OPENING PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR NEW $12.5 MILLION ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

ROCKPORT, Texas (Nov. 28, 2022) — Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) today announced official opening plans for its new 14,000-square-foot visual arts and education building located at 204 S. Austin St. in the heart of downtown Rockport. 

The new RCA, a partnership with the City of Rockport, will officially open to the public on Sunday, Dec. 11, at noon, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and invitation-only activities taking place Saturday evening, Dec. 10, as part of the Rockport Center for the Arts Grand Opening Festivities, presented by PNC Bank. 

“We are so pleased and proud to be opening this amazing new facility,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “Our membership, the community, and others throughout Texas at large have been so supportive of our efforts to rebuild following the destruction brought by Hurricane Harvey in 2017; this is a testament to their efforts and we are so grateful.”  

With its Dec. 11 opening, RCA begins its new expanded operating hours for the galleries and gift shop: Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. The Dec.10 invitation-only event will begin at The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC) on the new RCA campus at 4 p.m., featuring remarks by state and local dignitaries commemorating the completion of the project. Scheduled guest speakers include State Representative Todd Hunter; Aransas County Judge C.H. “Burt” Mills; City of Rockport Mayor Tim Jayroe; U.S. Economic Development Administration Regional Director Jorge Ayala; Aransas County Partnership EDC President Jeffrey Sjostrom; Richter Architects President David Richter; Teal Construction Company President John Murray; Rockport Center for the Arts Executive Director Luis Purón, and PNC Commercial Banking Relationship Manager Kirk Bourland. There will also be a ceremonial ribbon cutting around 5 p.m., followed by a reception for invited guests and the nearly 800 RCA members.  

“In the best and in the most challenging of times, communities grow and succeed when they come together,” said Susana Melendez-Valencia, PNC regional president for the Texas border. “There is no other experience that can bring us all together as one community quite like the arts. As a National Main Street bank, PNC has long recognized the power of the arts and culture and the role it plays in improving the quality of life in a community.” 

Located one block from Aransas Bay, the 1.2-acre site is the first original facility to be built for the celebrated 53-year-old non-profit organization. Award-winning Richter Architects of Corpus Christi designed the new coastal contemporary facility, with Teal Construction Company, of Houston and Corpus Christi, serving as the general contractor for the project. 

The new $12.5 million campus includes the two-story, 14,000-square-foot visual arts and art education building, serving as the home to hallmark art programs with four spacious galleries and five classrooms, as well as The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC), an adjacent 8,000-square-foot conference and event center on the RCA campus, which hosted the Nov. 10–13 Rockport Film Festival as its inaugural event. 

Three of the RCA galleries will be located on the upper level of the visual arts and education building, including the 1,600-square-foot HEB Gallery, the largest of the four spaces, and the 850-square-foot McKelvey Charitable Fund Gallery, both of which will host a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. Also on the upper level is the 500-square-foot Jeanie and Bill Wyatt Gallery, featuring small-scale sculptures. The 850-square-foot Mendez Family Gallery is located on the main level and will serve as the permanent exhibition area for member artists. 

“Having four galleries allows us to have multiple exhibitions at a time while giving us the opportunity to focus more on the individual artists and their work,” said Elena Rodriguez, curator of exhibitions for Rockport Center for the Arts. “And everything here is state of the art. The walls are very tall with no windows, giving us great flexibility in our displays, with beautiful lighting capabilities and a great audio-visual setup allowing us to incorporate those elements into the exhibitions. The spaces will be ever-changing; nothing is permanent.”

The two inaugural shows feature RCA member artists: The Big Wave!, the annual all-members exhibition formerly known as Currents, showcasing the work of 170 of RCA’s member artists in the HEB Gallery; along with Standing Out 2022, a merit show in the McKelvey Gallery featuring the work of member artists Alison Schuchs, Jim Blaylock and Shelly Wierzba, selected as Merit Artists by a juror from last year’s all-members exhibition. Both shows will run into January 2023. 

Other RCA features and highlights include: 

  • Five spacious classrooms on the main level dedicated to the making of art: the Fernandes Family Studio, the main classroom for advanced workshops; the Margaret Sue Rust Foundation Studio; the June Ainsworth Studio; the Bridgie & John Barrett Studio; and the Bill Hildebrand & Sam Williams Ceramic Studio, the main classroom for advanced clay workshops. Home to Art Education programs, the public can sign up online for hands-on classes and workshops including painting/drawing, jewelry, photography, mixed-media, sculpture, clay, and new media.

  • The 16,000-square-foot Patricia Bennett Moore Sculpture Garden with greenery, water features, bench seating and nine works from the RCA permanent collection by artists with state, national and international recognition.

  • The 450-square-foot Kelly and Scott Biar Terrace, providing beautiful rooftop views of the bay and garden below.

  • The Mary and John Willrodt Gift Shop, featuring only handmade works from member artists including jewelry, pottery, paper craft (cards and prints), and some fabric art.

  • A new 60-space surface parking area located one block away at 101 N. Magnolia St., with parking spaces also available on surrounding streets.

For general information, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Click here for select photos of the new Rockport Center for the Arts campus. Photo credit: Pam Fulcher.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

Slated for a December 2022 opening, the new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of downtown Rockport. The new 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.); a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, including a 4,400-square-foot ballroom and culinary arts kitchen (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. Hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop will be Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For general information, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519. For information on event space, or to book an event, contact Paulette Kluge at (361) 960-2090.

MEETINGS AND EVENTS WITH AN ARTISTIC FLAIR AT THE ROCKPORT CONFERENCE CENTER

Bookings underway; inaugural event scheduled for Nov. 10

 

Construction is now substantially complete on The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC), an 8,000-square-foot meeting and event space located on the new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) campus in the heart of downtown Rockport. The City of Rockport is a partner in the RCA project.

The first event scheduled at The ROCC is the Rockport Film Festival, presented by Salemi’s Ace Hardware, Nov. 10–13. The sold-out, ticketed Red Carpet Event scheduled for Thursday evening, Nov. 10, in The ROCC ballroom will be followed by three days of film screenings and events also held on-site.

Photo by Pam Fulcher

Located only steps away from Aransas Bay, The ROCC offers a variety of meeting space and amenities, including Randall Ewing Kemper Hall, a 4,400-square-foot ballroom, which can be configured into four smaller breakout rooms; a 1,300-square-foot foyer; and a flexible catering and culinary arts education kitchen.

Part of the new $12.5 million RCA campus, which will be home to hallmark art programs in the adjacent 14,000-square-foot visual arts and education building slated to open by year’s end, The ROCC is conveniently within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, attractions, nightlife, and Rockport Beach on the Texas Gulf Coast.  

