Art Scene in Grapevine

The quality of life in Grapevine is complimented by the importance citizens place on keeping art alive. City streets and public places are appointed with bronze sculptures, while restored buildings reflect our architectural history, and new structures sport clean-lined designs. And our open spaces, city gardens, and numerous parks are landscaped with a planned and inviting eye for color and design, as well. Local artisans have a community that welcomes their varied talents. The city has glassblowers, oil, acrylic, watercolor artists, bronze sculptors, photographers, wood carvers, weavers, jewelry designers, furniture makers, pottery throwers and blacksmiths for all to enjoy.  Visit the local galleries that are listed below to experience the work of many of Grapevine's fine artists. Many artists host live demonstrations, so check out the galleries of choice for additional fun and discussion with the artists in person.

Welcome to Grapevine's Public Art Trail

Strolling down the streets of Grapevine, you will discover a series of highly visibly public bronze sculptures located throughout town. So if you start your tour at Grapevine's 109 year-old Cotton Belt Railroad Depot and then head north on Main Street, you will enjoy many pieces of different and beautiful sculpture. Hint...sometimes you will want to look up!

1. The Homecoming , a two-piece sculpture created by Michael Pavlovsky of Fort Worth, located at the Railroad Depot. The statue depicts a soldier returning from service to a loving embrace. The statue weighs 700 lbs., the arch 800 lbs. It is 1 1/8 lifesize, although the shoes are somewhat larger representing that the couple had 'big shoes to fill." Dedicated on Memorial Day, 2000. Located at the Cotton Belt Railroad Depot, 705 S. Main St.

2. The Sunday Skaters, by Archie St. Claire of Grapevine, located on the corner of E. College and S. Main Street. The three skaters represent the decades of 1920 through 1930 and the fun and freedom children enjoyed then and still experience today in Grapevine.

3. New Season, by Gary Price, celebrates Grapevine's position on the migration path of the Monarch Butterfly between Canada and Mexico. The "New Seasons" sculpture shows a boy assisting a young girl with a butterfly release. Unveiled at the New Vintage Wine Festival in 1998. Situated in Grapevine's Botanical Gardens, 411 Ball Street.

4. The Sidewalk Judge, by J. Seward Johnson, dedicated in 1997, is a lifelide tribute to an elder generation of men who would while way their hours at the center of town giving advice to passers-by, whether they wanted it or not! Nat a judge in the legal sense, the Sidewalk Judge" was known to execute his powers of observation for 'sizing up" folks in town. Situated on a park bench, visitors are welcome to sit a spell and share their thoughts with the 'Judge" - who always has a ready ear to listening. Caution - he has been know to move around town for festivals and special events! Usually located at the Wallis Hotel, One Liberty Park Plaza, at Main and Texas Streets.

5. Walking to Texas, by Michael Cunningham, was Grapevine's first piece of public art, dedicated in 1996. This sculpture and fountain is a tribute to the pioneer families who came to the Grape Vine prairie seeking a bright future and new life. Located in Liberty Park on Main Street.

6. The Grapevine Nightwatchman, by Jack Bryant of Springtown,  keeps vigil over Grapevine with his lantern, honoring the men who patrolled and protected the town from the early 1900s into the 1950s. He performed various dities besides checking the doors of all the buildings on Main Street each night, including being dog catcher and being responsible for checking the water wells.  He was always faithful, a friend, trustworthy, and the perfect emblem to go atop City Hall. The statue is eight feet tall, weighs 640 lbs. The statue was dedicated in 1998 with the sales of bronze miniatures funding the purchase and starting the Grapevine Public Art Fund. Look up! The statue is atop the City Hall.

7. A Wilderness Welcome, by Archie St. Claire of Grapevine, is a life-sized wildlife ensemble designed and crafted by St. Claire, to commemorate the settlement of the Grapevine prairie.

