Spring Art Stroll and April Arts News

The City of Georgetown is hosting arts events in April for our visitors and resident art lovers.

Spring Art Stroll 2024

Mark your calendars for the Georgetown Spring Art Stroll in downtown from 4-8 p.m. April 18. The Art Stroll is an opportunity for patrons to engage in interactive arts experiences including artist demonstrations, performances, live music, and art shopping at Grace Plaza and at arts and culture facilities and arts-based businesses throughout the Downtown Georgetown Cultural District.

Start your stroll at any of the three check-in locations to pick up your Art Stroll badge. Then continue across the Downtown Georgetown Cultural District to visit and shop at the participating arts and culture venues and view Georgetown’s popular collection of public art murals and sculptures. Enjoy complimentary food and beverages exclusively for Art Stroll patrons with an Art Stroll badge.

Artists participating as booth exhibitors in Grace Plaza include acrylic paintings by Aaron Damon Porter; jewelry by Kathleen Lundy; encaustics by Virginia Headley Maserang, acrylic paintings by Lynn Kessel; and 2D/3D mixed media by Tish Daniel.

Find more information and about the Spring Art Stroll and the online map at arts.georgetown.org/georgetown-art-strolls.

Arts and Culture Brown Bag Luncheon and Every Day is Earth Day Mural

The “Every Day is Earth Day” mural will be installed on the Georgetown Municipal Complex in time for Earth Day 2024 on April 22. This exciting mural aims to showcase artistic talent while promoting awareness of important themes related to watershed protection and water conservation. The mural artist selected is Sarah Blankenship for her design titled “Watershed.”

In keeping with the theme of April’s Earth Day, the Arts and Culture Brown Bag Luncheon—scheduled for noon April 11 at the Georgetown Public Library—will feature a panel discussion of design and landscape design professionals on trends and strategies for water conservation in landscape and building design. The panel discussion will be followed by updates on arts and culture programs in Georgetown and the downtown Cultural District.

Find more information about the Arts and Culture Brown Bag Luncheon at arts.georgetown.org/arts-and-culture-brown-bag-luncheons.

Georgetown Art Center exhibit and events

The April exhibit at the Georgetown Art Center, 816 S Main St., is “Beneath the Persimmon Tree,” a solo exhibition about poetry and process by Kelly Wagner Steinke. The opening reception will be from 4-6 p.m. March 23, with an artist talk at 2 p.m. March 24. The exhibit will be up for viewing through April 28. The Georgetown Art Center is managed by the City of Georgetown’s Arts and Culture Program.

More information about arts and culture in Georgetown is available at arts.georgetown.org and artcenter.georgetown.org.

Call for 2025 Exhibit Proposals at the Georgetown Art Center

The Call for 2025 Exhibit Proposals for art exhibits at the Georgetown Art Center is now open!

Deadline: February 29, 2024

Honorarium

Each accepted exhibit for 2025 is offered a $500 honorarium to help artists with exhibit expenses, travel, and supplies.

Curators

All exhibits at the Art Center are curated by an exhibit committee comprised of local artists from throughout the community. Each year, the exhibit committee also selects a panel of curators, artists, gallery owners, and guest judges from across the state to review artist proposals and make recommendations to the exhibit committee.

To apply, click here

Call for Artist Entries: Every Day is Earth Day Mural

The City of Georgetown invites artists to submit proposals for a mural project located on the Georgetown Municipal Complex building at 300-1 Industrial Ave., Georgetown, TX 78626. This exciting opportunity aims to showcase artistic talent while promoting awareness of important themes related to watershed protection and water conservation.

