Gary McElhaney
The Naked Cowboy, Drawings and Other Creative Pursuits!
Austin, Texas

A University of Texas graduate, Gary McElhaney studied with sculptors Charles Umlauf and David Deming. McElhaney`s portfolio includes bronze, marble and hydrostone cast sculptures. His first commission was a bronze portrait of San Antonio Spurs coach, Babe McCarthy. His famous sculpture "Naked Cowboy" , featured at the National Sculpture Society's Centennial show in New York,  will be displayed during Arts Encounters.

Other work includes  photorealist drawings,  and life drawings in graphite and color pencil portraits.   
McElhaney has taught figurative sculpture and life drawing at San Antonio Art Institute, Austin Community College, and Elisabet Ney  Sculpture Conservatory.

I am fortunate that I see beauty and feel emotion from simple form alone. - G.L. McElhaney

William Cannings
Blow Up!
Texas Tech University

It is through the pursuit of making that I define myself, I use process to connect with ideas and concepts.

I am lured to the visceral quality of inflated objects: the look, feel and smell. I am now researching the effects of inflation on more permanent materials such as aluminum and steel. I am imitating the visual qualities of rubber and fabric, materials more associated with the process of inflating. This play on our senses is one I find worth researching and exposing. - W. Cannings

David Schneider
Shiramatsu Ryu Energy Work
Johnson City, Texas

Sensei David Schneider, founder of Shiramatsu Ryu, has blended Okinawan karate and Chinese energy work to develop a martial art that emphasizes health, healing and self-defense. His Arts Encounter presentation will include the theory behind energy work and a demonstration of using energy for healing oneself and others. The presentation will conclude with the audience practicing a method of opening energy channels and a relaxation meditation.

Gary Gilstrap

“World Class Wine made in Johnson City, Texas. Yep, that’s right - Texas!”
Johnson City, Texas

Texas Hills Vineyard is located in the gentle hills of the picturesque Pedernales River Valley in the Texas Hill Country near Johnson City. A perfect location for growing quality grapes, the intense Texas sun by day and the cooler hill country nights gives our grapes an intense and quality flavor, ideal for wines.

Musical Interlude
Thomas Michael Riley
Singer/Songwriter

Hill Country Texas
 

Honored as the Hill Country Entertainer of the Year in 2002 and 2004, Thomas Michael Riley is earning the status of a legend as he writes and sings his own brand of colorful and thoughtful Texas Americana Music. Each performance, Thomas delights fans of country music with his songwriting skills, spirited music and wonderful sense of humor. His ability to capture his audience is pure magic!
 

Poetry Interlude
Russ Thayer
Fredericksburg, Texas

An Arts Encounter poetry feature with sculptor Russ Thayer. In addition to working with stone, wood, and clay, Russ Thayer has written books, and continues to write. To view more of the artist's work, visit: http://www.hauenart.com/