Rockport Center for the Arts Presents The Big Wave! Annual All-Members Exhibition and Standing Out: 2025 Merit Artist Exhibition

Presented by The O’Connor & Hewitt Foundation

Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) is proud to announce The Big Wave! Annual All-Members Exhibition, presented by The O’Connor & Hewitt Foundation, on view December 13, 2025 – January 18, 2026 across the H-E-B Gallery, the Mendez Family Gallery and the Jeanie and Bill Wyatt Gallery. Running concurrently, Standing Out: 2025 Merit Artist Exhibition will be featured in the McKelvey Charitable Fund Gallery, on view November 28, 2025 – January 4, 2026.

A joint opening reception for both exhibitions will take place Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 5–7 PM, free and open to the public.

The Big Wave! Annual All-Members Exhibition

Presented by: The O’Connor & Hewitt Foundation
Exhibition Dates: December 13, 2025 – January 18, 2026
Location: Across the H-E-B Gallery, the Mendez Family Gallery and the Jeanie and Bill Wyatt Gallery
Opening Reception: Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 5–7 PM

Featuring nearly 200 works by RCA member artists, The Big Wave! showcases artworks in a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. The exhibition remains one of RCA’s most anticipated annual traditions, celebrating the depth and diversity of artistic talent within the Rockport community and beyond.

“What makes our final exhibition cycle of the year so special is the range of artists it brings together—from first-time exhibitors to seasoned members—each artist shares their best work in The Big Wave!” said Catey Arnold, Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions. “We’re grateful for the dedicated creatives who fuel our membership. The energy throughout the galleries this time of year is unmatched.”

Standing Out: 2025 Merit Artist Exhibition

Location: McKelvey Charitable Fund Gallery
Exhibition Dates: November 28, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Reception: Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 5–7 PM

The Standing Out exhibition honors Rockport Center for the Arts’ 2025 Merit Artists. This special group exhibition will showcase artworks by a select group of artists featuring intricate ceramic sculptures, large Gyotaku works on fabric, botanical and other nature-based prints, emotive encaustic paintings, and more.

Jeanna Peña, Dinah Bowman, and Michelle Belto were selected by the 2024 Big Wave Guest Juror, Joe Schenk, former director at the Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus Christi, for their exceptional work and artistic merit. Presented as a focused exhibition, Standing Out highlights the emerging and established voices that continue to shape RCA’s artistic legacy.

2025 Merit Artists

JEANNA PEÑA – Ceramic Sculpture | South Padre Island, TX

DINAH BOWMAN – Gyotaku, Collage, and Painting | Portland, TX

MICHELLE BELTO – Encaustic Painting | San Antonio, TX

“Standing Out is our way of celebrating artists who continue to grow, experiment, and inspire,” said Catey Arnold, Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions at Rockport Center for the Arts. “Each Merit Artist brings a distinct perspective that reflects both individual dedication and the collective strength of our regional art community.”

Standing Out 2026: Call for Entries

During The Big Wave! three (3) artists from the exhibition will be selected for the Merit Artist award by a guest juror and announced on December 13, 2025. The winning applicants will hold the title 2026 Merit Artist and be honored in the Standing Out exhibition in the Fall-Winter of 2026-2027.

Eligible participants must be current RCA Members (in good standing as of December 3, 2025) and exhibiting in The Big Wave!

The esteemed 2025 juror is Aleida García, Director of the San Benito Cultural Arts Department. A native of the Rio Grande Valley and University of Texas–Pan American alumna with a BFA in metals and jewelry, García brings more than twenty years of experience as both an artist and dedicated cultural arts leader connecting communities through the arts.

The deadline to apply for Merit Artist consideration is Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

Artists wishing to be considered are encouraged to submit an artist statement and up to three additional images of other works to assist the juror in the selection process.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts campus is located in the Rockport Cultural Arts District and features multiple galleries, classrooms, a sculpture garden, and The ROCC conference center. RCA is dedicated to supporting the arts through exhibitions, education, outreach, and community engagement. Admission to the galleries is always free. For more information, visit rockportartcenter.com or call (361) 729-5519.

TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE FOR 2025 ROCKPORT FILM FESTIVAL

Event includes Angels and Demons-themed kickoff and documentary on sculptor and artist James Grashow.

19th Annual Rockport Film Festival, Presented by Salemi’s ACE Hardware in the Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC)

The 19th Annual Rockport Film Festival, presented by Salemi’s Ace Hardware, honors the enduring power of cinema to connect communities and cultures. International in scope yet rooted in local spirit, the festival presents an exceptional selection of independent films from Texas and around the world, celebrating the art of storytelling through diverse voices and perspectives.

A joint venture of Rockport Center for the Arts and the Rotary Club of Rockport, tickets are now available for the Oct. 30 -Nov. 2 festival, featuring special events and 37 independent films were selected this year — 34 from the U.S., 18 of which are from Texas, and three international. All screenings are held at The ROCC, located at 106 S. Austin Street on the Rockport Center for the Arts campus in downtown Rockport.

All films are independently produced outside of the Hollywood studio system, meaning they are privately financed projects that tend to be smaller in scale and budget. The annual cinematic event draws hundreds of locals and tourists alike each year, allowing patrons to enjoy films rarely seen elsewhere without waiting in long lines or traveling to multiple-theater venues. With support from the Texas Commission on the Arts, Aransas County, and the City of Rockport, the festival appeals to a local, regional, and statewide audience of filmmakers and enthusiasts during a generally off-season time for tourism.

“We are thrilled to once again bring an outstanding lineup of films to Rockport,” said Karen Ernst, Managing Director of the Rockport Film Festival. “This year, our film selection committee reviewed more than 130 submissions and chose 37 of the very best to share with our festival audience. Each film block has been carefully curated to inspire, entertain, and spark conversation, showcasing powerful stories and perspectives from around the world.”

The festival weekend kicks off Thursday, Oct. 30th, with the annual Red-Carpet Party beginning at 6 p.m. at The ROCC. Limited to 240 guests, the ticketed event is the premiere social event of the fall season. This year’s Angels and Demons-themed gala features cocktails and food catered by Paradise Key Bar & Grill, live entertainment from Los Locals, and complimentary valet parking. The evening includes the screening of Jimmy & The Demons, a cinematic tribute to artist and sculptor, James Grashow that first premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival in New York.  For over six decades, James Grashow has transformed ordinary materials into extraordinary art. His work has been featured in museums and galleries throughout the U.S., on iconic album covers and in countless publications including Rolling Stone, Esquire, and The New York Times. Jimmy’s wildly inventive and irreverent works stand in contrast to his inner dark side and fear of mortality that have haunted him since childhood. At age 79, he devotes four years and all his strength to creating his spectacularly intricate magnum opus, The Cathedral.

"Director Cindy Meehl's intimate documentary follows the artist's multi-year struggle as he meticulously carves both horrifying demons and glorious angels. As Jimmy confronts his mortality throughout the project, the sculpture becomes a competition between light and darkness, a devotional tribute to life's joys and impermanence. Through patient observation, Meehl captures the physical demands of Jimmy's craft alongside his humor, philosophical depth and enduring love for his wife, Guzzy. What emerges is not merely a portrait of an acclaimed artist whose work has graced The Met and MoMA, but a celebration of creativity's power to confront life, as Jimmy does, 'one demon at a time’.” —Alexander Yan, 2025 Tribeca Film Festival.

The fun continues Friday through Sunday with film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, meet-and-greets, and social events. Friday and Saturday will feature four film blocks of varying lengths each day at The ROCC, including combinations from this year’s documentary feature, fiction feature, documentary short, and fiction short entries. Evening cocktail receptions open to the public will be held from 4-5:30 p.m. at Wind Way Gallery on Friday and Anita Diebel Gallery on Saturday in downtown Rockport. An awards ceremony and brunch, hosted by the Rotary Club of Rockport, will be held Sunday at The ROCC preceding the final two film blocks featuring student shorts and Texas Love, showcasing regional themes and subject matter. All Sunday events are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. A complete schedule, including films, is available through the Rockport Film Festival Webpage.

The annual Festival helps give back to the community by funding many free and low-cost programs of the Rotary Club and Rockport Center for the Arts, including humanitarian aid, youth education and scholarships, and free and low-cost Arts and cultural programming.

Tickets for all events are now available online, including a limited number of VIP Passes for $125 providing entry to the Red-Carpet Party, and all film screenings. For guests wishing to attend only the Red-Carpet Party, tickets are available for $100. A Weekend Pass is $25 and provides entry to all film screenings Friday-Sunday.  Lastly, Single-day tickets for screenings are $5 per film block. Festival goers can take advantage of a specially priced block rate at Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Rockport, the official hotel of the Rockport Film Festival. Rooms are limited and must be booked by Oct. 15.

For tickets and more information, including a complete schedule, go to RockportFilmFestival.com.

