Texas A&M University, Susan Kirchman, together with her husband Warren Vilmaire, opened Kirchman Gallery in Johnson City, Texas, representing a variety of Texas artists since 2005. The gallery will present Susan Kirchman’s recent encaustic works alongside two other longtime gallery artists, Doug Sweet of Houston, a superb photo-realist still life painter, and Janet Haynes of Johnson City, who creates moody, introspective works utilizing pastels and cold wax.

 

*With the recent passing of artist Doug Sweet, his family has chosen to honor his long painting and teaching career by establishing a scholarship with all proceeds from his Rockport Spring Art Fair sales going to Rockport Center for the Arts to support art students of Coastal Bend schools.

 

Mockingbird Handprints San Antonio, Texas

With two San Antonio locations, Mockingbird Handprints , offers an eclectic mix of art, home accents, and art wear, presenting local and regional artists with textiles from around the world. Participating show artists include Katie Gardenia, Susan Malcik, Jane Bishop, Claire Rhodes Stevenson, Jeffrey McDaniel, Teri Muse, Holly Thompson and Susan Butler.

 

Moroles Art Co Rockport, Texas

Moroles Art Co is a platform to help museums and collectors with art restoration and conservation work on existing works of art, including, but not limited to, pieces created by the late artist himself. Select original Jesús Moroles work will be featured, along with an opportunity to meet with company founder, Suzanna Moroles, to discuss upcoming projects and new works by the Moroles Art Co Studio.

 

Presa House Gallery San Antonio, Texas

Presa House Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in San Antonio, Texas, heavily focused on Texas-based Latinx artists. Curator Rigoberto Luna and multidisciplinary artist Jenelle Esparza head the gallery which includes painting, drawing, and fiber-based works. Artists represented in the show include Albert Alvarez, Jenelle Esparza, Veronica Gaona, Omar González, John Guzman, Guadalupe Hernandez, Calder Kamin, Alejandro Macias, Joe Peña, Sam Rawls, Gil Rocha, Vicente Telles, Jesus Treviño, Josie Del Castillo. Jose Villalobos, and more.

 

The Gallery at Anita Diebel Studio Rockport, Texas

Just steps away from the Harbor in Downtown Rockport, this working studio is a gathering place for artists and art lovers attracted by the intimate space filled with light and creative energy. In addition to Diebel’s works, the gallery will feature art by painters Joey Blazek, Clementine Rivera, Barbara Sparkman, and Carol Koutnik, plus wood-turner Todd Diebel.

 

Wind Way Gallery Rockport, Texas

Wind Way Gallery presents outstanding work by professional fine artists in a warm, intimate setting, showcasing local artists who are hometown favorites, as well as state and national exhibitors. Gallery artists are June Ainsworth, Angalee DeForest, Lorrie Harrington, Genie Mysorski, Sandy Reese, Greta Watkins, Lisa Millard, Barb Robinson, Pamela Fulcher, and Rebecca Bridges Rice. Wind Way Gallery will also feature several guest artists: Kent Ullberg, Stan Irvin, Jimmy Stutz, Susie Bracht Black, Martha Berkebile, Betty Shamel, Diane Johnson, Sally Mitchell, and Mike Couvillion.

 

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Spring Art Fair Exhibitors Announced

EXHIBITORS ANNOUNCED FOR SPRING ART FAIR 2023 IN ROCKPORT

Presented by Salemi’s Ace Hardware, event to feature top Texas artists 

 

ROCKPORT, Texas (Feb. 10, 2023) — Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) is busy preparing for its third annual Spring Art Fair, presented by Salemi’s Ace Hardware, March 10–12.

 

Featuring fine art, textiles, photography, sculpture and mid-century modern furnishings from 13 participating galleries, the two-day booth-style show will be held at The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC), located at 106 S. Austin Street, Saturday, March 11, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, March 12, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., with a VIP Preview Party Friday evening, March 10, at 6 p.m.  

 

“We are excited to be hosting this year’s event on our new 1.2-acre art center campus in downtown Rockport,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “We continue to refine the event showcasing notable galleries from across the State of Texas and featuring the work of artists with national and international recognition.”  

 

Throughout the weekend, guests may stroll through The ROCC while acquiring fine art for their private collections from reputable and established galleries. 

