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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PERSONAL ART COLLECTION TO BE AUCTIONED FOR PUBLIC GOOD

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sarona Winfrey

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

 PERSONAL ART COLLECTION TO BE AUCTIONED FOR PUBLIC GOOD

Anonymous donor also pledges substantial gift to establish the Luis Purón Endowment for the Fine Arts

ROCKPORT, Texas  (Feb. 20, 2025) —  Curated selections from The Contemporary Art Collection of Luis Purón will be auctioned in March to benefit Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) as he prepares to depart from his executive director position in May.

Spanning four decades, Purón's collection encapsulates his life experiences, travels, and personal relationships with artists, showcasing works in all mediums that reflect contemporary themes and cultural dialogues with many pieces acquired during his RCA tenure.

“The art auction serves as a reflection of my life and times in Rockport and the Texas arts scene over the past decade,” said Purón, “In recent years, I have thought deeply about the future custody of my art collection, prompting a desire to share these works with the small coastal community that has nurtured my creative spirit. It is now time to share these treasured works of art that I have accumulated throughout my lifetime.”

Proceeds of the auction will benefit RCA’s multi-disciplinary arts programs via the newly established Luis Purón Endowment for the Fine Arts. A recent six-figure pledge from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous will be added to previously secured funding, raising the endowment’s pre-auction assets to $600,000.

In all, 142 curated works will be available via live and online auction from artists including Dorothy Hood, Jesus Moroles, Salvador Dali, James Rizzi, Jesse Amado, Simon Michael, Jennifer Ling Datckuk, Barbara Remington, Harding Black, Victor Vasarely, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Jed Fielding, Roy Lichtenstein, Kathy Vargas and more.

On Thursday, March 20, 60 pieces will be sold at a live auction at The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC), 106 S Austin Street, with online bidding open to all via LiveAuctioneers. The invitation-only live auction begins at 5 p.m. (CDT) with a cocktail reception hosted by Purón, followed by the auction starting at 6 p.m. On Saturday, March 22, an online auction of 82 works will begin at 1 p.m. (CDT). All online auction bidding and the required pre-registration may be accessed through LiveAuctioneers. Both events are under the direction of auctioneer and appraiser Mark J. Prendergast, AAA, of MJP Art Services.

“The collection that Luis Purón has assembled is a snapshot in time of the contemporary art scene that has been enhanced by his leadership of the Rockport Center of the Arts since 2015,” said Prendergast. “Modern masters and national artists are also featured in the auction, making for an offering that will command interest from collectors seeking works by both emerging and well-established artists.”

Purón has lived in Rockport since 2015, relocating to take on the RCA executive director role following more than a decade of honing his business and marketing skills in the biotechnology industry on the East Coast. Although he had no prior creative sector experience, he brought an extensive network of national and international connections, a strong commitment to the arts in Texas, and a wealth of fresh ideas, helping to establish a lasting legacy for the arts in Rockport.

“Standing before my collection for what I know will soon be the last time, I am reminded of the people and the stories woven into each piece—anecdotes of travel, a constant craving for cultural experiences, and lasting friendships with talented artists,” said Purón.

For more information on the upcoming auction, visit rockportartcenter.com  or liveauctioneers.com.

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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RISING EYES OF TEXAS EXHIBIT TO FEATURE COLLEGIATE ARTISTS FROM ACROSS TEXAS

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

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

RISING EYES OF TEXAS EXHIBIT TO FEATURE COLLEGIATE ARTISTS FROM ACROSS TEXAS

Students vie for share of $1,150 in prize money; juror Sara Morgan to select Best of Show

ROCKPORT, Texas (Feb. 13, 2025) — Rising Eyes of Texas, presented by the Christopher & Jessica Giesey – Rising Eyes of Texas Scholarship Fund is a yearly collegiate juried exhibition showcasing paintings, sculptures, video art, prints, and more by select Texas undergraduate and graduate visual arts students that returns to Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) March 7–April 20.

Hosted annually since 2007, this year’s show features the work of 33 artists from 13 universities and colleges across Texas, including The University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Texas State University, and the University of North Texas. The exhibition will be held in the McKelvey Charitable Fund Gallery and is free and open to the public.

