Art Scapes: Local author Kerry Dashnaw pens and illustrates ‘Art with Auntie Kerry’

Local author and illustrator Kerry Dashnaw has created “Art with Auntie Kerry: Ideas To Get You Started” as a 34-page fun guide for youngsters and pre-teens.

Book seller Amazon describes the book: “Art with Auntie Kerry is a fun and colorful guide that brings creativity to life! The delightful book teaches children the building blocks of art — line, color, patterns, shape, design, and texture — in ways that are simple, exciting, and easy to explore. With Auntie Kerry's cheerful guidance, young artists will discover how to use these elements to create their own masterpieces.” 

Ms. Dashnaw was an educator for over 30 years. Passionate about reading success for all students, she was chosen by her peers as teacher of the year twice. She taught in an arts-integrated school where she saw children thrive as their creativity and imaginations were nurtured and developed. 

She explained that reinventing oneself makes life's journey fun and powerful. Now retired, Ms. Dashnaw creates art, teaches art classes and illustrated her children's books. 

Round Rock Arts Fest

The Round Rock Arts Fest at Centennial Plaza is October 3, 4 and 5. The free, three-day family event with visual artists, sidewalk chalk murals, live music performances, food vendors, interactive art, dance, martial arts and an Oktoberfest celebration with Bluebonnet Beer Company. 

Fest times are 5-9 p.m., October 3; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., October 4; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., October 5 at 301 West Bagdad in Round Rock.

WCAG events

The October Artist’s Reception is 5-7 p.m., October 3 during First Friday in Georgetown at the Williamson County Art Guild Gallery.

Donna Winters is the Artist of the Month. She explained that her pieces reflect a playful spirit and a deep appreciation for life’s quirks, proving that it’s never too late to chase your creative spark.

Meet many of the 40+ local artists whose work is shown in the Gallery. Be sure to vote for your favorite work of art in the monthly People's Choice awards. Everyone is invited for an evening of new art, lively music by About the Music and great refreshments with beer provided by Austin Beerworks. 

The October member meeting is 6:30-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 7 with the meet-and-greet at 6:15 p.m., at the Georgetown Public Library.  The speaker will be Drew Henrix with Red River Paper. 

Red River Paper is a leading supplier of premium inkjet papers for photographers, artists and creative professionals. Based in Dallas, the company sources fine papers from top mills in the United States, Europe and Japan, then converts and packages them in-house.

Both the reception and meeting are free and open to the public.

Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays 1-5 p.m., at 708 South Rock Street, one block off The Square in Georgetown.

Art Hop

The 18th annual Art Hop is hosted by Art Hop Hill Country Arts Focus from October 2 until November 1 in Georgetown. The month-long juried event will showcase approximately 100 works by Texas artists in six categories of visual art: representational and abstract 2-D, representational and abstract 3-D, photography and digital art.

 The Art Hop exhibit is free and open to the public at the Georgetown Public Library and Lamppost Coffee, both just off the “the most beautiful town square in Texas.”

Georgetown Public Library is located at 402 West Eighth Street and Lamppost Coffee at 809 South Main Street.

Solo exhibit

A two-month solo exhibit by Wes Odell of Sun City’s Photography Club is on display in the Cowan Creek Amenities Center, 1433 Cool Springs Way. These images are some of his favorite photos and the exhibit will hang in October and November. 

Deadlines

• Veterans Show at the Delaplaine Art Center by October 5

Events 

• “Frames of Purpose” artist reception, Williamson Museum, 6:30-8 p.m., October 3
• WCAG artist reception, WCAG Gallery, Georgetown, 5-7 p.m., October 3
• Round Rock Arts Fest, Centennial Plaza, October 3, 4 and 5
• WCAG meeting, Georgetown Public Library 6:30-8 p.m., October 7
• Sun City Visual Arts Fall Art Fair, Retreat Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., October 11
• Fiesta Taylor, Old Taylor High School, October 11
• Artoberfest, Leander Park, 3-7 p.m., October 11
• “Stop and Smell the Roses,” Penfold Gallery, Round Rock reception 6-8 p.m., October 15
• Art Stroll, Georgetown Cultural District, 4-8 p.m., October 17
• South Main Arts Festival, Georgetown, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., October 18
• Hairy Man Festival, Cat Hollow Park, Round Rock, October 18
• Liberty Hill Sculpture Festival, 2-7 p.m., October 18

Exhibits

• Lynn Kessel’s “Vibrant Landscapes,” at Georgetown City Hall until September 30
• “Florals” by Evie Walberg, at Truewood Gallery until October 2
• “Personalities” exhibit, at Penfold Theater gallery until October 4
• Joe Toth photography, Mesquite Creek Outfitters until October 6
• Caroline Walker “Interlocking Paths” exhibit, Georgetown Art Center until October 12 
• Transportation exhibit, at Mulligan’s Gallery until October 21
• WCAG artists, Art Direct Gallery, Cedar Park until October 30
• “Frames of Purpose,” at Williamson Museum until October 31 
• “The Big Show” exhibit, at TXST Round Rock campus until November 1
• Art Hop, Georgetown Public Library and Lamppost Coffee until November 1
• Central Texas Pastel Society, at Healing Arts Gallery until November 7
• Cheri Freeman, Mesquite Outfitters, Georgetown, from October 6 until November 10
• WCAG “In The Heights” exhibit, at Palace Theatre until November 13
• “Avian Grace, Floral Embrace” by Laura Fox-Wallis, at Georgetown Art Center from October 17 until November 15
• Jason Wallerstein, in the Palace Playhouse lobby until November 18
• “Stop and Smell the Roses,” at Penfold Gallery until November 29
• Wes Odell photographic exhibit, Cowan Creek Amenities Center from October 1 until November 30

Ellen Greeney is a native Texan and local artist who has lived in Georgetown over 20 years, moving here from the Dallas area. She's worked at the Sun since 2004, covering visual arts, live music and local news.  To be included or featured in the ArtScapes column, contact her at ellen@wilcosun.com