Posted 12:31 am Sunday, April 03, 2011
Ben Wheeler, Edom To Present ‘Art Jam’
By MELISSA CROWE
Staff Writer
EDOM — Take a walk on the wild side.
The artist communities of Edom and Ben Wheeler are teaming to present a weekend of art galleries, restaurants, live music, gardening and artists demonstrations and workshops at their inaugural Second Saturday Art Jam.
The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 9, along the scenic 20-mile stretch of Farm-to-Market Road 279, off Texas Highway 64.
Staff Writer
EDOM — Take a walk on the wild side.
The artist communities of Edom and Ben Wheeler are teaming to present a weekend of art galleries, restaurants, live music, gardening and artists demonstrations and workshops at their inaugural Second Saturday Art Jam.
The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 9, along the scenic 20-mile stretch of Farm-to-Market Road 279, off Texas Highway 64.
Participating businesses in the 279 Artisans Trail include artists, gardeners, restaurants, music venues and bed and breakfasts from Ben Wheeler and Edom.
Art Jam participant Mary Wilhite, of Blue Moon Gardens in Edom, said the event is “more just for the appreciation of the art.”
Each participating shop organizes its own projects for the Art Jam, she said.
Blue Moon Gardens will host fiber artist Midge Jackson, who will exhibit and sell her handmade works, as well as offer knitting and jewelry-making demonstrations during the day.
Another participant, Randy Martin, of Flying Fish Gallery in Ben Wheeler, said the monthly event has been brewing in the minds of the community for the past two years.
Art Jam participant Mary Wilhite, of Blue Moon Gardens in Edom, said the event is “more just for the appreciation of the art.”
Each participating shop organizes its own projects for the Art Jam, she said.
Blue Moon Gardens will host fiber artist Midge Jackson, who will exhibit and sell her handmade works, as well as offer knitting and jewelry-making demonstrations during the day.
Another participant, Randy Martin, of Flying Fish Gallery in Ben Wheeler, said the monthly event has been brewing in the minds of the community for the past two years.
He envisions future receptions with out-of-state artists or even sculpting and painting competitions between area schools and colleges.
“Each month it can evolve into something else,” Martin said. “There is no limit to this project between the two towns.”
At Flying Fish, Martin will demonstrate coppersmithing by making copper calla lilies and day lilies, copper and brass canna leaf birdfeeders and dragonflies. Guest watercolor artist Bobbye Koncak will demonstrate painting on silk.
Dyan Johnson at Studio Metals will demonstrate metal-working throughout the day and visitors will be able to make and take a hand-formed and textured piece of jewelry.
“Each month it can evolve into something else,” Martin said. “There is no limit to this project between the two towns.”
At Flying Fish, Martin will demonstrate coppersmithing by making copper calla lilies and day lilies, copper and brass canna leaf birdfeeders and dragonflies. Guest watercolor artist Bobbye Koncak will demonstrate painting on silk.
Dyan Johnson at Studio Metals will demonstrate metal-working throughout the day and visitors will be able to make and take a hand-formed and textured piece of jewelry.
Mary Hortman at Sojourn Gallery in Ben Wheeler will feature original watercolors by Lewis Barrett Lehrman, an Arizona artist and published writer. Ms. Hortman will offer oil portrait demonstrations throughout the day.
The Old Firehouse Gallery will offer an eclectic mixture of two-dimensional and three-dimensional wall art, and artist Virginia Lindsay will demonstrate flame-worked glass.
Admission is free and a complementary shuttle will make round-trips along the farm-to-market road, so patrons can enjoy the event without worrying about parking.
Mrs. Wilhite expects about 1,000 people to attend.
A lot of people come from the city because they want to experience country living — wildlife, wildflowers and the tight-knit community vibe, Mrs. Wilhite said.
She and Martin have watched the area evolve since about 1980.
Edom originally formed in 1855 and quickly became a major stopover site for lumberjacks, freighters, traders and cattle drives. Soon after, its roads were lined with churches, saloons and other businesses.
Farming flourished as Edom grew; however, during the mid-1900s, many rural communities, including Edom, shrank as people migrated toward large cities.
In 1971, artists purchased several old buildings along FM 279 and established an annual art festival that has helped transform the town into a regional draw.
Ben Wheeler, first settled in the 1840s, followed the same curve of growth, decline and recent revival.
While Edom was re-established as an “art community,” Mrs. Wilhite said the recent and ongoing revitalization of Ben Wheeler, just up the road, helped enliven and reinvigorate everybody.
“It felt like there was new energy,” she said.
Retired businessman Brooks Gremmels and his wife, Rese, established the Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation and began to restore old buildings into restaurants and shops, with the intention of returning the town to its 1935 charm.
Martin foresees continued growth along the artisan trail until “there’s something going on all the time.”
“What we’re trying to do here is make this part of Texas a destination,” Martin said.
By pulling resources from Edom and Ben Wheeler, the communities make the Art Jam worthwhile – “something to do the whole week” versus “an afternoon pass-through,” Martin said.
For more information on 279 Artisans Trail’s Second Saturday Art Jam, call 903-833-5743 or visit visite dom com and benwheeler tx.com.
The Old Firehouse Gallery will offer an eclectic mixture of two-dimensional and three-dimensional wall art, and artist Virginia Lindsay will demonstrate flame-worked glass.
Admission is free and a complementary shuttle will make round-trips along the farm-to-market road, so patrons can enjoy the event without worrying about parking.
Mrs. Wilhite expects about 1,000 people to attend.
A lot of people come from the city because they want to experience country living — wildlife, wildflowers and the tight-knit community vibe, Mrs. Wilhite said.
She and Martin have watched the area evolve since about 1980.
Edom originally formed in 1855 and quickly became a major stopover site for lumberjacks, freighters, traders and cattle drives. Soon after, its roads were lined with churches, saloons and other businesses.
Farming flourished as Edom grew; however, during the mid-1900s, many rural communities, including Edom, shrank as people migrated toward large cities.
In 1971, artists purchased several old buildings along FM 279 and established an annual art festival that has helped transform the town into a regional draw.
Ben Wheeler, first settled in the 1840s, followed the same curve of growth, decline and recent revival.
While Edom was re-established as an “art community,” Mrs. Wilhite said the recent and ongoing revitalization of Ben Wheeler, just up the road, helped enliven and reinvigorate everybody.
“It felt like there was new energy,” she said.
Retired businessman Brooks Gremmels and his wife, Rese, established the Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation and began to restore old buildings into restaurants and shops, with the intention of returning the town to its 1935 charm.
Martin foresees continued growth along the artisan trail until “there’s something going on all the time.”
“What we’re trying to do here is make this part of Texas a destination,” Martin said.
By pulling resources from Edom and Ben Wheeler, the communities make the Art Jam worthwhile – “something to do the whole week” versus “an afternoon pass-through,” Martin said.
For more information on 279 Artisans Trail’s Second Saturday Art Jam, call 903-833-5743 or visit visite dom com and benwheeler tx.com.
