The Art Exhibit

New exhibits showcase both upcoming and established artists. This brings an opportunity for recognition for their talent, encourages them to continue and enlightens the community about current artists’ works.

Virtual Tours: February 2020 HHS Livestock and Rodeo Art Part 1 and Part II. May 2020 Hallettsville High School Young American Creative Patriotic Art sponsored by Lavaca Memorial VFW Auxiliary #6382.

How the Art Exhibit Impacts Adults:

• A black artist, Moses Adams, Jr. shared his art from his memories of segregation in a spotlight exhibit of his life’s work at the 2019 Hallet Oak Gallery Juneteenth Celebration. He gave back to the Gallery by donating a copy of his original art that shows every event during the “Emancipation Proclamation”, a masterpiece.  
• Aaron Riske, a paraplegic artist was recognized in 2018 for his art. His dedication is revealed for supporting theatre and the arts through his volunteerism. He has been awarded the Texas Admiral by Greg Abbott, past Governor of Texas and Aaron has also won the Hallettsville Citizen of the Year award.

How the Art Exhibit Impacts Youths:

• Children can proudly visit the Gallery with their friends and family showing their art on display.
• Visitors enjoy the many talents the local children have and are enlightened to their brilliance and future.

Continuing Art Education Stories:

Experienced instructors teach workshops for all ages.

Art workshops for Adults:

• Dennis Pesek, retired and a new door opened when he took his first art lesson in years from Michael Windberg. He has developed his own award-winning style and is giving back to society by donating his works to the individuals he paints.

• Dianne Appelt, retired and decided to stay in Hallettsville to take oil painting classes

• Gene Grant, a black artist, learned oil painting after receiving an award for his talent — winning paint supplies and classes to attend the Michael Windberg painting workshop.  As a result he has been painting numerous oil paintings every month and selling them to friends and family, and developing his painting style. He is surrounded with appreciation for his skill in drawing and painting.

Art workshops for Youths:

• Parents see their children obtain a well-rounded education as they attend Hallet Oak Gallery’s youth summer camps. The children learn art ranging from photography and drawing to painting.

• The children are offered an opportunity to meet new friends and have more reasons to be out of the house and away from the hot summer days. Inside the air-conditioned Gallery, the children are learning art techniques they can use throughout the school year.

• Photography classes have helped students win numerous awards while building their self-esteem to try new things.

Art Contests DO Make a Difference:

Elementary, middle school and high school students are given awards for their excellence in art.

• The students are honored to be recognized for their artistic effort.Their self-esteem is boosted to try new things.

Public Art Impacts Viewers and Artists

• A black High School graduate who has won an award every year in high school actually missed out on receiving one single scholarship.  Once hearing the story, Hallet Oak Foundation stepped up and offered her a show and a reception inviting both family and teachers to attend. The Foundation commissioned her to create a piece of public art. The result is above and beyond fantastic as the community got to see her working on it and are able to see her beautiful talent and art every day to the entrance to downtown.

• Local watercolor artist, Larry Charles, shares his artistic style that brings happiness to everyone that sees his floral work on a public art space.

Hallettsville Historical Timeline Illustration Created:

The history of Hallettsville is preserved on the timeline wall, showcasing highlighted events since circa 1750 through 2015.  This tells of the time when Margaret and John Hallet were trading in Mexico and applied for a Steven F. Austin land grant.

• The Foundation has been successful at recognizing the famous architecture in downtown Hallettsville which includes Italianate, Neo-Grec, and Romanesque Revival.

• Locals that grew up in Hallettsville share memories.

• Tourists enjoy learning.

Hands-On Art Activities Bring People Together:

 Hallet Oak Gallery successfully involves the public, individuals, groups, families to join in the following activities:  

• Ecology Art Projects

• Christmas Crafts

• Sip and Paint

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Scavenger Hunts  

• Senior Lunch & Music

Themed-Celebrations Embraces Communities & Tourists

Special events with live music creates an atmosphere of joy which brings community together and encourages people to come out of their home. We target diversity, by being inclusive with direct marketing and inclusive exhibits and activities.

• First Day of Spring
  
• Juneteenth

• International Day

• Halloween

• Christkindlmart

Tours and Fun:

We offer tours and fun with art for schools and other non-profits.

Art in Architecture Conference 

The Gallery invites expert speakers to explain the various architecture designs within the State of Texas and around the world. Hallettsville’s architecture includes the Victorian Era, the period that Queen Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1901.

• The Victorian houses in Hallettsville are still intact.
• The Hallet Oak Gallery is located in the historic 1890 Kahn & Stanzel Building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was designed by famous architect J. Riely Gordon.
• Located across from the Gallery is the historic 1897 Lavaca County Courthouse designed by Eugene T. Heiner.

Hallet Oak Gallery Tunnels are a Success

• Space Tunnel:   2nd graders artwork is exhibited inside the Hallet Oak Gallery Space Station Tunnel for children to enjoy and to be inspired to draw.  
• Haunted Tunnel: this event during the entire month of October brings in the most diverse groups of people as many people come to enjoy this commercial holiday. It’s a time for children to have memories to be in an art gallery.
• Ginger Bread Tunnel: Children are delighted to attend an event with the parents to discover we are waiting for them with lots of fun activities!

Friends of Hallettsville Downtown Revitalization:

• Explores for places for public artworks and commissions artists
• Adopted A Highway 77 to pick up trash four times a year
• A River Committee was created to seek betterment for new school projects and local beautification
• Annually gives recognition to businesses for best landscaping
• Is currently seeking a code of ethics for equality in Lavaca County
• A Business Commitee with special interest is being created to work together with City and County businesses that are in need of tourists.