Buchanan Arts and Crafts showcases Artists in Action
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
BUCHANAN DAM — While art galleries showcase the finished products, they don’t typical feature much action.
Well, Buchanan Arts and Crafts plans to change that with Artists in Action on Aug. 16.
“We’re going to have two artists in each room demonstrating their art and techniques,” said Nancy Mattingly of the Buchanan Dam Art Guild. “We’ll also have two people out front. So it’s going to be quite busy.”
The art guild provides the gallery so members can display their works and offer them for sale. One of the drawbacks, Mattingly said, is people usually don’t get to see the artists working. She recalled trips to New Orleans’ Jackson Square, where artists gathered daily to create their works in front of the public.
“Before I began painting, I used to go to New Orleans, and it was so interesting to watch all the artists work there in the square,” Mattingly said.
Artists in Action is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the gallery, 17534 Texas 29 East. The event is free to the public.
Though painters make up a big part of the guild and the event, jewelers and crafters also will demonstrate their skills and techniques. As well as watching artists at work, the event is a learning opportunity.
“We’re trying to do more to get people in here,” Mattingly said. “There’s a lot of incredible art in here, and we believe once people come in, they’ll want to come back.”
The guild and the gallery depend on art sales and fundraisers for support. The nonprofit guild also offers workshops and open paintings so members and the public can learn new skills and techniques. The guild celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013, making it one of the oldest active guilds in the country.
Call (512) 798-2858 or go to buchananartsandcrafts.org for more information.
daniel@thepicayune.com