When asked what makes up a town, most people may think of the following: a police station, a city council, a grocery store, a bank, a church. And this is all true. What makes a community is the people in that town. And without a doubt, Johnson City has a diverse group of people who contribute distinct talents, experiences, and ideas into how this town grows into a unique community nestled in the Hill Country.

One singular aspect of Johnson City is the art district. Without a doubt, having galleries that host dozens of artists from local and international roots is a valuable asset for any town of similar size and population. Many of these studio galleries are managed by the artists themselves. Let’s take a closer look into what they have been up to recently.

In August 2019, the galleries came together to form the Art Association of Johnson City Texas, also referred to as ArtJCTX.

The official mission statement for the Art Association is the following:

“ArtJCTX will serve as a unified link of the Johnson City arts community to the world for the purpose of promoting the cultural offering of Johnson City, Texas. In promoting the art experience, it will maintain a map of the galleries, a collaborative portal on the web, advertisement of Johnson City Art Walk via media and social media, and other activities…”

“We want to cement what we have already established, but we also want to grow it beyond the confines of where it is now,” said Janet Haynes, who is serving as executive director of ArtJCTX this year. She is also the working artist at JLHaynes.studio GALLERY inside Echo.

“We want people beyond this community to know we exist. We are already bringing in internationally renowned artists, and we want to public to be aware of that. Most people are astonished when they visit and see what we have here,” Haynes said.

Many who visit Johnson City can observe that this town has a unique combination of historical, natural and cultural significance to offer persons far and wide, as well as the wine trail. The art community is looking to sharpen the focus on increasing the exposure of art, and in the same way sharpening prospective visitors’ focus on Johnson City’s blend of treasures.

“A young lady came up to me this summer and said, “This is the coolest hick town I have ever been in.’ There is an element of provinciality with that, and I am proud, too, of that,” John Sone, partner of Echo said.

While the pieces for the Association have been in place for a while now, getting the organization formed was not an easy path.

“We had been kicking around the idea of an association for several years. In August we succeeded in manifesting it. Part of the catalyst for that was the arrival of Mark Smith, who brought a bit of additional charisma and staked his reputation on it,” Sone said.

“We were all so busy so when we tried to do it, it got put off a lot. But eventually we all banded together and everyone contributed to make it happen,” Haynes said.

While the association is new, the monthly art walk itself is a staple of the Johnson City calendar, and has been so for years now. A lot of work goes into each art walk: curating the galleries, bringing together the artists and providing beautiful spaces.

“We want to thank all the supporters and patrons who have supported us over the years, including Lady Bird Cafe for faithfully providing wonderful food to each Gallery for our Monthly Art Walk,” from a prepared statement by ArtJCTX.

This collaborative effort each month has cultivated local artists, brought in nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, as well as popular journalists who report on the art scene. ArtJCTX is looking to cement that success, and capitalize on the momentum to make Johnson City an art destination in the heart of Texas.

“I would like art patrons to learn that they don’t have to go to Santa Fe or New York to get high-quality fine art,” said Mark Smith, the working artist at Mark Smith Studio Gallery.

Right now, the studio galleries offer a unique welcoming blend of talents and experiences in a generous and affordable atmosphere.

“We range from fine to functional to natural art here. Someday we might become an umbrella organization with music and more,” Sone said.

Events like the Art Walk bring in more than visitors to the galleries.

“We hope that visitors to the ArtJCTX galleries will have their curiosities and interests piqued, causing them to return again and again, with friends in tow, to spend money in our galleries, restaurants and local accommodations,” said Amanda Smith, from A. Smith Gallery.

“It’s a fairly well documented fact, I believe, that artists always bring about positive change and recognition to an area, as well as increases in desirability and property values,” said Brenda G. Thomas, partner of the Art Beat Gallery and Studio.  

ArtJCTX is also considering ideas for events and public engagement with members of the public of all ages and artistic levels.

“We have been discussing ways to create an event in town where we do an installation and engage the public. It is definitely on the table to organize an event like that,” Haynes said.

The community can support the local art scene now by “participating,” as Sone explained. Spread the word, visit the galleries, and shop local.

“Art is transcendent for the maker and the viewer. It is a gift given and received. Art and art patrons can enliven and uplift a community financially and emotionally,” Amanda Smith said.

“Art patrons help perpetuate the production of art and thus the cultural enlightenment of the community, offering a fuller and richer life for local residents,” said Lee Casbeer, who is the working artist at Lee Casbeer Fine Arts Gallery.

The red dot on the gallery wall is a welcome sight to all artists, and necessary for creative growth and perseverance. The red dot is incorporated in the branding design of ArtJCTX.

Haynes welcomes everyone to follow ArtJCTX on Instagram @ArtJCTX, and follow the growth of some of Johnson City’s most creative minds.

This year, Janet Haynes will serve as the primary point of contact, at [email protected] for any who want to reach out to the association. You can also find updates and more information at www.artjc.org

“I remain hopeful that the word will get out that Johnson City is a vibrant Fine Art Destination. At the center of the best part of Texas, this is a much more accessible place to view, enjoy and acquire truly fine Fine Art,” said Susan Kirchman of Kirchman Gallery.

