According to the Perryman Report on The Arts and Culture and the Texas Economy: "The performing, visual, media, and literary arts are viewed by many as a pleasant appendage to or diversion from the "real" business of our daily lives. In reality, they are much more. Cultural arts shape our attitudes, how we view ourselves, and how our society progresses. ..."
The arts are truly beginning to take shape in Waco with a greater understanding that the arts are for all. Our schools are engaging their students in many performance arts presentations. What better way to learn about a different culture than through a hands-on learning experience creating costumes, writings, drawings and making a presentation to other students and parents.
Duane A. Laverty |
Ryan Boldt, 10, and a nearby window are both reflected in foil paper creating an abstract reflection at the Art Center Waco.
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Duane A. Laverty |
Waco children's theater camp kids practice for the play '101 Dalmations' at the Waco Civic Theater.
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The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce has begun a campaign "We Do Arts" attracting the attention of businesses that Waco is a great place to work and play. Waco Parks and Recreation brings color to our parks in plantings and wonderful, contemporary play areas.
Waco Cultural Arts Fest for the fifth year helps address the need for high quality educational outreach arts experiences for our students through artists that appear at the annual arts festival. Children benefit greatly from arts activities, but elementary, secondary and high schools often lack the necessary funding and resources to provide these rich learning opportunities. Students who are unable to attend music and cultural events in our community can benefit greatly by bringing these enriching activities and engaging learning experiences into our schools. This is happens because of sponsors, local grant support and volunteers.
Our community benefits from performances at Baylor University, McLennan Community College, the Civic Theatre, the Hippodrome, the Waco Symphony, the Brazos Nights series and many social music performance venues. Downtown sculptures engage the visual landscape, the Waco National Sculpture Exhibition coordinated by Waco Cultural Arts Fest places temporary sculptures in the downtown featuring contemporary and folk art pieces. The "Branding the Brazos" series of bronze sculptures had a kick-off with the dedication of 'Texas Ranger" Don Hunt, sculptor at the Texas Ranger Museum through a challenge grant from Betsy and Clifton Robinson. The "Waco Chisholm Trail Heritage" will begin installation in the late fall at Indian Springs Park.
Waco's hidden jewel is the Martin Museum of Art located in the Hooper-Shaefer Fine Arts Center on Baylor Campus. The Texas Modern exhibition created a stir in the larger museums in Dallas and Fort Worth last year. Exhibitions are continually changing. Art Center Waco continues to showcase local and national artists and provides art classes and a summer art camp.
Although the arts still struggle for funding in an age when we have so many social needs to take care of it is
gratifying to know we have
sponsors that understand
that the human instinct is to
nurture the creative force in
all of us and give us the
opportunities to share our
diversity through the arts.
