Where Art Blooms

Now for a sneak preview of our Spicewood Live performers – Please take time to watch the video which showcases our performers for this year’s 2022-2023 season. We are certain there are shows that you will not want to miss and consider purchasing a season ticket for over $100 in savings. Sign up to support our organization by becoming a member. You will receive a 10% discount off your season ticket if renewed at the same time – another $20 plus in savings!

We continue to fulfill our mission to entertain, educate & inspire our community through the arts! We welcome your support and look forward to seeing you at one of our events this season!

Featured Artist – Marla Ripperda

Our featured Artist for November 2022 is Marla Ripperda.

Marla’s featured creation is titled: “Ode to the Oaks”

It is a mixed media sculpture (terracotta figure on a live oak tree trunk, epoxy clay leaves on metal base and acrylic paint) 32”x18”x1”.

Marla also wrote a poem about her sculpture.

“Ode to the Oaks”

Ancient oaks formed faerie rings, Where Brownies drummed,
And Fairies danced.
Time passed,
And Elfin princes were crowned kings.
Man came and went, then came and stayed. Hammocks hung, Hammocks swung. Time passed.
Man strived and thrived oblivious.
Man did fell these ancient Ones, but oak wilt caused the kill. Where leaves once rustled
and boughs once swayed,
the Magic sits quiet and still. All is now quiet and still.
Time passes…….
And an acorn sprouts.

Marla’s Artistic Statement: “What is my art about? It’s about raucous joy, quiet beauty, and the humor which makes us human.”

Marla Ripperda is a fifth-generation Texan with Central Texas roots going back to 1850. She began her professional career with decorative faux painting effects, murals, and customized stencils. In 1995 Marla also began sculpting, and her subsequent commissions have been both two- and three-dimensional. Marla has shared her work in numerous art shows and has paintings in collections across the nation and one copy of a sculpture she created went to Kastoria, Greece.

In 2000 Marla moved with her husband to the Texas Highland Lakes area and opened a studio beside her home on Lake Buchanan.

In June 2019 she joined Daniel Adams Fine Art Gallery co-owning a small gallery in Marble Falls, Texas. After COVID closed that gallery she moved to Daniel’s larger gallery at Buchanan Dam until Daniel closed and moved out of state in 2021.

Marla currently exhibits her art with The Highland Arts Gallery at 318 North Main Street, Adriano’s Italian Restaurant and Tea Thyme in Marble Falls, Her work is also on display and available at Carolee’s on the Square in Burnet, Texas which has an eclectic collection of Marla’s artwork, functional items, and collectibles.

Marla has numerous large outdoor sculptures displayed in communities across Texas including Marble Falls Sculpture on Main, Bee Cave Sculpture Park, Georgetown Rivery Park, Georgetown Public Library, and Jewett Eagle Scout Park.

Marla created a series of sculptures and wrote her poem “Ode to the Oaks” to commemorate and help process the loss of 30 oak trees on her property to oak wilt.

Marla joined The Llano Fine Arts Guild in June of 2022 and is an Associate member. She is exhibiting her art there.

Marla’s advice to fellow artisans is: “Persevere in making your art; persist in applying to shows and competitions; accept rejections as graciously as acceptances; and, at the same time be generous with your art. Donate when asked, teach, and share your knowledge freely….if you can.”

You may contact Marla at:
Phone: 512-497-1807
Email: mkripperda@gmail.com
Website: https://www.marlaripperda.com