“Our new, modern facilities will allow us to take our art programs to amazing new levels while expanding our offerings to include the culinary and performing arts, meetings, conferences and special events,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “Having this beautiful new meeting space on our campus provides so many opportunities to those looking for something truly different. And although Rockport provides any number of tourism offerings, we are excited by the prospect of increasing business tourism to our area, which has been lacking until now.”

Billed as a creative space beginning with the end in mind, events at The ROCC can be custom designed with each client to create an immersive, inspirational experience, from smaller corporate conferences, board meetings, and executive retreats to special events, including galas, weddings, and fundraisers. In addition to the formal event space, a rooftop terrace in the visual arts building, and the 16,000-square-foot Patricia Bennett Moore Sculpture Garden, featuring nine sculptural works by artists with state, national, and international recognition, can also be utilized.

"This venue is beyond the typical meeting space; we are the boutique event destination and are here to facilitate incredibly memorable events, whether it’s for family and friends, or co-workers and clients,” said Paulette Kluge, venue manager for The ROCC. “The space is wonderful from a technical aspect and unmatched creatively by anything in our area. We can do a wedding ceremony in the sculpture garden, cocktail parties on the upstairs terrace complete with coastal views, live entertainment with theater-style seating, or team-building events such as painting taught by local artists.”

RCA contracted with National Cabling Service of Houston to design and install a $300,000 structured cabling system providing comprehensive telecommunications services throughout the RCA campus.  Standard amenities in The ROCC include Wi-Fi throughout, state-of-the-art audio-visual capabilities, such as built-in cameras for conferencing and presentations, strategic permanent speaker placement with acoustical clouds in the ceiling for superb sound, a 13-by-9-foot drop-down projection screen, and stage lighting. Special attention was also given to other details of the project including appliances and equipment for the culinary arts kitchen, as well as furnishings. 

While many amenities are included in the rental fee, such as Wi-Fi, standard AV and support, commercial grade power, tables and chairs, complimentary parking, as well as set-up/tear-down, The ROCC can also arrange for or otherwise assist clients with preferred vendors, including catering, AV/technical, entertainment, local excursions, valet parking, and lodging, to create the perfect event. In an effort to consistently provide concierge-level service, The ROCC will limit bookings to only one event per day.   

“The ROCC provides a canvas for groups of all shapes and sizes to create the masterpiece event they envision,” said Purón. “This is where they can escape their everyday routines and encounter one another in new ways: immersed in sunrise vistas, surrounded by thought-provoking art, stimulated by creative excursions, and delighted by local cuisine.”

 

Members Only Sneak Peek Event - Get Ready!

Come Take a Look at the New Rockport Center for the Arts!

 

Dear Supporter of the Arts:
 
I am very happy to announce that completion of our capital project is near the end!   

Because we value your support, we will be celebrating this accomplishment with a sneak peek event formembers only. On Monday of next week at 5 PM, members will receive an email from me with the date and time for the sneak peek that will be taking place next month.


If your membership has lapsed or your email has changed, now is the time to renew so that you can be added to the invitation list for the sneak peek. If you have never had a membership, there has never been a better time to join. Expanded programs, spaces designed with an intended purpose, state-of-the-art facilities and more is what the New Rockport Center for the Arts has to offer. Members will be able to take part in events and activities offered free or at discounted rates.

To check the status of your membership, call 361-729-5519 or email brooke@rockportartcenter.com. To purchase a membership visit us online at https://www.rockportartcenter.com/membership.

See you soon!

Luis Purón
Executive Director

ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES NEW JESÚS MOROLES ACQUISITION

Former local sculptor’s “Moonscape” to be installed in Rockport Center for the Arts’ Sculpture Garden

 

Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) today announced it is acquiring a granite work by internationally recognized sculptor Jesús Moroles. Moonscape (2014) will be added to eight other works to be displayed in the Patricia Bennett Moore Sculpture Garden, part of the new 1.2-acre RCA campus slated for a December public opening.

Made possible through a generous contribution from Riki Rushing and Allen Gilmer to honor Bernice Bohman, Rushing's grandmother, Moonscape stands just over 6 feet tall and weighs 1,400 pounds, featuring a circular 41-inch diameter artistic interpretation of the moon carved from Dakota granite, mounted on a 32-inch high rectangular black granite base. Sculpted by Moroles in Rockport in 2014 before his untimely death the following year, the piece has been exhibited in numerous shows and locations throughout the Southwest, including Granite – 7,300Lbs, PDNB Gallery, Dallas (Feb.-Aug. 2014); Texas Abstract Traveling Exhibition (October 2014); Wade Wilson Gallery, Santa Fe, N.M.; Abacus Restaurant, Dallas; and Chinatown Restaurant, Austin, Texas.

“Jesús was a talented sculptor with an amazing spirit,” said Luis Purón, RCA executive director. “His untimely passing due to an automobile accident was a shock to the art world and to Rockport, the community he called home. We are so pleased to be able to showcase his striking pieces, in the form of sculptures along with five of his granite benches that will also be part of the new RCA sculpture garden. An enduring testament to his creative genius.”  

Known for his monumental granite sculptures, The Corpus Christi native wanted viewers not only to observe his work but also to touch the different surfaces. Using diamond saws to cut the stone, creating both polished and natural granite surfaces in his pieces, Moroles described his work as a "harmonious coexistence” and a "discussion" of how man interacts with nature.

“I am honored and very fortunate to have worked with my brother for 28 years prior to his passing in 2015,” said Suzanna Moroles. “Moroles Art Co. strives to protect, preserve and keep alive Jesús Moroles' prolific legacy, and my partner Kurt Kangas and I are proud to be fulfilling our mission to conserve the Moroles art collection.”

In 2007, Moroles was awarded the Texas Medal of the Arts, and in 2008, he received the National Medal of the Arts, considered the highest honor given to artists and arts patrons by the U.S. government. More than 2,000 of his works are held in public and private collections in the United States, China, Egypt, France, Italy, Japan, and Switzerland, including corporate offices, museums, and public displays such as CBS Plaza in New York City; the Smithsonian American Art Museum; Museum of Contemporary Art in Osaka, Japan; Dallas Museum of Art; Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth; and Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

Growing up, Moroles was a student in the Dallas Independent School District, and in 2021, the district honored him by renaming the elementary school he attended Jesús Moroles Expressive Arts Vanguard, now an arts magnet school with opportunities for students to pursue visual arts, dance, music, and theater.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: 

Moonscape Dimensions
6' 1/8" H x 41 3/4" W x 20" D
Top circular dimensions: 40 1/8" H x 41 3/4" W x 7 1/2" D
Bottom base dimensions: 32" H x 20" W x 12" D
Total weight: 1,400 lbs.

