The Uptown Blanco Art Center is now entering its third year of art education in Blanco. It opened in February 2008 as the second phase of the new Uptown Blanco project on Main Street. Over the past three years Uptown Blanco Arts and Entertainment also opened the Restaurant, the Courtyard and recently unveiled the beautiful new Ballroom with much more to come. Uptown Blanco has become the most exciting new location in our community for locals and visitors to celebrate their special occasions. It’s also hosted many weddings, social events and was even the latest venue for the State of Texas to launch the new 2010 Hill Country brochure.

The Art Center has grown and matured into an outstanding venue with art classes for children and adults, art parties, summer art camps and has just opened a new Art Gallery specifically to feature Texas Artists in all mediums. The Art Gallery this month will present an exhibit of landscape photographs by Joseph Walsh. Mr. Walsh is a retired Professor of Photography living in Blanco County. It is this landscape that truly inspires his photographs with the exceptional beauty, history and variety of his Texas Hill Country home. An opening reception and artist talk is scheduled for Friday, September 10th, from 5-7pm. Everyone is invited.

Over the years the Art Center has instructed students from all over the Hill Country, adults and children alike, in all mediums including stained glass, photography, ceramics, painting, drawing, printmaking and textiles. Every year the Art Center introduces new opportunities, and this Fall they will feature one day workshops. The first is “Dynamic Photography” on September 11. Taught by Johnson City’s own Jimmy Jacks, this fast-paced day will emphasize photography techniques for you to incorporate into your everyday digital images.

The Art Center strives to collaborate with the community for the community. Mary Johnston, Uptown Art Center Director, feels that, “With a struggling economy, especially in community arts funding, we feel that collaborations on all levels are key to survival for art related businesses.” Currently Uptown Art Center collaborates with Blanco High School and Blanco Elementary School Art Departments to host events that showcase the incredible talent in our community. This year their collaboration will expand to include Johnson City Schools. Also in the planning stages is a new Blanco County Art Guild and Uptown Blanco Art Center will build and promote this new organization throughout the area.

The Art Center and all of Uptown Blanco Arts and Entertainment is a wonderful addition to Blanco and welcomes all visitors to stop by and take a look around. In fact, you may want to stop by on Saturday, September 18th from 1:00-2:30pm for a Free Art Expo; it’s open to the public and you can have a chance to meet all the professional artists who offer instruction at the Art Center. You will have an opportunity to see their artwork and sample their classes. It doesn’t matter whether you are a novice or an experienced artist; the act of creating is always very satisfying and rewarding.

The Art Center offers a selection of art supplies and a frame shop for custom framing. It’s open Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm and the third Saturday of every month. You can always visit our website www.uptownblanco.com for an updated calendar of classes and events.

Sabinal Wild Hog Festival | More Advertisers