Art plays many roles in society and can speak to issues in areas such as history, politics, science, and religion.
Whether putting a modern spin on Bach or Mozart, introducing an international form of movement to the dance scene, or providing a visual interpretation of the effects of war, the arts can provide innovative perspectives, and thought-provoking commentary on many global ideas.
Arts organizations can broaden the horizons of their communities by encouraging analytical thinking and fostering understanding of different opinions and ideas. Moreover, arts organizations can be participatory in their communities by bringing art into the public.
People often forget the significance of art in the discourse of social, cultural, and global concerns. Many movements throughout history have sought to destroy subversive or scandalous art or use art to further different religious or political agendas.
These attempts to destroy the arts show that art reflects the deeper preoccupations of its society.
Authorities both past and present have perceived the arts as threats since the arts have the power to spark ideas and challenge prevailing opinions. It is the role of arts organizations to maximize their potential as a source of influence in society.
The common theme of most community arts organizations is to educate the public by making the arts accessible -- performance art, visual art exhibits, concerts and music, poetry readings invite conversation and can expose communities to various viewpoints.
The arts do not exist in a vacuum and for this reason it’s important that we share space. The Hill Country Council for the Arts, your umbrella arts organization, incubated Art AlFresco with public art placed at Main Plaza, public parks, and at the Amphitheatre. Boerne Performing Arts, now celebrating more than a decade of world-class performances, provides an affordable winter series at the Champion High School Auditorium.
And in the manner of a parade of artists, several Hill Country Mile restaurants, hotels and retailers feature artwork by local artists, complementing Kendall County’s art galleries: Carriage House Gallery, Gallery 195, and StudioCOMFORT, and Texas Treasures.
Classes and workshops offered in The Classroom at The Agri-Cultural Museum and Arts Center provide a space for the “creative” in you to thrive.
While the role of arts organizations continues to evolve, it is important that we create spaces for our audiences to come together, broaden their horizons, exchange ideas, make new friends, and venture to find the creatives in themselves.
PAULA HORNER
HCCARTS
Carriage House Gallery, “Too Hot to Handle” sale through the end of August. Visit the gallery and its 13 represented artists. View a variety of mediums, seek out those with red and yellow flames for discounts, just in time for holiday shopping. Carriage House Gallery, 110 Rosewood Ave. in Boerne. For more: 830-248-1184 or visit: www.carriagehousegallerytx. com.
Hill Country Arts Foundation’s “2023 Members Show” Aug. 11-Sept. 15, at the Visual Arts Center and Art Gallery, 120 Point Theater Road, Ingram. For more: 830-367-5121 or go to: www.HCAF.com.
HCCArts Mini Workshops, last of Summer Series, today from 1-5 p.m. Introduction to Pastel, with Mary McIntosh. Mary will bring new ideas and techniques for one of the oldest mediums used by Monet, Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec in their time. Classroom at The AgriCultural Museum and Arts Center, 102 City Park Road, Boerne. Class size limited; $85, supplies included.
HCCA’s “Art AfterHours 2023,” 7-9 p.m. Tuesday in the classroom at The AgriCultural Museum and Arts Center, 102 City Park Road, Boerne. Art AfterHours was created to offer participants a taste of a variety of applied arts methodologies. Class size limited; $35, supplies included.
Art AfterHours, Session 5 on Aug. 15 -- “pendant with soldered bail.” Enjoy a metals etching class that dives into metal cutting, forming, torch soldering, and finishing. Choose your unique shape, texture, and finish to create an original pendant sure to cause envy. Last in Series 5, two-part class, Aug. 22 and 29: Stained glass candle holder. Find complete details regarding a variety of offerings at www. hccarts. org. Send email inquiries to: president@ hccarts. org or call Paula at 210269- 8349.
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