A GARDEN DESIGNED TO GROW IMAGINATION AND INSPIRATION

 
Sculpture installation begins in new Rockport Center for the Arts’ Sculpture Garden

 

ROCKPORT, Texas (Oct. 3, 2022) — Gardens come in all shapes and sizes, including the Patricia Bennett Moore Sculpture Garden, part of the new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) campus slated to open in November. The 16,000-square-foot garden has recently begun blooming with the installation of sculptural works from the RCA permanent collection, along with granite benches designed and created by Jesús Moroles. 

A total of eight sculptures from artists with state, national, and international recognition, will grace the garden, which also includes greenery, water features, and the five Moroles benches, making the space suitable for relaxation and contemplation. The general contractor for the new RCA, Teal Construction Company of Houston and Corpus Christi, and Moroles Art Co. of Rockport are handling the installation and garden work, which is expected to be completed in October.

Merry Time Romance by Kent Ullberg

“The Sculpture Garden concept was established at RCA back in 2000 with the acquisition of our first piece, Rites of Spring by Kent Ullberg,” said RCA executive director, Luis Purón. “The acquisition was made possible through a generous grant from the Margaret Sue Rust Foundation, before the passing of Mrs. Rust.  The sculpture was unveiled on her birthday. Since that time, we have continued to collect amazing works, 18 in all, by some of the art world’s most renowned sculptors.”

The first sculpture to be installed on Sept. 9 was Merry Time Romance, 2021, a scaled-up sculpture by the Swedish master Kent Ullberg and a key piece of the RCA permanent collection, followed in late September by Man’s Best Friend, 1999, by Michael Atkinson. Next will be Lighthouse Fountain 2002, by Jesús Moroles, scheduled for installation Oct. 6–7.

The remaining five sculptures will be Uccelli (Birds of St. Francis), 1972, by artist Charles Umlauf; Walking White Flower, 2011, by artist James Surls; The Inevitable Question, The Lure of Simple Inclinations, and The False Shadow of Transformation, 2016, by Danville Chadbourne; Interlocking, 1985, by Jesús Moroles; and Days, 2009, by Mark Williamson.

Two of the pieces, previously on long-term loan, were returned in time for placement in the new garden: Uccelli, from the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum in Austin where it had been since 2017, and Walking White Flower, displayed in City of San Antonio’s Mahncke Park since 2019.

An additional three RCA sculptures, strategically placed along S. Austin St., help beautify the downtown area and create a dialogue that ties-in to the sculpture garden in the new campus. They include Austin Street Red, 2021, and Spirit of Rockport, 2019 by Nic Noblique; and Beach Day, 2022, by Kathy Wardle.

The garden also serves as a visually inspiring transitional space between the new two-story, 14,000-square-foot visual arts and education building and the adjacent one-story, 8,000-square-foot Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC), which is also part of the RCA campus in the heart of downtown Rockport.  The garden area will also be utilized for special events hosted by RCA, as well as those booked by private entities through The ROCC for after-hours enjoyment.

Award-winning Richter Architects of Corpus Christi designed the new coastal contemporary facility, including the garden.

“The Sculpture Garden really serves as an outdoor living space and a stunning visual feature for the new facility,” said architect David Richter, FAIA. “A courtyard leading guests into the garden is actually nestled into the main building and serves as a focal point, drawing the eye into the garden, clearly visible even to passersby on the street.” 

With the opening of its new campus, RCA says it plans to continue expanding its collection. “Additional sculptural acquisitions are currently underway,” said Purón. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thirteen of the sculptures from the RCA Permanent Collection, as they appeared previously installed in the former RCA Sculpture Garden, can be viewed on the RCA website.

 

ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES NEW CONFERENCE CENTER MANAGER

ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES
NEW CONFERENCE CENTER MANAGER

Paulette Kluge to oversee business tourism for The Rockport Conference Center;
November opening planned

ROCKPORT, Texas (September 16, 2022) — Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) announced longtime hospitality executive Paulette Kluge as venue manager for the conference center portion of the new RCA campus, which is now in the final phase of construction. Kluge is responsible for developing new business for RCA, including events, business meetings, and convention sales.  

A veteran of the hospitality industry, she has more than 40 years of experience catering to various market segments while working with hotels of varying sizes, cultures and locations. Her past duties include CEO of the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Director of Sales and Marketing for several hotels in the United States, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for a handful of groups including Regent Hotels International.

“Paulette is a creative, enthusiastic and relationship-driven professional,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “We are fortunate to have lured her out of retirement to help The ROCC at the Rockport Center for the Arts open brilliantly and to deliver near perfectly executed meetings and events for our clients.”

RCA is preparing for the completion and November opening of its new 1.2-acre campus in downtown Rockport, featuring 14,000 square feet of state-of-the-art space for art exhibitions and education, as well as the 8,000-square-foot conference center which Kluge will oversee. Her responsibilities include development of the new tourism and revenue-generating operation, including marketing the venue to prospective clients, executing all aspects of the sales process, and event management. 

 

"Being on the campus of the Rockport Center for the Arts is so fantastic and offers guests so many exciting options,” said Kluge. “The rooms are fabulous. The acoustics are amazing. The audio-visual capabilities are the best. I’m so looking forward to introducing this wonderful space to our many potential customers."

 

For information on RCA event space, or to book an event, contact Paulette Kluge at (361) 960-2090.

NEW $12.5 MILLION ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS FACILITY NEARS COMPLETION

NEW $12.5 MILLION ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS FACILITY NEARS COMPLETION

Grand opening fall 2022 five years after destructive hurricane; Conference Center bookings underway

 

ROCKPORT, Texas (September 13, 2022) — Construction crews are now putting final touches on the new 22,000-square-foot Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) with primary work slated for completion sometime in October and a grand opening to follow. Work began Feb. 23, 2021, on the 1.2-acre site located only a few yards from Aransas Bay in the heart of downtown Rockport. It is the first original facility to be built for the celebrated 53-year-old non-profit organization. 

The new $12.5 million campus —$9 million of which is construction — will more than double the space of the former RCA facility which was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, forcing RCA to operate in temporary locations ever since. The new RCA will be home to hallmark programs in the 14,000 square-foot visual arts and art education complex and also includes The ROCC (Rockport Conference Center), encompassing 8,000 square feet, including a 4,500-square-foot ballroom, which can be configured into four smaller breakout rooms, a 1,400-square-foot foyer and a flexible catering and culinary arts education kitchen. In addition, there is a 16,000-square-foot outdoor sculpture garden that will house 10 sculptural works by artists with state, national and international recognition.

