MEETING WITH REMARKABLE PEOPLE EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE 10TH
Art Abounds in Round Top
For many, mention the town of Round Top, Texas, and immediately antiques spring to mind.
But Round Top is rapidly becoming more than a twice yearly venue and destination for antiquers. It is rapidly emerging as a major town for the arts. With the well established Festival Hill that has attracted crowds for the past 37 years to its unique campus and outstanding year round music programs and with Winedale, regarded by many as the best Shakespeare to be seen and heard in the South, the performing arts have built a solid foundation. With such creativity being generated, many other artists have gravitated to the town. One of the forerunners and setting the standard is The Gallery at Round Top. Three of the partners, Ken Muenzenmayer, Linda Tibolla and Karen Vernon are all well established, internationally recognized artists themselves. Together with Linda’s husband Dave, they bring to the gallery a collection of art from across the country and a wealth of experience in the visual arts. Their philosophy in opening the gallery, explained Karen Vernon, is to provide a comfortable and relaxed space for visitors to view, appreciate and even be educated on some of the finest art being created by both established as well as emerging artists. “Our current exhibit by Bernard Mendoza,” explained Karen Vernon, “is a good example. Many people do not understand photography and its place in the world of art. And yet, it was only a short while ago that an Edward Steichen photograph sold at auction just shy of $3 million. So we feel fortunate to be able to introduce our audience to the work of Mr. Mendoza, an internationally acclaimed photographer who is currently living in Round Top. “His work has been exhibited and collected by some of the finest institution in the world including the National Portrait Gallery in London, The Smithsonian and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. The works being shown, some of which have never been seen before, are a collection of images made of the characters the photographer has encountered over the past 40 years while traveling around the world.
“One will find Bernard Mendoza’s images to be masterful. His images entice the viewer. His ability to capture the human spirit is clear and concise, ” explained Ms. Vernon.
