solutely. A generally reasonable person was motivated to jump into a reconstruction
project
with
no
experience but lots of crazy enthusiasm. Perhaps, with the higher altitude, the lack of oxygen was
influential.
The support of the people in the
area was nothing less than miraculous, ranging from articles by the
newspaper about a traveling artist
and invitations to show my work at
local businesses to volunteers who
helped break up concrete, haul trash
and feed other helpers. It really was
amazing. Our gallery opened 3
(three!) months later.
Since then, even more galleries
have opened in Alpine, Marfa, Ft.
Davis and Marathon. The artists who
had already made this area their
home welcomed the newcomers and
the Big Bend Arts Council was
formed. The Big Bend Gallery &
Artists Guide was created as a listing
of area artists and display venues.
Just this year, it was announced that
Alpine would have a Texas state designated cultural center. Sul Ross
University still has a terrific Fine
Arts program and the Museum of the
Big Bend sponsors adult art classes
for the region.
Art is thriving in the Big Bend. The
magic is here and it seems that the
area will continue to attract the creative spirits. We welcome you to take
part in the magic. f
Deborah Allison lives in a 5th wheel RV with
her husband Wayne Cline and famous art-loving cat “Picatso”. Most days, she is at her studio in Alpine, painting portraits, and dreaming
of the hundreds of landscape paintings left to
paint. www.deborahallison.blogspot.com
7 • www.GalleriesArtists.com