Art Heritage Museum

The Heritage Museum of Montgomery County is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The museum is located inside Candy Cane Park at 1506 I-45 N. in Conroe.

Come by to preview the newest exhibits of a collection of model airplanes provided by local enthusiast, Jack B. Shepherd. There also is space and astronaut memorabilia donated by local Montgomery Countian and astronaut Robert Crippen. Also, local Montgomery Countian Jim Ullrich loaned his photos of astronaut Joe Allen drinking orange juice in space; Bruce McCandless, the first astronaut untethered in space; Apollo 15 with Commander Dave Scott and astronauts Jim Irwin and Al Worden taking the first drive on the moon; and Robert Crippen’s flight suit and backpack with survival equipment.

Call at 936-539-6873 for more information or to book a tour.

“Exhibit 6”

See the display of winning art from the Conroe Art League’s Feb. 25 show throughout the month of March at CAL’s Gallery at the Madeley Building, 127 Simonton Street, Conroe. Meet the artists of this award-winning artwork at the Artist Reception tonight from 5-8 p.m, also at the Gallery at the Madeley Building. Preview photos of the artwork can be viewed on the league’s website at CONROEARTLEAGUE.COM.

“Zen-Inspired Art”

Begin a series of classes on “Zen-Inspired Art,” taught by award-winning area artist, Golda Radar at Gallery of the Madeley Building, 127 Simonton Street, Conroe. These ongoing classes will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, in 4-week increments. The cost is $100 for four weeks. The first class began Wednesday. For more information, contact Golda at 281-689-2423, via email at radizms@hughes.net, or call the Conroe Art League at 936-756-9572, weekdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Conroe Art League monthly meeting

If you have been wondering what the Conroe Art League does, attend their monthly meeting and artistic demonstration this Saturday. The monthly meeting begins at 11 a.m., followed by a demonstration, entitled “Introduction to Repoussé” led by Maggie Gutierrez.

LSC-Montgomery Kira Kalondy’s “Fusion” exhibit

While ceramics, such as pots and bowls have historically been used to store food and grains, Kira Kalondy creates a bold new perspective to view such pieces. Her ceramic creations center around the idea of fertility, both feminine and masculine. By transforming what is traditionally a functional and pragmatic vessel into a new symbol, she instills her work with new meanings. Her art creates an awareness of the essential nature of ceramics in human history, and the relevance of such works today.

Exhibit runs March 5-30 at the Mary Matteson-Parrish Art Gallery on the LSC-Montgomery campus.

Artist reception is March 29 at 2 p.m.

See www.lonestar.edu/arts-montgomery.htm for more information on arts at the college.

Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is set for April 14-15 along The Woodlands Waterway.

Volunteers and performers are still needed. Visit www.woodlandsartsfestival.com for more information.

Market Street — The Woodlands Fine Arts Festival

Market Street will be transformed into a giant outdoor art extravaganza as the shopping and entertainment destination hosts its 12th Annual Spring Fine Arts Festival on April 28 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dozens of professional and amateur artists will display paintings, photography, metal-works, sculptures, pottery and more with most of the items available for purchase. Live music, artist demonstrations and activities for the kids make the Market Street Spring Fine Arts Festival an event for the entire family.

In the event of rain, the show will be rescheduled to Saturday, May 5.

Admission to the festival is free and open to the public. For more information on this and other Market Street events, visit www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com.

DanceThe Woodlands Ballroom Dancing Club

The Woodlands Ballroom Dancing Club is at Knights of Columbus on FM 1488 on Sunday nights.

All ages are welcome for this smoke-and alcohol-free evening.

Mini-class and Social Dance Party is from 7-9 p.m., with $10 cover charge per person. Call 713-805-4466 for more information.

60-Plus Dance Group

The next dance is tonight at the Conroe Activity Center, 1202 Callahan Ave. in Conroe, with the live band J.E.M. Dandy and March 30 with Jim and Henrie Hiott.

Couples and singles are welcome. Dances are 7-10 p.m. and admission is $3. Bring a covered dish to share at intermission. No smoking or alcohol is allowed. Call Peggy Capps at 936-756-5371.

TheaterCrighton Players

The Crighton Players’ current show is “You Can’t Take It With You” playing for the final times this weekend.

The show about a wacky family from New York City opens tonight and continues weekends through March 25.

Visit crightonplayers.org or call 936-539-4090 for tickets.

Stage Right Productions

The next show for Stage Right Productions is a Carol Burnett Show opening on April 20 and continuing through May 6 at the Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe.

A variety show based on the skits from the TV series “The Carol Burnett Show” with song and dance numbers reminiscent of “Vaudeville (Finally) Comes to the Crighton.” Come and remember some of the famous sketches such as “As the Stomach Turns,” (a parody of “As the World Turns”) and “Went with the Wind” (a parody of “Gone with the Wind,” featuring a scene with Burnett as Starlett O’Hara in the dress made from a window curtain, complete with the curtain rod.

