New exhibitions to open at Old Jail Sept. 11

By Sam Waller

The Old Jail Art Center will open new exhibits featuring Bill Wittliff’s “Swallowed Light” and Bruce Lee Webb’s “Hootenanny” with a dinner and reception on Saturday, Sept. 11.

“It’s a great way to kick off the fall,” said Susan Montgomery, OJAC’s development and membership coordinator. “It will be a really fun evening.”

The works, along with pieces from the center’s permanent collection, are being displayed as part of a program of a regular rotation of what is exhibited at the museum, Montgomery explained.

“We just closed out with Linda Blackburn and Steve Parker,” she said. “We bring in other exhibits to highlight different artists.”

Both of the new collections will be on exhibit through January 2022.

Montgomery said about 45 to 50 pieces by Wittliff will be included in the exhibit. Webb’s “Hootenanny” will be included in the center’s Cell Series.

“The Cell Series is where we highlight a living Texas artist,” Montgomery said. “Those collections are shown upstairs in the original part of the Old Jail.”

Next weekend’s reception is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.

“We’re planning to host out in the courtyard, starting a little later in hopes that the weather will cool down a bit,” she said. “Weather permitting, we’re going to serve the meal outside too.”

Should weather force the event indoors, Montgomery said masks are highly recommended as a precaution against ­COVID-19. However, there will not be a limit on attendance.

The evening is free to all OJAC members, who are asked to RSVP by Sept. 9. Memberships range from $25 to $1,500. To obtain a membership, call the Old Jail Art Center at 325-762-2269.

“If you’re not already a member, you can join at any time and still be a part of all the fun,” Montgomery said.