VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

Galveston Arts Center is pleased to present two exhibitions in conjunction with the August 22nd ArtWalk. Houston. It’s Worth It. IKE will be shown at Galveston Arts Center in Exile 2, our newest temporary location at 2501 Market Street at Rosenberg (formerly Maceo’s). The Art For All exhibition will be held at Moody Mansion located at 2618 Broadway. Both shows will remain on view through October 4, 2009, and are free and open to the public.

From the creative team that brought you 2004’s HIWI: Houston. It’s Worth It, Dave Thompson and Randy Twaddle have immortalized last year’s epic storm in a new edition titled HIWI: IKE. The Book. Working in conjunction with GAC’s curator Clint Willour, photographs from the publication, including many images of Galveston and written reflections will be exhibited as Houston. It’s Worth It. IKE. In addition, the new book, described as, “a roiling reflection of the more communal aspects of the great storm for anyone who got wind whipped that September weekend” will be available for purchase at GAC in Exile 2, with a portion of the proceeds of each book sale benefitting GAC’s reconstruction.

“Randy and Dave have been enthusiastic supporters of the Arts Center for many years,” notes Willour. “We are truly honored by their gracious donation and feel this is a most appropriate celebration of the one-year anniversary of the hurricane.”

Concurrently on view at Moody Mansion will be recent work created by participants in GAC’s ART FOR ALL programs, including artists from our summer art classes as well as those from our education outreach program venues. Workshop space for this year’s summer art classes for children was generously donated by Moody Mansion. During the course of 12 weeks, young artists were led in the instruction of a new art technique by a practicing Galveston artist. Work in a variety of media from jewelry-making to printmaking to watercolor painting will be included in the exhibition.

An ongoing part of GAC’s mission, the Art for All Education Outreach Program was developed to foster individual and community growth by encouraging adults and children alike to explore the creative process in a nurturing environment to build self confidence and improve problem solving skills. Through this program, the Galveston Arts Center is able to promote the visual arts not only by bringing the community into the Arts Center, but also by taking GAC into the community in order to reach those who might not otherwise have access to visual arts programs. Currently, outreach programs are conducted at these off-site locations: ADA House, Galveston Island Family Crisis Center, Galveston Multicultural Institute, Libbie’s Place, Ronald McDonald House, St. Vincent’s House, Sunshine Center, and McGuire Dent Community Recreation Center. Art classes are offered free of charge to participants and provide trained artist instructors and supplies to these previously underserved populations.

Galveston Arts Center will operate “in exile” from our second temporary downtown gallery space—the site of the former Maceo’s Spice and Import Company located on the corner of Market and 25th Streets. The administrative offices will also move to this location. The gallery and selections from GAC’s museum shop, ArtWorks, will be open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. A flyer listing all ArtWalk participants with times and locations can be downloaded at www.galvestonartscenter.org.

SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP
Funding for GAC’s exhibition programs is provided by The Brown Foundation; Houston Endowment, Inc., Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, The National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of Galveston through the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund, and the generous support of the community, volunteers and an active membership. GAC’s Art for All Education Program is supported in part by the Permanent Endowment Fund of Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church, The Smothers Foundation, Brown Foundation, Inc., Fondren Foundation, Alice Taylor Gray Foundation, Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, Target Stores, and Texas Commission on the Arts.

LOCATION AND HOURS
Galveston Arts Center is located on the corner of Strand and 22nd (Kempner) Street in historic downtown Galveston. The building is currently closed until further notice for repairs to damage from Hurricane Ike. We anticipate re-opening in 2010. For more information, call 409.763.2403 or visit www.galvestonartscenter.org.  

Galveston Arts Center in Exile 2 is located at 2501 Market Street, Galveston, TX, 77550. The mailing address for GAC remains the same: 2127 Strand, Galveston, TX 77550.

Pictured above: detail of Untitled photo by Craig Busch, quote by Jason Bargas from the exhibition Houston. It's Worth It. IKE. (full image below).