Visit www.stage-right.org or call 936-441-SHOW (7469) for tickets.

MusicDosey Doe

Dosey Doe hosts Thom Sheperd tonight and Saturday brings Mary Allen Keating and the River.

More entertainment this week includes: Sunday, Candy Rat Guitar; Tuesday, Lee Ritenour; Wednesday, The Trishas; Thursday, Carrie Rodriguez; March 30, Ambrosia and March 31, Oleta Adams.

Dosey Doe is at 25911 I-45 North, The Woodlands. Call 281-367-3774 or visit doseydoe.com for more information.

The Corner Pub in Conroe]]>

The Corner Pub is on the downtown Conroe square.

Tonight brings Paula Nelson and Saturday brings Miss Leslie and Her Juke Jointers.

March 30 brings a Mike Amabile CD release for “Open your Eyes.”

On Tuesday, Jeremy Bankhead hosts an Open Mic night and Thursday brings McFarland Jams.

Call 936-788-2390 or visit thecornerpubinconroe.com for more.

Tuts Conroe

Tuts in Conroe presents Josh Fuller & Dirt & Diesel on Saturday at 117 Madeley St. near downtown Conroe.

Also, the date for Tuts’ 29th Anniversary Party is April 7 with Trudy Lynn, Gerry Mouton & The Shakers, Charles Champagne & The Champagne Brothers, The Clay Melton Band and more.

For more information visit hamiltonloomis.com or tutsconroe.com. Also call 936-539-1500.

Crescent Moon Wine Bar and Restaurant

Crescent Moon, at 440 Rayford Road, Suite 115A, Spring, hosts Mid City Players tonight and Last Soul Clan Saturday, David Irvine on Tuesday, Duane Vincent on Wednesday and A Good Excuse - Greg Watterson on Thursday.

Call 281-364-9463 or visit www.crescentmoonwinebar.com.

Shanahan’s Bar and Grill

Shanahan’s Bar and Grill, at 18020 Texas 105 West, Montgomery, hosts DJ Puck every Thursday and Friday.

Scooter Brown leads an acoustic jam every Tuesday.

Visit www.shanahansbar.com for more information.

County Line on Lake Conroe Music Series

The 2012 Friday night Music Series at County Line BBQ on Lake Conroe continues tonight with John Slaughter with Taylor Houdak opening. The concert starts at 7 p.m.

Visit www.countylinehouston.com/conroe for more information.

Highwaymen Live

Larry Martin Entertainment presents Highwaymen Live with Michael Moore as Willie Nelson, Bob Gill as Waylon Jennings and Rusty Evans as Johnny Cash on Saturday at 5 and 8 p.m. at the Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe.

Tickets are $25. Visit crightontheatre.org for tickets.

Pavilion Partner Wine Dinner

Experience a one-of-a-kind event dining on the Main Stage at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion at the 14th Annual Wine Dinner & Auction this Sunday. The Pavilion Partners, the official volunteer organization of The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, home of The Pavilion, hosts this annual event benefiting The Pavilion’s educational programming and Partners Fine Arts Scholarship Fund. A wine and hors d’oeuvres reception begins at 5 p.m. followed by a seated dinner by Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar at 6:30 p.m. The cost to attend the event is $200 per person.

For more information about The Pavilion Partners 14th Annual Wine Dinner & Auction, or the Partners organization, please contact Christine Scully at 281-210-1102 or cscully@woodlandscenter.org.

Montgomery County Choral Society Spring Concert

The Montgomery County Choral Society, celebrating its 40th season, hosts the final concert of this season on March 30 with “Our Heritage in Song” at 8 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 4308 West Davis, Conroe. Call 936-756-3395 for tickets or visit the website mcchoral.org.

Greater Conroe Arts Alliance member organizations are ushering in spring with a variety of programs and celebrations.

On March 30, the Montgomery County Choral Society concludes its 40th season with “Our Heritage in Song,” a program highlighting the diversity of the country through works by American composers and topped off with patriotic fare celebrating the nation’s legacy. Special features include a performance by mezzo soprano Abigail Levis, a Young Texas Artists winner, and an exhibit of works by the Conroe Art League. The choir will premiere a new arrangement of “Shenandoah” commissioned of Rob Landes for the anniversary. First United Methodist Church in Conroe. For tickets and more information, visit www.mcchoral.org or call 936-756-3395, ext. 118.

Friends of Conroe presents the legendary Connie Smith, who will be joined by Marty Stuart in the Sounds of Texas Music Series at the Crighton Theatre on April 7. For tickets and more information, visit www.thesoundsoftexasmusicseries.com.

The Conroe Symphony Orchestra presents “Celebrating Spring,” on April 16 at the Ark Church in Conroe. The concert includes works by Camille Saint-Saens, Peter I. Tchaikovsky, Aaron Copland and Leroy Anderson. For tickets and more information, visit www.conroesymphony.org or call 936-760-2144.

