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A local art class.
www.mcdonalds.com
900 E. Ave. E • 432-837-3640
Lobby Open 6 AM - 11PM • Drive thru open Thursday - Saturday till 1AM.
8 BIG BEND GALLERIES AND ARTISTS / 2017
by the wide open spaces, buying and converting buildings in Marfa and creating
art installations in the late 1980’s. These buildings maintained by the Judd
Foundation and the buildings and art of the Chinati Foundation have become a
mecca for the major art world, attracting visitors and artists from the art
centers of New York, L.A., Germany and beyond. There is mystery in the
hanger exhibit of aluminum boxes with the sparse land just outside the huge
windows. Today, artists are lining up to be a part of the Chinati resident
program, beguiled and inspired.
The largest of the Big Bend towns, Alpine, has an annual event that is totally
devoted to art. ArtWalk takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving and
attracts art lovers from all of Texas and beyond. When this event was started,
it was mostly a local happening showcasing local artists and businesses who
converted their walls to gallery space. Today, thousands of visitors join the
residents for the days filled with exhibitions and concerts. There are now
many full time galleries participating, as well as the converted businesses
showing works.
Like many, I was drawn into the vortex that some say exist here. This area
draws beginning, emerging and established artists and art lovers. Many visitors
arrive after hearing about the tiny town of Marfa and then are amazed that
each of the small towns boasts a connection to the art world.
The Big Bend Arts Council is a strong and growing group with different
subgroups such as the Plein Air Painters. The Museum of the Big Bend has an
annual show of cowboy gear and art in the springtime and has welcomed art
shows ranging from visiting plein-air artists to Remington. Murals are popping
up all over downtown Alpine. The Marfa art scene continues to expand with a
new large scale installation by Robert Irwin as a part of the Chinati Foundation
and many cutting edge shows at the renowned Ballroom Marfa gallery. Art has
truly become part of the daily life in the region.
The magic is here and it seems that the Big Bend region will continue to
attract the creative spirits.