‘Sculpture on Main’ reveals 44 new art exhibits
MARBLE FALLS — More than 200 art aficionados enjoyed beautiful fall weather as they gathered to celebrate the second year of the Uptown Arts Alliance Sculpture on Main program this past weekend.
“I think it was very successful,” said Marti Pogue, one of the program’s planners and wife of Dan Pogue, founder of the program and co-owner (with Marti) of the Pogue Sculpture Gallery and Foundry near Smithwick.
“Everyone seemed to be excited,” Marti Pogue added. “It turned out to be as good as we wanted it to be, and we are very grateful to the community for their participation and support.”
The Alliance unveiled 44 new sculptures and commended 27 sculptors who contributed their original work to the program during a reception held Oct. 25 beneath a tent in the parking lot next to the Marble Falls City Hall, and across from the Uptown Marble Theater.
Dan Pogue presented awards from the Alliance with support from 36 local sponsors to four artists.
“We had excellent sponsors for the awards,” Pogue said.
Scott Sustek from Wall received the Legacy Award and $1,000 for his “La Paloma” sculpture. Bob Coffee from Austin received the Heritage Award and $300 for “Billy Goats Gruff”; Alexandra Martin from New York received the Patron of the Arts award and $200 for “Fist — A Self-Portrait”; and Marla Ripperda from Burnet received the Dan Pogue Gold Medal for “Little Dog Laughed.”
The public may view the majority of the program’s sculptures along Main between Yett and Fourth streets through next October. Five sculptures are clustered outside around City Hall, and one sculpture is stationed across from City Hall at Third Street and U.S. 281.
Proceeds from the sale of any sculpture will be divided between the artist and the Alliance, with 75 percent set aside for the artist, and the remaining 25 percent for the Alliance to help cover operating costs of the program, according to Alliance organizers.
Every sculpture was accepted based on originality, quality, safety, durability and suitability for outdoor public exhibit, organizers said.
Sculptor Michael Epps praised Dan Pogue for founding and promoting the program.
“He is marvelous,” said Epps, a member of the Texas Sculpture Society. “If it were not for him, none of us would be here.”
Epps sculpted “Gnosis” for the 2008-2009 program. Other contributing sculptors include Willy Gunther of Spicewood; James Hendricks of San Antonio (brother of Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger); the Rev. Jairo Lopez of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Marble Falls; and J.C. Matlock from Marble Falls.
Also that evening, The Homemade Jamz Blues Band performed at the Uptown for listeners who attended the art reception.
The award-winning family of musicians from Mississippi included Renaud Perry on harmonica with his teenage sons Ryan on lead guitar, Kyle on electric bass and 10-year-old daughter Taya on drums.
During a single set that extended more than 90 minutes, the band rendered several original tunes from their recent “Pay Me No Mind” CD, including the title track and “Right Thang, Wrong Woman,” along with their cover of the classic number “Boom Boom” by John Lee Hooker.
In response to a request from the front row, Taya Perry attacked her kit with a hot solo between lightning licks by her brothers.
Last week, the NBC-TV “Today Show” featured the group, and last July, they were heard on the National Public Radio “All Things Considered” program.
Homemade Jamz wowed hundreds of blues buffs with their resonant sound influenced by B.B. King, Albert King and the late Stevie Ray Vaughan during the Bluebonnet Blues Festival last March in Marble Falls.
Perry and his talented children plan to return to the festival this spring, according to the group.
raymond@thepicayune.com
Photo by Raymond V. Whelan