Application Deadline: February 15th, 2024

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Beginning January 15th, 2024, the City of Georgetown’s Arts and Culture Board will invite artist entries for the design of a mural in celebration of Earth Day 2024. Artists are encouraged to explore a range of themes related to watershed protection and water conservation. Consider concepts such as the interconnectedness of water systems, the impact of human activities on local watersheds, the beauty of native flora and fauna, and innovative water conservation practices. The goal is to inspire viewers to appreciate and actively participate in efforts to protect our precious water resources. For more details and inspirational resources see the full submission guidelines: Full Submission Guidelines_Call for Artist Entries_Every Day is Earth Day Mural

ELIGIBILITY: This opportunity is open to all professional artists over the age of 18.

BUDGET: An artist stipend of $8,000 will be paid to the artist selected to install the mural. The cost of materials and equipment necessary to install the mural will be covered up to $2,000 and reimbursed to the artist upon completion of the project. Any material and equipment costs exceeding this amount will require prior approval. The selected artist will be responsible for their own travel costs, housing, and personal liability insurance.

INSTALLATION DATE: Mural will be completed by April 19th, 2024, in time for a dedication event on Earth Day April 22nd, 2024.

APPLY: Applications will be submitted through Submittable.com between January 15th and February 15th, 2024: https://artsgeorgetown.submittable.com/Submit

SELECTION: From the entries submitted by the deadline, the Arts and Culture Board in collaboration with City of Georgetown Public Works and Water Conservation will award an artist commission for the mural design and installation.  Artists will be notified of the final selection by the late February 2024.

APPLICATION FEE: None

Questions: Contact Amanda Still at 512-930-8471 or Amanda.still@georgetown.org

Art Center Programming to Expand Starting in January

Beginning in January 2024, the City’s arts and culture program is taking a more active role in the management of the Georgetown Art Center facility while continuing to partner with the nonprofit Georgetown Art Works and Cordovan Art School and expanding programming at the Art Center.

The new programming at the Georgetown Art Center will kick off in 2024 with PrintAustin’s Annual 5×5 Exhibition. The exhibit will be featured in the gallery at the Art Center Jan. 12– Feb. 11, 2024. The opening Artist Reception will be held from 4-6 p.m. Jan. 13 with an artist talk at 2 p.m. Jan. 14.

The Art Center will also host PrintAustin’s one-of-a-kind printmaking workshop on Jan. 20-21. Taught by printmaker Alfonso Huerta and in collaboration with Flatbed Press, this workshop will teach participants the fundamentals of large-format woodcuts. This workshop is in preparation for PrintAustin’s steamroller event that will be held Feb. 3 on the street outside the Georgetown Art Center and will be a collaboration with the City of Georgetown’s Public Works Department.

For more information and to register for the PrintAustin Workshop, visit https://artcenter.georgetown.org/workshops-and-masterclasses-at-the-gac.

January 2024 will also usher in the annual call for art exhibit proposals for the 2025 exhibit season at the Georgetown Art Center. All exhibits at the Art Center are curated by an exhibit committee comprised of local artists from throughout the community. Each year, the exhibit committee also selects a panel of curators, artists, gallery owners, and guest judges from across the state to review artist proposals and make recommendations to the exhibit committee. The call for proposals will be open from Jan. 1 to Feb. 29, 2024.

For more information and to submit proposals, visit https://artcenter.georgetown.org/call-for-exhibit-proposals.

The Art Center was established in 2013 to fulfill one of the Georgetown Arts and Culture Board’s strategic plan main goals. Since that time, the City’s arts and culture program has expanded into a robust program that has fulfilled many of the goals of the strategic plan, including getting a Cultural District designation by the Texas Commission on the Arts.

The arts and culture program will facilitate expansion of Art Center programming, as well as continuing to foster relationships with arts and culture organizations and arts-based businesses within the Downtown Georgetown Cultural District.

For more information about the Art Center, visit artcenter.georgetown.org.

2023-24 Sculpture Tour awards announced

The City of Georgetown Arts and Culture Board has awarded Elizabeth Bonura the first prize award in the 2023-24 Sculpture Tour, a juried year-long outdoor exhibit in the historic Downtown Georgetown Cultural District. Bonura won for her piece Babywearing Family, a concrete sculpture with bronze metal coating that features a family of five with three young children inspired by the sculptor’s own family. The sculpture is located at the corner of Rock and Seventh streets, near Blue Corn Harvest.

