by Executive Director of The Art Studio Inc. Greg Busceme
The strength of an organization can be measured by the breath of its volunteers. When people are engaged in projects, fund drives and programs that are attractive to the public the benefits work both ways as the Studio and participants all have a positive experience. Our job is to have the facility for a wide variety of classes, workshops, and adminstrative projects for people to participate in and enough volunteers to make the projects work. Our staff does an amazing job taking care of the studio business and keeping the wheels turning with the litany of events that come at an alarming pace. Classes, Art exhibitions (at two a month!) Band Nite presenting 5 musicians each month and First Thursdays that has been a very successful venture to gain new members and introduce ourselves to new parts of the community. With a staff of three we handle these tasks with conscientious care and critical timing. In our 38 years of service each of these events has been dutifully completed and ready for presentation to the public. When it comes to the Beaux Arts Ball, funding campaigns, special events like movie night and visiting artist workshops that we hope to reenact soon, a backup of volunteers will make these events possible and add some relief for our beleaguered staff.
The Art studio also depends on the artists in our community. Imagine if, for some reason, no artist entered work for the various galleries available to them. What if we have TASIMJAE or Alternative Show and no one artist participates? That is a nightmare scenario straight from The Twilight Zone I would never want to experience. I am very grateful for the breadth and diversity of our art community. I am happy that groups are forming that reflect the wide variety of artists of which this community is blessed. This does not happen everywhere and especially in a relatively small community as ours.
The Art Studio, The Art League, The Art Museum of SE Texas and the Dishman Museum all help to foster the proliferation of artwork by offering legitimate walls to present our artists’ work. What an amazing effort by all the individual artists who continue to create, develop and grow throughout these challenging times and are willing to put their work before the public eye.
Like I said, this does not happen everywhere but one thing is for sure. It IS happening here.
