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Kingwood Paints the
Town with Art Festival

Event to benefit local organizations

by Robert Crowe
Houston Chronicle Correspondent

After years of participating in out-of-town art festivals, Kingwood artist Anne Vandagriff decided it was time her community had a festival of its own.

So, four years ago, she and fellow painter Ann Irby established the Kingwood Art Festival.

"We didn't see why we couldn't have ( a show) in Kingwood, "Irby said. "After all, we have a lovely location."

The juried festival moves into its fourth year at Kingwood's Town Center Park this weekend. The park is located at the corner of Lake Houston Parkway and Kingwood Drive.

Festival Hours are 10a.m. - 6p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
It has grown from 14 artist in its first year to 46 this year.

"Our goal is to be the premier art show in Texas," Vandagriffsaid. "Ann and I think big."

The Number of participants does not determine premier festivals, Vandagriff said. The caliber of artists selected by a qualified jury does.

Many of the artists participating in this year's festival have had their work displayed in galleries. The majority of the artists are from Texas; however, artists from Colorado, Oklahoma and Iowa also are participating.

The artwork will include oil paintings, sculpture and contemporary art. There also will be jewelry, birdhouses and crafts. All the artwork is for sale.

Vandagriff is excited about the quality and variety of artists selected by this year's jury.

"You might see fruit painted by half a dozen artists, and it wont look alike at all, "Vandagriff said. "You will get different perspectives from every artist there."

Irby said community participation is crucial to the festival's success. Local groups are helping with the event.

The festival is a nonprofit event. Most of the proceeds from concessions go back into funding the festival and some local charity groups and organizations will receive benefits.

The main charity is Twyla's Friends, a canine rescue and adoption organization. The group will have a booth with pets for adoption.

Festival participants donated work for a silent auction to help Twyla's friends.

Local Boy Scout Troops will receive donations for providing security. Some proceeds will be donated to art programs at local high schools and Kingwood College.

Vandagriff and Irby said the festival is a family event with plenty of concession stands and activities for children.

Register - Show Your Colors

Town Center offers something for everyone

Kings Crossing Town Center is located within the greater Houston Metropolitan area in the master planned community of Kingwood, approximately 23 miles north of Houston's central business district. The boundaries of the neighborhood are generally defined as FM 1960 East to the south, Lake Houston to the east, US Highway 59 to the west and Ford Road to the north.

Town Center offers places to relax with a cup of cappuccino and a freshly baked bagel after you've planned your next vacation with an experienced travel agent. Families stroll through the Town Center Park while listening to weekend concerts or participating in holiday celebrations. Town Center offers Kingswood residents everything from a uniquely different barbershop to the Texas Angler, from sinfully wonderful chocolate shop to the Manhattan Bagel Company. Sit outside a quaint cafe while enjoying freshly baked pastries or enjoying a glass of fine wine. Also located in Town Center is a real estate company, medical facilities, banks, a pool supply store, dry cleaners, movie rental shops, restaurants, Marble Slab ice-cream parlor, a sporting goods store, apartment complexes, large grocery stores, and a hardware store like no other that every member of the family will enjoy. Town Center adds to the warm, hometown atmosphere with sidewalks lining the streets with old-fashioned street lamps, live oak trees, park benches to rest and observe life at a more relaxed pace.

Town center offers something for everyone.

The principal traffic arteries are US Highway 59, which is a limited access expressway, and Loop 494, a north/south bound thoroughfare which runs parallel to US Highway 59, Kingwood Drive and Northpark Drive are major east/west bound thoroughfares. The secondary north/south bound thoroughfares include Woodland Hills Road and Lake Houston Parkway.

The neighborhood is characterized by extensive, high-end residential development. There are commercial and retail center and business parks located along the primary roadways. There are over 16 residential "villages" in the Kingwood master planned community with schools located in and around the neighborhood within the Humble and New Caney Independent School Districts. Deerbrook Mall is located south of the subject at US Highway 59 and FM 1960 East. Population within a ten (10) mile radius from Lake Houston Parkway and Kingwood Drive is currently over 190,000 people.

The neighborhood has good support facilities as well as many points of interest around the Houston area. Kingwood's developers have purchased 1,100 acres in adjoining Atascocita which will provide land for construction of more than 2,000 new homes. The land purchase allows for the development south of the San Jacinto River. The Kingwood project which opened in 1971, was expected to run out of land by the turn of the century. This 1,100 acre acquisition will extend home building by approximately two (2) more years.

