By Layla Bellows
Abilene, Texas, is not just a place to experience
the best in Texas frontier spirit — it’s also a great spot for art and music lovers. This town of
120,000 proud Texans also boasts seven major art galleries and museums as well as a historic theater, The Paramount.
Just because this town is deep in the heart of Texas, don’t think for a second that the art you’ll see can be described as folksy. One of Abilene’s most notable destinations is
The Center for Contemporary Arts. This alternative art space has four galleries and 10 working artists studios. Exhibits showcase not just the work of their artist members but also nationally known contemporary artists. Visiting Abilene the second Thursday of the month? Be sure to check out Artwalk, a stroll through downtown galleries and businesses organized by The Center for Contemporary Arts.
One of the galleries you’ll want to visit is
Cockerell Galleries and Studios, another spot supporting local artists. In the studios, you’ll find everything from contemporary art to vivid watercolor paintings and original T-shirt designs, and at nearby
Cedar Break Gallery of Fine Art, you will get a taste of Texas from Barry Arthur’s western paintings.
The Grace Museum, as noted in our previous Abilene blog, is a great stop for families with disparate tastes. Housed in the historic Grace Hotel, the museum has an art museum, history museum and children’s museum. The art museum boasts everything from contemporary work to photography and classic paintings. If you’re visiting between now and July 11, don’t miss its current exhibition, “Yosemite 1938: On the trail with Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keeffe.”
The Paramount is the must-stop for music and film lovers. The theater, built in the 1930s, shows a series of classic movies and standout current films (think: All About Eve from 1950 and the recent musical Nine). Check out its calendar for everything from operas to children’s performing arts.