BAA_ArtCenterThe Brownwood Art Association is offering several art events and programs for the community in the upcoming summer months. “Recent grant money awarded to our association allows us to give back to the community and plan some really great events. Our goal is to encourage Brownwood and the surrounding areas to become involved here at the Art Association and celebrate the arts here in our city,” said Fred Spencer, Brownwood Art Association Board Secretary.

The Art Association features a monthly artist exhibit, open to the public during gallery hours. July’s featured artist is Helen Alexander of Salado, Texas. Helen Alexander is an active member of the Salado Village Artists. Having retired from a counseling career, she recognizes the importance of artistic creativity to stimulate and maintain a healthy life balance. Helen has had the opportunity to learn from a wide variety of artists, including Phillip Wade from Laguna Gloria in Austin, Ed Furuike of Honolulu, Garnet Buster and many others. Each artist has enriched her ability to create and to guide others. Her work features nature scenes as well as the human form with rich color and excellent skill. Many of her paintings are available to purchase at the Art Building Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no charge for admission to the exhibit.

The July “Muse & Merlot” monthly painting party will recreate George Rodrigue’s “Take Me Back to Texas” featuring his famous Blue Dog. The painting party will be held Friday, July 8th. Cost is $35 per painter and includes all supplies and step-by-step instruction. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and painting begins at 7 p.m. Seating is limited, please email museandmerlot@gmail.com to reserve a spot.

The Brownwood Art Association will be partnering with Down Home Digital to host a special demonstration, entitled “The Art of Social Media” on Saturday, July 9th from 1-3 p.m. at the Art Building, 215 Fisk Avenue in downtown Brownwood featuring tips for artists to promote their work on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and more, as well as information about building websites for selling artwork online. The demonstration is free of charge and open to the public.

A live drawing class, collectively known as the “People Painters” meets weekly at the Art Center to sketch, or paint live models. The group is open to Art Association members as well as the general public, free of charge. Sessions are held every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, please email brownwoodart@gmail.com

The Brownwood Art Association Photography Group meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. and is open to photographers at any level. The group is free to join and is focused on the love of photography. Mentors are available for amateur photographers looking to improve their abilities. For more information about the group, contact Fred Spencer at fdspencer@msn.com.

The Brownwood Art Association is partnered with A.M.P. (Art, Music, People) to host a monthly Open Mic Night for musicians on the third Thursday of each month. Cost is $5 per person, and musicians who perform are admitted at no cost. Artists are welcome to set up as well and create during the evening. The community is encouraged to come enjoy both music and art from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Art Building at 215 Fisk Avenue in Brownwood.

Children’s Summer Art Classes are being offered in July at the Art Building. Brownwood Art Association member Claudette Womack will be teaching two sessions of children’s art classes, exploring mixed media, paint, 3/D sculpture, collage, and more. The cost will be $25 per child per session. Classes are being held July 19-21st, and July 26-28th.

Age groups and times are:

age 4-6 years old from 10 to 11:15 a.m.

age 7-9 years old from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

age 10-12 years old from 3-5 p.m.

Parents can secure a spot for their child by mailing a check for $25 per child, per session, payable to The Brownwood Art Association, P.O. Box 782, Brownwood, Texas, 76801 by July 1st, parents can also drop their payment in the box at the Art Center at 215 Fisk Avenue in downtown Brownwood. No debit or credit card payments can be accepted at this time.  Please contact Claudette at 512-940-1713 if you have any questions.

The Art Association is also seeking an art teacher to lead a weekly class for ages 13 and up with all skill levels accepted. “We want to give anyone the opportunity to learn here at the Art Center,” said Amanda Coers, Brownwood Art Association Board Member. “The weekly classes will be one hour, and very affordable. We’re looking for someone who loves to teach and inspire to help our community embrace the arts. Anyone interested in leading these classes, teaching drawing, painting, or perhaps another art form is welcome to get in touch with us.” Interested individuals can call Amanda at 325-200-1169 for more information about the teaching opportunities with the Art Association.