Photo by Dave Shultz
Palestine, Tx – Palestine’s quaint Main Street District plays host to nearly 20 pieces of outdoor sculpture each year. The organizers of the event, Palestine Main Street and Palestine Tomorrow, Inc. presented a “Best In Show” award in recognition of the piece which area judges felt represented the show and Palestine.
Artist Terry Jones of Jewett, Texas, was recognized Saturday, December 5 during the Palestine Chamber’s Frost Fest activities. Terry was unable to attend the announcement as he was installing art in Johnson City, Texas.
Terry Jones is a nationally acclaimed artist focusing on found objects. Terry transforms these objects into stunning works of art. His piece “Texas Traditions” deserves a close-up look. Created from hundreds of items, including pieces of cars, engines, farm equipment, and decommissioned firearms, the piece is a puzzle of interesting things that have been brought together and crafted to be something new. Terry takes those items that don’t begin life as a piece of art, and melds them together to form a piece of interest and beauty – almost an allegory for life.
Art in the yearly show is for sale, and proceeds from the art support the program.
“We hoped the program would take off and that it would not only beautify the downtown but encourage people to slow down and stay,” said Jean Mollard, Main Street board chair, “And it has been very successful. We’ve been featured in regional magazines and locally and it has been a wonderful draw 24/7 to bring people downtown.”
The 2015/2016 season was sponsored by the Palestine Visitor Center via a grant. Palestine Tomorrow, Inc. is a local non-profit whose goal is to transform the downtown area through art and parks. They approached the Main Street department to be the administrators of the outdoor art program, and four years later the show has grown from 13 original pieces to nearly twenty.
Brochures of the walking/driving map for the exhibit are available at the Palestine Visitor Center, 825 W. Spring St. or by calling (903) 723-3014.
For more information on this and other Main Street programs contact the Main Street Manager at (903) 729-4100.