2025 ROCKPORT FILM FESTIVAL SPONSORS

HEADLINING SPONSOR: Salemi’s Ace Hardware

PRODUCER LEVEL: AT&T; Frost Bank; Gardner Law Firm, GSM Insurors; Karen Mella, Realtor; John Kidwell, Associate Broker, Key Allegro Real Estate Company; Key Allegro Real Estate Company; Legacy Wealth Partners; Maddie Legner, Associate Broker, Realtor; Moroles Art Co.; Paradise Key Dockside Bar & Grill; Rotary Club of Rockport

DIRECTOR LEVEL: Anita Diebel Gallery; Wind Way Gallery

MEDIA SPONSORS: ICA RADIO: 104.5 The Eagle, 107.3 Que Buena, & Planet 102.3

OFFICIAL HOTEL: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Rockport

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT: Aransas County; City of Rockport; Texas Commission on the Arts; Texas Film Commission

About the Rockport Film Festival

The Rockport Film Festival is a collaboration between the Rotary Club of Rockport and Rockport Center for the Arts. All proceeds from the event benefit Rockport Center for the Arts programming and local, regional, and international humanitarian and service projects supported by the Rotary Club of Rockport. The Rockport Film Festival receives government support from the City of Rockport, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and Aransas County. For more information, to purchase tickets and a complete screening schedule, please visit www.RockportFilmFestival.com

About Rockport Center for the Arts
Rockport Center for the Arts is a cultural hub on the Texas Coast, providing exhibitions, education, and programming to nurture the arts in the community and beyond. To learn more, visit rockportartcenter.com or call (361) 729-5519.

Rockport Center for the Arts Announces Trio of Fall Exhibitions

Celebrating returning residents, vibrant palettes, and bold new voices

Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) is proud to present three dynamic exhibitions this fall, showcasing the power of artistic exploration across generations, mediums, and perspectives. From the reflective reunion of past resident artists to the rhythmic compositions of a seasoned San Antonio painter and the imaginative world of an emerging South Texas sculptor, these exhibitions together highlight the breadth of contemporary creativity.

 In Residence: A Retrospective

October 4 – November 30, 2025

H-E-B Gallery

Artist Reception, Saturday, November 8th, 5-7PM

Since its founding in 2012, Rockport Center for the Arts’ Artist-in-Residence Program has offered artists from around the world dedicated time and space for creation, reflection, and community engagement. Historically, each residency culminates in a solo exhibition, free workshops for local students and community members, and full immersion in Rockport’s rich creative culture.

The Artist-in-Residence Retrospective Exhibition brings together this legacy, celebrating over a decade of artists who have left their mark on Rockport and returned with new work created especially for this occasion. The exhibition offers a wide range of voices and styles, honoring both the individuality of each artist and the shared spirit of exploration that unites them.

Catey Arnold, Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions says, “In Residence: A Retrospective is a celebration of the generosity and creative spirit that define Rockport Center for the Arts’ residency program. In coordinating the exhibition, I had the privilege of getting to know the artists who shaped and were shaped by this legacy. In each conversation, I was struck by how meaningful their time at the Art Center proved to be. Seeing the work from this group gathered under one roof is a rare opportunity not to be missed.”

Louis Vega Treviño: Tessellate

October 11 – November 23, 2025

McKelvey Charitable Fund Gallery

Artist Reception, Saturday, October 11th, 5-7PM

San Antonio–based artist Louis Vega Treviño brings a unique vision that bridges the worlds of architecture and fine art. Originally trained in architecture at San Antonio College, Treviño worked as a designer at Kell Muñoz Architects from 1992 to 2000 before fully dedicating himself to painting and drawing. His architectural background continues to inform his work, which is characterized by precision, geometry, and an extraordinary sensitivity to color.

Treviño’s artistic journey began with thousands of sketches on cocktail napkins, a spontaneous practice that grew into a lifelong exploration of line and form. Over the years, he has expanded his material range to include oil on canvas, museum board, Post-it notes, and even large-scale textile and tile designs. His minimalist works deconstruct line and color into lively combinations of rhythmic composition that balance analytical precision with artistic sensitivity.

His art has been featured in public installations, including building facades in San Antonio’s Main Plaza, designs for the San Antonio Convention Center, and a large-scale tile mural in progress at University Health VIDA Clinic in San Antonio. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and been shown widely in art spaces across Texas including Blue Star Contemporary Art Center in San Antonio, Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin, and Southwest School of Art in San Antonio. Ongoing projects include a large tile mural for University Health at VIDA Clinic, San Antonio, TX currently maintains his studio practice at Hausmann Millworks in San Antonio.

“Louis Vega Treviño transforms any substrate into something transcendent,” says Catey Arnold, Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions. “Driven by a deep understanding of color theory, passion for color relationships, and dynamic approach to shape and installation, the San Antonio native brings minimalism to life in this bold body of work. A prolific painter, Treviño created dozens of new works for Tessellate, and I am thrilled to introduce his vision to Rockport Center for the Arts.”

Millicent Alvarado: A Drink from the Wishing Well

October 15 – December 7, 2025

Jeanie and Bill Wyatt Gallery

Artist Reception, Saturday, November 8th, 5-7PM

Emerging sculptor Millicent Alvarado brings a fairytale-like vision to life through intricate works in paper and felt. A Corpus Christi–based artist born in 2000, Alvarado began her journey with a fascination for origami, evolving into meticulously layered sculptures that serve as both meditative practice and expressive storytelling.

Her works balance playfulness with profound personal reflection, offering viewers a chance to glimpse her thoughts and emotions made tangible. Alvarado infuses her pieces with bright colors and detailed compositions, transforming everyday materials into symbolic, dreamlike narratives. Her artistry has been recognized across South Texas with exhibitions at Presa House Gallery in San Antonio, the Art Center of Corpus Christi, K Space Contemporary in Corpus Christi, and as a collaborating artist for Meow Wolf Houston.

“Millicent Alvarado’s studio practice reminds us that imagination knows no bounds. Employing only pair of scissors—her exclusive tool of choice—she creates works containing narrative depth and emotional curiosity. Together, these intricacies make her art hard to look away from.” says Catey Arnold, Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions.

Deidra Cate | New RCA Education Director

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                  

September 4th, 2025                                                                                                               

Contact | Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Director

vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

Deidra Cate | New RCA Education Director
A dedicated advocate for lifelong learning

Deidra Cate serves as the Education Director for Rockport Center for the Arts, beginning September 1st, 2025. Deidra brings a deep passion for youth education, community engagement, and the creative intersections of art and culinary expression. Deidra says “Being on staff at Rockport Center for the Arts is a full circle moment for me. I have long enjoyed the wonderful programs RCA has to offer and now I get to bring those programs to life”.

A dedicated advocate for lifelong learning, Deidra’s professional experience includes serving as Site Coordinator for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant at RFISD from 2017 to 2022. Her commitment to nonprofit service throughout her residency in Rockport has encompassed volunteer roles with several local organizations, including the Texas Maritime Museum, Rockport-Fulton Education Foundation, Odyssey, and ABC Learning Center.

Before re-entering the professional sphere, Deidra devoted her time to raising her three sons—now young adults—alongside her husband, Garry Cate. Her work continues to be grounded in a deep commitment to education, creativity, and fostering meaningful connections within the community.

Executive Director Karen Ernst says, "We’re thrilled to welcome Deidra into her new role as Education Director. Her passion for education, deep commitment to our organization, and strong ties to the Rockport community make her the ideal leader for our education programming. We’re excited to see her step into this expanded role and help shape the future of our educational initiatives."

About Rockport Center for the Arts
Rockport Center for the Arts is a cultural hub on the Texas Coast, providing exhibitions, education, and programming to nurture the arts in the community and beyond. To learn more, visit rockportartcenter.com or call (361) 729-5519.

Elena Rodz | 2026 Rockport Art Festival Master Artist

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                  

August 5th, 2025                                                                                                                         

Contact | Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Director

vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

Elena Rodz | 2026 Rockport Art Festival Master Artist
An Exhibition Showcasing RCA’s Former Curator
Summer 2026

Solo Exhibition Opening Summer 2026
In the H-E-B Gallery, Rockport Center for the Arts
Presented by Legacy Wealth Partners, LLC
During the 58th Annual Rockport Art Festival

Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) proudly announces Elena Rodz as the 2026 Master Artist, the 34th recipient of the prestigious title. Known for her evocative nocturnal oil paintings that reflect her surrounding environments, Rodz continues a celebrated tradition that began in 1993 with Harold Phenix. The honor includes a solo exhibition during Rockport Art Festival, one of the longest-running juried art festivals in the U.S., held annually on the July Fourth weekend.

Rodz will also create an original work for the Art Auction Gala, a long-standing kickoff event for the festival. In addition, a fine art print—produced by Hare and Hound Press in San Antonio— of the live auction artwork will be available at the RCA gift shop.

