Serving Edom, Van, Ben Wheeler, and Van ISD |
|
Amidst the Pandemic Pause |
|
Big plans for 2020 were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic for the VZACD Foundation like every other organization and individual on the planet. We canceled Van Go Art Fair this year and miss the opportunities that provided for artists, our Van ISD Young Artists, and residents and visitors alike. A committee will meet in November to see if it's possible to plan for one in Spring 2021 — it takes months and months of planning and hard work to pull off a fine art show and event like this, so regrouping for 2022 is a possibility.
Either way, rest assured the foundation is committed to our mission to support and bring arts activities to the district. In times like these, the arts are more important than ever. We have numerous things going on now — learn more below and take a look at our website to explore more about our mission. We welcome your ideas and input. Get caught up with what we've accomplished so far in the VZACD Blog which also includes our newsletter archives.
|
|
TEXAS STATE TOURISM ASSESSMENT
Our tourism committee, led by David Teel, met with Van City Manager Charles West and Van Zandt County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tim West earlier this summer to discuss the possibility of establishing a tourism organization separate from the foundation and funding a Tourism Director for the Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District. They were both supportive so the committee is moving forward with getting a state tourism assessment done to strengthen our mission.
Representatives from the Texas State Tourism Office, Texas Historical Commission, Texas Music Office, and Texas Commission on the Arts team up for a visit to study the area and make recommendations as to its value as a tourism destination. We'll be sure to show them as much as possible in the time they are here.
The assessment application is under review in Austin now. Members of the VZACD Foundation tourism committee will have a conference call with Austin representatives in August and are hoping for the assessment visit this fall.
|
|
EDOM ARTS COMMUNITY LOSES TWO OF ITS FOUNDERS |
|
(l-r) Zeke, Marty, and Doug Brown in the early days of the developing Edom Arts Community. |
|
Doug Brown, founder of the Edom Arts Community, passed away Sunday, August 2. Next year will mark 50 years since he opened his Potters Brown shop in 1971 along the sleepy downtown main street of Edom, Texas. He soon started the Edom Art Festival, an opportunity for him to invite his fellow artists to celebrate and sell their work in a beautiful rural setting. It's grown to one of the most successful art shows in the state and the community is known far and wide for its authentic artistic charm.
In 1976, Doug was joined by jewelry artists Zeke and Marty and their two shops have been the foundation of the working artists' hamlet ever since. Sadly, Marty passed away just two months ago on May 28. For 45 years, fans from all over the country faithfully collected her one-of-a-kind designs of wearable art.
After coming to the Edom Art Festival in 1991, Beth Brown met and ended up marrying Doug and together they continued the Potters Brown legacy for almost 30 years. Beth was instrumental in the formation of the VZACD Foundation, serving as a director in its first two years.
Today, artists continue to come to Edom to be part of the positive energy created by Doug, Beth, Zeke, Marty and those that followed.
This year's Edom Art Festival will not take place on the fair grounds due to COVID-19 concerns. There will however be an Edom Art Virtual Show. Stay tuned for details on the show and other celebrations coming soon.
Our deepest sympathies are extended to Zeke and Beth and to all those mourning the loss of Doug and Marty, two incredible human beings who brought remarkable beauty to our district.
|
|
VAN GO ARTS CLUB
Join Facebook group Van Go Arts Club to keep up with topics relating to Van ISD communities, kids, and arts education.
ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
We are not printing a 2020-21 Arts Program Guide this year, but many artists and organizations remain willing to provide demonstrations to students. Teachers and other group organizers can learn more about them under the Education tab on www.vanzandtacd.com.
APPLY FOR FUNDS
Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation offers compensation for opportunities for children who demonstrate a financial need and an interest in the arts. Funds may also be made available for teachers or others leading group arts activities like classes, contests, or field trips. Learn more HERE.
TEXAS STATE FAIR CREATIVE ARTS CONTEST
Deadline: September 1
The State Fair of Texas is going virtual this year with their annual creative arts contests. Kids from 7-17 years old can submit artwork for a chance to win ribbons and state-wide recognition. Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation will help Van ISD kids as needed with supplies, framing requirements, and shipping. Learn more HERE.
LITTLE FREE ART SHOPS
You've heard of the little free libraries, right? There's one in Edom and another in Ben Wheeler — places where people can go anytime to pick up or drop off books. The VZACD Foundation has acquired three large weather-proof boxes that we are turning in to Little Free Art Shops! Kids will be able to find some basic art supplies inside and others may want to add to the boxes. One will go in Edom, one in Van, and one in Ben Wheeler. We have a sponsor and helpers to help keep the boxes maintained and plan to have an Amazon Wish List for any that want to purchase supplies to add. We will notify everyone once the boxes are up and fully operational.
|
|
TOGETHER
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
— Helen Keller
|
|
Membership
The mission of the Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation is to help create thriving communities in the southeast corner of Van Zandt County that we can all enjoy and keep fun and healthy for generations to come. We do this through two initiatives: economic development through tourism, and arts education for our children in Van ISD. The three towns of Edom, Van, and Ben Wheeler share the school district and pooling their fun things-to-do attracts many more tourists and that means more success for all in the district.
Membership in the Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation makes you a part of strategic efforts to improve our district. THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS. WE LOVE BEING ON THIS TEAM WITH YOU.
If you are not yet a member, please join others like Door Controls USA, The Forge Bar & Grille, County Line Magazine, Tankersley Real Estate, Allyson & Mike DeCanio, Gaile Robinson, Randy & Sherrie Martin, Edom Art Emporium, P.A. Geddie, Jim & Alexandra Prevratil, Don Gilchrist, Dragonhead Retreat, Georgia Christensen, LeAnn Sellers, Glenda Mae's Daylily Farm, Thoughts•Words•Images, Arbor Castle Birdhouses, Wood Haven Cabins, Mariposa Cabin, Potters Brown, Bill Hullum CPA, East Texas Sip & Shop, 4B Products, The Old Firehouse in Edom, Kerian Massey, Cabin in the Woods, Marilyn Pippin, Country Charm Bed & Breakfast, Bill & Linda Ayers, The Palate Dining Room, Melinda Wacaser, Karen Crawford, David Teel, and numerous others committed to making our district the best place to live, work, and play. Tax-exempt dues start as low as $50 per year. PLEASE BECOME A MEMBER TODAY.
|
|
About the Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation |
The Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting tourism and education opportunities in the southeast corner of Van Zandt County — a distinctive arts and cultural sector of the county that includes Edom, Van, and Ben Wheeler, as well as the Van school district. Our mission is to enhance and promote the value of the district’s creative and economic life by engaging artistic, cultural, educational, and commercial neighbors through programs, events, and initiatives. More tourism opportunities and arts education means better communities for residents and future generations.
|
|
Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jill Dutton, Van ISD Education Foundation
P.A. Geddie, County Line Magazine
Summer Gilchrist Haltom, Door Controls USA
Kristi Johnston, Southside Bank, Van Parks & Recreation, Van PTO
Kerian Massey, Edom Art Emporium/Kerian's Art
Shelley Moore McClanahan, Van ISD
Samantha Owens, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
David Teel, Former Texas Tourism Industry Association CEO
James Wilhite: Mariposa Cabin, Wilhite Landscape, Edom Chamber
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
