The New Normal–Rockport

August 06 - September 05,2021

From the Rockport Center for the Arts: "It was just over a year ago that Rockport-area artists were applying for a share of $150,000 in grant money through The New Normal–Rockport, an initiative challenging visual artists to create works inspired by their current experiences in the world.   Rockport Center for the Arts is now preparing for the resulting exhibition, The New Normal–Rockport, Aug. 6–Sept. 5, featuring the work of 41 grant recipient artists, each of whom received a $2,000 or $5,000 grant from the program. Themes include the lingering impact of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as racial inequality and social injustice. The funding for the grants came through a partnership between Fine Line Group, the family office of Ed and Sasha Bass, and Fort Worth-based nonprofit arts organization Gallery of Dreams, who administered the program, along with the Alice L. Walton Foundation and Tartaglino Richards Family Foundation.   “This wonderful exhibition is the result of an ambitious program started by Fort Worth businessman, financier, philanthropist and environmentalist Edward P. Bass and his wife Sasha,” said Luis Purón, executive director for Rockport Center for the Arts. “Building on the success of THE NEW NORMAL in Fort Worth launched in April 2020, the decision was made to implement a similar program in Rockport where the Bass family has deep historic ties — and we’re so pleased that they did. This was such an incredible opportunity for our talented pool of Rockport artists and the resulting show is an amazing collection of work reflecting the artists’ interpretation and personal experience with so many life-altering events.”   In addition to The New Normal– Rockport, there will also be a second exhibition — Postcards from Your Neighbor — running simultaneously in Galería Dos, Aug. 6–Sept. 5. A partnership and joint exhibition with K Space Contemporary of Corpus Christi, members of each organization created postcard-sized artworks, 5 x 7 inches, which will then be “sent” to the other institution for exhibition. This artistic collaboration unites the sister art communities and forges a strong connection between the partner organizations.   “We are excited to partner with Rockport Center for the Arts on the Postcards from Your Neighbor exhibition,” said Michelle Smythe, Director of K Space Contemporary. “Though our organizations are only about 35 miles apart, we each have our own following and member artists. We look forward to meeting more artists and art lovers in the Rockport Art community, making new friends and forging new connections.”   K Space will have its opening reception on Friday, Aug. 6, during the Art Walk from 5:30-9 p.m., and RCA’s opening reception for both The New Normal–Rockport and Postcards from Your Neighbor takes place the next day, Saturday, Aug. 7, from 5-7 p.m.  All receptions are free and open to the public.   The evening of Aug. 7 is also significant as it marks the first Rockport Art Loop event since being interrupted in March 2020 by the pandemic. Now in its third year, Rockport Art Loop is a free, al fresco, walkable art experience held on designated Saturdays throughout the year. The August Art Loop event is from 5–7 p.m. and also features exhibits at an additional eight galleries located in downtown Rockport.   Rockport Center for the Arts is located at 401 S. Austin Street at the Baker Law Building, first level. Hours of operation are Tuesday–Thursday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday and Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. Visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519 for more information.   EDITOR’S NOTE: Go to rockportartcenter.com/exhibitions.2021/newnormal to see works from The New Normal–Rockport participating artists, or click here for higher resolution images of select works. Postcards from Your Neighbor images will be posted at  www.rockportartcenter.com/postcards as they become available.   About Rockport Center for the Arts Rockport Center for the Arts has moved temporarily to 401 S. Austin Street at the Baker Law Building, first floor, while awaiting the completion of a new facility in August 2022. Hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Thursday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday and Sat from 10 a.m.– 5 p.m., and  Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. Visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519 for more information.   About K- Space Contemporary K Space Contemporary is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and promoting contemporary art.  General operating support for K Space Contemporary is provided by National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, H-E-B, Coastal Bend Community Foundation, AEP Texas, and numerous K Space Contemporary donors and members. K Space Contemporary is located at 623 N. Chaparral Street in downtown Corpus Christi. We are open Wednesday through Saturday 11am to 5 pm, Sundays from 12 to 4 pm, and every First Friday until 9 pm. Admission is free. For more information visit www.kspacecontemporary.org or follow us on Facebook or Instagram @kspacecontemporary.   About The Rockport Art Loop The Rockport Art Loop is an initiative spearheaded by Rockport Center for the Arts. Beginning in February 2019, 10 art galleries located along Austin Street in downtown Rockport host simultaneous openings on the same evening and at the same time, nine times per year. Art talks, artist demonstrations, exhibit openings, and more are held at non-conflicting times to encourage the flow of foot traffic to each separate venue.  The galleries are all within a quarter mile of each other, which makes the Rockport Art Loop an al fresco, walkable, art experience. For a list of participating galleries, visit rockportartcenter.com, or call (361) 729-5519."

Reception: August 06, 2021 | 5-9 pm

Rockport Center for the Arts 638 E. Market St.
Rockport, TX 78382
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