Award-winning Richter Architects of Corpus Christi designed the new coastal contemporary facility with industrial indoor finishes, with Teal Construction Company, of Houston and Corpus Christi, serving as the general contractor for the project. Both companies were hired through a competitive process.

“Our membership and our community are eagerly anticipating the opening of the new Rockport Center for the Arts, which is something we have been planning for since 2014. Hurricane Harvey destroyed our original harbor front facility on August 25, 2017, nearly five years ago,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “Substantial completion of construction should be done in early October and then it’s on to the finishing touches, fixtures and furnishings to arrive prior to the Certificate of Occupancy from our partner in the project, the City of Rockport.  Once the Certificate is received we can open to the public.”

RCA contracted with National Cabling Service of Houston to design and install a $300,000 structured cabling system providing comprehensive telecommunications services throughout the complex, including Wi-Fi integration, state of the art audio-visual capabilities, telephone service, a keycard access system and other security measures. Special attention has been given to other details of the project including new ceramic studio fixtures, furnishings for both buildings, as well as appliances and equipment for the culinary arts kitchen.

“Our new, modern facilities will allow us to expand the breadth of our programs, primarily the performing arts and the culinary arts. These facilities will also serve to attract business tourism to Rockport, during the mid-week timeframe, something that has been lacking in Rockport’s vast array of tourism offerings,” said Purón.  

Identified as an anchor for downtown economic revitalization, RCA worked with Austin-based Legend Labs, a high-profile brand and reputation consulting firm, to help identify strengths and positioning strategies for the organization’s newest brand, The ROCC. The new RCA is creating new opportunities for creatives working in the fields of visual arts, art education, performing arts, cinematic arts, culinary arts, as well as opportunities in business areas such as sales, marketing, administration, convention facility administration and destination management. 

“Rockport was dealt a punishing blow by Hurricane Harvey, but it has been extremely gratifying to see how those in our community have continued to support one another as we rebuild and bounce back,” said City of Rockport Mayor Tim Jayroe. “The new Rockport Center for the Arts is a major step in that recovery and I couldn’t be more proud of everyone that has worked so hard to make this happen.”

Funding for the new RCA facility came from a variety of both private and public sources. Following the 2017 Hurricane Harvey destruction of the original 5,762-square-foot facility near Rockport Harbor, RCA engaged in a silent major gift campaign. A public campaign was started in February 2021, and since inception approximately $7.5 million was raised through major gifts from private, corporate, and foundation contributions through the Imagine Capital Campaign. The City of Rockport and Aransas County Long Term Recovery Team also provided assistance in the effort, partnering with RCA to help secure a $5 million grant from the U. S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). Additional disaster recovery funding for Aransas County came via the State of Texas General Land Office, which was used to construct a generous 60-space surface parking area one block away from the new RCA campus. The parking lot, to be managed by the City of Rockport, is now completed with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for August 31.

“We are thankful to the hundreds of Texas families that have invested in our community and have made a significant investment in the future of the Arts in Rockport,” Purón said. 

About Rockport Center for the Arts

Rockport Center for the Arts has moved temporarily to 401 S. Austin Street at the Baker Law Building, first floor, while awaiting the August 2022 completion of a new facility. Hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Thursday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For general information, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519. For information on event space, or to book an event, contact the staff at (361) 450-8022.

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MEDIA ADVISORY – PHOTO OP

WHAT:     Ribbon Cutting for New Downtown Rockport Center for the Arts Parking Lot
WHEN:    Wednesday, Aug. 31 — 9 a.m.
WHERE:  101 N. Magnolia St., Rockport, Texas

As the final touches continue on the new 22,000-square-foot Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA), the new 60-space parking lot located one block away is now completed with an official ribbon cutting scheduled to officially open the lot. 

Guest speakers for the 9 a.m. ceremony include:

•       Judge C.H. “Burt” Mills, Jr., Aransas County Judge;

•       Mayor Tim Jayroe, City of Rockport;

•       John Besteiro, Grant Coordinator, Texas General Land Office;

•       Karen Ernst, Deputy Director, Rockport Center of the Arts; and

•       Other State and Federal Officials

Made possible through a Community Development Block Grant, administered by the Texas General Land Office, the project is part of a $53.9 million block grant Aransas County obtained after Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

The new parking lot includes overhead lighting, landscaping, an irrigation system, and new sidewalks, supporting the new RCA campus scheduled to be completed mid-September on S. Austin St., as well as other downtown merchants and special events.

Construction started in late February. The project engineer was Hanson Engineering and the contractor was Marshall Construction, both located in Corpus Christi, Texas.

“We are thankful to the leadership of Aransas County for having the foresight to include parking that will support 22,000 square feet of new RCA facilities for convention tourism, multidisciplinary Arts programming, and the many activities that take place in downtown Rockport,” said Luis Purón, RCA executive director.

 

 

To coordinate coverage, contact Karen Ernst, RCA Deputy Director

at (361) 450-8022, (361) 729-5519, or karen@rockportartcenter.com

Groundbreaking for New Downtown Rockport Center for the Arts Parking Lot

WHAT: Groundbreaking for New Downtown Rockport Center for the Arts Parking Lot

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 28 — 11 a.m. 

WHERE: Corner of S. Live Oak St. and North St., Rockport, Texas

As construction continues on the new 22,000-square-foot Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA), work will soon begin on RCA’s new 60-space parking lot located one block away on North Street between Magnolia and Live Oak Street. Both projects are scheduled for completion in September 2022. 

Made possible through a Community Development Block Grant, administered by the Texas General Land Office, the project is part of a $53.9 million block grant Aransas County obtained after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. 

The new parking lot will include overhead lighting, landscaping, an irrigation system, and new sidewalks, supporting the new RCA campus on S. Austin St., as well as other downtown merchants and special events. The new lot will surround three sides of the historic train depot, which was saved by Aransas County through the same block grant, allowing for the purchase of the property and having the depot itself donated to the Rockport Cultural Arts District for preservation. 

Construction is slated to begin in late February. The engineer for the project is Hanson Engineering and the contractor is Marshall Construction, both from Corpus Christi, Texas. 

“One of Downtown Rockport’s needs has been to have parking for citizens and tourists to enjoy the unique offerings of the area,” said Judge “Burt” C.H. Mills. “Aransas County is happy to have obtained the grant to make this project and many others happen.” 

“We are thankful to the leadership of Aransas County for having the foresight to include parking that will support 22,000 square feet of new RCA facilities for convention tourism, programs in all forms of Art, and the many activities in downtown Rockport,” said Luis Purón, RCA executive director. 