 

  • A-Smith Gallery, Johnson City, Texas

  • Artspace111, Fort Worth, Texas

  • Caliente Hot Glass, San Antonio, Texas

  • Cerulean Gallery, Dallas and Amarillo, Texas

  • Cothren Contemporary, Houston, Texas

  • Echo Gallery, Blanco, Texas

  • K-Space Contemporary, Corpus Christi, Texas 

  • Kirchman Gallery, Johnson City, Texas

  • Mockingbird Handprints, San Antonio, Texas

  • Moroles Art Co., Rockport, Texas

  • Presa House Gallery, San Antonio, Texas

  • The Gallery at Anita Diebel Studio, Rockport, Texas

  • WindWay Gallery, Rockport, Texas

 

The Spring Art Fair kicks off Friday evening, March 10, at 6 p.m., with a special VIP Preview Party at The ROCC featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by Middle East Deli of Corpus Christi and a full bar, live music by The Third Coast Jazz Band, and valet parking. Patrons attending the VIP Preview Party will get to see the work first and have the opportunity to acquire it that evening directly from exhibitors before the event opens to the public on Saturday.

 

Individual tickets to both the VIP Preview Party and two-day event are now available for purchase. VIP Preview party tickets are $125 per person; single-day art fair tickets are $10 per person, ages 13 and up; children 12 and under are free. 

 

Salemi’s Ace Hardware returns as title sponsor for the event along with other sponsors including First Community Bank and New Beginnings, and media partner KIII-TV. Government supporters include the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of Rockport Texas, and Aransas County. 

 

Guests in search of lodging on event weekend can find nearby options on The ROCC website.  

 

For a detailed exhibitor list and more information on the Spring Art Fair and VIP Preview Party, visit www.RockportArtFair.com or call (361) 729-5519.

Mario Perez joins Rockport Center for the Arts as Preparator

Mario Perez, of Los Fresnos, Texas, has joined the Art Center family as Preparator, supporting Curatorial staff in the display of exhibitions. The new facilities feature 5 gallery spaces. Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Mario studied graphic design in Houston. After graduation, he embarked on a lifelong career as a contemporary painter and photographer. His work has been exhibited in galleries across the State of Texas. For his work, Mario has received excellence awards from the Dallas Museum of Art and the National Endowment for the Arts. For the past 20 years, Mario has worked as a Preparator for San Antonio’s major museums, including the San Antonio Museum of Art, Artpace San Antonio, The Witte Museum, The Briscoe Western Art Museum, and most recently the McNay Art Museum. Throughout his life, he has enjoyed travelling to Mexico City and photographing street scenes, hand painted signs, and art found in public spaces. In August 2022, his photographs were featured in Designbloom Magazine in an article about the banning of Rótulos (hand painted street signs).

Donate to the Ceramic Studio

We’re raising funds to purchase new equipment for the new Ceramics Studio. We have a lead gift of $10,000. Our goal is to raise an additional $30,000 to cover the cost of purchasing and installing the new state of the art equipment. If you would like to help, please add a note to your contribution field letting us know you wish for your donation to go towards new ceramic studio equipment.

Donate
 

Donate to the Silent Auction

Thank you for donating to the Rockport Art Festival Silent Auction. The Silent Auction will take place Friday, July 1, on the festival grounds near Rockport Beach. Proceeds from the Auction go to support the many FREE to low cost cultural programs of Rockport Center for the Arts. We appreciate your support for the Art Center and the Arts community of Rockport.

Important Dates | Online Donation Form

 

Important Dates

APRIL 29 - Donation form live & accepting donation information

JUNE 10 - RCA MEMBERS, please deliver your donation by this date to Art Center staff and volunteers

JUNE 18 - ART FEST ARTISTS, please fill out this form by this date to let us know what you are donating

JULY 1, 1PM - ART FEST ARTISTS, please deliver your donation to the big tent (if not already delivered to RCA)

JULY 1 - 6PM - ART AUCTION GALA featuring the silent auction

JULY 2-3 - 2022 Rockport Art Festival

 
 

Catalog of Paintings by Mike LaFleur

A Catalog of Paintings by

Cerulean Gallery and Rockport Center for the Arts have partnered to bring you a collection of work by Mike LaFleur. LaFleur, a West Texas native, discovered his love for art at the age of six when he first painted with his grandmother, and has continued to create beautiful works of art ever since.  From the winter torn pueblos of the Taos Valley to the tattered flags of the lone star state, his subject matter remains traditional despite his modern style.

A portion of the proceeds from this catalog will go to the Rockport Center for the Arts Imagine campaign.

