By Jo Watts

Lost Pines Artisans Alliance

Everybody always starts their Christmas cards and New Year greetings with “I can’t believe it’s that time of year already” or “the past year has flown by and I don’t know where it’s gone!” so I won’t do any of that. I’ll just say: “Welcome 2010 – Bring it ON! We’re ready for you!”

LPAA
The Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance, based in Smithville, has had an exceptional year. We were based in the Mary Nichols Gallery for the whole year and great things happened there. In addition to 12 differently themed shows, from photography to quilts, we had classes and workshops, parties and fellowship. With the exception of October when the weather was really good (I can’t say bad, because we were still praying for rain at that time), the First Saturday Arts Festival took place each month. The festival is becoming known by artists and patrons alike and when we start up again in March, I expect it will be better than ever.
One reason for its success is the hard work of two dedicated LPAA members, Sam Martin and Cinnamon Meeker. Sam ran the festival for several months until Cinnamon stepped up to the plate. The “Queen of Tie-dye” arranged themes for the festivals, found great musicians to entertain us, organized the vendors and directed the show with grace and good humor. Our friend passed away last fall and we miss her greatly. Cinnamon set the bar high and carrying on with the festival will be a challenge but she trained us well and I think the LPAA can do it.

Mary Nichols
There will be a small change to the show schedule at the M.N Gallery. Instead of a different show each month, we plan to leave work in the gallery for two months at a time. Beginning in January and through February, you can enjoy “Beauty in the Abstract” on any Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery is located at 301 Burleson in Smithville. If Saturdays aren’t good for you or you’d like a private show – perhaps you have out of town guests during the week – call Karen Darr at 360-5080.
The reception for this show will be on Jan. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. Come by and enjoy some refreshments while discussing the new works with the artists.

Fine arts guild
The first meeting of the year for the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild will be on Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Aqua Water building on the Old Austin Highway in Bastrop. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
The BFAG gallery(s) is at 1009 Main in Bastrop. I add the plural because there are actually three different sections to the gallery. The long hallway and back “lobby”, plus two rooms of fine art are there for your pleasure every day except Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A different artist is featured each month in the center gallery so go often.

Art league
On Jan. 7, the Smithville Art League will meet at La Cabana Restaurant on Texas 71 near Smithville. This month I’ve been asked to do a slide presentation on my recent trip to Singapore. If you aren’t already tired of hearing me talk about it incessantly, you’re welcome to attend a short general meeting at 12:30 followed by the “really big show” right after. Come early and have lunch with us before the meeting. Thanks to digital technology, I brought back about 1,200 photographs, but don’t worry, I’ll carefully select only the best of the best pictures of art and architecture – that should reduce the number to no more than 900!! Call me for more information at 360-4347.
Stay well and stay joyful. The best is yet to come!