New art gallery to open on MFalls Main Street

Sculptor Dan Pogue and watercolor artist Michael LeVitt, two of the activists behind the open-air display Sculpture on Main, are unveiling Art Gallery at 205 Main St. today.

The gallery will remain open through the holidays. With enough community support, the gallery could become a permanent fixture for the downtown area, the pair said.

“My hope is that when people come to our downtown, they take an image of a place that is alive and well. Art is one way to nourish and lift the soul, even when things aren’t going so well,” Pogue said.

Both artists are on the board of the Uptown Arts Alliance and had discussed the gallery  for several years

Now they feel the time is right to help revitalize Main Street and highlight the work of numerous Hill Country artists.

“We wanted to breathe some life into the downtown area to help support Main Street,” LeVitt said. “There will be a variety of displays and artwork including pottery, watercolors, pastels, oil paintings, wood and cold-cast sculptures. It’s possible we could have some high-end home furnishings as well to add to what we have.”

Both Pogue and LeVitt gave credit to the building’s owner Russell Buster, a former City Council member and arts supporter who owns the downtown Uptown Marble Theater and the R-Bar & Grill next door.

“Without his cooperation, this would not have been possible. If you believe in something, you should be willing to take a risk to support it,”  LeVitt said.

During the last two years, Main Street underwent a vibrant but short-lived cultural renaissance as several nightspots and restaurants opened or held steady featuring live music and gourmet food. 

During the last few months, however, things went awry. Eateries including Cecil & Co., Patton’s on Main, Cafe 909, the House of Blue Lights and the Falls on the Bistro have shut down, as did upscale furnishings gallery Canyon Trails.

At the same time, Sculpture on Main has entered a second year with about 40 new pieces and popular music acts still draw crowds to the Uptown and nearby Lorraine’s. 

In addition, Texas Nation restaurant has opened where Cecil & Co. once existed.

Various business owners have blamed the catastrophic flood of June 2007, the economic crisis and even legal woes for the blight that wilted some Main Street venues.

The historic building that houses the fine arts gallery will feature LeVitt’s watercolors and Pogue’s bronze sculptures. It will also display the work of oil and pastel artists Michael Jennings and Mark Shultz of Spicewood, sculptors Joe Wizansky of Marble Falls and Michael Epps of Lago Vista. John Stange of Patina in Marble Falls will also include select pieces from his decorator design collection.

“There’s an Oriental saying that is inscribed on the lid of an old antique teapot I have that says, ‘Jump, and a net will appear.’ With the support the community has shown for the Uptown Theater, the Paint the Town event and most recently Sculpture on Main, I truly believe a net is appearing and Main Street Marble Falls is slowly becoming the art destination it is destined to be,” LeVitt said.

For more, contact LeVitt at (830) 613-8852 or Pogue at (830) 693-9544.

byoung@thepicayune.com