Second prize went to Steve Southerland for Bending Sound, a 10’ guitar sculpted from steel, copper, and steel wire. This piece is located at the corner of Austin Avenue and Sixth Street, near the Monument Cafe.

The other sculptures accepted into the tour and awarded Honorable Mention include:

  • Long Journey Home by Caroline Walker
  • Joyful Journey Color Column by Laura Armstrong
  • Cerebral Drama by Anthony St. James
  • Fight or Flight by John Luke
  • Monarch on the Grass by Pascale Pryor
  • Spherical Embodiment by Scott Shubin
  • Urban Flower by Anthony St. James
  • Red Plant Form by Laura Sturtz
  • Bird in Blue by Laura Sturtz
  • Big Baby Bluebonnet by Mylinda Farr

Two sculptures from last year’s tour — Moment of Reflection by Dan Pogue and Whirlwind by Tim Glover — will remain for another year.

The board selected these 13 new sculptures from a total of 16 pieces submitted for consideration by 13 artists. All sculptures will remain on exhibit until October 2024.

For more information, including a map of the sculpture tour and images of the sculptures, visit arts.georgetown.org/art/sculpture-tour.

Celebrate the Month of the Arts in Georgetown this October

Celebrate Month of the Arts in Georgetown this October

Sep 21, 2023

Announcing South Main Arts Festival headliner Guy Forsyth

The City of Georgetown is celebrating the Month of the Arts this October with several events for our residents and visiting art lovers.

Oct. 12 | Brown Bag Luncheon: The Importance of Texas Cultural Districts

The City will host the quarterly Arts and Culture Brown Bag Luncheon Oct. 12.

Ernest Luna, Cultural District Program Administrator for the Texas Commission on the Arts, will present on the value of Texas Cultural Districts and the opportunities available to these special districts.

The meeting begins at noon in the Friends Room at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch. There will be time after the discussion to share and learn about arts and culture programs happening in the Georgetown Community.

This quarterly professional development presentation is sponsored by the Georgetown Arts and Culture program. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to arts@georgetown.org.

Oct. 19 | Autumn Art Stroll & City project open house

Patrons are invited to engage in arts experiences from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at various locations across the Downtown Georgetown Cultural District. Experiences include artist demonstrations and an artist talk, art exhibits, live music, performing arts, and art shopping opportunities.

During the Art Stroll, the 2023 Georgetown Sculpture Tour award winners will be announced at 7 p.m. in the South Main Arts District, 817 S. Main St.

Members of the public also will be able to learn more about and provide feedback on three projects that are critical to the development of downtown: The Downtown Master Plan, the Austin Avenue Corridor Study, and the Austin Avenue Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridges. Join City staff and consultants from 4 to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.

Residents who attend the open house will also have an opportunity to learn more about the four propositions the City will have on the November 2023 ballot.

Oct. 20 | Haunted Art Night

From 6-9 p.m. Oct. 20, celebrate Haunted Art Night in the South Main Arts District with a Haunted Art House presented by Sonia Colonna-Mathis at Grace Chapel. At 8 p.m., watch a screening of the 1922 silent Dracula film in the South Main Arts District Park accompanied by Central Texas Philharmonic.

Oct. 21 | South Main Arts Festival

Celebrate Georgetown’s second annual South Main Arts Festival dedicated to the fine arts and located in the new South Main Arts District—a project that received Cultural District grant funding from the Texas Commission on the Arts.

The headlining musician will be Guy Forsyth, Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster Artist. Forsyth, an award-winning blues musician, will perform from 5-6:30 p.m. in the South Main Arts District. The City’s Arts and Culture program received grant funding from the TCA to bring Forsyth to Georgetown to perform at the festival.