“Across disciplines, students from all over Texas are pushing boundaries in their practices—demonstrating remarkable technical skill in traditional media while simultaneously embracing interdisciplinary approaches that merge materials in unexpected and compelling ways,” said Catey Arnold, the Barrow Foundation curator of exhibitions for Rockport Center for the Arts. “It has been an honor to review these pieces, and I’m thrilled to share this year’s exhibition as a testament to the talent and innovation emerging from collegiate art programs throughout the state.”

The jurying committee surveyed 157 submissions, reviewing over 350 individual artworks. This exhibition will include sculpture (mixed-media, textiles, wearable sculpture, blown glass, kiln formed glass, ceramics, metal), painting (oil, spray paint, acrylic), printmaking (lithography, serigraphy, mezzotint, dry point etching), drawing (charcoal, graphite, colored pencil, white charcoal), mixed-media works and more.

Juror Sara Morgan, director of the Art Museum of South Texas, will select the top three Best of Show to share in the $1,150 purse. The show also includes The “Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions Award,” a $500 prize recognizing the artwork and artist statement, selected by Rockport Center for the Arts.

A public reception with the participating art students, their faculty, and Morgan will be held at RCA on Saturday, March 8, from 5–7 p.m., which coincides with the monthly Austin Street Art Walk a free, alfresco, walkable art experience featuring RCA and other galleries located in downtown Rockport.

Morgan joins a list of esteemed jurors for past events including Tracy Saucier, director, Beeville Art Museum (2024); Tanja Peterson, author and gallery director, Redbud Arts Center (2023); Joseph Cohen, artist, and founder of Davis Cohen Fine Art (2022); Rigoberto Luna, co-owner Presa House (2021); Rebecca Gomez, independent curator, former curator Mexic-arte Museum (2020); Hollis Hammonds, professor of art, St. Edwards University (2019); and Rainey Knudson, founder of Glasstire (2018).

Event benefactors Jean and Charles Giesey are long-time patrons of the arts and donors to Rockport Center for the Arts, including the scholarship fund which provides Rising Eyes of Texas prize money and assists students with submission fees to provide opportunities to all, regardless of means. A member of the RCA board of directors for six years (2014–2019), Jean served as board chair in 2017, leading a 100-day recovery campaign to successfully restore operations after the RCA facility was destroyed that year by Hurricane Harvey.

Rockport Center for the Arts is located at 204 S. Austin Street. Hours of operation are Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, noon–4 p.m. Admission is free. Visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519 for more information.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Complete list of 2025 participating artists and their universities on the following page.

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 event space information 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 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.

Austin Community College

Elizabeth Drake

Houston Christian University

Laura Cano

Dominic Clay

Hailey Harvey

Chloe Hudspeth

Constintine St. John

Julia Wood

Delaney Yohe

Houston Community College

Luis Bracero

Don Mims

San Jacinto Community College

Joseph  Fuentes

Stephen F. Austin State University

Sean Clark

Frank Stinson

Texas A&M University

Sydney Lemmon

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Mariana Ruvaculba Cruz

Katelyn Girouard

JinSun   Kim

Caleb Terry

Texas State University

Blanca   Luna

Trinity University

Jaida Johnson

Frederic Marmolejo

Rory McCarthy

The University of Texas at Arlington

Aubrey Barnett

Audrey Hatter

Isabella Posca

Emma Valazuela

Anastasia Zyuskina

The University of Texas at Austin

Rosie Ganske

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Patricia Garces

Ashe Gomez

Noah Melendez

University of North Texas

Abigail   Holden

Emily Holder

PECHAKUCHA ROCKPORT — MINI-TALKS WITH BIG IDEAS

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

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

PECHAKUCHA ROCKPORT — MINI-TALKS WITH BIG IDEAS

Free Feb. 20 event features fast-paced presentations from 10 creatives

ROCKPORT, Texas  (Jan. 29, 2025) — Designed to engage and inform, Rockport Center for the Arts is hosting PechaKucha Rockport featuring 10 presenters from a variety of creative disciplines including culinary, painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, film and the visual arts.

