Rockport Mayor C.J. Wax and wife, Susan, attended the opening of ‘Currents 2017 All Members Show’ on Dec. 2 at the Rockport Center for the Arts’ new location, 105 S. Austin St. The show runs through Jan. 27. Courtesy photo
The Rockport Center for the Arts has reopened in a new location at 105 S. Austin St. with a new show and plans for the new year. The original facility at 902 Navigation Circle has been closed since Hurricane Harvey damaged much of the physical structure Aug. 25.
“We have a new operation, a new building and we are open six days a week, which is incredible that we were able to do that so quickly,” Executive Director Luis Purón said. “That’s fourteen weeks after the storm, and we have not had to cancel a single event or program.”
A grand opening was held Dec. 2 to welcome the new show, “Currents 2017 All Members Show.” The event drew a standing room-only crowd of dignitaries and enthusiastic supporters of the art center.
“The arts are a significant part of what Rockport is all about,” Purón said. “One thing I’ve noticed since the storm is that the art community has bonded stronger than before.”
The art center has long been a community gathering place, offering free programs and shows to the public year-round. Though significantly smaller, the new space will continue to honor that tradition with a gallery, a gift shop, a classroom and offices. New hours of operation are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
“Where there are artists, there will be art,” Purón said. “And where there is art, there will be magic, hope and beauty.”
Currently, that magic, hope and beauty can be found at the Rockport Center for the Arts’ “Currents,” which runs through Jan. 27. Five Merit Artists were chosen from the show, and visitors are being asked to vote for their choice for the sixth Merit Artist.