The Conroe Art League is offering a Maggie Price workshop, “Landscapes in Pastel” April 13-15 at the League’s gallery in Conroe. For more information and to sign up for this rare opportunity to work with one of the world’s most accomplished pastel artists, contact Theresa G. Thornhill, 713-816-0699. www.conroeartleague.org.

The Crighton Players celebrates “45 Years of Excellence! 1967-2012” on April 21 at the Owen Theatre in downtown Conroe. The entertaining evening includes songs, performers and stories from The Crighton Players’ past – on stage and off! Hors d’oeuvres by Walden Yacht Club and a special anniversary cake by The Cake Shoppe. For tickets and more information, call 936-539-4090. www.crightonplayers.org.

In another anniversary happening, Greater Conroe Arts Alliance members will participate in the celebration of the 100th birthday of the Madeley and Corner Pub buildings, April 26 at Simonton and Main Streets. Organizers expect a crowd of over 1,000 at the free event that will include vintage cars, birthday cake, wine and street entertainment. For more information, call Theresa G. Thornhill at 713-816-0699.

In other news, the Conroe Art League has been named a Charity Partner with The Woodlands Waterway Festival and will be joined by other members of the Greater Conroe Arts Alliance at the annual Festival April 14 and 15. For more information, visit www.woodlandsartsfestival.com.

The Greater Conroe Arts Alliance is a collaborative 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching lives by providing quality arts programs and events to the community of Conroe and the surrounding areas. The Alliance believes that participation in and support of the arts is an investment that enhances the entire community economically while providing an uplifting and fulfilling cultural experience to everyone. For more information, call Joe Kolb, 936-441-1208.

Dali would have been proud. Pink elephants, African gorillas, bright rainbows and kittens were among the elaborate and varied sidewalk creations decorating the Conroe Founders Plaza at 205 Metcalf Street Saturday.

Fifteen local artists were on hand to transform gray concrete into works of art and also to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day for a good cause.

Artists had red name plates set up beside their designated squares, and small oblong metal bowls in which to collect funds given by spectators to donate to breast cancer research.

Lynn Peverill, artist and junior high and high school art teacher at Covenant Christian School in Conroe, was sitting in the middle of her piece, which was based off her own painting depicting a scene from the Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo.

Peverill initiated the event in 2011 and said the goal was to honor breast cancer victim and late local artist Linda Watson.

Peverill came up with the idea after participating in a street painting festival called Via Colori in Houston.

“Well, I did a piece for Via Colori and I really enjoyed it and had so much fun. It was such a cool thing,” she said.

This year’s event featured 15 artists, an increase from 10 from last year, Peverill said.

Jill Wright, a returning artist from the 2011 event, was using a photo of her own kitten, Abigail, to inspire her chalk piece.

Wright, who was pictured in the Courier drawing sunflowers at last year’s event, said she really enjoys using chalk as a medium due to its versatility.

“It’s fun that you can use it in lots of different places on so many different things. It’s cool for people to be able to just walk around and see it.”

Peverill said this year they would be awarding first, second and third place awards to artists, who would receive ribbons and flowers as prizes.

Peverill said it cost the Conroe Art League $800 “just to get the event off the ground” and then an estimated additional $500 or $600 would go to charity. The event is sponsored completely by local merchants and art enthusiasts.

Peverill said the Thomas Kinkade Gallery provided breakfast and the Conroe Art League furnished refreshments for artists and spectators.

“There’s just so much talent in Conroe,” Peverill said, “People just don’t see it or get out here often enough, but there’s some unbelievably gifted artists.”
By: Andrea Bolt
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/news/nd-annual-chalk-up-conroe-benefits-breast-cancer-research/article_5c55d3a4-5813-557a-b0a6-96d67d842619.html

Well, the Crighton Players did it again ... put on a top-notch performance that had the audience laughing over and over again. “You Can’t Take It With You” (written by MOSS HART & GEORGE S. KAUFMAN) is “a hilarious sendup of wealth, class distinction and the oddities that exist in every family” although the Sycamore family contains more oddities than normal, that’s for sure. For instance, Essie Carmichael (played by CRISTY CAMPOBELLA) dances rather than walks; Daddy Paul Sycamore (ROGER ORMISTON) along with Mr. DePinna (KATT GILCREASE) spend thier waking hours fooling around with fireworks and explosives and Mom (played by MARILYN MOORE) picks along on her typewriter, trying to write several different screen plays, all at the same time. Alice Sycamore (played by NATALIE HERNANDEZ) found herself a suitor, who just happens to be the boss’s son (BOB TOWNSEND) and the laughter follows. It was great fun and those of us in the audience thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The those of us who are First Nighters were invited to a party held at the Conroe Art League’s new gallery at 127 Simonton Street in Downtown Conroe where we munched on great food and mingled with the multi-talented cast. All in all, a delightful evening. The play continues at the Owen Theatre until March 25th. For tickets or information, call 936-539-4090 or logon to www.crightonplayers.org.

