Richard D. Latham Cultural District MAP

A Summary of the Major Cultural District Programs in Smithville

Quick Links:

• 2023 Youth banner Project
• 2019 Sculpture on Main Project
• 2018 Music in the Park Programs
• 2018 Youth Banner Project
• “Easy as ABC: Arts Bridging Community” program (sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts)
• 2018 Sculpture on Main Project
• 2017 Sculpture on Main Project

2023 Youth Banner Project Takes Flight

Smithville’s Gazebo was abuzz with activity as students, parents, and residents gathered to celebrate the 2023 Youth Banner Project. This year’s theme, birds, inspired young artists to express their creativity through painting original works on canvas. The students each were presented with a mini-poster of their work.

The students gathered for a photo opportunity at the Gazebo, proudly displaying their artwork for all to see. The display was a testament to the students’ creativity, imagination, and skill.

The Smithville Youth Banner Project is an excellent initiative that encourages creativity, community engagement, and civic pride. It has become a fixture on the town’s cultural calendar. The project is a testament to the power of art in bringing people together and fostering a sense of community spirit.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in this year’s project. Your creativity and talent have taken flight, and we look forward to seeing your artwork on display for all to admire!

                           

        

2019 Sculpture on Main Program

2019 sculptures. Thanks to these artists for being part of Historic Downtown Smithville!

For more information about the sculptures and artists, click on: SmithvilleSOM_2019_Sculpture_Details_FINAL

The sculptures are for sale. Please email us if you are interested.

2020 Sculpture on Main Application/Program

The 2020 Season Application will be available soon
Submission Deadline: October 15, 2019
Artist Notification: November 2, 2019
Install Sculptures before Thanksgiving (Approx. November 5-16)
Celebration/Awards: Festival of Lights, first Saturday in December
Art will be installed on Main Street until the first week of November, 2020

All sculptors are welcome to apply. The non-refundable entry fee is $25 for the first entry, and $10 each for up to two additional entries by any individual artist (for a maximum of three entries at $45). Selected artists will receive a $250 stipend to transport their work. Please return to this website for more information and for the application file. PLEASE NOTE: All sculptures will be required to be affixed to the pedestals provided: SmithvilleSOMPedestalInfo.

2018 Fall Music in the Park Series

Located at the Gazebo at the end of Main Street, Smithville TX

Every Thursday from September 27 – November 1

• September 27: Briana Adams Music
• October 4: Chubby Knuckle Choir
• October 11: Will Gullatt
• Special Event on October 18:
  Music in the Park & Chamber Mixer combined event on
  Main Street with Djester Brothers & Briana Adams Music
• October 25: Jessica Shepherd
• November 1: Shillelagh Irish Band

SIP, SHOP, & STROLL

Shops and restaurants in the historic commercial district will be open longer and may have specials going on during these programs for your evening enjoyment.

Sponsored by: The Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Richard D. Latham Cultural District, the City of Smithville, the Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance, Farmers Insurance, Union Pacific Foundation, Smithville Noon Lions Club, Totally Hooked Real Estate Team, Towers Nursing Home, and Woodmen Life.

Many thanks to the Musicians, to our Sponsors, and to YOU!
To keep this music series going, please consider making a
donation to the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce. Thank you!

2018 Spring Music in the Park Series

Many thanks to the Texas Commission on the Arts for the grant award, and our local sponsors: Union Pacific Foundation, Smithville Noon Lions Club, Totally Hooked Real Estate, Woodmen Life, Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance, and the Chamber of Commerce.

• April 12:   Watts Brothers Band
• April 26:   Blake Torrey Band
• May 10:    Djester Brothers
• May 24:    Bucksnort Boogie Boys
• June 14:   James Soto Band
• June 28:    Chubby Knuckle Choir
• July 4:       Bastrop Academy Jazz Players

Sip, Shop and Stroll on the fourth Thursdays! Businesses along Main Street will be open extended hours so that you can stop by while the music is playing. Participating businesses include:

• Bella’s Cottage: Extending hours to 8pm
• Dream Train Antiques: Extending hours to 8pm
• Front Room Wine Bar: Discounts on select wine
• Golden Girls Boutique: Wine-A-Rita’s
• Mosaic Art & Home: Wine
• Olde World Bakery: Extending hours to 8pm
• Smithville General Store: Bone Spirits Tastings

For more information and for updates on the July 4th Family Festivities, please see:

• The Cultural District Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmithvilleCulturalDistrict/
• The Parks and Recreation Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/smithvillepard/

2018 Youth Banner Program

Thank you to all the teachers, volunteers, families, administration, and of course, our talented youth, for providing another 20 banners for our the Smithville banners, which will eventually run all the way from MLK Park over to the Scenic Overlook at the end of Main Street.

Join us for the Artist Celebration right before the Jamboree Parade on April 7, 2018 @ 12:45 at the Gazebo.

