Artisan Column by Jen Rubinowitz | 10/18/11

There are two art exhibits you should make time to see in the days ahead. One is the Shorelines exhibit at the Art Center for the Arts. This is an annual juried art exhibit featuring almost 200 artists across the planet. The breadth of work and media in the displays will no doubt have at least one piece that will touch your heart. The other is the All Member Show titled "Deck the Walls, Y'all" opening Friday at the Art Center for the Islands at their monthly First Friday reception.

This is also an annual show featuring the best works the artist members can provide. Again, the range of subject, styles, and media types will leave you surprised and impressed. You may just find something you just cannot live without. Or, perhaps, something a loved one would enjoy for the upcoming holiday gift-giving season. Enjoy the world of art with a local flavor. "Buy local" is a food movement, but the same applies to other goods and services, especially in this economy.

Don't forget another local attraction that's attempting a national presence on November 5. The Rialto Theater is providing free birthday cake (they're 74 this year) beginning at 6:30 p.m. and invites everyone to show up for their photo shoot at 7:00 p.m. for the "This Place Matters" campaign the National Trust for Historic Preservation holds annually. The more, the merrier.

Artisan Events:

• Thursday - Saturday, November 3-5 - "Rockport Film Festival" Admission: $10-$100.
• Friday, November 4, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - "First Friday Opening Reception: All Member Show." Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Saturday, November 5, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - "This Place Matters" Photo & Video Shoot. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• Saturday, November 5, 7:30 p.m. - "Black Tie & Blue Jeans Gala" 74th Grand Opening Anniversary featuring the Port A Jazz Band. Rialto Theater. Admission: $15.
• Friday, November 11, 7:30 p.m. - "Big Wide Grin in Concert." Rialto Theater. Admission: $15.
• Saturday, November 19, 7:30 p.m. - "Ken Gaines & Butch Morgan in Concert." Rialto Theater. Admission: $15.
• Daily through November 19 - "Shorelines" Exhibit. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Daily through November 25 - "Moods" Exhibit by Gary Hansen and Jackie Anderson. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.

Jen Rubinowitz is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rialto Theater, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization fostering art and education through visual art, music and live stage productions in the historic movie theater in downtown Aransas Pass. Her day job is in real estate at Coldwell Banker The Ron Brown Company. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line at jen@jenscoastalbend.com.