Who ever said, “The Earth without art would be just, ‘Eh’.”, fully expresses my feelings.  Imagine your home or office with nothing but plain paint on the walls.  Imagine your tables, credenzas, and shelves empty.  Art fills our spaces with beauty, whimsy, hope and imagination.   Art is central to developing personally and increasing appreciation for others.  Like music and food, the visual arts bring people together without the barriers of language or culture.

I was fortunate to be raised by two strong creative women.  My mother was a gifted jazz pianist and painter, my grandmother a professional storyteller and talented pianist who played at silent movie houses. They worked hard at their crafts and taught me to do likewise.

The Arts Council of Williamson County is an extension of what I learned at my grandmother’s knee; art connects us and builds us up.  The Council’s mission is to connect the community with the visual arts through promoting our members, supporting our local schools, and providing community outreach through adult educational programs.

One of the ACWC’s premier programs is the Artist in Residence program which places a professional working artist in a school classroom affording students a hands-on curriculum-based experience.  Most recently, ACWC hosted a residency at Hillsboro Middle School where students learned the skills of a blacksmithing.  Each student completed one forged iron piece.

To take learning from academic knowledge to experiential knowledge deeply anchors the learning.  Experimenting with new skills builds confidence and inspires young minds to think beyond the usual.

Proceeds of the 2019 Artists’ Studio Tour will support programs of the Arts Council of Williamson County which bring art to life.