Shop the juried artist booths for a variety of artistic media while viewing the community-led mural painting. Enjoy food trucks, live music, and ribbon dancers throughout the day, as well as children’s art activities and pottery by Cordovan Art School, an outdoor theatrical performance, and more.

For more information about this and other Arts and Culture events, visit our webpage here.

Oct. 19 & 21 | Water conservation events

The City of Georgetown’s Water Conservation team is looking to bring awareness to the importance of water and sustainable watering through two opportunities, planned in conjunction with the arts events.

Ten rain barrels painted by area artists will be displayed at local businesses and City facilities in the downtown area Oct. 10-21 as part of the second annual Painted Rain Barrel Project. The vibrant, painted rain barrels will be up for auction during that week, and people can place bids via a QR code. Proceeds from the auction will go toward water conservation education and outreach efforts in our local school systems.

Additionally, in efforts to spread more awareness and promote community engagement about water conservation, the Water Conservation team will also be hosting its second Imagine a Day Without Water event on Oct. 19.

Water plays a vital role in our daily lives, and this event is designed to bring awareness to what life would be like without water. Downtown businesses will have free swag available, and people can enter a raffle to win a chance for themed giveaways.

Request for Artist Proposals for the Painted Rain Barrel Project

The City of Georgetown Water Conservation Team would like to commission artists to design and paint rain barrels.

Application Deadline: Aug. 31

2023 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Beginning Aug. 1, 2023, the City of Georgetown’s Water Conservation Team will invite artist proposals for the Painted Rain Barrel Project. These rain barrels will be placed around downtown Georgetown during the October arts events, then auctioned off to community members, with going to Water Conservation education and outreach efforts.

ELIGIBILITY: This opportunity is open to all artists and student artists.

BUDGET: Artists will receive a $100 stipend. A $150 minimum bid will be placed on all barrels. All proceeds will be donated to conservation education efforts in local schools.

INSTALLATION DATE: Rain Barrel installations will be completed by Oct. 11, 2023.

APPLY: Applications will be submitted through Submittable.com from Aug. 1 to 31, 2022: https://artsgeorgetown.submittable.com/Submit

SELECTION: From the proposals submitted by the deadline, the City of Georgetown Water Conservation Team and Arts and Culture board will select 10 finalists from the total number of submissions. Artists will be notified on final selections by the Water Conservation Team by September 13.

APPLICATION FEE: None

Questions: Contact Tiffany Diaz at tiffany.diaz@georgetown.org

Georgetown Arts and Culture Board awards grants for 2023 Round II

Georgetown Arts and Culture Board awards grants for 2023 Round II

The Georgetown Arts and Culture Board approved $14,944 in grants in July to local arts and culture organizations to help with funding local arts and culture programming that includes orchestra performances, theatre performances, and a cultural festival in Georgetown.

The funding is for events in Georgetown taking place between Oct. 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.

Grant recipients include:

Project or event name Grant amount
Central Texas Philharmonic, Inc for the Field of Honor – Patriotic Pops Concert $5,000
GTX Connect for Fiesta Georgetown 2023 $3,750
The Georgetown Palace Theatre, Inc for the 2023-24 Season Performances for All Ages $3,000
Williamson County Symphony Orchestra for 2 Free Orchestra Concerts in Georgetown  

$2,000

Central Texas Musical Arts for the Bluebonnet Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Concert in Georgetown  

$1,194

The next grant cycle will accept proposals Dec. 1-31, 2023, for events and programs occurring April 1-Sept. 30, 2024.

The Georgetown Arts and Culture grants help the Arts and Culture Board fulfill bylaw requirements, which include recognizing and encouraging groups and organizations that enrich Georgetown life by bringing cultural and artistic values and artifacts to the City. Members of the Arts and Culture Board believe a vibrant arts community and cultural offerings are good for the quality of life for residents, will attract visitors, and will assist Georgetown in becoming a nationally recognized arts destination by 2030. The grant program helps develop and strengthen our local arts community by contributing funding to arts and culture programming that enhances our local community.