For more information about the block grant visit: https://www.glo.texas.gov/the-glo/news/press-releases/2020/may/cmr-george-p-bush-announces-more-than-43-million-in-disaster-recovery-funds-for-aransas-county.html

To coordinate coverage, contact Luis Purón, RCA Executive Director

(570) 702-4032 / luis@rockportartcenter.com

Architects for New Rockport Center for the Arts Recognized for Lifetime Work

Texas Society of Architects awards Medal for Lifetime Achievement to Richter Architects 

ROCKPORT, Texas (Aug, 18 2021) — As work continues on the new 22,000-square-foot Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) in the heart of downtown Rockport, designers of the new $8.7 million coastal contemporary facility, Richter Architects of Corpus Christi, have been recognized for their outstanding architectural achievements.  

David Richter, FAIA, and Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA, have been awarded the Medal for Lifetime Achievement by The Texas Society of Architects, the highest honor bestowed by the organization.  Presented annually, the award is given to a single member in recognition of a lifetime of distinguished leadership and outstanding achievements in support of the profession of architecture, the built environment, and quality of life in Texas. The pair will be recognized at the 82nd Annual Conference and Design Expo in San Antonio, October 7–9.

“We knew we made the right choice when selecting Richter Architects as our designer for the new  Rockport Center for the Arts, and the announcement of this well-deserved award only bolsters the confidence we have in that decision” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “David and Elizabeth have been phenomenal to work with and their bold and contemporary design for our new facility is exactly what we had hoped for. We are building their vision of a beautiful, modern facility that will allow us to expand the breadth of our programs, including the performing arts and the culinary arts, as we work to attract more visitors and business tourism to Rockport.” 

Partners in life and work for more than four decades, David and Elizabeth have made an indelible mark on the architectural profession and the state of Texas with their firm globally recognized as a design and sustainability leader whose work reflects intrinsic natural beauty, function, and cultural pride. 

"Over the years, we've been so fortunate to have had many creative collaborations with clients with shared values. It is the best way, and maybe the only way, to make good architecture happen," said the Richters in a joint statement. 

Together, they have dedicated countless hours to nonprofit groups, city planning agencies, and local organizations, both serving as presidents of their local chapter and the Texas Society of Architects, and championing several programs, including The Shape of Texas, Tour des Monuments, and the Consortium for Sustainability. In 2015, Chu Richter became only the fourth woman elected as president of the American Institute of Architects, also marking the first time a woman from Texas and an Asian American woman headed the organization.

The new $8.7 million RCA will be home to hallmark programs in the 14,000-square-foot visual arts and art education complex, an 8,000-square-foot performing arts facility and convention center featuring a culinary arts education kitchen and multiple break out rooms for meeting space, along with the sculpture garden housing works from the permanent collection by nationally and internationally recognized artists.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

Rockport Center for the Arts has moved temporarily to 401 S. Austin Street at the Baker Law Building, first floor, while awaiting the completion of a new facility in August 2022. Hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Thursday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday and Sat from 10 a.m.– 5 p.m., and  Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. Visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519 for more information.


EDITOR’S NOTE: Artist renderings of the new RCA are available at rockportartcenter.com/imagine for media download and use.

To coordinate coverage, contact Luis Purón, RCA Executive Director

(570) 702-4032 / luis@rockportartcenter.com

Relocation of Kline's Cafe Building off Construction Site

Construction is now underway on Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) new 22,000-plus-square-foot facilities on its 1.18-acre campus in downtown Rockport.

RCA’s former home, the historic Kline’s Cafe Building (KCB), was recently moved to its new location to make way for the new project. A joint effort between RCA and its new owner, Upside Ventures LLC, of Austin, Texas, the 1940s-era KCB began its move March 31 from 106 S. Austin St. heading west on North St. and then south on Magnolia. It is now in place to be positioned on the new foundation located at 504 S. Magnolia Street.

Although the four-block journey took an entire day, a time-lapse video of the historic move is viewable below.

Ram House Movers of Sinton, Texas, moved the one-story, 2,000-square-foot building — a slab-on-grade foundation, masonry, cinder block, stucco walls and a wood frame roof — a total weight of 220 tons.

In 2020, RCA retained an architectural historian at Amaterra LLC to prepare historical documentation regarding the 70-plus-year-old structure. Kline’s Cafe is considered significant under Criterion C, architecture, as a good example of Art Moderne at the local level of significance.

MEDIA ADVISORY – PHOTO OP

As Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) prepares to begin construction on its new 22,000-plus-square-foot facilities and 1.18-acre campus in downtown Rockport, RCA’s former home, the historic Kline’s Cafe Building (KCB), is ready to begin the journey to its new location.

With deep historic ties to the Rockport community, the KCB most recently served as the home for RCA from December 2017 to December 2019. In preparation for the move, RCA prepared a detailed relocation plan that was approved by the Texas Historical Commission. A joint effort between RCA and its eventual owner, Upside Ventures LLC, of Austin, Texas, the 1940s-era KCB will begin its move March 31 around 9 a.m. from its current location at 106 S. Austin St. The building will move west on North St. and then south on Magnolia to be positioned on the new foundation located at 504 S. Magnolia Street. The four-block journey is expected to take two days.

Ram House Movers of Sinton, Texas, will be moving the one-story, 2,000-square-foot building — a slab-on-grade foundation, masonry, cinder block, stucco walls and a wood frame roof — a total weight of 220 tons.

Ram House Movers has worked on significant projects in Texas, most notably relocating the History Center for Aransas County to its present location on Cedar Ave., as well as moving the Stillman House from Corpus Christi to its present location in Brownsville.

Upside Ventures LLC, who owns and manages commercial interests in Austin and Rockport, plans improvements for the KCB, including ADA accessibility, and beautification of the site through landscaping that once adorned the KCB at its Austin St. location. Once it is set on its new concrete foundation, the KCB will also meet FEMA elevation requirements.

In 2020, RCA retained an architectural historian at Amaterra LLC to prepare historical documentation regarding the 70-plus-year-old structure. Kline’s Cafe is considered significant under Criterion C, architecture, as a good example of Art Moderne at the local level of significance. The documentation can be found at RockportArtCenter.com.

 

 

To coordinate coverage, contact Luis Purón, RCA Executive Director

(570) 702-4032 / luis@rockportartcenter.com

Video credit: Ty Husak & Aransas County Historical Society

GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW $8.7 MILLION ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS FACILITY

Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) today broke ground on a new 22,000-square-foot art center in the heart of downtown Rockport — the first original facility to be built for the celebrated 52-year-old non-profit — with construction slated to begin immediately on the 1.18-acre site. 

