Every town has something about it that makes it stand out. In the town of Rockport, TX, one of those things is what we like to call the Rockport Art Center. For as long as I can remember, it has been a place where local artists can display their work. Rockport is a coastal town with many talented artists, not only in the area but also in neighboring communities. My family even has the privilege of being great friends with one. The Rockport Art Center has been around for a long time and has gone through many changes. Here’s the history that I’ve personally witnessed regarding the Rockport Art Center over the years.
The First Art Center
As early as I can remember, the first art center was a blue house sitting on a grassy area right next to the beach and the Maritime Museum. My mother tells me that there was a different location serving as the art center before I was born. The house was a charming little place; the walls inside always had paintings, and in some corners, there were sometimes small sculpted pieces. The art displayed was always a beautiful sight to behold. There was also a small gift shop in a small room toward the front, offering souvenirs, and a few small offices in the back. Whenever you were tired of looking at the art, you could go out on the porch and relax in a rocking chair. It was truly a peaceful place to enjoy art.
Time for Change to the Art Center
After many years, it was eventually decided that it was time for a change to the art center. The house had served its purpose well, but the place was getting old and would eventually run down. In 2016, the art committee made the decision to relocate the art center and began scouting for a new location. Not long after the decision was made, Hurricane Harvey blew through Rockport, demolishing the old art center. Luckily, the house was to be condemned anyway, so Harvey ended up saving us a little time. Because of the hurricane, the art committee had to accelerate the search for a new location. After much discussion, the committee determined that the downtown section of Rockport was the best choice for the new art center.
Renovations
At the time, the area for the future art center was occupied by the Kline building, which has much historical significance to the city of Rockport. For decades, the Kline building had served many different purposes, including restaurants and shops. The art committee had hoped to include the Kline building as part of the new center, but it was relocated instead. In 2018, construction began to unearth the foundation of the Kline building in preparation for its move. After many months, the day finally came to move the building. Most of the town was present for the event, me included. After all, it’s not every day you get to watch a whole building lifted out of the ground and moved by forklifts and tractors. The Kline building was slowly taken a block down where it still sits to this day.
Planning
Even with the Kline building out of the way, there was still a lot of work to do before construction of the new art center could begin. My parents are part of the art committee, so I had a behind-the-scenes view of their planning. For many months, there were many ideas, paperwork, and blueprints to review. Until then, I had never seen just how much thought and consideration goes into a construction project. My parents and their friends spent a lot of time on phone calls and in meetings, discussing what the new center could offer the town of Rockport. At some point, I was even shown a 3-D model of what the final project would look like.
Construction
In 2019, after countless hours of debate and deals, it was time for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Rockport Art Center. People and news crews were everywhere. The entire project was a group effort, so rather than just one person, almost every member of the art committee placed a shovel in the ground to signal the start of the construction. Needless to say, building an entire complex from the ground up was a huge undertaking. The whole job was expected to take three or four years! Over the next few years after the groundbreaking, I would drive downtown to check on the progress of the new center. For a long time, there wasn’t much to see. As the months went by, the two buildings that would become the new art center slowly began to show signs of completion.
The New Art Center
In 2022, after several years of planning, construction, and an $8.7 million budget, the new Rockport Center for the Arts was finally complete. The turnout was massive, hundreds of people and news teams from all over came to witness the event. Obviously, it was a great day for all of Rockport. The main building is two stories and includes several gallery rooms for paintings and various other pieces. There are also several rooms that offer classes for aspiring artists. Adjacent to the main building is an auditorium for presentations and press conferences. Additionally, between both buildings is a small sculpture garden showcasing a variety of 3-D art. Needless to say, the new center was a major success. As soon as the ribbon was cut, it was hard to know how many people went inside.
Today
A lot has changed since the days when the old blue house was the art center. The area where it once stood has been a sculpture garden since Hurricane Harvey. The Kline building has recently become a new restaurant called the Pik-Nik. I’ve only been there once so far, and it’s pretty good. My parents are still with the art committee, and I’m pretty sure they love the work. The new art center has become one of the major cornerstones for the city of Rockport. Many amazing masterpieces are on display, and there are always plans for different shows through the years. I’m confident that no matter the shape or form, the Rockport Art Center will be around for generations to come. If you like good art, feel free to come down and see the center for yourself.