FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2018
MEDIA, PLEASE CONTACT: Luis Purón (570) 702-4032

STILL WATER FOUNDATION AWARDS $500,000 GRANT TO ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR AWARD RECEIVED TOWARDS THE NEW FACILITY PROJECT SINCE LATE FEBRUARY 2018

(ROCKPORT, TX) Last week, the Still Water Foundation awarded the Rockport Center for the Arts a grant in the amount of $500,000 to aid in rebuilding efforts after hurricane Harvey. Ellen Ray, Director of Grants and Strategic Initiatives for the philanthropic organization, visited Rockport last Thursday to deliver the award and visit the current Art Center operation and survey the damages at the old facility which was destroyed by hurricane Harvey last year.

"We would like to thank the Still Water Foundation from the bottom of our hearts. This tremendous gift brings us one step closer to rebuilding the Rockport Center for the Arts and helping us be a catalyst for economic development in downtown Rockport,” says Mary Hime, Vice-president of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee, Rockport Center for the Arts.

“Art Center leadership has been working with Ellen Ray and the Still Water Foundation since January, thanks to a connection made for us by the Rebuild Texas Fund, who also made a half-a-million dollar contribution to our new facility project,” says Luis Purón, Executive Director of Rockport Center for the Arts. He adds, “This is a major step forward in our fundraising efforts, we could not be more grateful for Still Water’s investment in our project.”

Rockport Center for the Arts is actively engaged in a fundraising campaign towards the building of a new Art Center facility in the heart of downtown Rockport.

ABOUT ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Rockport Center for the Arts, currently entering its 49th year of operation, was located in the blue Victorian house at Rockport Harbor. On August 25 and 26, 2017 the facility suffered catastrophic damage due to Hurricane Harvey’s direct impact on Rockport. A world-class, and growing sculpture garden featuring works by Charles Umlauf, Kent Ullberg, James Surls and the late Jesús Moroles have accentuated the Art Center since 2000, making it one of the most prestigious showcases for fine art in South Texas. Some of the sculptures sustained damages, however restoration is presently underway to protect Rockport’s art legacy for future generations. Inspiring exhibitions, an annual Artist-in-Residence program and traveling exhibits are part of the repertoire the community and its visitors have come to expect. The many activities of the Art Center draw fifty-thousand visitors per year. The Sculpture Garden alone, is visited by ten-thousand patrons annually. This spring, the Rockport Artists’ Studio Tour allowed visitors to see some of the most unique art studios in Rockport’s storied art colony, and to learn about medium, process, technique and acquire unique pieces of art for their collections. In the summer, the 49th Annual Rockport Art Festival is the place to be July 4th weekend. More than 10,000 people attend each year to enjoy music, food and artwork from 120 of the best artists from around the country. Early in November, the Rockport Film Festival will entertain audiences with the best of independent cinema. Workshops, classes and mentoring from established local artists are part of a well-crafted art education program. For decades, children have enjoyed free, high caliber art instruction year-round through ArtSpace Summer Art Camp and Free Family Saturdays. Since the hurricane, the Art Center had no home for 99 days; yet none of the programs, exhibits or events were canceled. On December 2, 2017 the staff and board of directors re-established operations in a building located in downtown Rockport at 106 S. Austin St. All programs are fully operational and a full calendar of exhibits for 2018 and 2019 is in place. Open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM; admission is always free. For more information, call (361) 729-5519 or visit www.rockportartcenter.com or Facebook Follow our story at https://www.facebook.com/rockportartcenter/.