Nacogdoches Arts Collaborative (NAC) has been out in the community facilitating art this spring. The Plein Air, or outdoor painting, classes in March were successful with happy students all around. Their experience culminated at Nacogdoches ArtWalk where they painted outside to the delight of downtown merchants and shoppers. NAC is now the official sponsor of ArtWalk, a showcase for working artists living and working in and around Nacogdoches. An “emerging artists” version is planned for later in 2023.
NAC is partnering with two local events on April 1. The Nacogdoches Farmers Market annual Spring Fling is 9 AM -1 PM, and NAC will have a booth featuring live painters Brenda DuBose and Di Martin. Then from 5-9 PM the annual Wine Swirl takes to the brick streets downtown. NAC will have a booth there with live painters Dagon Blank and Susan Roberts. Limited edition t-shirts and totes (perfect for toting wine!) will be available for purchase at both events.
This month NAC presents the first installment of Special Spotlight, a monthly feature showcasing a local creative talent– some new to town, some legends– covering all artistic endeavors in which our neighbors participate: fine art, music, theatre, dance, creative writing, crafts, promoters and volunteers!
Meet Nacogdoches painter Lynn Carey Myers!
Myers is relatively new to Nacogdoches, having moved here in 2019. She bought a vintage Victorian house on Mound which is now home to The Fortney House furniture, decor and gift business owned by Brad Fortney. Myers used to live near Wimberley, Texas, a noted arts center in the Hill Country. While there, she displayed her art in a couple of galleries and served on numerous committees to promote the arts in the area. In an effort to bring more tourists to town, she started a public outdoor sculpture project with six foot tall cowboy boots painted by many local artists, Called “Bootiful Wimberley” the result was 50 boots all around town which are a source of pride for citizens and a trail of boots for visitors to admire. She was also commissioned by HEB to paint two boots for new store openings.
Since moving to Nacogdoches, Myers has helped to resurrect the popular Nac Art Walk and has painted another big boot called “Bootanical,” which is on display at the CVB downtown. She also painted an electric box at the soccer complex, a project that proved challenging. As a member of the Main Street Advisory Board, she is now spearheading a city initiative for a series of murals in our historic downtown area and is mulling over the idea of a public sculpture escapade for Nacogdoches. As time permits, Myers paints and takes workshops, and brags, “I’m a bonafide graduate of Michelle Filer’s fabulous plein air class which is the most fun I’ve had in a while.”