Welcome to the New TXHCA Studio Space

Thanks to our generous donors, we are able to move into our new space!

We are in the same building in downtown Kerrville, where Earl Garrett ends on Water Street. It was a big move, but only a little ways - just down the hall to Suite 104. From the entrance, one gets a glimpse of the breathtaking view of the river.

Enter the "Life Room" and you can stand by the floor to ceiling windows overlooking our beautiful and mighty Guadalupe River.

The Life Room is where we practice the classical tradition of drawing from life. There is no better way to learn to draw than to study the human form.

All of us have a built-in ability to recognize one another, far beyond our understanding. We recognize not only individuals, but we instinctually recognize a natural human form. Mistakes are obvious when drawing a person (as opposed to a flower or a tree). But it is not so obvious how to avoid mistakes - it takes intentional practice to get it right!

Matthew Fielder, Core Atelier student and Assistant Teacher, sketches from life.

Every Saturday Morning, the Atelier is open to all artists who wish to practice drawing or painting from life. Our Open Studio Life Drawing is 9:30-12:30, and the fee is $15.

Every first Saturday of the month we have a Costumed Figure. This is a good time for teens to join us! The Costumed Figure pose is also one pose for the three hour session, allowing time to develop an alla-prima painting.

No experience is required to begin drawing. No registration is needed. You are welcome to join us any Saturday morning!

Recent studies by Core Atelier student Leisa Luis-Grill, as seen in her independent studio space.

Core Atelier students have their own individual studio spaces in Studios 1 and 2, accessible 24/7. These twelve dedicated students are in our 4 year program, which starts with drawing, progresses into painting with only black and white, moves into color painting in the third year, and concludes in the final and optional year of creating a small body of work. We call the final year "Developing your Personal Aesthetic."

The Core Atelier is rigorous, as Ateliers around the country tend to be. Atelier Training is very specific and is distinguished from university programs by its traditional lessons and emphasis on skill development. The Atelier lineage of training goes back hundreds of years, but it is disregarded by accredited art colleges and universities. Thank goodness this lineage survived by a thin thread, because legions of artists want to learn how the Great Masters worked!

We are very pleased to announce visiting hours for the first time! You are very welcome to drop in and see the new studio space anytime between 1:30 and 4:30, Monday through Thursday. Our space includes an entry foyer, which includes our modest but growing library.

A series of free public talks in our central meeting room will be every third Tuesday evening. The first such talk is February 17 at 5pm. Art historian Howard Taylor will lead the discussion, "You Call That Art?" Howard recently retired from leading the San Angelo Art Museum for 38 years. He founded the Center for Early Texas Art and, most recently, was instrumental in establishing Kerrville as a Cultural District with the Texas Commission on the Arts. We are thrilled to have him come lead a discussion on art. Social time begins at 4:30, the talk is 5-6, and Q&R lasts until 7pm. Don't miss it!

Summer workshops are open for registration. The Summer Youth Atelier was wildly successful last year, and we are pleased to offer it again this year. This is a wonderful chance for young artists to get an introduction to classical training. The ancient and remarkable art of Egg Tempera will also be taught again this summer. This workshop is unique in our offerings. Please read about it and send any questions you may have. More workshops will be open for registration soon.

We recently added new classes by Rebecca Burritt in her Dynamic Composition series. Bones as Landscape, starting Feb 12, is for beginners and experienced artist alike. In the Spring Term, we have a new class Drawing Fundamentals, for artists who wish to dive deeper into the world of dynamic symmetry. Our very popular Botanical Drawing class is also offered again this Spring Term.

Come join our community! Welcome to our new space!

Everyone thrilled about our first day in the new space!