Call for 2023-2024 Annual Georgetown Sculpture Tour Entries

 

Starting June 1 2023, the City of Georgetown’s Arts and Culture Board will invite entries for the 2023-24 Annual Georgetown Sculpture Tour – a juried, year-long outdoor exhibition in Georgetown’s historic Downtown Cultural District. All sculptures selected for the 2023-2024 Sculpture Tour will receive a cash prize awarded by the City of Georgetown Arts & Culture Board, which includes (1) $2,000 First Prize, (1) $1,500 Second Prize, and up to (15) $1000 Honorable Mention awards. Judging will occur in October 2022, and checks will be mailed in November 2022. Prizes will be announced at the Georgetown Autumn Art Stroll on Thursday, October 19 during an opening reception for the Georgetown Sculpture Tour! Please click here to view the full submission guidelines, project schedule, and other info: Call for Artist Entries_Georgetown Sculpture Tour Entries 2023-2024

The annual Georgetown Sculpture Tour is one of the first community public art projects of the Georgetown Arts and Culture Program.  The Sculpture Tour began in 2009 by Georgetown sculptor Dar Richardson of the Texas Society of Sculptors working with Georgetown Public Library Director Eric Lashley, and it was conceived as an invitational exhibit. Many thanks are due to Dar for his years of invaluable service on the City Arts & Culture Board and with the Sculpture Tour. After years of leading the Sculpture Tour, Dar asked the City to take the Sculpture Tour selection process over. Beginning with the 2017 Sculpture Tour, City of Georgetown Arts & Culture Board members now review entries and make recommendations to City staff for each year’s selections.

Sculpture Tour applications will be accepted June 1 – August 1, 2023 for the 2023-2024 tour. Each sculptor may submit up to three sculptures for consideration. Please provide two or three photographs of each piece, showing different angles. The artist submission form will go live on June 1, 2023 and close at the end of the day on August 1, 2023.

Sculpture Tour Entry Form

 

From the applications submitted by the deadline, the City of Georgetown Arts & Culture Board will select up to (15) 2023-24 Sculpture Tour pieces. All applicants will be notified of the board’s decisions in September.

“Whirlwind” by Tim Glover; 1st place award winner in 2022-2023 Georgetown Sculpture Tour

Sculptures will be installed by appointment the first week in October and remain on display until October 2024. Delivery is the artist’s responsibility; sculptures will be installed by City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation staff working with the artist.

All sculptures selected for the 2023-2024 Sculpture Tour will receive a cash prize awarded by the City of Georgetown Arts & Culture Board. Judging will occur in October 2023, and checks will be mailed in November 2023. Artists will be required to sign a Sculpture Tour contract, which includes a 25 percent commission to the City on any sculpture sold during the exhibit period.

“Armadillo Totem” by Marla Ripperda; 2nd place award winner in 2022-2023  City Sculpture Tour

Awards will include:
$2,000 First Prize (one will be awarded)
$1,500 Second Prize (one will be awarded)
$1,000 Honorable Mention (up to 13 will be awarded)

Artists will be required to sign a Sculpture Tour contract, which includes a 25 percent commission to the City on any sculpture sold during the exhibit.

The Georgetown Arts and Culture Board maintains the Texas Commission on the Arts Cultural District designation and implements the Georgetown Arts and Culture Program. The Georgetown Arts and Culture Program enhances quality of life for residents and visitors of Georgetown by promoting community engagement, cultural participation, and cultural tourism through public art programming and arts and culture collaborations. The annual Georgetown Sculpture Tour program helps the Board fulfill the vision of becoming a nationally recognized arts destination by 2030.

If you have any questions about the application or the selection process, please call Amanda Still, Arts and Culture Coordinator, at 512-930-8471 or email amanda.still@georgetown.org.