Meaning “chit chat” in Japanese, the PechaKucha event is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 20, at The Rockport Conference Center adjacent to RCA, beginning with a cocktail party at 5:30 p.m. followed by presentations starting at 6:15 p.m. The event is free to attend, but guests must reserve a ticket as seating is limited to 240 attendees.

As is tradition with PechaKucha, each presenter will utilize 20 slides displayed for 20 seconds each with no option to pause or reverse. The fast-paced 6-minute and 40-second presentation format is designed to keep the audience engaged with presenters using more visual and focused messaging.

“It’s exciting to be hosting PechaKucha Rockport with some extraordinarily talented presenters from right here in Texas,” said  Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “The idea is to talk less, show more and share ideas, so we are making this a free event and encourage all to reserve a seat. These presenters are experts in their respective fields and have a wealth of knowledge and insight to share. The format encourages them to hone in on the most important elements of subjects they wish to discuss, or even projects that are in progress or have yet to be presented to the public, so it will be an evening of interest and learning.”

Purón will serve as emcee for the event, which will include a brief intermission after the first five of 10 presentations and a Q&A session following.

Culinary – Sourdough, An Exploration of the Oldest Bread Form, Dr. Pamela Brouillard, Corpus Christi

Photography – Muses of Mount Helicon, Barbra Riley, Wimberly

Sculpture – Manjarris Sculpture Projects, Michael Manjarris, Bayside

Painting – My Obsession with Jules Bastien LePage, Elena Rodz, Corpus Christi
Sculpture – Passion and Travel: A Formula for Creativity, Greg Reuter, Corpus Christi

Architecture – Brick, David Richter, Corpus Christi

Painting – Nightscapes, Joe Peña, Corpus Christi

Photography – Transdisciplinary Perspectives in Eco-Distress, DM Witman, McAllen

Film – The New Canvas of Exploring AI in Film and Art, Matthew Thornton, Austin

Painting – Stories from the Monte - The Idea of the Narrative, Ricardo Ruiz, Corpus Christi

While the event is free, guests must secure a ticket through the RCA website for admission. For more information, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook and Instagram, 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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PERFORMING ARTS SERIES AT THE ROCC HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

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

PERFORMING ARTS SERIES AT THE ROCC HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES

Monthly performances continue to bring audiences to Rockport

ROCKPORT, Texas (Jan.23, 2025) — The musical lineup continues to expand for the  Performing Arts Series at The ROCC with a variety of artists and genres already scheduled through May.

“The series has really taken off because of the caliber of talent and intimate setting,” said Darryl Meadows, venue manager for The ROCC. “We continue to bring in top entertainers, including national recording artists, and plan to expand our performance lineup to include dance and other forms of entertainment.”

Hosted each month at The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC) in downtown Rockport, doors open at 6:30 p.m. with performances from 7–9 p.m.

FEBRUARY 7 —Texas Trio

With a combined 60 years of live performances and studio experience, these talented native Texans showcase their love of traditional country music and Western swing.

MARCH 14 — Doc Watkins

Enjoy an evening of jazz piano with a Jazz club owner, pianist, bandleader and recording artist who knows how to deliver, including success as a solo act and leader of his own trio performing at Carnegie Hall.

APRIL 11 — Luke Bulla

It’s an evening of progressive bluegrass from a gifted fiddle player who started touring and singing in his family band at age 4 while wowing audiences and winning national competitions his entire life.

MAY 9 — Bruce Robison

Regarded as one of the finest tunesmiths in the Lone Star State, Robison has been turning heads as a singer-songwriter for years while sending many country artists to the top of the charts with his songs, including George Straight’s recording of “Wrapped” and the beautiful Tim McGraw/Faith Hill rendition of “Angry All The Time.”

All shows include VIP and general admission seating, available online through the RCA website, with ticket prices and availability varying by performance. For more information on the Performing Arts Series at The ROCC, visit rockportartcenter.com follow RCA on Facebook and Instagram, 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, performances 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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SOMETHING SHINY AND NEW

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

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

SOMETHING SHINY AND NEW

Colorful glass creations on display beginning Feb. 4 

ROCKPORT, Texas (Jan. 20, 2025) — Guests visiting Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) will soon have something new to reflect upon as “Nature of Glass,” featuring the unique work of Houston-based artist Eric DePan, opens Feb. 4 in the Jeanie & Bill Wyatt Gallery.