RCA Executive Director Luis Purón and the RCA Board of Directors were joined for the ceremony by City of Rockport Mayor Patrick R. Rios, City Manager Kevin Carruth along with other city officials, as well as Aransas County Judge C.H. “Burt” Mills and other members of the Aransas County Long Term Recovery Team.

With completion scheduled for mid-2022, the new $8.7 million RCA will be home to hallmark programs in the 13,000-square-foot visual arts and art education complex, as well as an 8,000-square-foot performing arts facility and convention center featuring a culinary arts education kitchen and multiple break out rooms for meeting space. In addition, there will be a 16,000-square-foot outdoor sculpture garden housing works from the permanent collection of sculptural works by nationally and internationally recognized artists.  

Richter Architects of Corpus Christi designed the new coastal contemporary facility, with Teal Construction Company, also of Corpus Christi, serving as the general contractor for the project.

“The new art center is something we have been talking about and planning since before Hurricane Harvey destroyed our original harbor front facility in 2017,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “We are building modern facilities that will allow us to expand the breadth of our programs, primarily the performing arts and the culinary arts. These facilities will also serve to attract business tourism to Rockport, during the mid-week timeframe, something that has been lacking in Rockport’s vast array of tourism offerings.”

Identified as an anchor for downtown economic revitalization, the new facilities will also create many job opportunities for creatives working in the fields of administration, sales, visual arts, arts education, performing arts, cinematic arts, culinary arts, and convention facility administration and destination management. 

“The building of a new Rockport Center for the Arts is a major step in the recovery from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey,” said Rockport Mayor Pat Rios. “Our community will have a beautiful new facility that will showcase our dedication to the arts and be home for local and visiting artists. I am extremely proud of everyone that has worked so hard to make this happen.”

Although unable to attend, Congressman Michael Cloud provided a statement regarding the new project. “There is a very distinct and vibrant art culture in Rockport, and the Art Center is at the center of that. For years, it has provided opportunities and resources by displaying local art work, cultivating creativity among students, and contributing to the tourism industry that abounds in Rockport. I want to express my gratitude to all those who made this day possible. I look forward to returning to Rockport soon to see the new Art Center for myself.” 

 

Funding for the new facility comes from many private and public sources. Following the summer 2017 loss of the original 5,762-square-foot facility near Rockport Harbor, RCA engaged in a silent capital campaign. From March 2018 to August 2020, approximately $4.4 million was raised through major gifts from private, corporate, and foundation contributions, with the public fundraising phase of the Imagine campaign now officially kicking off. The City of Rockport and Aransas County Long Term Recovery Team provided assistance in the effort, partnering with RCA to help secure a $5 million grant from the United States Department of Commerce–Economic Development Administration (EDA). Additional disaster recovery funding came via the State of Texas General Land Office, which will provide a generous public parking area one-block away from the new campus.

“We invite everyone to visit the Imagine Capital Campaign page on our website where one can find a full set of renderings, a video of the new facility, investors, and information on how to contribute and be part of the capital project’s success,” said Purón.

On May 20, 2019 —RCA’s 50th Anniversary — the Capital Campaign Committee formed the 50ROCK! Society made up of individuals, families and partner organizations with close ties to RCA. The Society’s aim is to be the cornerstone for the organization’s future by making a significant investment in the membership’s ability to explore their creative spirit. Through member donations ranging from $10,000 to $39,000, $760,000 has already been raised. “Opportunities to invest at that level are being offered for a limited time,” Purón said. “We are thankful to all of the Texas families that are the cornerstone of our community and have made a significant investment in our future.”

 

 

About the Imagine Capital Campaign

Following the 2017 devastation brought by Hurricane Harvey to the Texas Coastal Bend, which included the loss of the Rockport Center for the Arts facility, the RCA Board of Directors in March 2018 challenged the State of Texas to Imagine the future for Arts, Culture and the Humanities, subsequently launching a major gift campaign with the goal of building a new RCA campus in the heart of downtown Rockport. Through August 2020, the campaign raised approximately $4.4 million through private, corporate and foundation donations with public fundraising set to begin in the public phase following groundbreaking on the new RCA facility.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

From December 2017 to December 2019, RCA occupied the historic Kline’s Cafe Building (KCB) on the current site, hosting ambitious Arts programming in a mere 2,000 square feet of space. The 1940s-era KCB is in the process of being moved to a new location in Rockport, a joint effort between RCA and its eventual owner, Upside Ventures LLC, of Austin, Texas.

Rockport Center for the Arts has moved temporarily to 401 S. Austin Street at the Baker Law Building, first floor, while awaiting the completion of the new facility.  Hours of operation for the temporary galleries are Tuesday–Thursday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday and Sat 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.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Artist renderings of the new RCA are available at rockportartcenter.com/imagine for media download and use.

MEDIA ADVISORY – PHOTO OP

WHAT:     Groundbreaking for New $8.7 Million Rockport Center for the Arts Facility
WHEN:    Tuesday, Feb. 23 — 10 a.m.
WHERE:  204 S. Austin Street, Rockport, TX 78382   

Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) will break ground on a new 22,000-square-foot art center on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m. The event will take place on RCA’s 1.18-acre site located at 204 S. Austin Street, in the heart of downtown Rockport.

RCA Executive Director Luis Purón and the RCA Board of Directors will be joined for the ceremony by City of Rockport Mayor Patrick R. Rios, City Manager Kevin Carruth along with other city officials. The City of Rockport is RCA’s partner in the capital project. Also in attendence will be Luis Buentello representing Congressman Michael Cloud, and members of Aransas County Long Term Recovery, led by Judge C.H. “Burt” Mills.  

With completion scheduled for mid-2022, the new $8.7 million Rockport Center for the Arts will be home to hallmark programs in the 13,000-square-foot visual arts and art education complex, as well as an 8,000-square-foot performing arts facility and convention center featuring a culinary arts education kitchen and multiple break out rooms for meeting space. In addition, there will be a 16,000-square-foot outdoor sculpture garden housing works from the art center’s permanent collection of sculptural works by nationally and internationally recognized artists.

Construction is slated to begin immediately on the new complex, the first original facility to be built for the celebrated 52-year-old non-profit. Richter Architects of Corpus Christi designed the new facility, with Teal Construction Company, also of Corpus Christi, serving as the general contractor for the project.

