Show is called ‘Mixed Emotions’ for a good reason
Photographer Carol Lyon is the current featured artist at the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild gallery. Carol is most well known for her animal photography.
A new treat is in store for art lovers as, for the first time, she mixes portraits into this show that runs through the month of March. Called “Mixed Emotions”, it’s just that. All of her photographs will elicit at least two different emotions. Some will make you laugh out loud and then feel slightly guilty for doing so; others will melt your heart, then give you courage, while others will repel and fascinate you at the same time.
Her work has been published in collections through the Vermont Photographic Workplace, has shown in galleries in Austin and Houston and will be displayed at prestigious art shows such as Houston’s Bayou City, Fayetteville’s Art Walk and Rockport’s Art Festival this spring. Her work has been seen in the Bastrop area at the Lost Pines Cancer Center, McKinney Roughs Nature Park, the chamber of commerce, the Bastrop Public Library and visitors’ center and is in a continuing display at Fat Cat on Main Street.
The intriguing art show “Mixed Emotions” can be viewed the entire month of March from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except Sunday at 1009 Main St. in Bastrop at the guild’s Fine Art Gallery. An artist’s reception will be held March 5 from 6-8 p.m. at the gallery and is open to the public. For this special show, most framed pieces will be $50. This is an excellent opportunity to start collecting a local emerging artist.

Open studio
“Open studio” at the Mary Nichols Arts Center is rapidly becoming a great success. Last week there were more than 10 artists (not including the children in Stephanie Shroyer’s group who were having a make-up class) working on everything from collage, painting, learning how to use Adobe Photoshop to decorating gourds.
Membership is not required for anyone who wishes to drop in between 1-8 p.m. You can bring something to work on or just come along to observe and be in the presence of other creative people just like yourself.
First Saturday
Remember that this weekend is the first of ten “First Saturday Arts Festivals” in Smithville. You can see original works of art and can meet the artists who create them.
The Ann Powell Train will be there to give tours of our historic town and children can enjoy working on art projects – all at no charge. You’ll be able to sit under the 100 year old oaks and enjoy live music by Sarah Page, the Peterson Brothers and perhaps even Tom and Jim Watts. This festival runs from 10-5 p.m. at the park surrounding the gazebo at the south end of Main Street. Tell your friends to meet you there.
Mary Nichols
The new show “A Texas State of Mind” will open at the Mary Nichols Gallery, 301 Burleson in Smithville. The gallery is open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and on Wednesdays from 1-8 p.m. This show, celebrating the history of the great state of Texas will be in the gallery until the end of April. Everyone is invited to the opening reception on March 12 from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy some refreshments, a glass of wine and meet our talented artists who are sharing with you their impressions of what makes Texas great. Call me for more information at 577-5252.

First bloom
Sponsored by Elgin Arts and Artisans, “First Bloom” is an outdoor show featuring an artists’ showcase of fine arts and crafts. The event will be held at Veterans’ Park, between Depot Street and Central Avenue in downtown Elgin, Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The showcase is an “artist only” event. Exhibited work must be of professional quality, designed by the artist and created with the artists’ own hands. Artists working in all media are welcomed.
This year, “First Bloom” will be held in conjunction with Dia de los Ninos at Elgin Public Library and the city-wide Purple and White Jubilee, a homecoming celebration for graduates (1940s through 1990s) of Elgin High School, so the town will be full of potential buyers.
Sign up deadline is April 12. Interested artists can find further information and download an application at http://www.scribd.com/doc/27399275/First-Bloom-2010.

Postcards
The Family Crisis Center is building public awareness through an art postcard campaign titled “Share Your Voices–Speak Out Against Sexual Violence.” Use your creativity and imagination to create an image on a 4×6 card stock postcard and share your voice by speaking out against sexual violence.
You may use whatever materials you choose: Metal, wood, fabric art, paints, images, words, phrases or mixed media. The postcards will be collected by Family Crisis Center staff or can be returned to the Center’s office located at 431 Old Austin Hwy in Bastrop.
The deadline for entry is March 24. Please do not sign your name on the front side of the postcard. However, please provide your name on the backside of the postcard allowing your entry to be matched to your name on the signed release.