November proved to be a gold star month for our arts non-profit. It kicked off with Dia de los Muertos Festival, where there were a record 85 vendors. We were next to the Chikawa Aztec Dancers dazzling performance and hosted two live painters on the brick streets.
We kicked off our new location with the November 17 opening reception for Michelle Filer’s painting show “Nacogdoches Carnival Oddities” and it turned into a real happening. The dozen paintings feature local favorites depicted as carnival sideshow characters. The paintings were draped and then revealed by the artist one by one with the painting subject front and center for the big reveal. A gaggle of Nacogdoches faces were seen in the crowd and a large time was had by all.
The next day was ArtWalk, the first sponsored by NAC. Fifteen businesses featured over 60 artists inside and out on a lovely Saturday afternoon. A special treat had Michelle Filer live painting on the Garden Capital of Texas mural on the NE corner of Main @ North Street. The new NAC gallery location featured Filer’s carnival painting series and gourd artist and musician Cindy Grayson live in the gallery. Artist Jenny Alvarez led 20 artists in a Sip & Paint at the Fredonia Brewery that afternoon as well.
The amazing month continued with our Grand Open House Saturday, November 25 coinciding with downtown’s annual Wassail Fest. We featured the award winning wassail recipe from Gerry Larabee’s Heart of Texas.
Coming in December: NAC sponsors “Winter Workshop Vendor Fair Saturday, December 2, 10-2 around the square before the lighted Christmas parade later in the day. We will also be stocking our new art gift shop with unique gifts. A parking lot vendor fair is also planned for mid December.
Tickets for our upcoming February 10th “Amethyst Ball: Under the Big Top” fundraiser extravaganza go on sale December 1. You won’t want to miss it!
Images: Michelle Filer and Jerry Permenter with art from her show November 17; Maggie Abernethy and Tere Royal at NAC’s Sip & Paint at the Fredonia Brewery during ArtWalk