"I am thrilled to welcome back one of our own, a brilliant talent whose creative voice is as bold as it is unforgettable,” said Karen Ernst, executive director of Rockport Center for the Arts. “Elena’s work radiates a depth and originality that sets her apart, and it is no surprise she is quickly emerging as one of the most celebrated artists of our region. We are honored to showcase her in 2026, and proud to be part of her artistic journey."

“Elena’s unwavering commitment to her studio practice in recent years, even while devoting so much of herself to the arts community, has resulted in a body of work that warrants presentation in a masterful light” says Catey Arnold, Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions. “I’m honored to play a role in celebrating her as Rockport Center for the Arts’ next Master Artist.”

About Elena Rodz
Born in Chalk Mountain, Texas, Elena Rodz spent her childhood among barn cats and open skies. Her early love of art was nurtured by visits to the Dallas Museum of Art and the Amon Carter Museum with her grandmother. After earning a BFA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art, she established studios in Brooklyn before returning to Texas in 2013.

Rodz fell in love with the flat, vast landscape of the Gulf Coast and made Corpus Christi her permanent home. She served as curator for Rockport Center for the Arts for a decade, helping to connect a small town with the larger contemporary art world. Since 2023, she has taught at Del Mar College, mentoring the next generation of artists. Her home is lovingly shared with pets who outnumber the people two-to-one.

Selected Solo Exhibitions
2025 — TBA, South Texas College-Pecan Campus, McAllen, TX
2024 — As the Sun Goes Down, Wind Way Gallery, Rockport, TX
2023 — We’ve All Been There, Produce Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX
2022 — Dilly Dally, Redbud Gallery, Houston, TX
2021 — It’s Only For a Moment, K Space Contemporary, Corpus Christi, TX
(Top 5 Solo Exhibitions by Glasstire Magazine, June 24, 2021)
2019 — Where I’ve Been, Gallery at Anita Diebel Studio, Rockport, TX

Selected Group Exhibitions
2025 — Summer Show, New York Academy of Art, NYC
— Celebrating Community Art, All Saints Episcopal Church, Corpus Christi, TX
— La Merienda, Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX
2024 — Texas Contemporary Artists, Gotham Art Gallery, NYC
— New Texas Talent, Craighead Green Gallery, Dallas, TX
— Target Texas, Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi, TX
— Posies, Fort Works Art, Fort Worth, TX
— Small Works Show, 400h Gallery, Fort Worth, TX
2023 — 10th Annual Juried Exhibition, Artspace 111, Fort Worth, TX
2022–2011 — Exhibitions in Houston, Fort Worth, Seattle, NYC, and more

About the Rockport Art Festival
Since 1969, the Rockport Art Festival has showcased juried works from over 120 artists in disciplines such as painting, ceramics, glass, woodwork, and jewelry. It is recognized as one of the most respected art festivals in the country.

About Rockport Center for the Arts
Rockport Center for the Arts is a cultural hub on the Texas Coast, providing exhibitions, education, and programming to nurture the arts in the community and beyond. To learn more, visit rockportartcenter.com or call (361) 729-5519.

Rockport Art Festival Master Artists, 1993–2026
1993 Harold Phenix • 1994 Steve Russell • 1995 Al Barnes • 1996 Herb Booth • 1997 Jesus Moroles • 1998 Evelyn Atkinson • 1999 Ricardo Rivera • 2000 Kay Barnebey • 2001 Jim Offeman • 2002 Flint Reed • 2003 Anita Diebel • 2004 Thom Evans • 2005 Carol Koutnik • 2006 Hal McCaskill • 2007 Nanci Barnes • 2008 Teresa Justice • 2009 Lisa Baer Frederick • 2010 Shirley Hughes Blackman • 2011 Betty Shamel • 2012 Bruce Bitter • 2013 Bonnie Lou Prouty • 2014 Pamela Fulcher • 2015 Chance Yarbrough • 2016 Joey Blazek • 2017 Barb Robinson • 2018 Debbie Stevens • 2019 Angalee DeForest • 2020 V… Vaughan • 2021 Robin Hazard • 2022 Jeffrey Neel McDaniel • 2023 Kent Ullberg • 2024 Patsy Lindamood • 2025 Susie Black • 2026 Elena Rodz

Aimless Branches, Elena Rodz, Oil on panel, 16 x 20”

Past Me Right Now, Elena Rodz, Oil on panel, 12 x 24”

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EXHIBITIONS MARK LAST DAYS OF SUMMER AT ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Director

(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

EXHIBITIONS MARK LAST DAYS OF SUMMER AT ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Diverse forms of art create much to explore and enjoy

ROCKPORT, Texas (July 31, 2025) — “A Field Guide,” featuring life-like ceramic souvenirs and seashells by Jessica Ninci, and “Nepantla: In-Between,” offering interdisciplinary works from printmaker Moira Garcia, will be on display from late summer into early fall at Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA).

The Jeanie & Bill Wyatt Gallery will house Jessica Ninci’s sculptures, on view and available for collection, from Aug. 19–Oct. 12, and Moira Garcia’s embroidered prints, woven paintings, and more will be on display Aug. 22–Oct. 5 in the McKelvey Charitable Fund Gallery. A public artist reception with Ninci and Garcia will be held Saturday, September 13, from 5–7 p.m., coinciding with the monthly Austin Street Art Walk, a free, alfresco, walkable art experience in downtown Rockport. The exhibitions and receptions are free to attend and open to the public.

“This exhibition cycle is visually diverse, with the Ninci and Garcia exhibitions joining the Shawn Camp exhibition to provide guests a great deal of incredibly creative work to enjoy as we head into fall,” said Catey Arnold, Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions for RCA. 

Having frequented Galveston as a child and now as a resident, Jessica Ninci has a connection and reverence for the island and has been collecting “souvenirs” from its shores for about three decades. “A Field Guide” features carefully sculpted recreations of these gathered objects set within a backdrop of abstracted dunes covered in native, Gulf Coast flora.

“A Field Guide is a collection of ceramic sculptures inspired by the Gulf Coast,” said Ninci. “Collected objects and beach-combed shells are mimicked in clay in a kind of echo. When I find an object to re-create, there’s a shift of importance — no longer a mass of forms along the coastline or in a shop, but this particular shell, or bit of rope, or book, or postcard…it’s an exercise in careful observation.”

A Houston native, Ninci earned her MFA from the University of Houston and is currently an instructor at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston Glassell Junior School. Her work has been exhibited in various spaces, including the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, as well as Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, and the Blaffer Art Museum. She has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Texas, and in 2017, she completed a seven-week residency at The North Set studios through Bea Ying Projects in Houston.

“Nepantla: In-Between” by Santa Fe-based artist, Moira Garcia, is a showcase of printmaking, painting, and fiber artworks that express multilayered narratives rooted in Mesoamerican visual culture and cosmologies. Through symbol, color, and materials, Garcia weaves themes of creation, history, sacrifice, and revival–connecting ancestral imageries to the present day.

A multidisciplinary artist and native of New Mexico, Garcia holds a BFA in Studio Arts with a focus in Printmaking from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Sante Fe, and a MA in Latin American Studies with concentrations in Art History and Indigenous Studies from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. She is a visual arts and museum educator in the Santa Fe Public Schools and her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and publications throughout New Mexico.

Garcia’s interest in Mesoamerican art developed from early childhood experiences in Mexico and continues to be a primary inspiration in her work. “Based on my study of Nahuatl language and Mesoamerican traditions, I create works that are in conversation with the large body of pre-Hispanic and colonial manuscripts, cartographies, and codices of Central Mexico,” said Garcia. ”By means of recreating the aesthetic qualities, materials, design, and iconographies, I am interested in ‘revisibilizing’ Mesoamerican artistic practices that were destroyed during Spanish colonization and remain largely unrecognized in contemporary culture.”

For more information on “A Field Guide"  and “Nepantla: In-Between,” visit rockportartcenter.com follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About Austin Street Art Walk

Austin Street Art Walk is a collective effort of the Rockport Center for the Arts and Moon Over Water Gallery in partnership with Rockport galleries, restaurants, and businesses located along Austin Street in the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Scheduled the second Saturday of each month, April through December, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Art Walk is a free, alfresco, walkable art experience featuring an ever-changing mix of participants and art mediums such as paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography, textiles, as well as live music, artist demonstrations, food and more. Follow us on Facebook for more information.

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ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS AWARDED $20,000 GRANT FROM TEXAS WOMEN FOR THE ARTS TO EXPAND ARTS EDUCATION ACCESS

Grant funding supports Rockport Center for the Arts in deepening impact in arts education programming across Aransas County.

