My Blog

A little Q&A with Dr. Sheila Bishop...

Thank you! I appreciate your help, and I'm excited to see what we can build together this year!

An opportunity to see the legacy

continue to grow. I'm so excited!

My late grandmother, Inez Ewart Valdes, was a painter and an active member in the Southeast

Texas art community. As a child, I would tag along with her occasionally on her errands to BAL

and other local art venues, her helper, carrying all the things to and from her car, usually frames,

paintings and art supplies. I was fascinated by the possibilities, the beauty, the colors and

mediums, the people. Upon high school graduation I was awarded a small scholarship to attend a

short drawing class at BAL, which I enjoyed. I then lost my way away from art for more than 30

years. Last year, I retired my stethoscope and picked up a paint brush.

Aside from occasional crafting, I attempted a few paintings, badly, in adulthood but lacked the

fundamentals and raw talent, and mostly fell away from the arts until this past year. Survival

prevailed for a while, the military, family, education, career, tragedy and loss, the daily grind, and

a lot of love happened along the way. I jumped back in this past year, headfirst into painting, and

onto the BAL board and the Treasury seat. I haven't looked back. I'm learning and

experimenting, and just having a lot of fun with some amazing people. I entered my first show

last year around this time. I'm motivated by goals, so having a show to work toward every month

is good for my personal growth as an artist. I'm also forced to put myself out there, something

that many of us know is uncomfortable and scary, but exciting at the same time. I love that

feeling. I'm having fun.

My vision is to grow participation among our members to improve the services we offer to all

artists and art appreciators, members and nonmembers, and to all our Southeast Texas

community. We can't do it without our members and supporters showing up. What does that look

like? It's showing up with art for shows, showing up to receptions and special events, buying art,

making a monetary or material donation, taking a class, helping on work days, making a

contribution to the newsletter or website, showing up on social media by sharing, commenting,

liking. We need our village. We need our family of members and our supporters. Thank you.

There's no one that can replace Mary Ellen. I've known Mary Ellen for over 20 years. She's

family, and a very special lady. Her team and hard work turned this place around when the doors

were close to closing. Their time, expertise, labor and donations were key to why we flourish

today as a place to commune and share our common love for art. That's priceless. I'm not

nervous because I know that Mary Ellen, the Board and Advisory Committee, member

volunteers, and my husband are going to be here every step of the way to help. I'm not alone in

this. I'm not nervous because I have experience successfully leading teams. I've worn a lot of

hats. I'm a problem solver, and know my limitations, but I know how to work to find the

answers. My plan is to surround myself with a good team, prioritize and get to work. I'm not

nervous because I don't have time to be nervous. There's too much else to do.

Help us continue to bring quality theater to our community by makinYes! We have been cleaning, weeding, sanding and painting, general much needed updating.

We've had Mary Ellen and Stephanie Orta spearheading these projects with volunteers, and if

you haven’t seen how sparkly everything is then get down there! Great work! Thank you to

everyone who chipped in! You guys are amazing! We need to continue with updating the floors

now that the Brown Gallery walls and ceiling have been renewed. We are currently weighing

options. You will hear more details about this soon enough a donation or becoming a member. Your support makes a difference.

I need your help. We are a small organization operating on a shoe string budget, with a small

network of active volunteers and donors. Most of the work and expense behind the scenes is

donated and volunteered time, including mailing and printings, most of the food and drink at the

show openings, creative content, bookkeeping and administration, etc. You can help in so many

ways, through your time or your money. Any amount of your time, however small, is welcomed

and appreciated! We need data entry/organizers, content creators, social media

sharers/influencers, minor repairs and labor or cleaning, sign makers, hospitality volunteers,

landscaping and more. Want to teach a class or workshop? Let's hear your pitch! No time?

Donations and sponsorships are always appreciated. Material donations are accepted. We

currently need a new office computer and software, a kitchen faucet, monthly CPA or

bookkeeping services, new flooring, classroom equipment and art supplies, painters,

landscaping, more paint and other facility equipment upgrades and repairs, just to name a few.

Last, but probably most importantly, support our local artists and each other because life is short,

and too fun and interesting to miss. BUY THE ART!!!!