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The Live Oak Art Center hosted the reception for its Members Art Show to showcase the works of 25 members, Friday, Aug. 21, in downtown Columbus.
The reception invited the artists and locals to explore 75 unique pieces across numerous mediums and to celebrate the members. Featured mediums include photography, wool art, papier- mâché, jewelry and various types of paintings. According to President Renee Long, Live Oak Art Center (LOAC) has long hosted this exhibit and reception on an annual basis, and that this show is the one of the largest ever.
“The goal of the Members Art Exhibit is to really give artists that live here locally a space where they feel welcome,” Long said. “For a lot of these artists, this is...the first time [they’ve] hung in a gallery. It affords them the ability to have a real show [and] have the potential to sell their art.”
Acrylic and charcoal artist Lisa Halbert has been an artist for over 40 years but displayed her works in a gallery for the first time through the Members Art Show. Halbert lives in Eagle Lake but became a LOAC member about two months ago at the recommendation of a friend.
“I want to encourage people to expand their vision and to be able to capture the beauty that’s around,” Halbert said. “…I was excited [to be in the exhibit]. It’s been great, and I would like to see it expand.”
Each artist selected three pieces to display in the exhibit. Multimedia painter Daniel Poré displayed two large prints of previous artwork and one large mixed media painting. Each pictured women of color in warm tones highlighted with gold leaf. Poré started his career as an artist with the United States Air Force as the Base Graphic Specialist in the 1970s. He moved to Columbus and became a LOAC member in 2006.
“I’m thrilled to be an artist, thrilled to be in this show, because there is a plethora of diversity here,” Poré said. “I thought this was a very timely place to have some cultural work showing so that people that are in the community can feel part of this exhibit.”
LOAC’s website lists a total of 94 members for 2025-2026 across different levels: 40 individual members, 35 contributors, six patrons, five benefactors and eight sustaining members. Acrylic painter Kristen Ferguson said she’s been a member of LOAC for about five years despite living in El Campo. “You can’t be an artist in isolation. You need to connect with other artists and also try to find a community that appreciates what you’re working on,” Ferguson said.
Membership to LOAC is open to anyone and starts at $50 a year. The members’ gallery exhibit will conclude on Sept. 27. The works of the artists are available to purchase through the gallery. Long said that several of the artists regularly sell their art, but some will be selling their art for the first time. Oil painter Georgia Clark exhibited and sold her first paintings at the show’s reception.
“[This experience] was wonderful. These people actually opened up this place for us, for me, and said bring them” Clark said. “…[Selling two pieces] makes me feel validated and very happy that somebody likes my work.”
The Live Oak Art Center’s next big event will be their Annual Brunson Night Fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 18, to celebrate the Day of the Dead. The fundraiser will be hosted at the Southern Oaks Event Center with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The event features live music by The Emotions, catered food by Calle 7 Tacos, a beer and wine bat, bucket raffle items and a wine pull. Tickets are $50 per person.