 
 

To purchase work in the catalog please call Rockport Center for the Arts at (361) 729-5519.
Download a pdf of the catalog here.

 
 

NEW Beach Day SCULPTURE Arriving in Time for Beach Weather

ROCKPORT, Texas (April 20, 2022) — Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) today announced the completion of Beach Day, its new work by nationally recognized figurative sculptor Kathy Wardle. Currently in transit from the bronze foundry in Loveland, Colorado, the sculpture is scheduled to arrive in Rockport by May 3 with installation scheduled for Wednesday, May 4, in the heart of downtown.

Made possible by a contribution from an anonymous donor, Beach Day is a 700-pound, one-of-a-kind bronze work conceptualized by the donor, the artist, and RCA with Rockport in mind. Comprised of five individual bronze sculptures depicting a family walking the beach, shells and sand at their feet, the three-quarter life-size pieces will be displayed with prominent visibility at the intersection of South Austin Street and Wharf, on the same block as the new $12.3 million campus currently under construction.

“In 2019, we began work to find a representational sculpture that had a deep connection to who we are in the small coastal community of Rockport, Texas,” said Luis Purón, RCA executive director. “Wardle is one of six artists we interviewed and her design for Beach Day surfaced as the strongest candidate because the concept was specifically tied to our community.”

Wardle completed the long and intricate process of clay molding the sculpture in spring of 2021. The clay sculpture was then enlarged by DuChateau Sculpture Services, a professional 3-D scanning and digital resizing provider in Loveland, Colorado, using 3-D digital scanning and custom-designed milling machines to replicate the specific details of the sculpture in an armature- a high-density foam version of the piece. Dan Ochs of Ochs Wax Pouring of Loveland then began his part of the process, carefully separating the sculpted figures into sections, brushing on coats of rubber over the clay sculpture pieces, followed by a plaster mold. Separated into 30 pieces, wax was then poured into the plaster molds followed by a silica sand mixture used to make ceramic shells over the wax forms as part of the cire perdue (lost wax) process to be completed at the foundry.

Beach Day’s molds were then sent to Bronze Services, Inc. of Loveland, Colorado for the bronzing process. Known as the highest quality bronze fine art foundry in the U.S., the company utilizes top-of-the-line materials and specializes in the lost wax casting process, providing high-end service to acclaimed artists from around the world. Once the bronzing process was completed and the molds were removed, the 30 individual Beach Day sections were carefully welded together and re-sculpted into the five figures using specialized tools to refine the piece to exactly match the original clay sculpture, with the patina added as the final step.

“I use multi-colored patina in my sculptures that allows bright colors other than the traditional browns and ochres to be part of the finished look,” Wardle stated. “I think it adds visual excitement and heightened reality to my work.”

With a Master of Visual Arts and vast experience studying with internationally acclaimed artists, Wardle has been teaching three-dimensional design and creating representational sculptures in bronze for four decades. The work of this Colorado-based artist is technically correct as each piece of clay is shaped and positioned to maximize her intellectual and emotional interpretation of the desired message. Wardle often finds herself marveling over the artistic act of making a lump of clay come alive, becoming intimately involved with the texture, shape, rhythm, and emotion her art conveys.

“I attempt to depict humankind’s finest traits in my artwork,” Wardle said. “Courage, bravery, triumph, hope, kindness, joy and love are emotive themes I have tried to communicate in past works. In Beach Day, I revisit emotions that I believe are eternally important to our humanity. Beach Day shows a family filled with love and joy as they head to the beach for a wonderful day of fun and togetherness.”

In addition to RCA’s first edition Beach Day sculpture, up to four other editions are permitted to be cast by the artist. Including Wardle’s Beach Day, RCA’s public art program will feature a total of 17 pieces of art in its permanent collection.

“One of our primary goals has been to use sculpture to create a conversation about Art that stretches from downtown Rockport to the new campus on Austin Street, and onto the sculptures that are part of the permanent collection located near Aransas Bay and Little Bay,” said Purón.

About Rockport Center for the Arts
Rockport Center for the Arts has moved temporarily to 401 S. Austin Street at the Baker Law Building, first floor, while awaiting the August 2022 completion of a new facility. Hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Thursday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For general information, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519. For information on event space, or to book an event, contact Venue Manager Carla Ligon at (361) 779-6801.

RCA Announces Sculpture Acquisition

Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) today announced it is acquiring new work by nationally recognized figurative sculptor Kathy Wardle, the second new piece to be procured this year for RCA. 

