Art Galleries

Art Galleries

For decades, Wimberley has been a Mecca for artists of all disciplines from every genre — but it all starts with one historic figure — Buck Winn. Critics and historians continue to define and discuss the prolific body of work left by this artist and inventor, nearly than 30 years after his death. It is a dialogue likely to endure for decades to come.

Winn is best known as one of the “Dallas 9,” a Depression-era group of Texas artists who provided numerous public art projects and influenced the generation that followed.

 

For others, his association with the famed Pearl Street Gang — intellectuals who shared common interests, ambition and turned that energy into success in their respective fields, fuels the imagination.

 

But in the Wimberley Valley, he was a first. After Buck Winn, artists would come from all corners of the earth to this place for inspiration. Today, Wimberley is home to many fine artists and features some interesting galleries within its boundaries. Here are few we recommend.

 

Pitzer's Fine Art

Pitzer’s Fine Art is located on the Wimberley Square, next to the Cedar Chest. This fascinating gallery offers a unique art experience which that includes paintings, sculpture and photography. Whether your tastes prefer landscapes, seascape or wildlife; or even if your flavor runs from western to contemporary, Pitzer’s Fine Art is likely to have an offering you will find alluring.

 

They offer work from a fascinating smattering of artists, including Gary Alsum, David Argyle, William Berra, Stephanie Birdsall, Judy Black, Bill Bond, Angela De la Vega, Christy Dillard, Randal Dutra and Tony Eubanks - and that is just for starters.

 

Pitzer’s typical hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday-Saturday 10-5. The gallery will also be open Sunday 1-4. Private showings can be arranged for the discriminating connoisseur by calling 512-722-6032.

 

Gallery on the Square

Gallery on the Square is also located on the Wimberley Square, next to the Old Mill Store. It offers an eclectic array of work, from paintings to sculpture, jewelry to glass art, and ceramics to photography. It even includes some “furniture as art” offerings.

 

The gallery director has filled the store with works from a wide variety of painters. The sculpture is just as varied, with work ranging from modern to eclectic. Jewelry offerings abound as do fine glasswork pieces. Ceramic art will delight the senses. And don’t miss the photographic genius of Robert Anschutz. We also strongly recommend a long examination of the unique woodwork furniture pieces by Bert Ray and Michael Colca. To learn more, call 512-925-1372.

 

Wimberley Glassworks

Wimberley Glassworks creates some of the finest hand blown art glass in the nation. Their offerings are wide and varied in uses from lighting, home decor, and intrinsic gift pieces. Each piece is handmade, one a time, with tender-loving care.

 

Owner and head gaffer Tim deJong wouldn’t have it any other way. Originally from Canada, deJong studied ceramics, sculpture and class an the prestigious Alfred University in New York and hold a degree in Fine Arts from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art.

 

He discovered Wimberley during a Texas Hill Country vacation in the early 1990s and immediately fell in love. One year later, he was calling the place home, opening up his first location, just south of the Village of Wimberley. His work is varied and spectacular. Two years ago, building on years of success, Wimberley Glassworks opened a new, larger location on Ranch Road 12 between San Marcos and Wimberley. Today, deJong’s labor of love is the Southwest’s premier Art Glass and Lighting Studio, with his work featured in homes and galleries worldwide.

 

Wimberley Glassworks has free glassblowing demonstrations that give insight into the process of crafting molten glass into art from beginning to end. The gallery is filled with spectacular offerings. Demonstrations are available every day except Tuesday and Wednesday from approximately 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. and are free.

 

For more about Wimberley Glassworks, call 1-800-929-6686 or 512-393-3316.

 

Meek Studio and Gallery

Meek Gallery features the world-class glass sculpture of Bill Meek. Don’t get his discipline confused with glass blowing – while glassblowers make glass, Meek breaks it, and then reforms it into unique and innovative designs that have won him widespread acclaim from art critics.

 

He transforms thick cold glass with a hammer and a glasscutter into angels, glass tables and giant glass sculptures in his Wimberley studio and gallery.

 

Meek Studio and Gallery is on Ranch Road 12, just past the Church of Christ, on the right, coming from the Wimberley Square.

