Round Rock Area Arts Council

By Amy Stansbury Friday, 03 April 2009

Less than two months after the Round Rock Area Arts Council was formed, the organization held its first event Feb. 27 at Texas State University’s Round Rock Higher Education Center to celebrate its launch and showcase the work of local artists. The theme of the evening was “Imagine,” and the event was the first of its kind, representing an organized movement to promote arts and culture in Round Rock.

“Arts and culture are a catalyst for so much — bringing communities together, developing hometown pride, creating a destination for tourists, providing educational opportunities for learning, discovery and achievement,” said Kris Whitfield, Round Rock Area Arts Council vice president and city councilwoman, during her remarks at the event. “This is a tangible look at the mission of the Round Rock Area Arts Council.”

More than 200 people attended the event, including community leaders, city council members and the mayor.

Music was provided by musicians from both the Williamson County Symphony Orchestra, the 10-year-old organization comprised of amateur musicians, and the Round Rock Symphony, a newly formed professional orchestra. Paintings, photography and sculptures will be displayed until May 12 for free public viewing.

Additional entertainment during the event included actors from the Penfold Theatre Company performing an excerpt in the lecture hall. Ryan Crowder is a founding member of the Penfold Theatre Company. Crowder said the company’s three founders envision a professional live theater in downtown Round Rock.

“We were so happy to participate in the arts council’s big opening event,” Crowder said. “It was a beautiful, very elegant evening. The Higher Education Center is gorgeous, with huge open ceilings all the way up to the third floor that offered a sense of grandeur. The mood of the crowd was bubbly, almost giddy.”

Crowder said he hopes the arts council’s effort to bring more arts to the community will be a win-win for the city and residents.

According to a study by the Americans for the Arts Foundation, the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity annually from event-related spending by audiences. More than 5.7 million jobs are also supported by the arts and culture industry.

“One of the things arts organizations are famous for is contributing to community development,” he said. “We’re just thrilled with what the arts council is doing, and we’re pleased to see all the support come out of the woodwork.”

Round Rock Mayor Alan McGraw said the city is in competition for talent, and a thriving arts and culture component would enhance the economical vitality of any community.

“The talented and creative people who we want to attract and keep in our city are the kinds of people who value living in a place with recreational options, like theater venues, museums and art exhibits,” McGraw said during his opening remarks. “If we don’t offer that quality of place that the talent is looking for, then we lose them.”

“A cultural desert”

Artist Sonia Borgialli moved from New Hampshire to a neighborhood off RM 620 about nine years ago. She said there are too many distractions in life and that people should take the time to enjoy art.

“Life is a rat race,” Borgialli said. “People either don’t take the time or don’t make the time to just be still.”

Borgialli said so much of the artistic life in Central Texas revolves around Austin and not enough in the suburbs.

“I think [Round Rock] was a cultural desert,” she said. “That’s why I applaud the arts council for trying to do something.”

Two of Borgialli’s still life paintings and one of her figurative pieces are on display in the exhibit at the RRHEC.

Imagine

The Round Rock Area Arts Council imagines:

• art galleries in Round Rock exhibiting talented artists’ work
• public art sculptures in gardens and parks
• a city where professional actors, musicians and artists can live and work
• expanded opportunities for children and teens to experience cultural activities
• Round Rock as a cultural destination for tourists

Round Rock Area Arts Council, www.roundrockarts.org

Artwork on display

Paintings, photography and sculptures are on display for free public viewing through May 12.

Round Rock Higher Education Center, 1555 University Blvd., Mon.-Thu. 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Call 716-4401 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to schedule a group visit.