Thanks also to our fantastic sponsors: City of Smithville; Keep Smithville Beautiful (a Chamber of Commerce Committee); Smithville Independent School District; Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance; Smithville Education Foundation; Aqua Water Supply Corporation; CoBank; McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, PC; Sandwinder Enduro; Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative; Smithville Noon Lions Club; Union Pacific; Dell Children’s Health Plan; Mosaic Art and Home; Samantics Squared; Farmers Insurance; We Logo Anything; and David Herrington

“Easy as ABC: Arts Bridging Community”

A program brought to you by the Smithville Public Library, the Richard D. Latham Cultural District, and the National Endowment for the Arts

This project’s central idea to use public art to help build community and bridge what divides us. As a community, we will collaborate during several picnics that will bring neighbors together to talk about what is important and what makes Smithville interesting and unique, and use that information to create signage to take people to important locations, to create public art installations, and to create a mural to be installed at the DAEP—the metal school building (bus barn/Tiger Academy) on SH 95 where Loop 230 intersects. Thanks to the many people in the Smithville area who have participated to help to decide who, what, and how to find and celebrate Smithville’s important historic and cultural assets.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

For more information about the project or to share your opinion:

• Clover Cochran
• Jill Strube: 512-237-3282 x 2109
• Judy Bergeron: 512-237-3282 X 2401

Artist participation in the Public Art component of the ABC, Arts Bridging Community, NEA grant 

The “Call to Artists” Application was due on March 23, 2018.
Awarded artists were announced during the Smithville Empty Bowl event on Saturday, April 14, 2018.

Smithville’s 2018 Sculpture on Main Program

2018 sculptures. Thanks to these artists for being part of Historic Downtown Smithville!

For more information about the sculptures and artists, click on: SmithvilleSOM_2018_Sculpture_Details

The sculptures are for sale. Please email us if you are interested.

First Place Winner: “X and Oval Wind Chime” by Jay Schaan
Second Place Winner: “Flowers” by Jay Schaan
Third Place Winner: “Snappy” by Anthony St. James

We celebrated these artists during the Reception on Saturday, December 2 at 5PM @ the LPAA Gallery on Main (206 Main Street).

The Smithville Sculpture on Main program celebrates sculpture artists along historic downtown Main Street.

History of Smithville’s Sculpture on Main Program and First Sculpture on Main Program, 2017

In 2016, the Richard D. Latham Cultural District began a Sculpture on Main program with financial assistance from the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of Smithville, the Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance, and Keep Smithville Beautiful (a committee of the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce). The SOM unveiled the sculptures during the Summit Smithville Green Expo on February 18, 2017. Smithville is happy to showcase these sculptures throughout the year. We thank all the artists who have participated in this inaugural program.

• First Prize: “Mom’s Day Off” by Maria Montoya Hohenstein
• Second Prize: “Double Sided Waterfall” by Stephanie Shroyer
• Third Prize: “Ocotillo Grande” by Hiram Walker

For more information about the artwork or about purchasing a sculpture, please contact Jill Strube: 512 237 3282 x 2109
(Price List and Sculpture Details: SmithvilleSOM_2017_Sculpture_Details)

The Artists’ Reception and Celebration was held on February 18, 2017 at the Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance Gallery on Main (206 Main Street) at 4PM after the Summit Smithville Green Expo.

IN MEMORIAM 

Hiram Irwin Walker, Jr. died of natural causes Feb. 24, 2017 in La Grange at the age of 61. His wife of 41 years, Grace Walther Walker is also an accomplished artist and an extremely close companion to Hiram, often assisting in his work. Together they came up with works of fantastical creative expression through a variety of media. Hiram had many skills and interests and was able to combine them to create whimsical sculptures of all sizes. He was larger than life, kind, and generous, with an exhilarating love for his wife. The artistic community will truly miss him. It is with great honor and humility that the SOM program displays his works on Main Street.

Obituary: http://www.fayettememorialfuneralhome.com/notices/Hiram-WalkerJr

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Where Art Happens in Smithville

The Mary Nichols Art Center works with local schools and offers art and music lessons to the public.

• 

  Mary Nichols Art Gallery

  Mary Nichols Art Center
  301 Burleson
  Smithville, TX 78957
  512-237-9299
  lostpinesartisansalliance.org

Performing Arts:

Join in on the Action! Or sit in the audience and have a great time. New to acting? Playhouse Smithville is a great community theater to get started.

• Playhouse Smithville
  110 Main Street
  Smithville, TX 78957
  512-360-7397
  playhousesmithville.com

Art Producers:

Smithville’s local foundry brings statues to life. Owner Steven Zabel graduated from Smithville High School, and is giving back to his community in a big way as his company flourishes and he is able to add jobs to our area.

• Omega Bronze Art Foundry
  902 SE 2nd St.
  Smithville, TX 78957
  512-308-7800