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| Visitors can find Jack Moss at his Gridiron Gallery in Llano on weekends. |
Unique Crop of Galleries
The Hill Country's vast skies and wide-open spaces seem to inspire the creativity in all of us. Recently, there's been a rising interest in fine art. In 2005, Italian artist Benini and wife Lorraine launched a series of events called Arts Encounters at their 140-acre ranch east of Johnson City.
On the last weekend of each month, the couple hosts noted artists from around the world and invite the public to attend free of charge. If they call ahead, visitors are also welcome to visit Benini's 14,000-square-foot gallery or drive through his Sculpture Ranch.
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| "This is a spiritual place," says Debra Goldstein, who opened her fine art gallery in Johnson City last year. "A lot of artists come here." |
Debra Goldstein opened her contemporary art gallery in a restored turn-of-the-century limestone building in Johnson City. "It always surprises me when people come in and go, 'Wow! What's this doing here?' " she confesses. "It's like it doesn't belong here. I think fine art belongs everywhere."
Debra admits it took locals awhile to warm up to her gallery, Debra Goldstein Fine Art, but now she feels very much a part of the community. "This is a church-going town," she says. "There are more churches here than there are restaurants. But on Sunday afternoon, if people have visitors in from out of town, they bring them here to show off the gallery."
Art Smart
- Benini Foundation Galleries and Sculpture Ranch: 377 Shiloh Road, Johnson City; (830) 868-5244 or www.benini.com. Open by appointment.
- Eyfells and Eyfells Foundation: 9068 U.S. 290 East, Fredericksburg; (830) 990-9309 or www.eyfellsandeyfells.com.
- Debra Goldstein Fine Art: 111 North Nugent Street, Johnson City; (830) 868-0221 or www.goldsteinfineart.com.
- Photography Is Art Gallery: 414 East Main Street, Fredericksburg; (830) 990-1330 or www.photographyisart.net.
- Gridiron Gallery: 112 East Main Street, Llano; (325) 247-3013 or www.galleriesofllano.com.