Don’t forget the Conroe Service League’s big fundraiser coming up on Friday, March 30. This Aim for Higher Education Sporting Clay Shootout, begins with lunch and registration starting at 11:30 and then shootout immediatley following at 1 p.m. This Skeet Shoot Tournament will be held at the Gun Emporium Shooting Station in Conroe For more information contact JANIE GARZA at 281-904-7123 or Waterford Estates resident CHERYL FULLEN.

– Marie Underdown
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/living/waterford-estates/article_941d4bcb-81ba-5538-98cd-d2f6d0d293a4.html

The visual arts come alive indoors and outdoors this St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Conroe’s downtown arts district, even before the annual Conroe St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts on Saturday.

Area galleries and artists of all ages will be working together to show that art is indeed everywhere and for everyone.

Start your weekend celebration this evening with an artist reception (5-7 p.m.) and two-day exhibit of young people’s art at the Gallery at the Madeley Building, home of the Conroe Art League.

Come back Saturday wearing a bit of the green, to see some of the area’s best artists producing and displaying their artwork. The second annual Chalk-Up Conroe event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Founders Plaza begins the Saturday art events. An art show and sale at the Owen Theatre is also from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. From noon to 8 p.m., attend a reception and see some outstanding artwork by Conroe High School artists, at the Linda Watson Gallery.

See what’s new at the Gallery Off the Square and the Louis E. Wheeler Fine Arts Gallery. Finish up the day joining the revelers in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday in front of McDougal law offices, 333 Simonton Street, Conroe. See more details of the weekend’s art events below.

CONROE ART LEAGUEShowcasing and Inspiring Young Artists

Tonight, the Conroe Art League will be hosting, from 5 – 7 p.m., a reception and show for twenty young area artists (K-8th grade), who have just completed the visual arts portion (painting, drawing, sculpting) of this year’s first Conroe Parks and Recreation “Multi-Arts Camp” program. The show and reception will be at the Conroe Art League’s Gallery at the Madeley Building, 127 Simonton Street, Conroe. Come celebrate the accomplishments of these young artists and see their exciting artwork. The Multi-Arts Camp artwork will be on display through Saturday. CAL will be hosting in late June and July shows and receptions for the young participants in the remaining two Multi-arts Camps for this year. Watch this column for updates.

CAL at KidzFest 2012

A number of CAL artists will be giving “mini” art classes to young attendees at the day-long annual Conroe KidzFest, set this year for March 31. In support of this year’s theme for KidzFest 2012, CAL artist and Chalk-Up Conroe visionary, Lynn Peverill will be creating an Olympics-themed large scale chalk art piece near the CAL tent.

Young CAL Member wins top award at Houston Livestock and Rodeo Student Art Show

Competing against more than 300,000 other Texas students, Barry Carter, a senior at Magnolia West High School and a Conroe Art League member since age 11, won the highest award (Grand Champion) at the 2012 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Student Art Show, with his painting, “Smokey and the Bandit.” Barry’s painting was auctioned last weekend for a record-breaking $206,000.

Barry is no stranger to art competitions and breaking records. Though only placing eleventh in the 2011 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Student Show, Barry won the highest award (Grand Champion) last year for one of his paintings at the San Antonio Livestock and Rodeo student art show, and the top award (Grand Champion) at the 2011 Austin Livestock and Rodeo student art competition for another painting. Each of these winning paintings sold for $20,000 at auction. The painting that won Grand Champion at San Antonio had earlier won the highest award at the Conroe Art League’s 2010 Fall Show.

Barry was the first high school student ever to win the league’s highest award. In 2010, one of Barry’s paintings won the Congressional Art competition for Texas State District 8, and his painting hung, along with other state district winning artwork, for a year at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. Currently planning to continue his art studies at Texas Christian University, Barry says his winnings over the past couple of years will greatly help with upcoming school tuition costs.

Meet CAL Spring Show Winners

If you have not yet stopped by, “Exhibit 6” continues throughout March, with an artist reception, set for Friday, March 23, (5-8 p.m.) at the Conroe Art League’s Gallery at the Madeley Building, 127 Simonton Street, Conroe. “Exhibit 6” is a dazzling display of two and three-dimensional artwork by some forty artists who earned top prizes at the league’s Feb. 25 annual spring show. Come see the outstanding artwork and meet the artists. A preview of the show can be seen on the league’s website at www.conroeartleague.com.

THE LINDA WATSON GALLERYby Joe Fleshner

Remembering an area art teacher and raising funds for breast cancer research

As one of the sponsors for Chalk-Up Conroe, The Linda Watson Gallery, joins with Conroe’s other galleries and area artists in urging everyone to bring family and friends, clad in green, to see Chalk-Up Conroe (at Founders Plaza) and all the other Conroe arts district’s visual arts events happening this weekend. Watch 18 emerging and professional local artists, wearing St. Patrick’s Day green T-shirts, create pavement masterpieces, while raising funds to benefit breast cancer research and honoring the memory of Linda Watson, a well-known area high school art teacher, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Prizes will be awarded the best three pavement paintings. Judging begins at 2 p.m. While other artists have not yet revealed the themes of their chalk paintings, the project’s originator, Lynn Peverill, says her piece will be a tribute to the Montgomery County Fair.