Made possible by a contribution from an anonymous donor, Beach Day is a one-of-a-kind bronze piece conceptualized by the donor, the artist, and RCA with Rockport in mind. Depicting a family of five walking to the beach, the 400-pound, three-quarter life-size sculpture is scheduled to be completed December 2021 and will eventually be displayed with prominent visibility along South Austin Street, near the new $8.7 million RCA campus currently under construction in the heart of downtown Rockport.

“I attempt to depict humankind’s finest traits in my artwork,” said Wardle. “Courage, bravery, triumph, hope, kindness, joy and love are emotive themes I have tried to communicate in past works. In Beach Day, I revisit emotions that I believe are eternally important to our humanity. Beach Day shows a family filled with love and joy as they head to the beach for a wonderful day of fun and togetherness.”

With a Master of Visual Arts and vast experience studying with internationally acclaimed artists, Wardle has been teaching three-dimensional design and creating representational sculptures in bronze for four decades. The work of this Colorado-based artist is technically correct as each piece of clay is shaped and positioned to maximize her intellectual and emotional interpretation of the desired message. Wardle often finds herself marveling over the artistic act of making a lump of clay come alive, becoming intimately involved with the texture, shape, rhythm, and emotion her art conveys.  

“In late 2019, we started working on the concept for a representational sculpture that had a deep connection to who we are as a people in the small Coastal community of Rockport, Texas,” said Luis Purón, RCA executive director. “We interviewed a total of six artists from across the United States. We asked them to study our community and present concepts. Wardle’s Beach Day surfaced as the strongest candidate because the concept was specifically tied to our community. In November of last year, we signed an agreement with Wardle, and she started work on Beach Day right away. At the end of August, we visited her at the foundry in Loveland, Colorado, where the sculpture is now, ready to be cast.”  

Wardle is hands-on start to finish, from the block of clay she uses to create the piece to supervising every step through the finished bronze sculpture and the patina process, so it’s only natural she would work with professionals equally dedicated to their craft in this lengthy and meticulous process.

Wardle completed the long and intricate process of clay molding the sculpture this spring. The clay sculpture was enlarged by DuChateau Sculpture Services, a professional 3-D scanning and digital resizing provider in Loveland. Using 3-D digital scanning and custom designed milling machines, DuChateau replicated the specific details of the sculpture to create the armature, a high-density foam version of the piece. Dan Ochs of Ochs Wax Pouring of Loveland then began his part of the process. Serving artists for more than 30 years, Ochs carefully separated the sculpted figures into sections and brushed on coats of rubber over the clay sculpture pieces, followed by a plaster mold. The sculpture was separated into 30 pieces. Wax was poured into the plaster molds followed by a silica sand mixture used to make ceramic shells over the wax forms as part of the “lost wax” process to be completed at the foundry.

Beach Day’s molds are now at Bronze Services of Loveland, Inc. where they are beginning the bronzing process. Known as the highest quality bronze fine art foundry in the U.S., the company utilizes top-of-the-line materials and specializes in the "lost wax" casting process, providing high-end service to acclaimed artists from around the world. Once the bronzing process is completed and the molds are removed, the 30 individual Beach Day sections will be carefully welded together and re-sculpted, using specialized tools to refine the piece to exactly match the original clay sculpture. The last step is to patina the finished five elements that comprise the sculpture. 

“I like multi-colored patina in my sculptures that allows bright colors other than the traditional browns and ochres to be part of the finished look,“ Wardle said. “I think it adds visual excitement and heightened reality to my work.” 

In addition to RCA’s first edition Beach Day sculpture, up to four other full-size sculptures are permitted to be cast by the artist. Including Wardle’s Beach Day, RCA’s public art program will feature a total of 17 pieces of art in its permanent collection.

Spring Art Fair in Rockport Announces Exhibitors for 2022

Presented by Salemi’s Ace Hardware, the March 25–27 event features national and international artists from galleries across Texas

ROCKPORT, Texas (Feb. 9, 2022) — Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) is busy preparing for its second annual Spring Art Fair, presented by Salemi’s Ace Hardware, March 25–27.

Featuring fine art created by artists represented by 14 galleries, the two-day booth-style show will be held at the Fulton Convention Center Saturday, March 26 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, March 27, from 11 a.m.–4 p.m., with a VIP-Preview Party Friday evening, March 25, starting at 6 p.m.