DePan’s work will be on view and available for collection through April 6, with an artist reception scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, 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.

“Eric DePan's exceptional skill in glass artistry is matched only by his profound passion for the medium," said  Catey Arnold, Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions for RCA. "Having devoted more than half his life to mastering the art of glassblowing, I am delighted to showcase this talented young artist's work.”

DePan graduated with honors from the University of Houston and quickly began his studio glass practice through work/exchange and scholarship programs at Penland School of Craft, Haystack Mountain School, and Corning Museum of Glass. His pursuit of glass has led him to contracts in Fairbanks, Alaska; Murano, Italy; Kobo Glass in Toyama, Japan; and Augusta Glass Studio with Sam Stang and Kaeko Maehata. His career also led him to residencies, teaching, and visiting artist opportunities at the Appalachian Center for Craft and Chrysler Museum of Glass, and back to his hometown of Houston where he maintains his studio practice. DePan was also a juried artist in the 2024 Rockport Art Festival, prompting the invitation for his exhibition.

“I managed to receive the 'Best in Show' award at the Rockport Art Festival last July and coming back to show my work in such a beautiful, new space is big for me,” said DePan. “I've been working on some new themes for the exhibition and am excited to be at the Rockport Center for the Arts.”

For more information on “Nature of Glass,” 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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BIG DOG FINDS NEW HOME AT ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

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

BIG DOG FINDS NEW HOME AT ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

One-ton sculpture slated to be lifted into place Jan. 17; public invited to observe

ROCKPORT, Texas  (Jan. 8, 2025) — While most are bringing pets inside this time of year, Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) is making a permanent outdoor home for a dog named Espinazo.

Measuring an impressive 7 feet tall, 10 feet long, 4 feet wide, and weighing in at a whopping 2,000 pounds, the bronze work by artist Greg Reuter, a huge dog lover himself, will be the latest addition to the Patricia Bennett Moore Sculpture Garden. On Friday, Jan. 17, TNT Crane & Rigging of Corpus Christi will use a 78-ton crane positioned in RCA’s back parking area to carefully lift Espinazo over the ceramic studio building into its new interior courtyard home. Work will start at 10 a.m. and is expected to take several hours.

Named after a street dog Reuter saw while traveling in Mexico, Espinazo, meaning backbone, will be familiar to those who know Reuter’s work, including his “Make the Dog Bark” sculpture exhibition at RCA in early 2024, inviting viewers to explore their emotions through his many versions of man’s best friend. The sculpture was fully cast using the lost wax process, assembled, and finished at the Ken King Foundry in Houston where it is currently housed, waiting to begin its journey to Rockport.

The new sculpture will be the 11th piece in the sculpture garden, joining  Merry Time Romance, 2021, and Kingfisher, 2012, Kent Ullberg; Man’s Best Friend, 1999, Michael Atkinson; Moonscape, 2014, Lighthouse Fountain, 2002, and Interlocking, 1985, Jesús Moroles; Uccelli (Birds of St. Francis), 1972, Charles Umlauf; Walking White Flower, 2011, James Surls; the triptych The Inevitable Question, The Lure of Simple Inclinations, and The False Shadow of Transformation, 2016, Danville Chadbourne; and Days, 2009, Mark Williamson.

Growing up in California in the 60’s with a love of music and surfing, Reuter started his career in Hawaii where he received an MFA in sculpture and ceramics from the University of Hawaii, moving to Texas in 1978 to teach at Corpus Christi State University, now Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. For the last 15 years, his sculpture has revolved around the Padre Island National Seashore, using the beach as his studio. Shown nationally and internationally, his work is represented in numerous public and private art collections including the Art Museum of South Texas, and he has lectured in the U.S., Germany, Mexico and Japan. 

