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1 / ALPINE MURAL Alpine ' s Gallery Night recently funded and organized the creation of a public mural that celebrates the history and culture of the Big Bend region .
The mural was inspired by the tradition of Mexican Calendar Art - paintings that depict culturally rich moments of Mexican history and life . The ambitious project generated community involvement by having volunteers chip in and help with the painting process .
Styllle Read , an award winning and nationally recognized muralist , led the project . Read created the preliminary design for the mural , directed volunteers , and completed final touches . The result is a beautiful piece of public art highlighting the region ' s unique history .
See it at 104 N . 5th St . in Alpine on the South side of the Printco Building .
2 / VIVA BIG BEND
Viva Big Bend is the annual music festival held in , you guessed it , the Big Bend region of West Texas . In 2013 , the festival hosted concerts in Alpine , Marfa , Fort Davis , and Marathon . Over 50 bands of different sizes and genres participated . If music isn ' t enough , there ' s also an art show and kid ' s activities . The festival was started in 2012 , and has been a huge success the past two years . Get your tickets early . For information on Viva Big Bend ' s 2014 schedule and lineup check out vivabigbend . com . Event Date :: JULY 24-27 , 2014 .
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3 / PRESIDIO ARTS FESTIVAL
On March 28 and 29 , 2014 the city of Presidio will celebrate the work of its creative inhabitants with the 3rd annual Presidio Arts Festival .
You can expect plenty of art , music , multitalented performers , kids ' events , and the Cabrito Cookoff . The
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festival is currently inviting professional or amateur local and student artists to participate . Musicians , performers , and arts organizations , and local businesses are also encouraged to get involved .
If you want to volunteer , be a sponsor , or participate in any way , contact Laurie Holman at 432-295- 1733 or Brad Newton at 432-229- 3517 . In the meantime , keep checking presidiotx . us / arts / for information on the upcoming festival .
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4 / FILM IN THE BIG BEND The Big Bend Film Commission was founded by Alpine residents Ric Edwards , John Green , and Terry " Tex " Toler after they recognized the growing interest in the Big Bend as a filming location .
The commission was formed to advertise the unique qualities of the Big Bend Region to film companies , and meet any needs of prospective filmmakers . And the need is there . Just during the last quarter of 2012 , the commission received requests for location scouting and management , talent and props , and even drew the attention of a History Channel series being shot in the region . Registering with the Film Commission includes you in its online resource directory . Production companies will hire personnel from the directory to contribute to upcoming projects in the Big Bend . You don ' t need any special skills , experience , or qualifications , just a desire to help filmmakers bring their projects to life .
For more information on how to get involved visit shootbigbend . com .
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5 / DESIGN MARFA
Design Marfa is the brainchild of Buck Johnston and Laura Hajovsky . It began with the desire to raise money for a local organization but has grown into a non-profit with the goal of giving back to the community they both love .
“ Our name reflects the many possible creative outlets that Marfa provides ,” said Buck . “ While our initial focus was architecture and design , we are interested in doing a range of educational programs and special events that will encourage discussion about Marfa ’ s future and being proactive and thoughtful about how our town evolves .”
Design Marfa ’ s first event , the 2012 Marfa Architecture + Design Symposium and Home Tour , was such a success , it is being held again the first weekend of November 2013 . The event showcases a home tour and a day-and-a-half symposium on the topics of architecture and design .
“ One of our projects for 2014 will be the launch of Bike Marfa , a bike share program that will provide access to both visitors and locals . Riding a bicycle is a great way to experience Marfa ” says Laura . “ Another project we are considering for 2014 is a design competition for a Marfa train stop .
Having a recognized flag stop
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could really be a boon for Marfa tourism . The competition is a way to get the conversation started .”
Johnston is a 12-year veteran of Marfa and the owner of two creative businesses , bbgun , which develops websites and Wrong , a retail business selling original works of art and artisan creations . Hajovsky , on the other hand , is a relative newcomer to the town , living here just shy of three years . She has a background in law and offers operational consulting services through her business Twine Consulting .
“ We have a very strong working relationship . We each bring complementary skills to the table . But one thing we have in common is decisiveness .” said Laura . Buck added : “ And we have decided to be a positive force for Marfa .”
Visit http :// www . designmarfa . com for details and future events .
6 / COWBOY POETRY
Once a year , Sul Ross University holds The Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering - a two day event that celebrates the lives and traditions of the working cowboy through poetry , stories , and music .
Students , professionals , artists , and , of course , cowboys and girls , converge from around the region to share their pieces that try to capture the diverse range of experience in the Big Bend .
Sul Ross hosts the event on its campus . Up to ten sessions run concurrently throughout the day , and are free to all . At 7pm on Friday and Saturday , two hour long showings are held in Marshall Auditorium that showcase the featured performers . These performances cost $ 12.50 .
The 28th annual Texas Poetry Gathering will be held on February 21 - 22 , 2014 . For more information visit http :// texascowboypoetry . com /.
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