A bit of history on Chalk-Up Conroe: Having participated in the annual “Via Colori” chalk art event in Houston, which benefits the Center for Hearing and Speech, Lynn Peverill thought that a similar celebration of area artists, which also raises funds for a worthy cause would work well in Conroe. The first Chalk-Up Conroe event was held in April 2011. As for the inaugural event, the 2nd Annual Chalk-Up Conroe tomorrow, raises funds for breast cancer research, and honors the memory of a well-known area art teacher, Linda Watson, who lost her battle with breast cancer a few years ago. Lynn will be joined by 17 other well-known and emerging area artists, including: Vickie Voelz; Brenda Stone; Judy Kammerer; Pat Van Velzer; Joe Kolb and his niece Julia Lewis; Debi Sparks; Jill Wright; Kristine Canestorp; Jamie Berry; Vickie Nash; Randy Santori; Lynsey Skirvin; Cathy Cook; Megan Campbell; Josh Wagner; Kelsey Fore; and Yvette Brown.

The event is funded by through the efforts of local sponsors including Conroe Live, Inc; The Linda Watson Gallery; Gallery off the Square; the Lou Wheeler Fine Art Gallery; The Conroe Art League; and a host of individual donors. The event is free, but donations for breast cancer research can be dropped off Saturday, or checks can be mailed. Checks should be written to Conroe Live, Inc, with a notation “for breast cancer research,” included, and mailed to Conroe Live, Inc. 304 North Main Street, Conroe, Texas 77301.

Art Show/Sale at the Owen Theatre: At the same time ( 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) artists are creating pavement paintings, at Founders Plaza, the completed artwork of some of these artists, along with other Conroe Art League members will be on display, and for sale, in the lobby of the Owen Theatre (immediately adjacent to Founder’s Plaza).

Conroe High School Art Show/Reception: Less than a block away, The Linda Watson Gallery (at 204 N. Main Street, Conroe) will be showcasing the artwork of Conroe High School students from noon to 8 p.m. Most of the participating artists are students of Conroe High School art teacher, Kristine Canestorp, who a couple of years ago, applied her talents as a ceramic artist in creating the tiles for the top of the art bench located in front of the Gallery at the Madeley Building, 127 Simonton Street, Conroe.

Art Travels with Jean and Joe: Having recently returned from looking at glass jewelry-making in Venice, Fla., Joe and Jean Fleshner, owners of the Linda Watson Gallery, are getting ready to re-visit glass art on a major scale in Tacoma, Wash. There they will be visiting the world-famous glass-blowing facility known as the “Glass Museum.” According to Joe and Jean, once is not enough to view this extraordinary glass art facility. They will also visit a few of that area’s numerous galleries and artist venues.

GALLERY OFF THE SQUAREby Cathy Cook

Gallery owner is also an artist: Spending most of her time promoting other artists, some may not know that Cathy Cook, owner of the Gallery off the Square Thomas Kinkade, is also an artist. In addition to providing breakfast for her artist colleagues Saturday morning, Cathy will also be one of the artists at the Chalk-Up Conroe event, creating art on the pavement at Founders Plaza this weekend.

Gallery adds two new area artists: Well-known area representational and abstract artist, Jerry Parker, who designed a number of the city’s art benches, now has art work hanging in the Chelsea’s Tea Room portion of Gallery Off the Square. Artwork by well-known digital artist and current President of the Conroe Art League, Theresa Thornhill, is also now on display in Chelsea’s Tea Room. Viewers can continue to watch noted area bronze sculptor, Craig Campobella in his Campobella Bronze Fine Art Studio, mold some of his tributes to history and music in the front room of the Gallery. For what has been described as “controversial political art,” the Gallery is also showcasing the work of Colorado artist, Jon McNaughton.

Maggie Gutierrez is a local artist and member of the Conroe Art League. She may be reached at GGutmarina@aol.com.

Posted: Sunday, March 11, 2012 5:00 am | Updated: 8:44 pm, Sat Mar 10, 2012. By Brad Meyer | 0 comments

Now celebrating a century of service, a landmark building in downtown Conroe continues to reflect the progressive nature of the community and its residents.

For 100 years, the Madeley Building, located at 125 Simonton Street in downtown Conroe, has been an important site of commerce in Conroe – and now the renovated facility serves as the home of the Conroe Art League and their Gallery at the Madeley Building.

“The businesses that have been housed in the Madeley Building have been representative of the hard work and progressive nature of this part of Texas,” said Larry Foerster, a Conroe civic leader and community historian. “The children and grandchildren of the folks who worked and did business in the Madeley building back in the day can still enjoy it – it’s a part of our collective history.”