For information, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook and Instagram, 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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2025 CULINARY SERIES SIZZLES AT THE ROCC

MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

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

2025 CULINARY SERIES SIZZLES AT THE ROCC

Popular events continue to sell out with new classes now available  

ROCKPORT, Texas (Jan. 3, 2025) —The Culinary Classes at The ROCC continue to whet the appetites of those looking for a unique dining and educational experience, featuring world-class cuisine created by notable chefs, including James Beard Award finalists, and expert wine pairings by sommeliers.

Hosted throughout the year in the American Electric Power Foundation Culinary Arts Kitchen located in The Rockport Conference Center, the chef’s table experience in the intimate kitchen setting is limited to 16 attendees, both RCA members and non-members, providing an up-close view of each demonstration and personal interaction with presenters.

Since opening in November 2022, The ROCC has hosted numerous expert-led culinary experiences with an international flair, including French, German, Italian, Indian, Mexican, and Vietnamese cuisine — even a chocolate-themed event. As a result of the positive public response and sellout events, plans are now underway to offer monthly events throughout 2025.

“We’ve hosted some delicious events featuring notable chefs,” said Laura Vogel, education director for RCA. “These culinary classes bring together high-caliber chefs, wine experts and more to create a first-class experience for attendees who not only learn from the best, they also get to enjoy the amazing results. The word has spread and these classes now sell out regularly.”

Events are held on Sunday afternoons from 2–4 p.m. and those wishing to participate can sign up on the RCA website, including Masa Para La Masa with Wine Pairing with Chef Jon Hinojosa on Jan. 12,  Spanish Sausage Dish with Wine Pairing featuring Chef Adam Gonzalez on Feb. 9, Gumbo Roux with Wine Pairing featuring Tony Legner on March 9, and Summer Wines from the Pacific Coast with Sommelier Kim Bridges on April 13. Cookbooks correlating to hosted events are available in RCA’s John and Mary Willrodt Gift Shop.

For more information on the culinary classes, visit rockportartcenter.com follow RCA on Facebook and Instagram, 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.

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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RCA Executive Director Luis Purón to Step Down After Decade of Leadership

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sarona Winfrey
(972) 529-8170 / winfreypr@att.net

ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LUIS PURÓN
TO STEP DOWN AFTER DECADE OF LEADERSHIP

ROCKPORT, Texas (Jan. 2, 2025) — Luis Purón, executive director of the Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA), will be stepping down from his position at the end of May, concluding a remarkable 10-year tenure as the longest-serving leader in the non-profit’s nearly 56-year history. He announced his decision today, addressing the RCA Board of Directors in an executive session.

“For every leader, there is a season. Throughout my tenure, Rockport Center for the Arts experienced continuous evolution driven by a variety of factors. As my time draws to a close, it is the ideal opportunity for the organization to strategize about future priorities under new leadership in the stable environment we have worked so hard to create. I am proud to say that I have achieved every goal I set out to accomplish a decade ago.”

Purón, who will turn 62 this year, relocated to Rockport to take on the executive director role in May 2015 after 13 years of honing his business and marketing skills in the biotechnology industry on the East Coast. Although he had no prior creative sector experience, he brought with him an extensive network of national and international connections, a strong commitment to the arts in Texas, and a wealth of fresh ideas.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our profound gratitude to Luis for his extraordinary leadership over the past decade," said RCA Board of Directors President Lucy Nye. "Luis has not only transformed the Rockport Center for the Arts into a vibrant, resilient organization but has also significantly contributed to our community and the arts in Texas. His vision and dedication have elevated RCA to new heights, expanding its reach, resources, and impact in ways that will resonate for years to come. As we look to the future, the board is committed to a thoughtful transition process that will ensure our next leader builds upon Luis’s iconic legacy and continues to serve our mission with the same passion and excellence."

Purón’s efforts to enhance cultural tourism in Rockport proved successful, highlighted by the $13-million Imagine Capital Campaign to build the new 1.2-acre RCA downtown campus following Hurricane Harvey’s 2017 destruction of the former RCA facility. Originally slated in September 2015 as a strategic expansion plan for the former RCA location, the capital project was the primary motivation for Purón to take the executive director position. As a result of this initiative, RCA's footprint expanded from the former 5,700 square feet to an impressive 22,000, featuring a 14,000-square-foot art and education building and an 8,000-square-foot conference center. The project was completed on budget and without any residual debt.

