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In May 2023 eight local gallery owners/curators participated in a gallery tour presented by the Dripping Springs Art League. However, the Art League had actually not formed as yet, it was just a convenient name to represent the local galleries. Hundreds toured the galleries with many shocked to discover the vibrant art scene that already existed in their hometown.
During the summer, those same art enthusiasts sought to answer the question, “What’s next?”
• Was it a one-time event?
• Should we have another gallery tour later?
• Perhaps this was the tip of the iceberg?
We concluded that we needed more information. We needed to connect with the local artists and see what they wanted.
We hosted a community meeting in August 2023, unsure what attendance our social media posts would provide.
Over 50 people attended that night. It was clear, art in Dripping was alive and well.
What we heard from those gathered that night became our mission:
Art | Community | Connection
Art: People wanted to hone their skills and explore new art mediums
Community: People wanted to meet other artists that share similar interests
Connection: Artists were interested in exhibiting and selling their art.
These three simple words captured the energy and passion of those who attended and the Dripping Springs Art League was formed.
Our programming these first two years has reflected our mission:
Art: Twenty clubs ranging from glass and fiber arts to oil, watercolor, woodworking and much more; all offering new and experienced artists the opportunity to explore and grow.
Ivy Sheppard (center) hosts the Watercolor Club.
Community: Member socials, Create & Connect workshops and social time embedded in all our programming.
DSAL Member social recognizing the many volunteers of the Art Lounge at Songwriters Festival.
Connection: Exhibits around town, markets, and our West of Weird Art Tour with over 35 art studios and galleries sharing their talent and inspiration across Dripping.
Art on display at the DSAL Gallery at Rolling in Thyme & Dough.
And while our Clubs are flourishing and our Markets and Tours have helped facilitate over $100,000 in local art sales, it is clear that Community is what brings us all together. Our members have helped drive this clarity and our programming has expanded accordingly:
Five aspects of Community have come to the forefront.
Find Your Tribe: So many of our members are seeking their ‘tribe.’ Whether they are newcomers to Dripping Springs or have been here a while but just haven’t found a group of people with a common bond, many join and attend our socials and Clubs to meet fellow artists. In these divisive times in our nation, it’s wonderful for people of diverse backgrounds and ideologies to bind together around art.
DSAL hosts member social coffees and cocktails monthly.
Make a Difference in Your Hometown: I have no doubt Dripping can boast of hundreds of fabulously talented artists. Most create at home and share their artwork amongst family and friends. The DSAL offers opportunities to go beyond. Many brave souls have joined our Art Markets at the Triangle, our exhibits at Rolling in Thyme & Dough, or created a magnificent Star that now adorns our parks and along Mercer Street. They are sharing their art and brightening up our town with their creations.
Erin Hounsel presents her 2025 Star at the unveiling at DSRP.
Impacting Others: The members and leaders of the DSAL are pursuing our Vision of being a catalyst for Dripping to be an art destination. Hosting events like the Art Lounge at Songwriters, our West of Weird Art Tour, and our ‘Night to Inspire’ gala help showcase the beauty of Dripping Springs for residents and visitors alike.
More Art for Everyone: Art often appears to take a backseat in schools and in our hectic lives. We offer free art classes for students and adults along with our intergenerational art program, Art Across the Ages, at Ledgestone Senior Living Community. Art should be accessible and affordable for all.
An Eye Toward the Future: The DSAL awards scholarships to local high school graduates pursuing a career in the arts. We are also developing options for a permanent home that can offer gallery space, meeting space, and makerspace to serve the local art scene through our Creative Horizons Initiative.
Together, the members of the Dripping Springs Art League, along with our incredible sponsors and partners, continue to pursue our expansive and inclusive mission of…
Art | Community | Connection
Come, find your tribe and make a difference in your community.
You are welcome anytime.
Find details and schedules for all these programs at artindripping.com.
If you’d like to donate to the Dripping Springs Art League this giving season, please go to https://artindripping.com/2025eoycampaign/
https://artindripping.com/2025eoycampaign/
