Carole Sikes Artist / Writer in Austin, Texas

CHARLESTON PALMS, oil on canvas, 30" x 30 " This painting was produced after traveling with friends two months ago to Charleston, SC. If you like to learn and share ideas with interesting poeople while on vacation, I recommend the trips and programs of ROAD SCHOLAR. We experienced Charleston's gardens and homes with lectures about the city's history from before the American Revolution until after the Civil War, including commerce, black history and plantation life, southern cooking, and much more. We stayed in a beautifully restored hotel in the historical district, toured the city, the Battery, Fort Sumter and the Citidel. All the while looking and learning. BOOKS AND EVENTS At the University of Texas' VISUAL ARTS CENTER (VAC) until May 14th there are art and design works by students pursuing bachelors' degrees and the master's degree. The opening was a big draw. Several days later the alumni of the fine arts department were privileged to gather in the a

On the right is the image of the finished Golden Grasses, oil on canvas, 30"x30". More about this below. But first, I want to clarify my reporting of the Austin Statesman article last month about AUSTIN MUSEUM OF ART- LAGUNA GLORA. JUDITH SIMS at LAGUNA GLORIA and interim AMOA administrator JACK NOKES both sent emails, some of which I want to pass on. According to Judith, the Board of AMOA is still wide open and exploring multiple ideas with enthusiasm and excitement. They are financially responsible and addressing the planning by prioritizing the needs. Examples of the priorities are: closing 823 Congress and selecting a new central location, finding a new director, completing and perhaps improving the master plan for Laguna Gloria. Jack summarized the AMOA plan as follows: "1) to stabilize our budget and operations, 2) to hire the best possible Executive Director, 3) to find an affordable space in which to continue exhibitions and programs in Central Austin, 4) to mak