Artists in Smithville and Bastrop all had the same idea last Sunday afternoon: A great day for spring cleaning.

The Bastrop Fine Arts Guild had a big turnout of about 15 hard-working artists who got the entire hall, the entry and the office painted.

Karol Rice cleaned the bathroom closet and organized before she and Natalie Cooke started repainting it. Grant Kannis did a great job getting the benches taken apart and the group stained them.

Two more benches need to be done if someone would like to take one or both home and work on them. Mike Henderson, Kathie Alonzo and some others cleaned out underneath the stairs.

“Some things are out of place, but be patient and they will get finished,” said President Jeanette Condray.

“Docents this week, please help with anything we did not get back in place. We tried to get everything as clean as possible. The next workday is March 7 so wemcan get everything completed.

There are a few projects that can be done during the week also. Please let me know if you can help.”

Remember the BFAG’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. It’s in the Aqua Water Building on Old Austin Highway. Everyone is welcome to attend.

LPAA

The Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance also used the spring-like day to spruce up the arts center in Smithville. Smaller group equals smaller number of helpers but we got a lot done.

After serious pruning of the oleanders along Loop 230, we discovered that there is still a sign there and now the building can be seen.

City workers will have a surprise when they see the piles of leaves and limbs in the alley. Let’s hope this will bring more people into the gallery.

A special thank you is owed to Ken Jenkins who, when out for a Sunday afternoon stroll, decided to stop and help us. He hauled at least two tons of branches to the alley all by himself.

MARY NICHOLS

Last week’s open studio and meeting at the Mary Nichols Arts Center (LPAA Gallery) was well-attended and lots of fun. Open studio will continue on Wednesdays from 1-8 p.m. and we welcome any artist or interested party to come along and participate.

Bring a project, come and help someone with his or her project or come to just watch and learn.

It’s the creative atmosphere we’re striving for so be prepared to enjoy an afternoon or evening or both. Bring a snack if you like and stay as long as you like. Call me for more information at 577-5252.

Our meeting on Tuesday turned into an open studio of sorts with several of us painting “Art on a Stick” projects.

There are still plenty left to do, so join us on Wednesday. When we get enough placed around town, we’ll have a scavenger hunt or a party or some sort of celebration.

FIRST SATURDAY

This Friday is the deadline to obtain a booth at the First Saturday Festival for the discount price of $35.

This “kick-off” for 2010 is going to be a good one.

Our new festival director has been working hard on getting the word out so that we’ll have great crowds of people there to enjoy the fun and to see (and purchase) original works of art.

She’s booked a very popular band, the Peterson Brothers.

These are two young boys from Elgin who play in Elgin, Bastrop and Austin and I’ve even seen them on television.

To get your booth, call P.K. Scott at 633-9972.

TEXAS HISTORY

As most people reading this paper already know, March and April are important months in the history of Texas. March 2 has been designated “Texas Independence Day” and is followed by dates commemorating the battle of the Alamo, the massacre at Goliad and the final battle for independence at San Jacinto.

In honor of our colorful history, the LPAA has chosen as a theme for March and April “A Texas State of Mind.” Members are invited and encouraged to bring artwork to the gallery, 301 Burleson in Smithville on March 3 or 4.

If you’re not a member and wish to hang your work, it’s easy to join when you bring your art to the gallery.

Call me at 577-5252 or Stephanie Shroyer at 979-702-1246 for more information.

You can see this show beginning on March 5 and on any Saturday through April. An artists’ reception will be held on March 12.

EMPTY BOWL

Freida Weber is inviting artists to participate in the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry and Support Center’s Empty Bowl Project 2010 by donating a bowl or piece of artwork for their silent auction.

Due to the generous donations from many of you they were able to raise almost $1,000 at last year’s event.

Empty Bowl is Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Bastrop High School cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

I can vouch for the fact that this is one of the most fun and worthwhile events of the year. The soups are delicious, the music has always been great and it is for such a good cause.

If you can’t donate, come out and support the food pantry. Call Freida at 512-303- 0033 for more information.

CONGRATULATIONS

We send congratulations to P.K. Scott, the First Saturday Festival director for the LPAA. She was recently accepted into the 2010/11 program for certification in Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

This is a program at Austin Community College (ACC). This should help not only P.K., but our organization as a whole as she works to build our monthly festival.