 

Make no mistake; Meek is looking for the edge to the art because “glass is an unforgiving medium.” Meek’s style is unique. Virtually no one can successfully mimic his style. It was a career he discovered by accident. In the early part of his vocation, he etched glass in a Mt. Shasta, California studio. During the installation process, a worker or an installer occasionally broke pieces. Looking at the sharp shards gave Meek inspiration, and he learned to craft work from what would typically be broken or discarded.

 

Don’t worry, he smoothes out the edges in a very labor-intensive process.

 

His commissioned work has been exhibited at the George Bush Presidential Library, the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, the Holocaust Museum, the Democratic Party Women’s Council, and the Houston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

 

Call 512-847-6768 to arrange a viewing. The studio, located at 15520 Ranch Road 12, is typically open during regular weekday hours, but not always. It is a good idea to call in advance.

 

The Wimberley Valley Art League Gallery

While the Wimberley Community Center is primarily for events, it has an interesting gallery in its foyer, featuring juried pieces on a bi-monthly basis from some for Wimberley’s finest artists.

 

These displays are under the direction of the Wimberley Valley Art League, and will surely surprise visitors with the quality of the work. The Community Center is located on RR 12 one block north of the square. The Foyer Gallery is on display Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and on Saturday-Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

 

To find the Wimberley Community Center, from the town Square, head North. At the first stoplight turn right. Drive past the Winters-Wimberley House (a historic home), and you can’t miss it.

 

To learn more, call 512-847-1205 or 512-847-5272.

 

All About Image

Tucked away in Wimberley Mountain Plaza is an art gallery primarily patronized by the local citizenry.  But for the visiting art lovers, All About Image is a hidden gem that specializes in local artists and artisans who typically don't display elsewhere.

 

All About Image features interesting paintings from all disciplines, stunning photography, intricate woodwork, delicate hand-painted glass, very serious bronze sculpture, written word offerings from some of the area's most prolific writers, and even spoken word gatherings.  What makes the place even more appealing is that its wide array of fine art is very affordable.

 

Gallery Director, Shiila Safer has attractively arranged the gallery with an eye towards the best possible inventory, so be prepared to stay awhile, thumbing through canvass, photographs, or marvelling at some of the Texas Hill Country's most attractive bronze sculpture.   Safer describes All About Image "as a community vortex of creativity in Wimberley."  The vision stresses community events to showcase the work of emerging local artists.  The gallery even mentors local youth who show a proclivity for the arts, and, as Safer says, "we have a very broad definition of art."  So it is important when visiting Wimberley to ask All About Image if any events are in the works.

 

All About Image is located at 14500 Ranch Road 12, Suite 16 in Wimberley.  Call 512-847-0134 for additional information.

 

The Collective

It is the shifting nature of metaphysical inclinations — the mixing of artistic genres — that converge at The Collective.  More than a mere art gallery — The Collective is a concept. It is a place where art is freed by the encumbrance that comes with labels. Music, sculpture, painting, massage therapy and instruction meld into a venue that is truly complete — a holistic approach to creativity.

And that is exactly how its triumvirate of founders — Tonia Jones, Lee Ann Kreamer and Larry York — envisioned The Collective from its inception.

 

It is said the best things happen by accident. One day, the trio was driving down Wimberley’s scenic River Road and spotted an overgrown former residence. “It was a pit,” Jones mused. “We took three months just getting it back into shape.”

While concerned about finding the artists during the gallery’s inception, the trio took a “build it and they will come” philosophy. From the start, they inherently understood they needed to seek out artists that were not well known or featured in other galleries. The trio was seeking original, unheralded talent to fill its new digs. And it is precisely its inspiring catalogue of artists that makes The Collective special. One needs to look no further than the wire art of Derek Brooks. His is an astonishing talent that combines the human form in wire mesh and marries it with light that casts shadows. The process manages to convey a completely different story than the initial piece appears to display at first glance. It is textured and imbued with indescribable depth. One of the young, up and coming artists they feature is Greg Pettit. He brings an array of color and texture to his work that seems to be influenced by Dali, yet is completely unique in its approach.  Complimenting the painting and sculpture are photos by Becca Wooten that are both humorous and entertaining.

The Collective is unlike any gallery in Wimberley. We consider it a “must see” when visiting the area. Weekend afternoons are typically punctuated with live music on the front lawn. The day of our interview, singer-songwriter Amanda Pearcy laid out a delicious set of tunes with her gentle approach to music — a perfect fit for the surroundings.

Learn more about The Collective by calling 512-847-9991. The gallery is located at 411 River Road.