Written by Amanda Coers – The 19th Annual Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit saw 353 entries, with several very large art pieces, submitted from 143 artists from over 40 Texas cities. Of those submitted, 133 art pieces were accepted. For those not accepted, the Salon des Refusés will be held to showcase their work at the Brownwood Art Association Art Center, at 215 Fisk Avenue, from February 5th through 17th.

It’s certainly a step up from the very first exhibit 19 years ago, and original Chair for the exhibit, Ann Jones, is thrilled to see the progress.

“It’s phenominal. We’re having people come from greater distances every year,” said Jones on Saturday during the final intake for submissions. Jones took a moment during the rush of artists to explain the history of what is becoming an important exhibit in the Texas art world.

In 1998, The Depot Civic & Cultural Center had finished a long refurbishing project. The Historic 1909 Santa Fe Train Depot was renovated with rooms available for various functions. Jones noted the white brick walls would be an excellent backdrop to showcase art, and suggested holding an exhibit by Texan artists as part of gala plans to commemorate the remodeling. Jones was asked to coordinate the exhibit and she reached out to local artists.

“We didn’t have any money,” she remembered with a laugh. Thankfully, a generous donor, and the Brownwood Art Association gave funds for prizes. The community came together, with artists spreading the word.

In the nearly 20 years that have passed, the exhibit has grown, and now offers over $6,000 in prizes for competing artists, with money donated from local businesses and supporters.

Beyond the thrill of awards, the exhibit also offers daily art demonstrations for area schools, and anyone who would like to join them. A variety of artists have been selected to demonstrate a wide range of methods, from watercolor and pastels, to wood working and paper mache techniques.

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The 19th Annual Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit will open to the public February 5th through 17th at the Depot Civic & Cultural Center in Brownwood. There is no cost to view the exhibit and all of the art pieces will be for sale. A schedule of artist demonstrations for the week is posted below:

• Monday 6th
1. Jeremy Serna: Manipulating Acrylics And Color
2. Billy Edwards: Air Brush
3. Thomas Pettengill: Photography

• Tuesday 7th
1. Paula Vaughn: Pastel By Paula
2. Jacque Rider: Paper Mache
3. Kathryn Jones: Hands And Feet On Art (clay)

• Wednesday 8th
1. Susan Stepp: Zentangle
2. Claudette West Womack: Pastel Painting
3. Lark Terry: Soap Making

• Thursday 9th
1. Paige Shelton: Pottery
2. Betsy Johnson: Fun With Sharpies
3. Ginger Test: Watercolors

• Friday 10th
1. Paige Shelton: Pottery
2. Ken McFarlane: Verdaccio In Oils (Monochromatic Underpainting)
3. Kenneth Dees: Portraits In Acrylic

• Monday 13th
1. Sandra McSwain: Pastel Sketching (Portraits)
2. Julie Mize: Cyanotypes (Photographic Printing Process)
3. Tom Orsak: Plain Air Painting With Acrylics

• Tuesday 14th
1. Ted And Martha Shelton: Texas Wild Flowers
2. Kerry Boutell: WatercolorBatik
3. Robert Stacks: WoodAndPaperArt

• Wednesday 15th
1. Jeanette Long: Paper Mache
2. Suzanne Starr: Caligraphy
3. Christopher Gaston: GeometricArt

• Thursday 16th
1. Tony Brown: 3-D Techniques In Acrylic
2. Frank Griffin: Wood Carving
3. R.J. Barnett: Watercolors