Artists Shows, Special Events and Projects

Results: July 16, 2010, Arts Night in Historic Downtown Grapevine

Pictured is Lindsay Dunnagan, on the far right, who won the Peoples Choice Award for her painting, "Orchid". The annual 'Summer Nights' festival, hosted by the Historic Downtown Grapevine Assoc., (HDGA), is held every Friday night during the month of July, with a different theme program each week. The spotlight July 16th was Arts Night, featuring local Grapevine Art Project (GAP) artists, showing, demonstrating and selling their fine art pieces at both the Torian Cabin and Gazebo park on Main Street.  Honorable mention went to Shelly Burden, Portrait Artist

Grapevine Art Project (GAP)

The Grapevine Art Project is intended to serve as a bridge between those who appreciate the connections that the arts make in our lives and those in our community who create art. Mission Statement: "To enlist a broad cross section of the community to support the visual arts through programs and events at unique local venues, with the objective of developing a recognized Grapevine regional art destination." Reasons to join the Grapevine Art Project include Quarterly Art Programs with Artist Demonstrations, Social Interaction, Entertaining Events; Art Competitions with Summer Nights Outdoor Show, October Juried Art Competition and Art Sales with Public Art Sales, Member Only Sales, Access to Regional Artists. The Quarterly meetings for 2010 will be held at the Founder's Building, 701 S. Main Street (across from the train station). The meetings are scheduled for the first Thursday in each quarter, January 7th, April 1st, July 1st, and October 7th, from 7:00 p.m until 8:30 p.m.   Check out our Community Calendar for specific activities and dates. Contact the GAP for information on membership levels and benefits. Contact www.grapevineartproject.com.

Results of the 2010 Annual Wine Trail & Art Gallery Show

Rosemary Achelpohl wins "People's Choice" during well-attended 2010 Wine and Gallery Art Trail show at the Lancaster Theatre. "Rain, rain, go away..." did not dampen the enthusiasm of appreciative crowds who voted Rosmary Achelpolh's vibrant flower painting, 'My 3D Garden' their "Peoples Choice" during a well-attended Wine and Gallery Trail show and sale. The Lancaster Theater burst its seams with GAP exhibiting artists and appreciative art lovers. A brave group of outdoor GAP member exhibitors that could not cram into the theater took refuge under the portico of the city offices as the sky drizzled, but still, over 450 ballots were cast between 10 am and 5 pm in the voting. Details can be found at www.grapevineartproject.com.

Results of the GAP's October, 2009 Show and Sale

It is unanimous...the October Show & Sale Was a Success!   And the Winners are... People's Choice Award co-winners were Linda Mitchell and Sharen Chatterton, each receiving a $100 cash prize. Linda Mitchell - People's Choice 'Despair' Sharen Chatterton - People's Choice 'Summer II' Outside judges selected the following three artists and their art for special recognition:   Shelly Burden - Honorable Mention 'Mardi Gras Mask'   Jackie Berry - Judges Award 'Cactus Jack'   Shawn Rees - Best of Show 'Hotter than Hell'           Each of these artists received a $250 dollar cash award. Congratulations to you all!

VETRO Glassblowing and Art Glass Gallery Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary - "Glass On The Tracks"

From unique handblown pieces to large-scale contemporary chandeliers unparalleled in this region, Vetro Owner/Artist and Master Glassblower David Gappa has been showcased in art galleries, exhibits and corporate and private collections both nationally and internationally. Since establishing Vetro Art Glass in May, 1999, David strives to educate his audiences on both the history of this art medium as well as the difficult and complex process of the creation of each piece. Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery is a state-of-the-art facility where nationally recognized glass artists specialize in handblown and lampwork art glass ranging from large-scale contemporary lighting installations to corporate awards to decorative art pieces to jewelry. Studio guests can dip into some glass themselves, or just see how it's done, with ongoing classes & workshops, live demonstrations and special events that take place in one of the very few air-conditioned glassblowing studios in the country. Located in the Historic District of Downtown Grapevine at 701 S. Main St. #103. Contact: VETRO Glassblowing and Art Glass Gallery or call 817 251-1668.