Rockport, TX (July 16, 2025) – Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) is honored to be one of the select community organizations to receive a 2025 grant from ​Texas Women for the Arts (TWA)​, a program of the arts advocacy nonprofit Texas Cultural Trust (TXCT). The $20,000 grant will be used to support FREE K-12 Youth Art Education Programming for June 2025-May 2026 Calendar Year. 

Rockport Center for the Arts offers free, year-round, high quality, hands-on youth education in visual arts, ballet, breakdancing, filmmaking and culinary arts programs. These free offerings ensure equal access to all children, particularly to economically disadvantaged households.  Together, these programs serve over 4,000 youth annually.

All children need access to the Arts and cost must not be a barrier to participating in arts education and exploring creative expression. Nearly 70% of local children in our community qualify for free & reduced lunch programs. Even a $5 fee is a barrier to access for many of our families. Our purpose is to present enriching visual art, dance, film, and culinary art programming for all our children to experience hands-on, especially those from at-risk and economically disadvantaged households.  The grant provide by Texas Women for the Arts ensures that children in Aransas County will continue to explore their creativity in a safe, welcoming environment.

“We are deeply grateful to Texas Women for the Arts for their investment in our community’s youth”, says Karen Ernst, RCA Executive Director. “This grant allows us to eliminate financial barriers and expand access to high-quality, hands-on arts programming for all children in Aransas County. At Rockport Center for the Arts, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to discover their creative voice, and this funding brings us one step closer to that vision.”

Texas Women for the Arts is a collective of over 200 philanthropists, community leaders, and arts advocates across the state, dedicated to enriching educational arts opportunities for children. Celebrating 20 years of service in 2025, this philanthropic force of influential women has awarded 425 grants totaling over $4.7 million, impacting over 3.7 million children in Texas. According to the Trust’s recent 2025 State of the Arts Report, students highly engaged in the arts are more likely to meet college readiness benchmarks, pursue higher education, experience enhanced neurodevelopment and emotional growth, and demonstrate higher community engagement.

TWA Grants are awarded annually through a rigorous review and selection process. To learn more about the programs and the Texas Cultural Trust, visit txculturaltrust.org.

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About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space, or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About Texas Cultural Trust
Texas Cultural Trust is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and increasing access and awareness for the arts across the state. Programs of the Texas Cultural Trust include the Texas Medal of Arts Awards, Art Can, Texas Young Masters, Texas Women for the Arts, Partners in the Arts, and Arts Access. Texas Cultural Trust efforts are amplified by its partners who are instrumental in the success of leading a cohesive voice for the arts in education, advocacy, and economic impact in Texas, spotlighting the artistic excellence of our state. For more information on the Texas Cultural Trust, please visit txculturaltrust.org.

About Texas Women for the Arts

Texas Women for the Arts (TWA) is a statewide giving circle and membership program with more than 200 members from across Texas. Since its inception in 2005, this philanthropic force and champion for the arts in education has awarded 403 grants totaling over $4.3 million to arts organizations, impacting the lives of more than 3.7 million Texas children. For more information, or to join, visit txculturaltrust.org/twa/.

KATHLEEN CLARK BARRERA NAMED ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS DEPUTY DIRECTOR

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Director

(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

KATHLEEN CLARK BARRERA NAMED ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Former RCA Education Director returns June 23 

ROCKPORT, Texas (June 11, 2025) — The Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) today announced Kathleen Clark Barrera as the next deputy director, working alongside the former deputy director, Karen Ernst, who took over as executive director June 1.

Barrera will take on her new RCA role on June 23 after two years as development officer at the Art Museum of South Texas (AMST) in Corpus Christi. During her tenure at AMST, she increased foundation funding by 45% and corporate support by 104%, managed a portfolio of over 45 grants, and helped the organization raise more than $1 million. Barrera previously served as the RCA education director from 2022 to 2023, responsible for projecting and managing department budgets, hiring teaching artists, marketing educational programs, planning and implementing annual summer camps, as well as continuing education conferences for art educators.

“Kathleen is an ideal fit for this next chapter of Rockport Center for the Arts,” said Ernst. “She brings a rare blend of operational insight, programming experience, fundraising expertise, and a deep understanding of our organization’s culture and mission. We are very happy to welcome her back to our team.”

As deputy director, Barrera will serve in a high-impact role supporting Ernst in overseeing the daily operations of the organization, ensuring staff alignment with strategic goals, optimizing internal systems, advancing key projects across departments, and ensuring the smooth execution of RCA’s signature events and development initiatives.

Barrera holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, a Master of Arts in Arts Management from the University of Houston, and is currently working on her Master of Business Administration at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, with graduation expected in May 2026.

“I’m honored to step into the role of deputy director at Rockport Center for the Arts, one of Texas’s most respected multidisciplinary arts organizations,” said Barrera. “It’s a privilege to return to RCA and contribute to the continued excellence of an institution that has enriched the cultural landscape for nearly 57 years. In this role, I look forward to strengthening organizational operations and expanding community engagement through inclusive, innovative programming that reflects the vibrancy of the Coastal Bend.”

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

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THREE INCREDIBLE CAMP THEMES MAKE FOR ONE ARTFUL SUMMER

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Director

(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

THREE INCREDIBLE CAMP THEMES MAKE FOR ONE ARTFUL SUMMER

Hands-on, educational experiences are free to Aransas County youth; limited spots remain  

ROCKPORT, Texas (June 5, 2025) — Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) is preparing to host nearly 500 kids during four weeks of its annual summer camps.

Designed to educate and inspire young minds, the weeklong, half-day camps, offering morning and afternoon sessions, provide hands-on, engaging and entertaining activities, including art, culinary and ballet. Camp attendance is free to Aransas County youth entering grades 1–8 in the 2025-26 school year. With the program’s increasing popularity, only limited spots now remain for the ArtSpace sessions.

“Since 1998, we have hosted summer camps as a benefit to our Aransas County residents,” said RCA Education Director Laura Vogel. “It’s part of the art center’s commitment to engage and enrich the community that has shown us so much support. Everyone benefits from exposure to the Arts, especially children who can explore their creative interests, find ways to express themselves, and perhaps discover a hidden talent. We max out attendance every year and are happy to do so.”

Attendees will participate in various camp activities based on age: ArtSpace (grades 1–2,  3–5, and 6–8); Young Chefs (grades 4-5 and 6–8); and Ballet Camp (grades 1–3 and 4–8); with the schedule as follows:

·         June 16–20         9:30 AM-12 PM OR 1:30-4 PM Session (ArtSpace and Young Chefs)

·         June 23–27         9:30 AM-12 PM OR 1:30-4 PM Session (ArtSpace and Young Chefs)

·         July 14–18           9:30 AM-12 PM OR 1:30-4 PM Session (ArtSpace, Ballet, and Young Chefs)

·         July 21–25           9:30 AM-12 PM OR 1:30-4 PM Session (ArtSpace and Young Chefs)

Ballet and Young Chefs Camps are full, but there are limited spots available for ArtSpace Camp. To register for a remaining spot, go online to rockportartcenter.com/summercamps, or call (361) 729-5519 for more information.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

SUMMER HEATS UP WITH HOT EXHIBITIONS AT ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Director

(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

 SUMMER HEATS UP WITH HOT EXHIBITIONS AT ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Unique ceramics of James Tisdale round out summer lineup

ROCKPORT, Texas (May 22, 2025) — The galleries of Rockport Center for the Arts are set to sizzle this summer, including “Reflections,” by artist James Tisdale, June 17– August 10 in the Jeanie and Bill Wyatt Gallery, featuring the artist’s colorful and unique larger-than-life ceramic figures. 

“Reflections” is an entirely new body of work from the Austin, Texas-based Tisdale, featuring 10 figures constructed using the coil method. Once the heavy grog white clay body form is established, the surface is then finished with several layers of underglazes, stains, and glazes, while some are painted. With each added layer, the work is subjected to another firing. This process of layering colorants is used to add depth to the surface and a look of distress to the piece. The larger works are quite labor-intensive, with the largest work standing 83” high.

The work will be on view and available for collection through August 10, with an opportunity to meet the artist at a special reception Saturday, August 9, from 5–7 p.m. Free and open to the public, the event will coincide with the monthly Austin Street Art Walk, a free, alfresco, walkable art experience featuring RCA and other galleries located in downtown Rockport.

“Tisdale’s work is both deeply human and wonderfully unexpected,” said Catey Arnold, Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions for RCA. “The ceramic characters are emotive and process-driven, and thanks to the physicality of the work, there’s a really enjoyable tension between play and introspection coming through—I’m really looking forward to bringing it all together in the Wyatt Gallery next month.”

