The Elgin Arts Association, an organization dedicated to furthering artistic understanding and encouraging artistic growth of its members and the community at large, recently held their first meeting of 2010. In order to promote interest, education, knowledge and skills in the arts, local artists are being asked to consider sharing their expertise and enthusiasm for the arts by conducting workshops at the bi-monthly meetings.
This is community service, and clearly not a grand money making undertaking. Your participation will be enthusiastically welcomed. Now, perhaps more than ever, Elgin needs the arts.

Dates that are available for the “regular” bi-monthly Mini-Workshops are Feb. 20, April 24, June 19 and Aug. 21.
“We would also be pleased to host workshops of this nature on other dates if none of the ‘regular’ dates fits into your schedule,” says president Lynette Hampton. Contact her at lynette@lynettehampton.com or Sarah Page at earth_sing@yahoo.com to make arrangements to participate as a Workshop Instructor.

Fine arts
The Bastrop Fine Arts Guild invites you to attend a reception for Stephanie Strange, the featured artist for February. Come to the gallery at 1009 Main St. in Bastrop to meet Stephanie and see her work from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5.
Except for Sunday, the gallery is open every day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stephanie’s work will be there until the end of the month, but, once you see it, you’ll want to meet the artist, so don’t miss the opportunity to talk with her and enjoy some refreshments.
In this body of work, the manual typewriter becomes a drawing tool. Drawings grow from typed characters of the “o” and “.”. Characters are individual elements creating larger wholes while exploring duality of fullness and emptiness. The work is most unusual (dare I say “strange”?) and you just have to see it to really understand. See and learn more at www.stephaniestrange.com
After the reception, you’ll want to walk down the street to the Lumberyard Dance Hall. It’s “open mike night” at the Brister’s place and that’s always a lot of fun. If you’re a performer, get your name on the list to do a song or two or even three. My recently retired husband, Tom, and I will be singing a few songs, so come on down for a laugh. The Lumberyard is a family-friendly place; you can purchase snacks and soft drinks or BYOB.

LPAA
The Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance is moving forward toward the first First Saturday Arts Festival of 2010. P.K. Scott, the new director, is busy signing up vendors and musicians. If you are an artist and wish to have a booth, please get in touch. Applications and contact phone numbers are available through the website: www.LostPinesArtisansAlliance.org.
Art classes
Stephanie Schroyer’s art classes for children will begin today and as I write this, there just might be one place left. If you have a child between the ages of 6 and 12 who has any interest in art, this is a wonderful opportunity. The children will be working with a professional artist and teacher exploring a variety of mediums over a six-week period. Classes are from 6-7 p.m. and the cost is $30 for the “whole entire thing” as my grandson would say. Profits from the program benefit the Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance.
Those funds will help us to maintain the gallery and pay the utility bills. You can visit the Mary Nichols Art Gallery, 301 Burleson in Smithville, on Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. We hope to soon be able to open on Sundays as well – just as soon as we have enough volunteers to serve as docents.
Beginning on Feb.10, Bill Slette, a Smithville artist, will host an “open studio” at the gallery from 1 to 5 p.m. Members can bring materials and work on anything they choose. I’ve participated in programs like this in the past and have found it to be very inspirational. Sometimes we enjoy working in solitude, but most artists don’t like to work in a vacuum; it’s stifling. We like to bounce ideas around, be critiqued and listen to new opinions and thoughts. Situations like this always help me to grow. Another advantage of this is that the gallery will be open on Wednesdays, too. For more information, call me at 360-4347.