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.

Scroll Down to See Current Art Shows, Special Events and Art Projects

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.

Current Art Shows, Exhibits, Special Events and Programs

Artists "Paintout" on January 28th

Plein Aire artists are having a "Paintout" on Saturday, January 28th, in Grapevine. Local artists, along with members of GAP, will be painting both indoor and outdoor at the Founder's Building, 701 S. Main Street. The Paintout session will begin at 10 AM, lasting most of the day. For more details about this event, contact Randy Saffle at rmsaffle@msn.com. The public is invited to stroll along among the artists, who love to talk about their current work in progress.

National Watercolor Society Traveling Exhibit Coming to Grapevine!

From May 18th - June 15th, the National Watercolor Society traveling exhibit will be opened to the public, on display in the new Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau Building on Historic South Main Street. This exceptional exhibit is proudly sponsored by the Grapevine Art Project (GAP), a 501c3 non-profit organization. For exhibit hours and tickets, contact the GAP at www.grapevineartproject.com.

TONAL Watercolor Show - 2012

May 19 through June 17, 2012 Featuring Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana watercolor artists. Exhibiting in conjunction with the Annual National Watercolor Society Traveling Exhibit, this watercolor competition will exhibit 35-40 juried winning paintings with $3,500 in awards to Best of Show and Honorable Mention (5). For complete details, Prospectus and entry Data Card, contact GAP at www.grapevineartproject.com.

Grapevine Art Project (GAP)

As a 501c3 non-profit organization, 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 2011 will be held at the Founder's Building, 701 S. Main Street (across from the train station). The meetings in 2012 are scheduled for the first Thursday of every odd numbered month, except July. These will be: January 5th, March 1, May 3, September 6, and November 1, 2012, from 7:00 p.m until 8:30 p.m.   Scheduled Events for 2012 include: April 14                   New Vintage Wine and Gallery Trail Exhibit and Sale May (TBD)               National Public Garden Day, PleinAir/Exhibit/Sale May 17-20               Main Street Outdoor Adventure PR and Publicity Booth May 17-June 17        National Water Color Society Show                              TONAL Water Color Show                              GAP Plein Aire Show September 13-16      Grapefest PR and Publicity Booth October (TBD)          Annual Membership Show/Sale Check out our Community Calendar for specific activities and dates. Contact GAP for information on membership levels, benefits and artist members. Contact www.grapevineartproject.org, info@grapevineartproject.com, or 214 233-6409.

P.A.I.N.T.

Professional Artists In North Texas Perhaps you’ve seen them around town, on Main Street or in the Grapevine Botanical Gardens or at Nash Farm – oil and acrylic painters, water colorists, and pencilists, all en plein air, which is a French expression for working "in the open air", all working to capture selected objects or vistas in the light of the moment. Last year P.A.I.N.T. organized as a formal group to display and market their work after many years of painting together. Although the artists are all from the North Texas area, many are represented nationally in shows and galleries. Their subjects are primarily landscapes and botanical subjects, and local botanical gardens and arboretums are a favorite venue; yet these artists are also accomplished in still life and figurative works. Contact: Shirley Kinworthy, 817 429-1427; s.kinworthy@sbcglobal.net; www.northtexasartists.com

VETRO Glassblowing and Art Glass Gallery Celebrates Their Annual  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. Check their website for all events at VETRO. 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.