With a personal iconography rich with references to the cultural, social, political and religious experiences of growing up in Mississippi, Tisdale’s outlook is humorous, poignant, and sometimes confrontational, as he observes the world around him. His work draws upon both the beauty and the ugliness of this region, exploring the concepts of what society ordains as acceptable or beautiful, as well as what it condemns as being ugly and undesirable. Having grown up in the south, he discovered that many situations, events and people are a mixture of both definitions. For him, the intrigue lies not only within the borders of these interpretations but also in how these labels can influence a lifelong attitude.

Tisdale attended the Penland School of Arts and Crafts, receiving his B.F.A. in Ceramics the the University of Mississippi in Oxford, and his M.F.A. in Ceramics from the University of Georgia in Athens, also participating in a UGA studies abroad program in Cortona, Italy.

A past National Endowment for the Arts grant recipient, Tisdale is currently the Ceramic Program Coordinator at The Contemporary in Austin, Texas. He has appeared in well over 100 solo and group exhibitions across the U.S. and around the world, served as a visiting assistant professor of ceramics for several universities, including his alma maters, has conducted workshops and lectures, and received numerous awards, fellowships and grants for his work.

During his career, Tisdale has enjoyed numerous opportunities to serve as resident artist, including the Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen, China, in 2010; the International Ceramic Studio in Kecskemet, Hungary; The Clay Studio in Philadelphia; and the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana. In 2021, he was invited to Uzés, France, to participate in the residency program at Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, which had a lasting impact on him. Tisdale notes that the dual influences of Southern folk tradition from his upbringing and European Renaissance sensibilities from his time in Europe continue to shape his work today.

For more information on Rockport Center for the Arts, visit rockportartcenter.com follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

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CATALYST FOR CHANGE MARKS THE END OF A DECADE

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Director

(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

 

CATALYST FOR CHANGE MARKS THE END OF A DECADE

Exiting art center executive director Luis Purón led period of remarkable growth

ROCKPORT, Texas (May 29, 2025) — Are you better off than you were 10 years ago? While most Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) members attending the recent RCA Annual Meeting could certainly attest to great improvements in recent years, a decade of comparative data from the tenure of outgoing RCA executive director Luis Purón was eye-opening just the same.  

Puron’s May 6 presentation to members included a list of achievements fostered by the RCA team over the past 10 years under his leadership, the most visible being the $13 million Imagine Capital Campaign which kicked into high gear following Hurricane Harvey’s destruction, resulting in the new 1.2-acre downtown campus complete with sculpture garden and conference center which opened in 2022.

But there has been much more to celebrate, including the launch of multiple programs benefitting the community including culinary and performing arts, making RCA the Texas Coastal Bend’s only multi-disciplinary arts organization; attendance more than doubling to 50,000 annual visitors, membership tripling, the budget multiplying fivefold, new revenue streams established creating less reliance on special event income, a new endowment initiated, a six-figure end-of-year surplus becoming the norm and RCA’s net worth increasing eightfold to $15 million. Better off indeed.

Concluding his tenure as the longest-serving leader in the non-profit’s 56-year history, Purón spoke to the members for the final time before his planned May 31 departure.  

“I knew that maintaining traditions was an important life source for Rockport Center for the Arts,” said Purón. “I have witnessed firsthand how our programs bring people together, encourage collaboration and ignite a love for the arts in children and adults alike. The joy and inspiration that the Art Center provides reach far beyond Texas, enriching lives and creating a sense of belonging.”

In addition to more than 300 RCA members, comprised of artists and other Coastal Bend residents, local dignitaries, and community leaders in attendance, had accolades for where RCA finds itself today.

“We went from the little Victorian cottage, which was sweet, but certainly could not take us into the next century,” said Aransas County Commissioner Pat Rousseau. “I remember being here when we opened up the new facility, and we had folks here from Austin and Dallas, big cities, and they couldn't believe Rockport, Texas, had this.”

“People come from all over to see what we have down here,” said Rockport Mayor Tim Jayroe. “Especially since Luis came, the programs that they have, the people that come in and display, what they have created in their lifetime, has been tremendous; it's been a huge asset to our town.”

“I think it's grown the community tremendously,” said Aransas County Judge Ray Garza. “Look at the impact it's made in downtown alone; I see a lot more activity down here.”

Coastal Bend resident and world-renowned wildlife sculptor Kent Ullberg, who has exhibited at RCA and whose work is represented in the art center’s public art program, said artists know the value of a strong art center.  “Having a place displaying our work where we live… it means a lot,” said Ullberg. “This fine art center is world-class.”

In addition to its visual arts, RCA is a strong community partner, providing numerous programs, particularly for area youth, free of charge, a commitment appealing to benefactors following the hurricane’s destruction.

“When they heard that we have Free Family Saturdays and that every child in Aransas County can go to summer camp for free, they said, let me write a check,” said Mary Hime, Imagine Capital Campaign chairman and 2020 RCA board chair. ”It was a wonderful opportunity to spread the news about what the art center was doing and what it could do in the future.”

As Purón’s decade comes to a close, current Deputy Director Karen Ernst prepares to take the reins June 1. “As Luis’s remarkable decade of leadership comes to a close, we celebrate the strong foundation he has built, transforming a small arts space into a thriving campus in the heart of downtown,” said Ernst. ”I see this next chapter as an incredible opportunity. We’ve grown so much and so rapidly, now we’re perfectly positioned to build on our legacy and shape an exciting future together.”

“I am especially grateful for the friendships I’ve formed during my time here,” said Purón. ”The camaraderie among the staff, artists, donors and volunteers has been a constant source of personal support and encouragement. Rockport and Rockport Center for the Arts will always have a special place in my heart.”  

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Click here for a summary video/key attendee soundbites from the May 6 RCA Annual Meeting

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ROCKPORT ART FESTIVAL PREPARES FOR ANNUAL HOLIDAY WEEKEND EVENT

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Director

(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

 

ROCKPORT ART FESTIVAL PREPARES FOR ANNUAL HOLIDAY WEEKEND EVENT

Susie Black selected as 2025 event’s Master Artist

ROCKPORT, Texas (May 20, 2025) —Tickets are now on sale for the 57th annual Rockport Art Festival, presented by Salemi’s Ace Hardware. Hosted by Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA), the event will be held on the Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor, Saturday and Sunday, July 5–6, with the Art Auction Gala on Thursday night, July 3, kicking off the holiday weekend activities.

Since its inaugural summer event in 1969, the Rockport Art Festival has become one of the largest and most celebrated annual art events in the U.S., with an estimated 10,000 attendees and more than 120 juried artists from across the country participating each year. A complete list of participating artists will be available for viewing on the event website at rockportartfest.com.

“For more than half a century, the Rockport Art Festival has been a tradition over the July Fourth weekend on Aransas Bay,” said Karen Ernst, chairperson of Art Fest. "It’s such a lively, vibrant atmosphere drawing attendees from throughout the Coastal Bend and beyond to enjoy a weekend of music, food and creativity as they can view and purchase the work of more than 100 talented artisans.” 

Art Fest hours are July 5 from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and July 6 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., on the Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor, located at 1500 E. Laurel, adjacent to Rockport Beach Park and Aransas Bay. Attendees can enjoy many other activities throughout the festival weekend, including various food and drink options, live music inside an air-conditioned 14,000-square-foot tent, and a children’s activity tent featuring craft activities, face painting and live musical entertainment.

Known for her unique textile and gelli print works of art, Susie Black is the 33rd artist honored as the Rockport Art Festival Master Artist, a tradition that began in 1993 with Harold Phenix. As Master Artist, she is featured in a June 7–July 27  solo exhibition, “For the Love of Fabric,” presented by IBC Bank, in RCA’s H-E-B Gallery, coinciding with Art Fest. Black is providing an original piece of art for the annual Art Auction Gala on July 3, which will also feature work from previous master artists, with an edition of 50 fine art prints of Black’s piece on archival paper created by Hare and Hound Press of San Antonio, Texas, available for purchase. Held each year since 1993 as the kickoff to Art Fest, and always a sellout, the patron event takes place in an air-conditioned big top tent on the Festival Grounds and includes several auctions, live music, and a catered dinner.

The Art Festival Store will also be open throughout the weekend with a variety of items for purchase, such as the highly sought-after event T-shirts, designed each year by a Rockport-Fulton Middle School student, including this year’s winning artist, Kayden Schwering.

In addition to providing an economic boon for Rockport–Fulton and surrounding Aransas County, Art Fest is also the biggest fundraiser of the year for RCA. Together, the festival and auction help provide funding for the many free to low-cost RCA visual arts and educational programs hosted year-round.

Tickets to the festival weekend are available online, in person at RCA before the event weekend, and on event days at the festival. Single-day festival tickets are priced at $10 per day for ages 13 and up (12 and under are free), with two-day festival VIP Passes available for $15 each, providing pre-opening access to the festival on both days starting at 9 a.m.