“We are ready to kick off our 2022 event season with the Spring Art Fair,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “Last year, for our inaugural Art Fair event, we featured the work of local galleries and artists. We are excited to expand the format to include galleries from across the State of Texas and are pleased to announce the exhibitors for this year’s event.”

Throughout the weekend, guests may stroll through the spacious Fulton Convention Center while acquiring fine art for their private collections from reputable and established galleries, including:

  • Art Everywhere, Bayside, Texas

  • A Smith Gallery, Johnson City, Texas

  • Cerulean Gallery, Dallas and Amarillo, Texas

  • Hausmann Millworks, San Antonio, Texas

  • K Space Contemporary, Corpus Christi, Texas

  • Mi Vida Loca Gallery, Corpus Christi, Texas

  • MJP Art Services, Houston, Texas

  • Mockingbird Handprints, San Antonio, Texas

  • Moroles Art Co, Rockport, Texas

  • Presa House, San Antonio, Texas

  • Texas A&M Corpus Christi Faculty, Corpus Christi, Texas

  • The Gallery at Anita Diebel Studio, Rockport, Texas

  • Wind Way Gallery, Rockport, Texas

The Spring Art Fair kicks off Friday evening, March 25, from 6–8:30 p.m., with a special VIP-Preview Party at the convention center featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music by Gulf Coast Jazz, and valet parking. Individual tickets to the VIP Preview Party are $125 per person for RCA members, $150 for non-members, and are now available for purchase. Patrons attending the VIP Preview Party will get to see the work first and have the opportunity to acquire it that evening directly from exhibitors before the event opens to the public on Saturday, March 26.

This year, attendees will also have a unique opportunity to interact with Mark Prendergast of MJP Art Services, a AAA certified appraiser of fine art, antiques, and collectibles. Prendergast, who has worked with RCA on art auctions in previous years, will be providing free verbal valuations of up to three items per person on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests may bring the items (no jewelry) in person or have photographs on a mobile device to receive current secondary sale market values or insurance valuations.

Single-day tickets are now on sale for the weekend Art Fair, Saturday and Sunday, March 25 and 26, for $6 per person, ages 13 and up; children 12 and under are free. Refreshments will be available throughout the weekend.

Salemi’s Ace Hardware returns as title sponsor for the second-year event along with other sponsors including Teal Construction Company, Richter Architects, Baker Law, Luce Properties LLC, Karen Mella Realtor, First Community Bank, New Beginnings, NavyArmy Community Credit Union, and media partners: KIII-TV and iHeart Radio. Government supporters include the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of Rockport Texas, and Aransas County.

The Official Hotel for the Spring Art Fair, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, located at 2950 Hwy 35 North Business in Rockport, is offering a guaranteed room rate of $149 per night for those needing accommodations.

For a detailed exhibitor list and more information on the Spring Art Fair and VIP-Preview Party, visit www.RockportArtFair.com or call (361) 729-5519.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

Rockport Center for the Arts has moved temporarily to 401 S. Austin Street at the Baker Law Building, first floor, while awaiting the August 2022 completion of a new facility. Hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Thursday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.– 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For general information, visit Rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519. For information on event space, or to book an event, contact Venue Manager Carla Ligon at (361) 779-6801.

Rockport Center for the Arts Parking Groundbreaking Ceremony Invitation to the General Public

Date: Friday January 28, 2022 ⸙ Time: 11:00 am

Venue: Rockport Center for the Arts Parking Lot, corner of S. Live Oak St. and North St., Rockport, TX

ROCKPORT, Texas (Jan. 11, 2022) – Construction on Rockport Center for the Arts’ (RCA) Parking Lot is scheduled to start in late February. Located on North Street between N. Magnolia and Live Oak Street it is scheduled for completion September 2022, around the same time RCA new campus will be completed. The parking lot will surround the historic Train Depot on three sides. The depot was saved through Aransas County’s acquisition of a grant, which allowed for the purchase of the property and having its sole structure donated to the Rockport Cultural Arts District for preservation.

The parking lot will comprise 60 spaces, overhead lighting, landscaping, an irrigation system and sidewalks that connect the lot to RCA new campus located one-block away on S. Austin St. through existing sidewalks. It will provide parking for RCA, community events and general parking for downtown merchants. Construction on the lot will start in late February. The engineer for the project is Hanson Engineering and the contractor is Marshall Construction, both from Corpus Christi, Texas.

