Rockport Center for the Arts Honors Founder Steve Russell with "Beyond the Brush"
A new exhibition at the Texas institution showcases painter Steve Russell, a founding member of the Rockport Center for the Arts. Titled "Steve Russell: Beyond the Brush," the exhibit features 60 of his latest oil paintings that capture the landscapes of the area. Russell was instrumental in founding the nonprofit Rockport Art Association, Inc. in 1969 to establish a venue for exhibitions and education in his hometown. In 1983, the group acquired a waterfront building, which became the Rockport Center for the Arts. After Hurricane Harvey devastated the center in 2017, it reopened in 2022 following a temporary relocation. Catey Arnold, RCA Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions, praised Russell's work as "magnetic." An opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, from 5–7 p.m., with the exhibition running until Sunday, November 22.
Key facts
- The Rockport Center for the Arts is presenting "Steve Russell: Beyond the Brush," an exhibition honoring founding member and painter Steve Russell
- The show features 60 of Russell's new oil paintings of the region's landscapes
- Russell helped establish the nonprofit Rockport Art Association, Inc. in 1969 to create an exhibition and education venue in his native town
- The group acquired a building in 1983 that became the Rockport Center for the Arts on the waterfront
- Hurricane Harvey destroyed the center in 2017; the RCA built a new building and campus and reopened in 2022
- Catey Arnold, RCA Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions, called the show a "landmark exhibition" and Russell's creativity "magnetic"
- Russell was named Master Artist of the annual Rockport Art Festival in 1994 for work in sculpture, jewelry, textiles, glass and metal
- An opening reception is set for Saturday, October 10, 5–7 p.m., with the exhibition on view through Sunday, November 22
Entities
Artists
- Steve Russell
- Catey Arnold
Institutions
- Rockport Center for the Arts
- Rockport Art Association, Inc.
- RCA Barrow Foundation
- Rockport Art Festival
- Glasstire
Locations
- Rockport
- Texas
- United States