 

To coordinate coverage, contact Luis Purón, RCA Executive Director
(570) 702-4032, (361) 729-5519 / luis@rockportartcenter.com

 

CMR. GEORGE P. BUSH ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $43 MILLION IN DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS FOR ARANSAS COUNTY

CMR. GEORGE P. BUSH ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $43 MILLION IN DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS FOR ARANSAS COUNTY

Combined with $13 million previously approved for Rockport and Fulton, more than $56 million in infrastructure at work in Aransas County

AUSTIN — Today Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced the Texas General Land Office (GLO) sent a contract for $43,390,628 in Hurricane Harvey disaster recovery funds to Aransas County for final signature. The funds will enable Aransas County to conduct extensive infrastructure improvements relating to drainage, street, communication, and public facility systems as well as conducting a fiber optics communications planning study.

"Aransas County was one of the areas hardest hit by the destructive wind and flooding of Hurricane Harvey," said Commissioner Bush. "These mitigation funds are vital for communities in the Coastal Bend, which continue to need additional fortification against future storm damage. Every day the GLO is working to cut red-tape and move much-needed federal recovery dollars to communities to improve infrastructure, mitigate against future flooding events, and protect both the homes and lives of local residents."

Once finalized, Aransas County will perform more than 150,000 linear feet of extensive flood and drainage infrastructure improvements on either side of TX-35 between TX-188 and W. Moore Avenue. These vital projects will include installing new storm sewer pipe, replacing storm sewer culverts, regrading roadside ditches, and repairing streets. Hurricane Harvey's extensive rainfall and high winds inundated the drainage system and streets in this area causing massive flooding. These improvements will facilitate proper stormwater conveyance, thus reducing the impact of future flooding and providing continued access in and out of the area.

Substantial street improvements, including regrading, constructing roadways, laying asphalt, excavating drainage, and installing new drainpipe, will occur throughout the Copano Heights and Holiday Beach neighborhoods. Street improvements will continue the length of Rattle Snake Point Road and Lido Road from Old Salt Lake Rd. to Copano Cove Rd. as well as along Loop 1781 from SH 35 Business North to FM 3036.

The disaster recovery funds will also be used to improve the Downtown Anchor area and Rockport Center for the Arts parking lot. Upgrades will include:

  • Installing underground water, sewer, and gas lines;

  • Installing storm drains, traffic controls, and light poles;

  • Repairing streets;

  • Improving parking lots, including curb, gutter, and sidewalks;

  • Construct a public meeting room and public bathrooms;

  • Installing signage, landscaping, and irrigation systems; and

  • Relocating gas mains, drainage pipes, and inlets.

Aransas County will also build a new radio tower for the Rockport Volunteer Fire Department at Hwy 188 and the SH 35 bypass. Additionally, a planning study will be conducted to determine how a protected fiber optic communications loop could prevent failure of communications systems in future storms in Aransas County.

These funds are in addition to $8,320,696 allocated to the City of Rockport in January for street improvements and facilitating proper stormwater conveyance to provide continued street access during rain events and reducing the impact of future flooding. These improvements will take place in the following locations:

  • Market Street - Church Street to East of Water Street and Sabinal Street to Nopal Street

  • Ann Street - Market Street to Murray Street

  • Hackberry Street - Young Street to Ann Street

  • Sabinal Street - Litron Street to Ann Street

  • Orleans Street - Ann Street to Broadway

  • Laurel Street - Pearl Street to Magnolia Street

  • Magnolia Street - Laurel Street to Nopal Street

  • Tule Ditch System - SH 35 Business to Little Bay Outfall

Additionally, $4,759,465 was also approved in January for flood and drainage improvements in the City of Fulton. With these funds, Fulton will replace storm sewer culverts, regrade roadside ditches, install area inlets/outfalls, grade ditches and repair pavement in the area between Prairie Road and FM 3036, west of TX 35 to the city limit.

Texas GLO Hurricane Harvey Recovery Funds:

Commissioner George P. Bush and the Texas General Land Office was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to lead the historic Hurricane Harvey housing recovery efforts funded by $5.676 billion in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The GLO allocated $413 million of the allocation for infrastructure projects to protect communities affected by the storm. The GLO allocated the funds to regional Council of Governments' (COGs) based on a HUD approved needs assessment. The locally-led COGs then conducted methods of distribution (MODs) for determining infrastructure and buyout and acquisition amounts for cities and counties within each jurisdiction. COG boards are comprised of officials from the impacted communities elected in part to prioritize funds allocated for recovery programs. The MOD process requires public engagement and the GLO reviewed each MOD for compliance with federal rules and requirements before approving each plan.

To review the approved MODs, please visit https://recovery.texas.gov/action-plans/hurricane-harvey/index.html.

THE MEADOWS FOUNDATION AWARDS $100,000 GRANT TO ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS CAPITAL PROJECT

THE MEADOWS FOUNDATION AWARDS $100,000 GRANT TO ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS CAPITAL PROJECT 

(ROCKPORT, TX)  The Meadows Foundation recently awarded Rockport Center for the Arts a grant in the amount of $100,000.  The funds will be used for the organization’s capital project.  In August of 2017, Hurricane Harvey destroyed the Art Center’s facility, once located on Aransas Bay. The Art Center has been engaged in a capital campaign since last year. 

"We are grateful to The Meadows Foundation for their generous grant and their recognition of the importance of our mission.  A new campus dedicated to the arts is critical for the development of downtown Rockport, and will be a boon to the quality of life of our community,” says Luis Purón, Executive Director.  He adds, “Rockport Center for the Arts has been building meaningful relationships across the United States for five-decades.  We are eager to do more to continue our mission, serve our community, and deliver high impact programming that drives tourism to the Texas coast.”

“Arts and culture show the spirit of our communities and we are thankful we are able to be part of rebuilding the Rockport Center for the Arts after its devastating loss in Hurricane Harvey,” said Linda Perryman Evans, president and CEO of The Meadows Foundation.

ABOUT THE MEADOWS FOUNDATION

Believing their own lives were greatly enriched by giving, Al and Virginia Meadows shared their wealth with many charitable causes benefiting the people of the state that had been so generous to them. They established The Meadows Foundations in 1948 to improve the quality and circumstances of life for Texans now and for future generations.

Since its inception, the Foundation has disbursed more than $1.2 billion to 3,600 Texas institutions and agencies across all 254 Texas counties. Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities in the areas of arts and culture, civic and public affairs, education, health, and human services as well as initiatives promoting the environment, mental health, and public education.

