Yesterday the Island Holiday Market took place at the newly spruced-up Art Center. The idea is for local artists to have a venue to offer their art. The holiday season is a perfect time and the New Art Center the perfect location.
The outside porch is filled with gift opportunities.
Inside are a number of tables of artwork.
Another view of the tables and shoppers.
While taking photos, I came upon Jo Ann who told me a wonderful story about her grandson Gray. The family lives in Glen Rose, Texas which is near Fort Worth about 400 miles from Port Aransas. Gray loved to visit Port Aransas, and when he heard about the hurricane, he gathered together his ball card collection and offered to sell them to help. What transpired was the adoption of two fourth grade classes here in Port Aransas. Gray plans to have a gift for each child. His grandmother Jo Ann and his Aunt Tammy were in Port Aransas telling Gray’s story.
The card below explains this heartwarming story further, and I’m sure the fourth-grade children of Port Aransas will be happier as a result of Gray’s compassion.
At the same time, the Market was underway the grade sixth through twelve student art show which included entrants from Port Aransas, Flour Bluff, and Seashore Middle Academy were on display.
Here is a representative look at the entrants.
Another view of the competition.
One of the first place awards
Another first for a Ninth grader
A Seashore Academy
This was a second place but made me smile, so I put it in. The art produced by these students was inspiring. I hope you enjoyed the view this week.
Fiction Favorites 
Lovely art show. It’s marvelous most of the building survived and just needed a new roof. Good pictures, John. I hope you’re having a great weekend. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. I hope the same for you. 🙂
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Very nice impressions, John. Thanks for the tale and taking us along.
Wishing you a wondeful Sunday. x
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Thank you for the visit, Dina. Wishing you a beautiful Sunday as well. 🙂
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The student’s artwork is very impressive. Little Gray’s story is quite heartwarming. Thanks for sharing, John. Happy Sunday!
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Thank you for the words, Jill. 🙂
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Wonderful views, John. It’s good to see both the caring from people who are far away and the resilient spirit of the residents.
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Thanks, Dan. 🙂
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Looks like fun and that’s a really great thing that Gray is doing. Very impressed with the displays too.
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Thanks, Charles.
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A fabulous community event, John! The Christmas spirit shines bright. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
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Thank you, Natalie. 😀
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Local art festivals are the best. The stories, the talent, and the goodwill always draw me in. This event is particularly beautiful. Thank you for sharing another heartwarming response to a tragedy which lingers.
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Thank you, Gwen. 😀
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The giving spirit of those kids…makes me so optimistic for our future. Lovely post.
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Me too. Thanks, Van.
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I wish you a wonderful Sunday, John, and a happy pre-Christmas time,
Pit
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Thank you, Pit. To you as well.
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🙂
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This is why it’s so important for communities to support the arts – it’s wonderful that your Art Center has been re-constructed in time for this sociable time of year
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Thanks, Jan
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What a fun Sunday stroll, John. I got a kick out of the fish wearing a saddle in the first photo. That’s a heartwarming story about Gray. It was particularly wonderful to see all the fabulous artwork from the kids. Have a sublime Sunday. Hugs on the wing!
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Thank you, Teagan. Happy Sunday hug.
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Well, this art show and holiday market made my day! Wonderful, John!
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I’m glad you liked it. Thanks, Jennie.
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My pleasure, John. 🙂
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Great art show, John. Thanks for the heartwarming story about Gray.
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Thanks for the visit, John
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I love Gray’s story! The art is so colorful and fun. And the atmosphere is quite beach!
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Beachy!
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Ha ha ha. Thanks
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Thank you, Luanne
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It is great to know that art is still thriving in Port A! The building looks great!
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It is good to know. Yes the building looks super.
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What heart-warming stories of kids helping other kids! Kinda gives you a warm fuzzy feeling knowing there’s so much compassion and generosity being shown. Interesting artwork, John. Thanks for taking us on this stroll today!
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It does, Debbie. Thanks for going along.
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What a selfless gesture from Gray – someone definitely raised him right!
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Yes indeed. His grandmother had tears in her eyes when she told me the story. Definitely tears of happiness.
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So good to see ‘living’ returning to Port Aransas, John. Happy for Texas, one of my favorite states…
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Thank you, Billy Ray
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Love this, John. It looks like a great place to sell some John Cannon books!!
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Ha ha ha.
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Looks like a ice event. That floor looks a lot like the one we just installed.
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Terrific look.
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Always a pleasure to drop by your corner of the world, John.
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Pleasure to have you, Hook.
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What a lovely event, John. So pleased to see it was able to go ahead. I hope you managed to get your Christmas shopping done? I know I would have if I’d been there.
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I’m all caught up on shopping.
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Good to hear, John. Not a Christmas Eve panic buyer then?
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Nope. Hate that. I like to get it out of the way and then enjoy the whole season. I procrastinate wrapping so there is a little angst there, since I don’t believe in store gift wrapping my items.
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I quite agree, John. I think personal wrapping of the gifts adds that extra sparkle and thought to giving. I have the same thoughts on using gift bags. I don’t use them either.
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The only thing I use a gift bag for is a bottle of wine. So I agree with you. 🙂
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What a great event for Port Aransas. I loved the student’s artwork. They are a talented bunch of kids.
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They are. Thank you, Michelle.
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