Following the successful completion of the capital campaign and opening of the new RCA campus in December 2022, speculation emerged within the Texas art community that Purón might pursue opportunities at art institutions in other markets — speculation that proved unfounded. Under Puron’s continued leadership, new brands have been launched, innovative marketing campaigns introduced, membership tripled and attendance increased from 22,000 to an impressive 50,000 visitors annually. The organization’s net worth has also increased eightfold and its budget multiplied fivefold, new revenue streams were established allowing for less reliance on special event income, a new endowment was initiated, and a six-figure end-of-year surplus has become the norm. Rockport’s public art program has also more than doubled, marking 10 years of remarkable growth and development.

"During the planning phase for the capital project, one of the criticisms we encountered was a deep concern that we would not be able to sustain the new facilities financially," said Purón. "That concern lingered within me, so I made a personal commitment to remain in my position for two years after the project's completion to demonstrate that financial viability was possible."

Those two years have now passed, along with Purón’s proof of principle, and the leadership position at Rockport's premier non-profit will soon be available for a new candidate.

“Collaboration, tenacity, and uncompromising aesthetics built the campus, but hope for the future and a better quality of life for our community is what keeps it alive,” said Purón. “The multi-disciplinary arts organization envisioned by our founders in 1969 has come to fruition and has a strong heartbeat. I am passing on an established and professional operation—an organization that has successfully navigated every challenge it has faced with grace.”

And there were challenges. In the aftermath of the 2017 storm, RCA gained national attention when Purón successfully pivoted a traveling exhibition from the damaged facility to the Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus Christi, just days before its scheduled arrival. Birds in Art opened to the public just 33 days after the hurricane-ravaged Rockport, attracting 16,000 visitors over its two-month run. Purón has often attributed this unexpected act of kindness from its sister institution as the catalyst for RCA's renaissance, saying, “I never looked back; we couldn’t afford to lose momentum.” Additional statewide attention came when RCA opened its doors to the public in a temporary location a mere 99 days after the storm, offering a full exhibition and special event schedule with educational programs for 2018.

In June 2018, just three months after launching the Imagine Capital Campaign, Purón faced personal tragedy when his youngest brother Fernando, a prominent political figure in Mexico, was assassinated. That same year, Purón encountered public controversy over announced initial plans for the new RCA campus that included the demolition of Kline’s Cafe, a once-popular diner serving as a temporary gallery, situated on the land acquired in July 2016 by RCA. Purón eventually helped broker a deal welcomed by all that relocated the building a few blocks away in March 2021, clearing the way for construction to begin on the new campus.

In 2019, Purón collaborated with the City of Rockport and Aransas County to successfully secure a $5 million disaster recovery grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, helping RCA to eventually expand its facilities and construct more resilient, storm-resistant buildings.

“The show must go on,” was the mantra Purón adopted for the 2020 season when In April, RCA was forced to close its doors due to the pandemic. And while participation in programs was minimal and budgets were revamped, no employees were furloughed and no salaries were reduced. By late 2022, with the completion of the 1.2-acre campus designed by Richter Architects, it seemed that RCA had made a strong recovery. The opening ceremonies in December 2022 attracted 700 supporters, highlighting the organization’s resurgence. 

In 2023, Purón was appointed to the esteemed Board of Directors of Texans for the Arts, a statewide advocacy organization dedicated to safeguarding public funding for the arts. In 2024, he was elected Treasurer of the Board.

Purón’s final act will include support for RCA’s endowment through the auction of his contemporary art collection. He also plans to address the community one last time during The Financial State of the Rockport Center for the Arts annual meeting. Dates for both events will be revealed in the coming weeks.

“I moved to Rockport to write one chapter about the story of our art community. But this book is not finished. Thanks to a thriving RCA, many pages remain to be penned,” said Purón. “I have forged a 44-year career built on a foundation of authenticity, hard work, and the courage to take calculated risks. As I prepare to leave, I take pride in knowing that I dedicated the best years of my professional life to Rockport and contributed to making my community a better place.”

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 Creative Moonlighting “Artistry in Leadership” podcast and here for an episode of South Texas Leaders on KEDT-TV featuring Purón.