JESUS MOROLES’ LIGHTHOUSE FOUNTAIN TO BE DISMANTLED

JESUS MOROLES’ LIGHTHOUSE FOUNTAIN TO BE DISMANTLED

(ROCKPORT, TX.) In the fall of 2018 structural engineers retained by Rockport Center for the Arts’ fine arts insurance company identified problems with the internal armature that supports the 21 foot monument made of red granite. The Art Center hired Moroles Art Co. earlier in 2018 to provide a condition report on the monument.  Lighthouse Fountain was commissioned in 2002. A condition report had never been procured since its installation.  In late August 2017, staff performed a condition report of every piece of art in the Sculpture Garden collection.  This was repeated in early September of 2017 with an insurance adjuster.  Staff and Moroles Art Co. were aware of the detailed installation plan conducted by Jesús Moroles in 2002. 

One of the immediate concerns for staff and insurance adjusters was assessing the condition of the sculpture’s interior.  “Because Jesús, the author of this important work, was deceased and because we had no access to his installation annotations we immediately turned to Moroles Art Co. and we asked them to conduct a thorough inspection,” states Luis Purón, Executive Director.  Both principals of Moroles Art Co. were engaged in the installation of Lighthouse Fountain in 2002; and since the hurricane, had handled a variety of conservation efforts for the Art Center, most notably the restoration of one of the three columns in another Moroles monument – Spirit Columns, which resides on the banks of Little Bay. 

A more thorough inspection would require that someone enter the inner vessel of the sculpture to inform, with photographs, the condition report. What was discovered was a steel armature that had suffered significant deterioration due to age, and extreme weather conditions; including the hurricane event of 2017.  Moroles Art Co.’s recommendation was that the structure should be taken down in order to preserve the work. The other finding was that the steel armature will continue to degrade over time and is not longer effective in providing the support the sculpture requires.  The insurance company and the structural engineers that performed a similar assessment rendered the same finding.  Once the monument is dismantled, the steel armature will be assessed so that a new one can be built.

The team at Moroles Art Co. is comprised of Suzanna Moroles and Kurt Kangas who worked with Jesús Moroles in all of his major monument installations.  Suzanna Moroles states, “Lighthouse Fountain, dedicated in 2002, is a very important work in Moroles’ career and we are honored to be able to work with Rockport Center for the Arts to preserve the work.  This is what Jesús would have wanted.” She adds, “The staff and board at Rockport Center for the Arts have worked diligently to make certain this work is preserved.  Without these efforts, we feel the sculpture may have been lost at some point.”

 

After being dismantled, the sculpture will go into temporary storage, until it is ready to be moved to its new location - the Art Center’s downtown campus.  A larger Sculpture Garden that will house works in the collection has been conceptualized for the new facility. 

About Jesús Bautista Moroles’ Lighthouse Fountain

In Lighthouse Fountain Moroles has immortalized the spirit of comforting strength, powerful gentleness, and graceful beauty which make the Live Oak Peninsula distinctive.  The representative work of Moroles' signature red granite from Fredericksburg stands twenty one fee tall and symbolizes a lighthouse as water quietly slips down its grooved sides.  The commission of this Moroles piece was made possible by a major contribution from Frances Brockett of Louisiana and a grant from The Brown Foundation of Houston.  Members of the Rockport community made valuable contributions to make this sculpture a reality for Rockport Center for the Arts’ permanent collection.  Rockport Center for the Arts has three additional Moroles works in its collection: Interlocking (1991); Spirit Columns (1998); and Texas Stele Fountain.  The latter was a gift from the Rockport Country Club and is out for conservation due to damages suffered during the hurricane of 2017.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $5M GRANT FOR ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS’ CAPITAL PROJECT

March 21, 2019 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $5M GRANT FOR ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS’ CAPITAL PROJECT

(ROCKPORT, TX)  Michael Cloud, United States Congressman for the 27th District announced that the City of Rockport and Rockport Center for the Arts are the recipients of a $5 million grant from the United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). 

The award will assist Rockport Center for the Arts in designing and building a campus that will house its sculpture garden and visual arts and art education programs.  The project will include space that will be instrumental in developing a new tourism initiative to draw convention visitors to the area, something that has been lacking as an offering in Rockport and Fulton, Texas.  Tourism is Rockport’s most significant industry. 

The total cost of the project is estimated at $8.5 million and will add over 20,000 sq. ft. of new space. Since Hurricane Harvey destroyed the organization’s 6,000 sq. ft. facility located near Rockport Harbor, the Rockport Center for the Arts has been engaged in a capital campaign.  The campaign was boosted with an initial $500,000 grant from the Rebuild Texas Fund and an equal award from the Still Water Foundation. Rockport Center for the Arts will use EDA funds and monies raised in the capital campaign to complete the project. 

Identified as an anchor for downtown economic revitalization, City of Rockport Mayor, Pat Rios states, “The building of a new Rockport Center for the Arts is a major step in the recovery from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey. Our community will have a beautiful new facility that will showcase our dedication to the arts and be home for local and visiting artists. I am extremely proud of everyone that has worked so hard to make this happen.”

Cloud made the announcement at a press conference in Rockport, Texas on March 21, 2019. “Rockport has been working hard and has come a long way since Hurricane Harvey, and this grant will contribute to restoring the tourism industry that is so important to the local economy,” says Congressman Michael Cloud. “I’m excited for the jobs and economic revitalization this grant will generate, and I will continue to work with our communities as we rebuild our region stronger than ever.”

The grant opportunity was identified last year by Aransas County Long Term Recovery Team, who helped file the joint application. Hugh Morrison, President of the Board of Rockport Center for the Arts states, “We are grateful to the EDA for recognizing the opportunity that the building of our project is for revitalizing downtown Rockport. As we begin our 50th year, we are excited to begin the construction of our new campus, which will feature a larger and more comprehensive art center as well as a critically needed convention and performing arts facility.  We are also thankful for the generous response to our capital campaign, which made this project possible. This new epicenter for downtown Rockport will generate economic activity for years to come.”

Executive Director, Luis Purón, states “The generosity of individuals, families, and institutions from across the State of Texas has made possible additional funding from the Economic Development Administration.  A planned $8.5 million capital investment will be a huge leap forward towards the economic revitalization of Rockport and the restoration of cultural tourism.  A new space will allow us to expand our programs from the visual to the performing and cinematic arts; as well as the humanities.  This program expansion has been part of our mission for many years and a strategic goal since 2015.  The future for the arts in Rockport has never been brighter.  We are humbled and thrilled.” 

Rockport Center for the Arts is one of many post-Harvey success stories. The organization never canceled an exhibit, a program or an event. It re-opened its doors in a temporary facility December 2, 2017, 99 days after the storm. 

Rockport Center for the Arts plans to start construction next year. The new facility will be located near the intersection of South Austin Street and North Street.

Photo credits: Rockport Pilot & Corpus Christi Caller Times

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