Let’s take a look at each member gallery, and make sure you take note of who you will visit in this weekend’s Art Walk, on Saturday, November 30 from 4 p.m. to 8 p,m.

A Smith Gallery

A Smith Gallery presents and sponsors photography and printmaking workshops (in partnership with Mark Smith). Workshop instructors and participants come from across the country and the world. The gallery actively pursues events that engage the community, such as World’s Largest Cyanotype with the support of the local Science Mill, demonstrations at the Johnson City Library, wheat pasting on the walls of local businesses, and more. Educational workshops and demonstrations are an integral part of A Smith Gallery.

“We hope that visitors to the ArtJCTX galleries will have their curiosities and interests piqued, causing them to return again and again, with friends in tow, to spend money in our galleries, restaurants and local accommodations. We are excited to see what community participatory events will be created and what new art ventures will be attracted to town; which will also attract new retail and entertainment ventures,” Smith said.

Art Beat Gallery & Studio

The newest addition to the art scene in Johnson City, Art Beat offers a wide range of art by three artists: Brenda G. Thomas, Kate McCool and Amy Harper. The gallery is unique in that it blends these exceptionally talented yet different artists’ work seamlessly. The gallery also offers a variety of art classes, which contributes to the wide spectrum of art experiences that one can have in Johnson City.

“I’m excited to work with ArtJCTX in conjunction with the City to give another layer of sophistication and depth to a town that already offers so much,” said Thomas.

Lee Casbeer Fine Arts

“My gallery is a working studio where large-scale mural projects, completed on theatrical muslin, can be viewed in progress, along with smaller fine art works available to the public in my gallery area,” Casbeer said.

The gallery hosts monthly life drawing events, known as Sketch Night, where the public can join amateurs, professionals and everyone in between in sketching from live models to hone drawing skills.

“I look forward to seeing ArtJCTX’s collaborative events grow into something that is talked about and sought out by people all around the area and State,” Casbeer said.

Echo

“We are the 'non-gallery' art gallery among the group.  At the Crossroads of Art and Science, Echo offers functional art that merges form and function.  We also believe that ‘Art is our Voice’ and has a duty to help incorporate both vintage and modernity, resulting in more artful lives,” said Linda Haddock and Jone Sone, partners of Echo.

Echo offers a curated synthesis of fine, functional and natural art in vignettes that help our patrons reimagine their own spaces.

“We represent over thirty artists who frequently are in attendance at the monthly interactive event we call Art Walk.  We have international engagement as well as community engagement,” Haddock said. Echo continues to be grateful to the entire art community for helping in the move to its present location three years ago, and is looking forward to being a part of the evolution into a community of practice through ArtJCTX.

“Art patrons of Johnson City complete their experience of Johnson City with a full dose of culture:  a significant history, amazing hospitality, and the breadth of human emotional experience that only Art offers,” Haddock said.

JLHaynes.studio GALLERY

“My Gallery has the unique position of being physically located inside Echo. It is an open and welcoming space to all who enter. It is wonderful to see the awe and surprise of people who do not always realize they are entering a space with such an amazing variety of art. When I am in-house, I take joy in discussing my work, passion and process with those who are interested,” Haynes said.

“I am excited that the varying galleries are joining together in their passion for art to increase the visibility and value of art and our community beyond the local region to a broader statewide, national and even international community,” Haynes said.

Kirchman Gallery

After 14 years of representing around 30 Texas Fine Artists, Kirchman Gallery has reorganized and relocated. Now in a remodeled addition to the previous location, attached to the north side of that building, Susan Kirchman now has her working studio/gallery representing her own new work. Having opened Kirchman Gallery in 2005 just after retiring from over 20 years of teaching Art at the university level, she is now concentrating on making art rather than representing other artists.

Kirchman Gallery hosts many community events at the 290 Vinery, also in Johnson City.

“I hope visitors will recognize that the Johnson City Art Scene is unlike other small Hill Country towns.  We show more contemporary art.  These are not your Mama’s bluebonnets,” Kirchman said.

Mark Smith Studio Gallery (formerly Texas Arthouse)

“I have a large inventory of limited-edition prints from Flatbed Press. Also, the art that I show—including my own—is only contemporary art, including conceptual art and minimalist art. My space also includes a working studio. Also, since I live in the space, I am open almost all of the time,” said Smith.

“I hope that visitors will learn that our art galleries offer big-city art in a small town,” said Smith.

Texcetera

Bringing art from the hearts of Texans, Texcetera has become a favorite place to visit for returning visitors. The gallery has been open since August 2014 representing up to about 75 Texas artists.

“Our art ranges from hand crafted ornaments to fine crafted furniture and art. We are very proud of our glass and pottery artists, woodworking and metal working craftsmen, fabric artists, many types of wall art artists, jewelry and gourd artists and assemblage artists,” said Patty Elliott.

“Texcetera is open Thursdays through Sundays with additional days as can be accommodated. We welcome you to visit us, as our art is truly “Art from the Hearts of Texans”.