Following a devastating fire that destroyed most of downtown Conroe in 1911, the property on which the Madeley Building was constructed was sold to Albert A. and Daniel A. Madeley for $400. The entrepreneurial family, which owned 320 acres of land in Montgomery County, was active in agriculture, cattle and the early days of telecommunications in the city of Conroe.

Architect Duayne Freeman said the style of construction was typical of the turn-of-the-century era – utilitarian and functional, with few design accents or ornamentations. The structure does have an open patio area in the rear.

Among the building’s earliest uses was as the Madeley Meat Market.

Joyce Musselman, 83, whose mother was a Madeley, recalled visiting the retail market when she was only 3 years old – though details are sketchy. Local attorney Foster Madeley, grandson of Daniel Madeley, recalls his father delivering meat in bulk to the prison in Huntsville.

But the Madeley Building had numerous retail incarnations over the decades, including Midway Cleaners and a ladies dress shop owned by Mrs. Bell. One of the most important – and historical – tenants was George Madeley’s Conroe Communications Company.

The early telephone company occupied the second floor of the Madeley Building, providing local service for a monthly subscriber fee of 25 cents. Operator salaries at the time were $25 per month.

“It was extremely hot up on the second floor of the Madeley Building during summers,” said Foerster. “It’s believed that George Madeley brought the first air conditioning unit to Montgomery County to keep the operators – and the equipment – from overheating.”

Condensation from that early air conditioner occasionally leaked into the dress shop below, damaging some garments for which George Madeley agreed to pay.

“It’s said Mrs. Bell eventually began leaving dresses she couldn’t otherwise sell under the areas that leaked,” said Foester. “She was a pretty savvy businesswoman.”

Eventually, the city of Conroe acquired the building and renovated the structure as part of a downtown revitalization program. The revitalized structure is occupied by the Conroe Art League – showcasing the artistic creations of painters, sculptors and other artisans, primarily from Montgomery County and the surrounding area.

“It’s very invigorating and appealing for the community to support the arts in a historical structure like the Madeley Building,” said Theresa Thornhill, president of the CAL. “We offer a gallery for artists to display and sell their work and a variety of classes for those that want to pursue artistic expression.”

Foster Madeley and Joyce Musselman, descendents of the original Madeley Brothers who constructed the building, are pleased with the revitalization of the building and its use as a gallery to showcase local artists.

“What they have done is lovely,” said Foster. “It’s a fine use of a building that has historical – and personal – significance.”

For more information on CAL, visit www.conroeartleague.com.

Related Content Downtown Duo Celebration

CONROE LIVE, the CONROE ART LEAGUE, CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS and members of the MADELEY FAMILY invite the public to join the 100th Birthday Celebration of the Madeley Building and the building on the corner across the street (known today by many as “The Corner Pub” Building) on April 26 from 5 to 8 p.m., at the corner of Main and Simonton streets in historic downtown Conroe.

Related Content About the Madeley Building

The historic Madeley Building was built in 1912 by brothers Albert A. and Daniel A. Madeley, who owned a Madeley Meat Market for many years downstairs.

The Conroe Communications Company was moved upstairs by George Madeley after the building was built and operated there until the Conroe Telephone Company moved to its new location on Phillips Street.

Morris Bateman, a wire chief of the Lufkin Telephone exchange, moved to Conroe in 1948 to manage the Conroe telephone operations. Bateman installed the first air conditioner in downtown Conroe on the second floor of the Madeley Building to keep his lady switchboard operators comfortable.

In 1954, Conroe Telephone Company moved to the new telephone exchange building on Phillips after 42 years in the Madeley Building.

Renovated in 2010, the building is now the home of the Conroe Art League’s Gallery at the Madeley Building. For more information, visit www.conroeartleague.com.

Conroe Art League named a Charity Partner with The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival! Great News! We have an opportunity to support one of the top-rated festivals in the nation, promote the good works of our league and earn some money in the process. As a charity partner we are required to provide a minimum of 250 volunteer hours (63--4 hour shifts) toward the production and operation of the festival from Thursday, April 12 to Sunday, April 15. There are many jobs to choose from.

As an individual volunteer you will get FREE admission to the festival, a FREE commemorative T-shirt, and be able to meet many nationally recognized artists!

Proceeds from our volunteer time with The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival will be used to host special exhibits, reach out to under-served segments in our community and to continue to provide a premier art gallery in downtown Conroe.

Steps to volunteer are:
Go to The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival website
Click on VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP (left hand side of the screen)
Hit the VOLUNTEER NOW button
Review the list of jobs
Click the link and you will be taken to a Summary page with a SIGN UP button--click it.
Create a username and password
Fill in your information, emergency contact person and then choose CONROE ART LEAGUE as the organization you want to donate your hours to!
Please look at the list and find a job you are comfortable performing and sign up for a convenient time-slot.