Sponsors and supporters of the 57th Annual Rockport Art Festival include:

• Presenting Sponsor: Salemi’s Ace Hardware

• Sustainer Sponsors: American Bank, GSM Insurors

• Patron Sponsors: Baker Law, First Community Bank, Frost Banking Investments Insurance, H-E-B Helping Here, IBC Bank, Key Allegro Real Estate/Brett Bohn, Key Allegro Real Estate/John Kidwell, Prosperity Bank, Teal Construction Company

• Other Sponsors: Welder Leshin LLP

• Government Support: City of Rockport, Aransas County, Texas Commission on the Arts

For more information or to purchase tickets for the Rockport Art Festival, please visit rockportartfest.com or call (361) 729-5519.

About Rockport Art Festival Master Artists, 1993–present

1993 Harold Phenix †; 1994 Steve Russell (Founding member of the Rockport Art Association, Inc.); 1995 Al Barnes †; 1996 Herb Booth †; 1997 Jesus Moroles †; 1998 Evelyn Atkinson; 1999 Ricardo Rivera †; 2000 Kay Barnebey †; 2001 Jim Offeman; 2002 Flint Reed; 2003 Anita Diebel; 2004 Thom Evans †; 2005 Carol Koutnik; 2006 Hal McCaskill †; 2007 Nanci Barnes; 2008 Teresa Justice; 2009 Lisa Baer Frederick; 2010 Shirley Hughes Blackman; 2011 Betty Shamel; 2012 Bruce Bitter; 2013 Bonnie Lou Prouty †; 2014 Pamela Fulcher; 2015 Chance Yarbrough; 2016 Joey Blazek; 2017 Barb Robinson; 2018 Debbie Stevens; 2019 Angalee DeForest; 2020 V… Vaughan; 2021 Robin Hazard; 2022 Jeffrey Neel McDaniel; 2023 Kent Ullberg; 2024 Patsy Lindamood; and 2025 Susie Black   Legend: † Deceased

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MASTER ARTISTS PAST AND PRESENT TAKE CENTER STAGE THIS SUMMER

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Director

(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

MASTER ARTISTS PAST AND PRESENT TAKE CENTER STAGE THIS SUMMER

Local artist Susie Black headlines Rockport Center for the Arts’ summer exhibition lineup

ROCKPORT, Texas (May 16, 2025) — Art’s greatest hits will be on display this summer at Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) with two exhibitions featuring work by Rockport Art Festival Master Artists. “For the Love of Fabric,” presented by IBC Bank, showcasing the quilted creations of the 2025 Master Artist Susie Black, and “Rockport Legends,” the popular annual exhibition featuring previous Master Artists.

Known for unique textile and gelli print works of art, Black is the 33rd artist to be honored in a tradition that began in 1993 with Harold Phenix. As Master Artist, her “For the Love of Fabric” solo exhibition will be featured June 7–July 27 in RCA’s H-E-B Gallery, coinciding with the 57th Annual Rockport Art Festival held on July Fourth weekend.

“I am honored and excited to be the 2025 master artist and especially to be the first fabric artist,” said Black. “My hope is to spread my love and appreciation of textile art and open the door for future fabric artists in our art community.”

As Master Artist, Black has produced an original work to be auctioned at the annual Art Auction gala on July 3, serving as the kickoff to Art Fest. An edition of 50 fine art prints of the piece has been created on archival paper by Hare and Hound Press of San Antonio, Texas, which will be available for purchase in RCA’s John and Mary Willrodt Gift Shop.

“Last year, we visited the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin for an exhibition by Anni Albers, one of the most celebrated textile artists of the 20th century, as inspiration for the display and installation of Susie’s ‘For the Love of Fabric’ exhibition,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “RCA has not fully invested in celebrating this unique but important art form until now. Susie’s passion for working with fiber and textiles, her unique eye for design and explosion of color will become a platform for contemporary artists to explore identity, culture, history and innovation.”

“Rockport Legends” is set for June 13–August 10 in the McKelvey Charitable Fund Gallery, featuring more than 20 works from many of the Rockport Art Festival Master Artist honorees through the years, including Steve Russell, founding member of the Rockport Art Association, Inc., and world-renowned wildlife sculptor Kent Ullberg. Always a guest favorite, the exhibition is a visual representation of what inspires artists to move to Rockport and become part of the most vibrant art community on the Texas Gulf Coast. 

An artist reception for both shows is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, from 5–7 p.m., which includes the unveiling of Black’s original Art Auction gala piece and the fine art prints. The event, which is free and open to the public, will coincide with the monthly Austin Street Art Walk, a free, alfresco, walkable art experience featuring RCA and other galleries located in downtown Rockport.

An accomplished seamstress like her mother and grandmother, Black’s lifelong passion for working with fabric led her to begin quilting in the 1970s, creating numerous award-winning pieces.

A fifth-generation resident of Aransas County and prominent business leader in the Coastal Bend community for many years, Black began her career in the family lumber and hardware business at age 10, later owning and managing the business alongside her brother and becoming a pioneer for women in the hardware industry. She served on advisory boards and committees for various hardware industry suppliers, was the first female board member of an eight-state hardware cooperative buying group based in Houston, and received recognition in Outstanding Young Women of America and Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals. Additionally, she has served on numerous local boards, self-published a Recipes and Remembrances cookbook, raising $6,500 for a local non-profit, and worked on several capital campaigns, earning her Rockport-Fulton Chamber Citizen of the Year honors in 2008 for her leadership and philanthropic efforts. 

Black left much of the business world behind in 2006 to begin pursuing her artistic endeavors full-time. Her formal training was private art lessons with local artist Carol Koutnik, a Master Artist herself, who encouraged her to see her textile work as an art form and to work in a series.

Working from her home studio in Rockport, Black often incorporates paint, dye and paper with textiles.  Having a special affinity for incorporating old linens and repurposed items into her work, she has created numerous commissioned works for clients, often using cherished family textiles. Her work is available to view and purchase at Wind Way Gallery and RCA’s gift shop.

For more information on Rockport Center for the Arts, visit rockportartcenter.com follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About Rockport Art Festival Master Artists, 1993–present

1993 Harold Phenix †; 1994 Steve Russell (Founding member of the Rockport Art Association, Inc.); 1995 Al Barnes †; 1996 Herb Booth †; 1997 Jesus Moroles †; 1998 Evelyn Atkinson; 1999 Ricardo Rivera †; 2000 Kay Barnebey †; 2001 Jim Offeman; 2002 Flint Reed; 2003 Anita Diebel; 2004 Thom Evans †; 2005 Carol Koutnik; 2006 Hal McCaskill †; 2007 Nanci Barnes; 2008 Teresa Justice; 2009 Lisa Baer Frederick; 2010 Shirley Hughes Blackman; 2011 Betty Shamel; 2012 Bruce Bitter; 2013 Bonnie Lou Prouty †; 2014 Pamela Fulcher; 2015 Chance Yarbrough; 2016 Joey Blazek; 2017 Barb Robinson; 2018 Debbie Stevens; 2019 Angalee DeForest; 2020 V… Vaughan; 2021 Robin Hazard; 2022 Jeffrey Neel McDaniel; 2023 Kent Ullberg; 2024 Patsy Lindamood; and 2025 Susie Black   Legend: † Deceased

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ROCKPORT-FULTON NAMED MUSIC FRIENDLY TEXAS CERTIFIED COMMUNITY

ROCKPORT-FULTON NAMED MUSIC FRIENDLY TEXAS CERTIFIED COMMUNITY

Texas Music Office certification ceremony slated for May 9 with city-wide live entertainment 

ROCKPORT, Texas (April 23, 2025) — Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Texas Music Office (TMO) has designated Rockport-Fulton as an official Music Friendly Texas Certified Community.

The Music Friendly Texas program, the first in the nation since being introduced by the TMO in 2016, seeks to foster music business-related economic development and job creation in Texas cities and communities. Certification requires a multi-step process for consideration, which was spearheaded locally by the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

"We are honored to receive the Governor's Music Friendly Texas certification, a recognition celebrating Rockport-Fulton's vibrant and growing music scene,” said Shelly Stuart, president and CEO of the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. “This designation highlights our commitment to supporting local musicians and live entertainment while reinforcing music’s impact on our community's culture, economy, and tourism. We look forward to fostering new opportunities for artists, venues, and music lovers alike, ensuring that Rockport-Fulton remains a premier destination for live music on the Texas Coast."

The Rockport-Fulton ceremony will be held on Friday, May 9, at 4 p.m., in The Harbor Tent located at 202 N. Fulton Beach Road in Fulton. The event is free and open to the public, featuring local dignitaries and a representative from the state’s Texas Music Office with a performance by rockabilly Texas country band Two Tons of Steel.

The festivities will continue throughout the evening of May 9 with ticketed events, including a concert featuring Texas country music singer-songwriter Bruce Robison at the Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC), located at 106 S Austin St in downtown Rockport. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased on the Rockport Center for the Arts website. In Fulton, two shows are planned with country band Tumble Dry Low at Headliners and country blues duo The Lucky Dogz at Sugar Shack, both beginning at 9 p.m.