The parking lot is made possible through a Community Development Block Grant administered by the Texas General Land Office, and is part of a $53.9 million block grant Aransas County obtained after Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

“One of Downtown Rockport’s needs has been to have parking for citizens and tourists to enjoy the unique offerings of the area. Aransas County is happy to have obtained the grant to make this project and many others happen,” said Judge “Burt” C.H. Mills. Luis Purón, RCA executive director said “We are thankful to the leadership of Aransas County forhaving the foresight to include parking that will support 22,000 square feet of new RCA facilities for conventiontourism, programs in all forms of Art, and the many activities in downtown Rockport.”

For more information about the block grant visit: https://www.glo.texas.gov/the-glo/news/pressreleases/2020/may/cmr-george-p-bush-announces-more-than-43-million-in-disaster-recovery-funds-for-aransascounty.html

To RSVP to the groundbreaking email pio@aransascounty.org

NEW EDUCATION COORDINATOR STARTS JANUARY 4

Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new education coordinator, Kathleen Clark, to begin January 4, 2022.

Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Kathleen has always had a strong interest in arts advocacy and community engagement.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music with a minor in Music History from the University of the Incarnate Word, where she developed a passion for arts administration.  Kathleen recently graduated with a Master of Arts in Arts Leadership from the University of Houston.  She completed her practicum at The Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus Christi, reimagining how museums engage with their community.  Kathleen strives to create meaningful art experiences that are inclusive of diverse communities. 

“We are excited to welcome Kathleen to our team.  She brings a contemporary perspective in arts leadership paired with valuable hands-on experience creating, advertising and facilitating arts programming in fellow arts organizations to her new post” said Karen Ernst, deputy director for RCA.   “Kathleen’s drive for engaging communities and creating meaningful art experiences will be a valuable asset as we expand existing programming and open our new campus in 2022.”

 

JEFFREY NEEL MCDANIEL NAMED POSTER ARTIST FOR 2022 ROCKPORT ART FESTIVAL

Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) has named Corpus Christi native Jeffery Neel McDaniel as the 2022 Rockport Art Festival poster artist, the thirtieth artist to receive the honor. The announcement was made on Dec. 11 as part of a special RCA reception for its current exhibition, Currents: The All-Members Exhibition, for which McDaniel is serving as guest juror. 

The first Rockport Art Festival was hosted in 1969 and has grown to become one of the most respected, and longest-running juried art festivals in the United States. Since 1993, a diverse committee of artists and art patrons have gathered to select one master artist to create the official poster for the annual event.

This select group of chosen artists, the first of whom was master artist Harold Phenix, are known for their achievements in the Arts, for their engagement and contributions to the Rockport Center for the Arts, and for their ability to successfully portray the unique coastal aesthetic that is uniquely Rockport and that is recognized across the State of Texas. With vibrant paintings inspired by the local scenery, Corpus Christi native McDaniel was a perfect choice.

“I have been watching Jeffrey Neel McDaniel’s work since 2013, and it’s fun to see him grow as an artist and develop a visual language that is very much influenced by the saturate colors of the Texas coast,” said Elena Rodriguez, curator of exhibitions for Rockport Center for the Arts. 

A Licensed Professional Counselor, specializing in trauma and crisis counseling, McDaniel began painting in 2013. With an amazing ability to capture the beauty of life around him, his work often depicts the awe-inspiring Rockport sunrises, the haunting depths of the ocean, and the brilliant colors of tropical flowers. He has participated in the Rockport Art Festival since 2019 and has received recognition at numerous other events over the years, including 1st Place in Botanicals (Corpus Christi Art Center, 2021); Best in Show (Kerrville Art Center, 2021); 3rd Place (Outdoor Painters Society Show, 2020); and Best of Show (Watercolor Society of South Texas, 2016). 

"I believe art enriches and improves our lives,” said McDaniel. “My art is inspired by the natural beauty of the South Texas Coast, Big Bend, and the Texas Hill Country, especially around the Laguna Madre, the Chisos Mountains, and the Frio River.  

“Painting is a great stress reliever for me, but the urge to paint is driven by the marvel and mystery of the natural world around me. I express my wonder, curiosity, and gratitude through my art, and hope people feel a connection to nature when they view my paintings."

RCA will host a solo exhibition on McDaniel’s work kicking off in June 2022 leading up to the Rockport Art Festival, scheduled for July 2–3. McDaniel’s show will feature a variety of his vibrant works, including his piece selected as the poster art for the festival, with a public unveiling of the piece along with an artist gallery talk, reception, and poster signing.