Your free t-shirt and further instructions on how and where to check-in to the festival will come later.

Rack cards about the festival are available in the gallery. Please pick up a few to share with your friends, family and neighbors. Ask them to volunteer, too!

Please contact Theresa at tgtart@gmail.com or by phone at 713.816.0699, if you have questions or need help.


Judged Show this Saturday; 2/25 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
9:00 – 10:30 Entries Accepted
12:00 – 2:00 Judging & Demonstration
2:00 – 3:00 Awards & Critique
3:30 Show Closes
JUDGE: AJ Schexnayder
DEMONSTRATION ARTIST: Ken Muenzenmeyer - Acrylics
For information regarding the judged show contact: Debi Sparks 936-445-3730 sparksdebi@gmail.com
Location: Christ Church, 10087 League Line Rd, Conroe, TX
More info can be found on our website.

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_Many continue to celebrate and remember Mark Clapham, whose physical presence left the earth Jan. 12, but whose spirit remains in the hearts of those whose lives he touched, and in the enduring bronze sculptures, murals, paintings and illustrations he created over four decades of serious artistic endeavor. Because of his remarkable legacy of art work, some of which was acknowledged by his home state in an alternate Texas State Artist Award (1991-92), and because he called Conroe his “hometown,” we dedicate this Art Talk column to a man who was complex and yet simple, internationally known and yet humble; whose verbal voice was soft, but whose artistic voice resounded.

Celebrating Conroe/Montgomery CountyA resident for some 40 years, Mark loved Conroe and when possible he shared that affection via his most accomplished form of expression – his artwork. Many know of the 70-foot mural, “Montgomery County Walkway Through Time,” the mural which spans Texas 105 in downtown Conroe. Others know of his 16-foot mural (title not found) painted on a wall of the lobby of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 1 Criminal Justice Drive in Conroe.

Many know of his black granite etching paying tribute to a former area resident, Dr. Charles Stewart, (designer of the Texas flag), which was Mark’s contribution to the 2009 Conroe Art Bench project. That bench sits on the sidewalk of N. Main Street, across from the Montgomery County courthouse. A painting, “Sixteen Symbols of Texas,” (private collection) originally commissioned as a cover for an area telephone directory, continues to be available for viewing on the website of the Honorable Kevin Brady, Texas State Representative, 8th District, as part of the congressman’s “Just for Kids” interactive project. (see www.house.gov/brady/students).

Celebrating his Alma MaterMark loved his alma mater, the University of Houston, and completed over 80 bronze sculptures and many other art works for the school. His life-size bronze sculpture of a cougar (the school’s mascot) can be seen on the University of Houston campus, near Holman Street (see the university’s map of campus artwork at www.uh.edu/uh-collection/publicartguide.pdf. The University of Houston acknowledged Mark with the John B. Van Ness Distinguished Alumni Award.

Conroe Art LeagueBecause he touched the lives of so many of its member artists, and because Mark’s deteriorating health prevented him from attending the Nov. 17 opening of the league’s Gallery at the Madeley Building, the Conroe Art League offered the Gallery as a place to continue celebrating Mark’s life following his funeral services Jan. 16. While many attendees were awed at the two paintings exhibited, a portfolio display of photos of some of Mark’s artwork left attendees breathless. While even that catalogue did not contain photos of all his artwork, it contained photos of a staggering volume of artwork, few had ever seen in one collection.

World Class Teachers/MentorsIt should come as no surprise that such an accomplished artist like Mark cited as most influential in his artistic development, four internationally acclaimed artists. Beginning with his mother, Wanda Clapham, an internationally celebrated porcelain artist, Mark was encouraged from an early age to pursue his artistic talents. It was his mother who learned of a potential teacher, and took Mark at age seventeen to Taos, New Mexico to learn sculpturing skills from the world renowned Texas/New Mexico painter, sculptor and author, A. Kelly Pruitt. With no call ahead, Mark and his mother arrived at Mr. Pruitt’s Taos studio, and Mark was accepted for individual sculpture tutoring by Mr. Pruitt on the spot. Mr. Pruitt remained a friend of Mark’s until his death in 2009.

Mark also cited New Mexico/Texas painter, Freemont Ellis, founder of “Los Cinco Pintores,” (a prominent New Mexico artist group) for his guidance and impact on Mark’s painting. A look at Mark’s handling of light in his painting, “God’s Only Glory,” (private collection) and a early painting by Freemont Ellis “Valley of the Gods,” in the El Paso Museum of Art (and reproduced in DICTIONARY OF TEXAS ARTISTS 1800-1945, published by Texas A&M, in 1958) might suggest some of Mr. Ellis’ influence on Mark’s art work.

Referring to him as his “mentor,” Mark credited world-class Texas painter and University of Houston professor, Bob Wygant, as most important in helping him master the techniques of illustration. Some of what he learned from Bob Wygant can be seen in Mark’s painting, “The Barkeep Rules,” (private collection) a photo of which was shared at his memorial services on Jan.16.

