Counting down to Gallery Night

First of all, Gallery Night is a way to honor Big Bend area artists by showing their masterpieces to tourists, visitors, art aficionados, experienced collectors, aspiring collectors and hometown folks. It gives artists a chance to get their faces and their creations before a large segment of the public; thousands of people are expected to visit Alpine's galleries, studios and other venues on Nov. 16 and 17.

The two-day/two-night gala event is chock-full of sights and sounds, ranging from the art (of course) to video screenings, from slide shows to live music, from book signings to an open-air market and a car show, and from good food to a kids' corner with a big menu of activities.

You'll see landscapes in oil, acrylic and watercolor; fantastic assemblages of found and recycled items; fine jewelry; unusual pottery; furniture and furnishings; fiber creations including scarves, shawls and hats; paper crafts; mixed media; and more.

The celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. Friday when the official locations open, including Hecho a Mano, the open-air art and food market at Arbolitos Park in downtown Alpine. Next up at 6 p.m. will be "Slide On By," a digital slide show presented by Alice Stevens and Jim Bones at Kiowa Plaza, corner of 5th Street and Holland Avenue. Also at Kiowa Plaza will be the evening's entertainment provided by Matt Skinner and the Doodlin' Hogwallops. Doors close and things officially wind down at 10 p.m.

Saturday's slate also begins at 10 a.m. with galleries and other venues opening, along with Hecho a Mano. At 6 p.m. is the slide show, followed by musicians Terra Peters, Ruben V and Skinner at Kiowa Plaza.

The official locations close at 10 p.m.

In between those activities are numerous shows and displays of unique artistry in a variety of media.

For instance, the Festival of the Arts will showcase the talents of Sul Ross State University students at the former Foxworth-Galbraith building. This event includes WestFest Video Festival, a screening of budding filmmakers' works, at 1 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Award-winning films will be shown at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Another visual spectacle will be the Tri County Street Machines' fourth annual car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 17 at 106 Holland Ave. Hot rods, classic cars, trucks and motorcycles are on display.

The featured artist this year is James H. Evans, a photographer whose eye and camera see the Big Bend and its people in a unique light. His iconic portrait of the late "Burro Lady" appears on Gallery Night's official publicity and T-shirts. His work will be on display at TransPecos Banks.

One of West Texans' favorite authors, Elmer Kelton, will make an appearance during Gallery Night at Front Street Books, and artwork by Sul Ross State University professor Carol Fairlie will be on display. Kelton will talk about his life and work at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Reading Room, and will sign his latest novel, "The Rebels."

This year, the children's activities center will be on Murphy Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 17, operated by Teen ACTS. Among the activities will be a moonwalk, jumping rooms, face painting, a cake walk and bake sale, while refreshments will include lemonade, water, cotton candy and popcorn.

Official locations include A Cut Above; Alpine Studio; Apache Trading Post; Avram Dumitrescu Paintings; Bell Gallery; Big Bend Arts Council; CatchLight Art Gallery; Cedar Rose; Desert Sun; Front Street Books; Historic Holland Hotel; Ivey's Emporium; Kid's Kloset/Melissa's Gifts; Kiowa Gallery; Mi Tesoro; Museum of the Big Bend; Quetzal; Spirit of the West Gallery; Sul Ross Arts/WestFest Video Festival; TransPecos Banks; Turner Real Estate.

Yes, Alpine is the place to be on Gallery Night weekend. Come to town Nov. 16 and 17 and enjoy the street scene, camaraderie, good food, great music and fantastic art.