Art Organizations in Brownwood
The Brownwood Art Association
The Brownwood Art Association - A not for profit organization that was organized in 1927 as an alert, vital, working organization dedicated to establishing and cultivating a cultural atmosphere wherein the members may be inspired, instructed, and encouraged to create and exhibit their works of art and to sponsor such activities of high principle and common good that will promote a better understanding between the artist and the public.
The Brownwood Lyric Theatre Performing Arts - Brownwood's Lyric Theatre will exist to provide excellence in cultural entertainment while offering opportunities for local involvement in the arts. The Lyric will encourage participation from existing councils, agencies and organizations in developing a passion for the arts and promoting tourism to Central Texas.
The Arts Council of Brownwood
Live on Stage
 Brownwood is a community filled with artists who work in all mediums of art from fine art to sculpture. Here are just a few "colorful characters" that call Brownwood home.
Ted Shelton works in oils, creating wildflower paintings. He loves to paint in public, and you know you are visiting with Ted when he calls you "Hon." He paints on clothes, pottery and just about anything else he can find. (Photo: R Levesque)
J. B. Taylor, sculptor, has made his mark carving cowboy characters and has done pieces for the Cowboy Hall of Fame. His originals are first carved and then cast to make reproductions. You can easily spot J. B. around town; he is one of those "long, tall drink of water" guys.
Don Morelock, artist blacksmith, forges his way through many projects of artistic design. Over a hot forge and anvil he brings life to iron in a beautiful bed or gracious fire tool set. You'll know Don by the leather cap he wears.
Each of these and many more artists have working studios you'll want to visit. Contact the Arts Council of Brownwood for more information, (325) 643-6000.
by Debbie Morelock
Over 70 Years of Artists and Fine Art – A Brownwood Tradition
The History of the Brownwood Art Association
Few towns in Texas in the 1920’s had any interest in art but artists came to Brownwood and as a result produced excellent art shows in the 1920’s. Newcomers and visitors to Brownwood were amazed at the quality of fine art produced by local artists in the 20’s and the following decades.
Many people were responsible for the artistic climate and one was Mrs. W.R. Roberts. On February 22, 1927 she called all the local artists together for the purpose of organizing the Brownwood Art League. At the time there were seven artists. The association grew rapidly. The name was subsequently changed to the Brownwood Art Association and flourished during the Depression years partly because of a young photographer, B. C. McClean, who added a complete line of art supplies, provided framing, and invited the Association to have art shows at his business. In 1938, Mr. McClean began publishing a small magazine called, “The Brush and Pallet News.” The publication gave details of projects of the Art Association and featured a local artist in each issue.
Francis Campbell, and her mother, Fannie Tabor, were both outstanding artists of the period. Gaitha Browning, a well-known Brownwood artist made great contributions to the growth of art in Brown County. Browning’s art took him to many foreign countries and places as an artist and art teacher. He is better known in Brown County as the designer of the Western figures in relief on the exterior walls of the Brown County Coliseum, constructed in the 1960’s. The City Council couldn’t agree on the design of the outer wall, so they turned the entire project over to Browning. He and seven others completed the designs on the outside wall of the coliseum in a very short time.
The Art Association had other notable leaders. Eloise Tregg was one and from the Howard Payne Art Department, Charles and Maurine Stewart both art teachers at Howard Payne. Also during this time Pearl Stallings, Rosalie Beadel, Dorothy Mayes and many others made significant contributions to Brownwood Art Association.
In 1981, Ima Gem Queen, President of the Association at that time stared publishing the “Pallet Rag.” This newsletter, sponsored by the Art Association featured projects of the Association and activities of the local artists. The “Pallet Rag” is still being published monthly and features a local artist in each issue.
For the past several years, the Brownwood Art Association has made scholarships available to aid the recipient in the advancement of their art education. Area schoolteachers sometimes request demonstrations and judges for student art projects in which Art Association members are glad to help in any way. The Association also donates books to the public library in memory of Association members. Many members contribute their time to promoting the visual arts in the community through volunteering for the Annual Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit and Student Art Exhibit. The Association represents most forms of art and a few of the members use the computer to digitally create fine art photography.
Members have diverse professions and avocations from beginning artists to retired professionals and retired college professors. Members with advanced art training are well qualified to hold classes and demonstrations in most types of art including, drawing, painting in different mediums, pottery, sculpture, and ceramics.
Some artists meet weekly to further their art expertise and several have been meeting regularly for over 25 years. The Brownwood Art Association is positively thriving today. The Association was granted Tax Exempt Status in 2002 and the membership is currently 80 active and several patron members. The annual dues are only: Active-$20.00, Student-$10.00, and Patron $20.00. The meetings are announced in the Brownwood Bulletin and Brownwood’s Community Web site, www.BrownwoodTX.. com. Visitors are always welcome at no charge.
The Brownwood Art Association’s annual art exhibit is in May. The Association’s current goal is to locate a facility that can be called “Home” where the Association can produce art shows, hold demonstrations, childrens workshops and share with the community a permanent art display, free of charge for the public. After approximately 70 years, the Brownwood Art Association continues to thrive and contribute positively to the community’s youth and through its members, their arts and talents continue to enrich the community of Brownwood and surrounding areas.
Contributed by James McKinney, Past President of the Brownwood Art Association.
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