Native American HeritageMark’s Chickasaw heritage, through his mother, informed and guided much of his painting and sculptural tributes to Native Americans. One of countless artworks celebrating Native Americans is the painting, “Crow Chief Plenty Coups,” (private collection) shared with friends and family at Mark’s memorial services. This painting depicts a Crow Indian chief standing alone, holding the American flag. A comment perhaps on the times, not missed by Mark, this Crow Chief was the only Native American invited to the Nov. 11, 1932 dedication of what was then called the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” at Arlington National Cemetery. Another powerful painting includes a skull in foreground, a Teton Sioux (formerly Lakota) Chief in middle ground with a bull buffalo encircled in the background. This painting is titled, “The Legend Days are Over,” (private collection). With strong images of key Native American symbols, the painting represents the death of the relationship between, and the dependence of the Lakotas on, the buffalo.

Encouraging Emerging Texas ArtistsFor 38 years, Mark served as senior judge for the School Art Program competition of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and was acknowledged in 2010 with their Lifetime Achievement Award. The School Art Program, which began in 1964, has more than 300,000 entries each year. Participants range from Pre-K through 12th grade. The young entrants must submit an original art project based on Western culture, history or heritage. The winning artwork is auctioned in part for scholarships. (see www.hlsr.com)

Another Artist for Whom Artifice Held No Appeal For reasons known only to Mark, he was not comfortable in a large social gathering. While history on a range of subjects including military, American presidential, American west, Native Americans, the visual arts, and the achievements of Texas football teams, especially the University of Houston team, were topics he could be drawn into in a small gathering or one-to-one, Mark, by all accounts eschewed talking about his accomplishments or making “small talk.” Until only the past couple of years, Mark employed an agent to promote his artwork. If a description of one of Mark’s teachers, A. Kelly Pruitt, by Tom Netherland (Bristol Herald Courier, Jan. 24, 2008) “an artist for whom artifice holds absolutely no appeal,” is accurate, perhaps that is why Mark, also an artist for whom artifice held no appeal, remained friends for so long. (see quote by Tom Netherland in “Arts Magazine,” at www.artsmagazine.info.articles)

PERSONAL TRIBUTESBelow are tributes from a few members of the Conroe area art community who wished to publicly pay tribute to Mark Clapham, an artistic giant, a Conroe resident and a friend:

JOE AND JEAN FLESHNER (owners of The Linda Watson Gallery)

“It’s time to pause from the Gallery’s normal Art Talk information for remembering Mark Clapham. It’s with a very heavy heart that “The Conroe Community Art World” announces that a pillar and cornerstone of the visual arts, Mark Clapham, died last week. His terrific sense of humor and dedication to his profession was unprecedented. We might accept his challenge to each of us to strive to do our best in each of our daily walks.

As Mark loosened up, it became clear that he was not only a talented multi-media artist, but also an avid history buff who researched his details. Mark’s bronze sculpture, “The Hawk’n Whar True But Slow” (private collection) is a classic example of his passion for having the minor and major details correct. The oil painting, “Warrior” (private collection) though small in size, as someone said last week, is ‘almost three dimensional.’ The feather, the bead work, the throat medallion had to be exact. Every detail had to be right before it was finished and available to the public.

It was a privilege to know a person who took the time, care and concern about each item to be correct and authentic. Mark, you will be missed.

As long as we all can enjoy and marvel over your works, our spirit will be better. Thank you, Mark for being a friend and yourself.”

CATHY COOK  (owner, Gallery Off the Square Thomas Kinkade)

“I met Mark a couple of months after I first opened my gallery through Conroe gallery owner, Joe Fleshner and Conroe-based artist, Joe Kolb. Mark was an amazing artist, but what is even more, was that he was so modest. He was the most down-to-earth-artist that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Just an incredibly sweet man. He will be sorely missed.”

THERESA THORNHILL (Artist; President, Conroe Art League; VP,Conroe Live, Inc)“I first heard of Mark Clapham just a few years ago when Maggie Gutierrez arranged a couple of short tours of his studio. The artists and teachers who went on that tour had glowing remarks about both the art and the man. My interest was piqued and at the next artist reception, Maggie introduced us to each other.I quickly discovered that Mark was an extremely humble person who went very quietly about his business. His many honors, awards and accomplishments were never brought up in casual conversations. As impressive as his accolades were, you didn’t need to know any of that. Once you found yourself standing in front of one of his paintings or sculptures, his remarkable talent and skill were obvious.I feel honored to have spent time with him and to have known such an artist. The art community of Conroe has lost a jewel but will forever be touched by his contributions.”

LOIS BLACKBURNE (Artist; teacher; lifelong friend)

“He left the world a huge piece of himself and, to say he made his MARK on the world, is an understatement!”

Maggie Gutierrez is a local artist and member of the Conroe Art League. She may be reached at GGutmarina@aol.com.