“I am proud of our city for many reasons—our people, our schools, the Rockport Center for the Arts, our Cultural Arts District, the Fulton Mansion, and so many others,” said Rockport Mayor Tim Jayroe. “I'm happy to share with everyone the recent music-friendly title awarded to our city by the State of Texas. Our community has been known as a center for the arts since the 1950s, and music is another major art form we are excited to provide to our citizens and visitors alike.”

With Rockport long recognized as one of the top artist colonies in the U.S., efforts to garner similar recognition for the area in the music world were bolstered by the addition of the Rockport Conference Center in 2022 and its Performing Arts Series at The ROCC. Located on the Rockport Center for the Arts campus in the heart of downtown, The ROCC hosts a variety of artists and genres throughout the year.

“Our musical performances continue to grow in popularity, attracting cultural tourism from across the state of Texas, thanks to the addition of our state-of-the-art facilities designed for the performing arts,” said Luis Purón, RCA executive director. “It’s exciting for our community to receive the recognition we have all worked so hard to earn.”

Word of the official designation is also music to the ears of the Rockport Songwriter Association, which showcases legendary Texas musicians throughout the year, including the five-day Rockport Songwriter Festival each November.

“On behalf of the Rockport Songwriter Association, we are proud to be part of the community team to host the celebration of Rockport-Fulton as a ‘Music Friendly Texas Certified Community,’” said Sandy Jumper of the Rockport Songwriter Association. “This designation will have a positive impact on the musicians, songwriters and venues in our area and will also provide support from the Governor’s office to help bring in entertainment from across the state to our region. We are excited for the opportunity to grow  the music industry in our community and look forward to future opportunities to increase awareness of our area’s diverse musical talent.”

About Rockport Chamber of Commerce

The Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic organization committed to promoting business, tourism, and community development in the Rockport-Fulton area. With a strong focus on economic vitality and cultural enrichment, the Chamber supports local initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. For more information, go online to rockport-fulton.org/, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, or call (800) 242-0071.

About the Rockport Songwriter Association (RSA)

The Rockport Songwriter Association (RSA) is a 501(c)3 non nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing and promoting the art of songwriting throughout the Coastal Bend and the State of Texas. RSA hosts performances by legendary Texas musicians throughout the year at The Harbor Tent and The Harbor Listening Room in Fulton, Texas, highlighted by the annual five-day Rockport Songwriter Festival held the second weekend of November. For more information, go online to rockportsongwriterassociation.com/ or call (361) 450-1743.

About Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC)

Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC) is located at 106 S. Austin St. on the 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts campus. Perfect for small conferences and board meetings, team-building events, live performances, family reunions, wedding receptions and more, the one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center features a 4,400-square-foot ballroom (Randy Ewing Kemper Hall), 1,400-square-foot reception area (Estelle Stair Foyer), a fully equipped AEP Foundation Culinary Arts Kitchen, and state-of-the-art AV and Wi-Fi throughout. For general information or to book an event, visit the-rocc.com, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, or call (361) 450-8033.

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SIT A SPELL WITH NATURE

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Director

(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

SIT A SPELL WITH NATURE

Texas artist shares a lifelong love of the natural world through his creations  

ROCKPORT, Texas (April 17, 2025) — “Sojourn,” showcasing the colorful work of artist David Everett, is coming to Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) April 25–June 8.

Just as the exhibition’s title suggests, guests will find themselves as temporary residents amongst the many creatures of the diverse habitats along the Texas Gulf coastline, brought to life through Everett’s colorful prints and sculptures.

“Recalling times spent exploring the woods and vintage wooden toys with moveable parts, David Everett’s work is rooted in this nostalgic sense of play,” said Catey Arnold, Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions for RCA.  “With 10 sculptures, a suite of framed Color Woodblock prints, and a few preliminary drawings on view, audiences are sure to step into a world of wonder in the McKelvey Gallery this exhibition cycle.”

Represented by Davis Gallery in Austin, Everett’s work will be on view and available for collection in the McKelvey Charitable Fund Gallery through June 8, with an artist reception scheduled for Saturday, May 10, from 5–7 p.m., which is free and open to the public. The event will coincide with the monthly Austin Street Art Walk, a free, alfresco, walkable art experience featuring RCA and other galleries located in downtown Rockport.

Born in the southeast Texas town of Beaumont in 1950, Everett has been fascinated from his earliest memories by the natural world, drawn to the forests, swamps, bayous, marsh-covered plains and bays found along its coastline on the Gulf of Mexico. It was from this vantage point that he began a life-long process of restating his observations into a visual art that explores an allegorical interplay of both human and animal forms, celebrating the natural history of a personal world.

Everett began his career as a sculptor after earning his B.F.A. and M.F.A. from The University of Texas at Austin. An Austin resident to this day, he has appeared in dozens of high-profile solo and group exhibitions, primarily in Texas and the Southwest, including multiple galleries in Dallas and Austin, as well as Chicago, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. He has created dozens of commissioned works, and his pieces appear in numerous corporate, public and private collections, including the National Museum of Wildlife Art (Jackson Hole), The Witliff Collections, Texas State University (San Marcos, Texas), the Federal Reserve Bank (Dallas), and the Austin Museum of Art.

Everett’s creations have also been the subject of a book The Art of David Everett: Another World, by Becky Duval Reese, former director of the El Paso Museum of Art, and past president of the Texas Fine Arts Association, and his work graced the cover of the famed Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog (1989).

For more information on “Soujourn,” visit rockportartcenter.com follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

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ROCC BOOKINGS BOOSTING BOTTOM LINES

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sarona Winfrey, Winfrey Media Relations

(972) 529-8170 / winfreypr@att.net

ROCC BOOKINGS BOOSTING BOTTOM LINES

The Rockport Conference Center seeing increases in events and attendance; new website launched

ROCKPORT, Texas (April 14, 2025) — Beyond achieving its immediate goal of attracting and hosting a variety of successful events, Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC) is steadily pushing towards achieving an even bigger goal of becoming a key economic driver in the Coastal Bend.

Part of the $12.5 million Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) capital project, The ROCC is located on the 1.2-acre RCA campus adjacent to Aransas Bay in the heart of downtown.

Since opening in November of 2022 when it hosted the Rockport Film Festival, the 8,000-square-foot facility has welcomed thousands of guests for a myriad of public and private events, including musical performances with artists such as Bruce Robison and Tish Hinojosa, culinary events featuring regional and James Beard Award-nominated chefs, meetings, conferences, auctions, weddings and other special events.

More than 800 guests attended various events at The ROCC in the first quarter of 2025, a 5.5% increase over the same quarter of 2024. Of those 800-plus guests, nearly 40% came from out-of-town, translating to hundreds of room nights in local hotels and dollars spent in shops and restaurants while generating additional occupancy and sales tax revenue.

“A partnership between Rockport Center for the Arts and the City of Rockport, The ROCC has been a huge success and coupled with the art center and sculpture garden, has become a catalyst for increasing business tourism,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “Rockport has always been a community treasured by so many, but the ever-increasing slate of popular events has drawn visitors to Rockport like a magnet.”

The ROCC has launched a new and expanded website providing more detailed information on facilities, services, and more to assist the increasing number of those interested in booking events.

“As the number of events and guests are on the rise, word of mouth has also increased and we are staying busier than ever,” said Darryl Meadows, venue manager for The ROCC. “We’re happy the new website has launched as it will provide more in-depth information and ideas for those hoping to book the venue. It will save time by highlighting what’s possible, allowing for more event pre-planning.”

As a creative space beginning with the end in mind, events at The ROCC are custom-designed to create an immersive, inspirational experience, including arranging for or otherwise assisting clients with preferred vendors, including catering, advanced AV/technical, entertainment, excursions to local attractions, valet parking, lodging — even hands-on art and culinary experiences — to create the perfect event.

The ROCC offers a variety of meeting spaces, including Randall Ewing Kemper Hall, a 4,400-square-foot ballroom, which can be configured into four smaller breakout rooms; the 1,300-square-foot Estelle Stair Foyer; and the flexible AEP Foundation Culinary Arts Kitchen. In addition to the formal event space, the rooftop Kelly and Scott Biar Terrace on the visual arts building, and the adjacent 16,000-square-foot Patricia Bennett Moore Sculpture Garden, featuring 11 sculptural works by artists with state, national, and international recognition, can also be utilized. Many amenities are also included, such as Wi-Fi, tables and chairs, AV and support.

For information and booking events at The ROCC, contact venue manager Darryl Meadows by calling (361) 450-8033 or at darryl@the-rocc.com.

About Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC)

Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC) is located at 106 S. Austin St. on the 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts campus. Perfect for small conferences and board meetings, team-building events, live performances, family reunions, wedding receptions and more, the one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center features a 4,400-square-foot ballroom (Randy Ewing Kemper Hall), 1,400-square-foot reception area (Estelle Stair Foyer), a fully equipped AEP Foundation Culinary Arts Kitchen, and state-of-the-art AV and Wi-Fi throughout. For general information or to book an event, visit the-rocc.com, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, or call (361) 450-8033.

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SPRING BRINGS DIVERSE OFFERINGS TO ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

SPRING BRINGS DIVERSE OFFERINGS TO ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

“Higher Ground” and “Conversations in Stone” featured April through June

ROCKPORT, Texas (March 27, 2025) — With spring comes all things fresh and beautiful including “Higher Ground,” presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, featuring the colorful paintings of artist Sarah Hull, and ”Conversations in Stone,” showcasing the sleek stone carvings of Ryoichi Suzuki.

Hull’s work will be on view and available for collection April 5–June 1 in the H-E-B Gallery, while Suzuki’s exhibition will be featured April 8–June 15 in the Jeanie and Bill and Wyatt Gallery. An artist reception for both, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Saturday, April 12, from 5– 7 p.m. to coincide with the monthly Austin Street Art Walk a free, alfresco, walkable art experience featuring RCA and other galleries located in downtown Rockport.

Interested in how perspective, angles and shadows can evoke tension and mood, Hull’s paintings in “Higher Ground,” presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, depict familiar scenes and landscapes from unfamiliar angles and perspectives to explore emotional distance and intimacy, while Suzuki engages line and form to convey a subtle sense of peace and reflectiveness in his sculptures for “Conversations in Stone.”

“Hull and Suzuki approach their respective media and subject matter with a fascination that is contagious,” said Catey Arnold, Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions for RCA. “I’m excited to introduce our community to these two out-of-state artists.”

A self-described curious onlooker and empathetic observer of behavior, Sarah Hull left a decade-long career as a certified nurse midwife to pursue painting full-time. Her work is fueled by a sense of wonder and long-standing drawing practice, often exploring how perspective, angles, and shadows shape mood and emotional distance. The paintings on view include intimate, larger-than-life florals, small portraits of individual birds, vacation scenes, and wetland landscapes rendered from an elevated point of view, each composition offering a distinct perspective on the tension between closeness and separation.

“My intent is to evoke a sense of isolation one might experience in a crowd,” said Hull, “the juxtaposition of isolation and loneliness co-existing within a relaxed, leisurely recreational space, voyeuristically looking into, but not being part of the world below.”

Hull has maintained a full-time studio practice since 2011, currently based in Tampa, Fla. She earned her Master of Fine Arts from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2021, following previous studies at the Rhode Island School of Design and the New York Studio School. She also holds a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, a B.S.N. from Johns Hopkins University, and an M.S.N. from East Carolina University. Her award-winning work has been featured in solo, invitational, and traveling exhibitions across the U.S. and internationally, including venues in Tokyo, New York, Maryland, California, Minnesota, New Mexico, Virginia, and Florida.

A Tokyo-born sculptor now based in Utah for more than 40 years, Ryoichi Suzuki received both his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees from Utah State University, where he has taught sculpture since 2010. Often working in the abstract—drawing inspiration from the human torso, water, wind, clouds, and natural currents—Suzuki shapes stone, wood, and bronze into forms that seem to emerge effortlessly from their environments. His work evokes a sense of calm immediacy, inviting viewers to pause, explore, and reflect. The “Conversations in Stone” exhibit will feature a range of hand-carved works in Persian red travertine, Yule marble from Colorado, and translucent Honeycomb calcite sourced in Utah.

“I am drawn to the interplay of light and the tactile experiences it evokes,” said Suzuki. “Through the deliberate use of lines, planes, shapes, and forms, I strive to distill the purest expressions of aesthetic grace.”

A member of the National Sculpture Society and the Royal British Society of Sculptors, his work is internationally exhibited and collected.

For more information on “Higher Ground,” presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and “Conversations in Stone,” visit rockportartcenter.com follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space, or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

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PURÓN PERSONAL ART COLLECTION AUCTION RAISES $110K

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sarona Winfrey

(972) 529-8170 / winfreypr@att.net

PURÓN PERSONAL ART COLLECTION AUCTION RAISES $110K

Luis Purón Endowment for the Fine Arts surpasses $700K with auction proceeds

ROCKPORT, Texas  (March 25, 2025) —  The recently established Luis Purón Endowment for the Fine Arts benefitting Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) got a big boost following the recent auction of art from Purón’s personal collection as he prepares to depart from his RCA executive director position in May.

In all, 143 lots featuring almost 200 curated art pieces were sold March 20 and 22 via live and online auction through LiveAuctioneers under the direction of auctioneer and appraiser Mark J. Prendergast, AAA, of MJP Art Services. The auctioned work brought in $110,000 for the endowment (after expenses), now valued at more than $700,000, to benefit RCA’s 56-year-old mission and its multi-disciplinary arts programs.

“How gratifying it was to witness the spirited bidding for these wonderful pieces,” said Purón. “I never dreamed the collection that has brought me so much joy could someday benefit future generations of artists. We have made great strides over the past decade to secure the future growth of Rockport Center for the Arts.  I am truly grateful for the support I have enjoyed during my tenure as RCA’s executive director and am so pleased to be able to give back to the community that embraced me so dearly.”

Spanning four decades, Purón's collection represented his life experiences, travels, and personal relationships with artists, showcasing works in all mediums with many pieces acquired during his RCA tenure, including works by Dorothy Hood, Jesús Moroles, Salvador Dalí, James Rizzi and more.

Those wishing to contribute to the Luis Purón Endowment for the Fine Arts can do so by going online to the Donate tab on the RCA website. For more information on Rockport Center for the Arts, visit rockportartcenter.com follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC)

Located at 106 S. Austin St. on the 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts campus is The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC). Perfect for small conferences and board meetings, team-building events, family reunions, wedding receptions and more, the one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center features a 4,400-square-foot ballroom (Randy Ewing Kemper Hall), 1,400-square-foot reception area (Estelle Stair Foyer), a fully equipped catering and culinary arts kitchen, and state-of-the-art AV and Wi-Fi throughout. For general information or to book an event, visit the-rocc.com, or call (361) 450-8033.

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KAREN ERNST APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby

(361) 729-5519 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

KAREN ERNST APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Current RCA deputy director takes over top spot June 1

ROCKPORT, Texas (Mar. 11, 2025) — The Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) Board of Directors has appointed RCA deputy director Karen Ernst as the next executive director, effective June 1. Ernst will take the reins from current executive director, Luis Purón, who recently announced he is stepping down at the end of May.

“We are excited to announce Karen Ernst as the new executive director of Rockport Center for the Arts," said RCA Board of Directors President Lucy Nye. "With her deep understanding of the organization’s operational needs, Karen will provide a strong foundation of continuity during this leadership succession. As the Board of Directors work alongside both Luis and Karen to guide the Art Center through a thoughtful transition, we are confident that we will continue to build upon our 56-year legacy."

A member of the RCA team since 2006, Ernst first served as education and outreach director, responsible for identifying and hiring teaching artists, projecting and managing department budgets, marketing educational programs, planning and implementing annual summer camps as well as continuing education conferences for art educators. In 2020 she was promoted to deputy director, handling all aspects of operations including staff management and hiring, budgeting, financial reporting, programs and facilities oversight, and grant writing,

"I am honored to step into the role of executive director at Rockport Center for the Arts, an organization that has been at the heart of my professional journey for nearly two decades,” said Ernst. “It has been more than just my workplace—it has been my passion and my purpose. From launching programs that bring families together through art to leading major festivals that support artists and strengthen our local economy, it has been an incredible journey. I am excited to engage with our community, build upon our legacy, and guide the organization toward an even brighter future.” 

Prior to joining RCA, Ernst was active in the Arts as an assistant instructor of music theory at the University of Texas at Austin and a graphic designer and advertising consultant for Arts Incorporated in Lincoln, Nebraska. She has served on numerous boards and committees of Rockport-Fulton area organizations including president of the Rockport-Fulton Education Foundation, treasurer and grant writer for Keep Aransas County Beautiful, Aransas County Children’s Coalition Advisory Council, and the Short Term Recovery (Hurricane Harvey) Economic Development team. Karen and her family enjoy living in Rockport where she also volunteers for organizations including the Tri-City Youth Soccer League, Rockport-Fulton Little Leauge Softball, Historic Homes Tour and First Learning Tree, as well as the Wine Festival and Seafair events.

“I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of the arts in our community,” said Ernst, “and I look forward to continuing our mission, fostering creativity, and ensuring Rockport remains a thriving hub for artists, art lovers, and cultural enrichment.”

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space, or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

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