The Kings Crossing Town Center is a first class retail shopping complex within the Kings Crossing development. The center is unique in design and architecture. The Town Center is expected to be comparable to high-end retail developments such as Rice University Village, the River Oaks Shopping Center and the Galleria. Both current and pre-leased tenants include specialty type retail and office users. Other developments in Kings Crossing are to include townhomes, apartment communities, medical facilities, patio homes, several banks, office buildings and several free standing restaurants.

Town Center Park Association is planning the Ninth annual Kingwood Car Show to be held at Town Center Park in Kingwood. 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Texas Rain Date: tba)

Free Admission * Live Music!!

People's Choice Awards
Plaques * Prizes * Free T-Shirts for all Entries.

Live music will be provided. The show will have a wide variety of classic cars, trucks and motorcycles — something to interest everyone.

Space is available for 200 cars, trucks and motorcycles. The entry fee for the show is $25 per car with awards to the winners in several classifications. Each entrant will receive a free T-shirt and a bag of goodies from Town Center merchants and sponsors.

To reserve a vendor space or a space for your car, please call Jean Crenshaw at 281-360-5111.

If you go to…
The Cheese Market Café

What - The Cheese Market Café
Where - 4411 Town Center Place, Kingwood
Hours - Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Phone - (281) 360-2530
Cost - Varies
Atmosphere - Casual

Creme de Baars Gouda… Red Pepper Rustico… L'Edel de Cleron… English Cotswold… Buche do Poitou… Chaource…

The list reads like a lesson in romance languages, but one thing is certain — It's not enough to just say "cheese" anymore.

The Cheese Market Café opened its door recently to offer Kingwood's international taste buds a wide variety of authentic, gourmet foods. Owner's William and Lupe Trout tailor their deli, pasta and condiment selections after the east coast corner shops popular in Philadelphia. All products are natural and unprocessed; most are imported out of New York.

The Trouts offer a nice selection of domestic and imported cheese, charcuterie, pates, and specialty foods. Customers may buy products individually, or customize their sandwiches and platters. Sandwiches are made on La Madeline Baguettes, priced between $3.50 and $4.95. Made-to-order platters begin at $40.00

Lupe suggests you try a sub-style sandwich with herb-roasted turkey, Vermount cheddar and cranberry horseradish dressing on a six-inch baguette for $3.95. They are delicious.

The "Italian Hero" filled with mortadella, dry salami, salami toscano, ricotta salata, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, Balsamic vinegar and oil, its great too!

"Try the 'Chevre Supreme,'" suggested William. (A fresh goat cheese sandwich with grilled eggplant, fresh tomatoes, and watercress.)

On one of the walls, you'll find an attractive display of pastas, condiments, and other specialty foods.

Also the "Gloria" selection of jams, chutneys, and butters out of Oregon. Popular with local customers in the Sonewall Kitchen line of mustards and vinegars.

Many varieties of aged balsamic vinegars are also available. Like fine wines, these vinegars increase in intensity —and price — the longer the shelf life. Lupe says the older the balsamic, the sweeter, more meaty the taste, and the less you will need. "Customers love the flavor this vinegar adds to their cooking,"Lupe added.

Whatever your culinary tastes or abilities, Lupe, William and the Cheese Market Café can meet your gourmet cooking needs and tastes.

1-6-99. Ace store of the year finalist

Alspaugh's Ace Hardware in Kingwood was one of 16 stores in the nation to be a finalist for Ace store of the year. Pictured left to right are Chris Cummins, store manager; Brett Cappleman, Ace retail consultant; Dave Hodnik, CEO of Ace: Sue Alspaugh; Dorothy Alspaugh: and Rick Alspaugh, store owner.

Hodnik presented the award to Alspaugh at the Ace Hardware Show in Philadelphia, Penn.

Art Fest Draws Attention To Kingwood

"The thing I like is that we want to keep it small and high-quality," Irby said. "Other shows are rather large, but this one is a small, intimate show. The big ones are getting too big."

Each of the 50 artists' works will be displayed in their respective tents. The works will be for sale, but admission is free. Several local patrons of the arts already have made pledges of $100, $300 or $500 toward purchases they will make at the show.

Also featured at the show will be works aimed at the 18-and younger set. The "Young at Art" section will be a separate tent, where high-school-aged and younger patrons of the arts can be buy art. Everything will be priced at less than $20, an no adults will be allowed to buy in this section.

Irby said the festival raises the talent bar by keeping the talent pool small.

"Our motto is a class act," she said. "Fifty good artists is as good as 300 artists at other shows. The (Kingwood) community can only support so many artists.

"We want to keep it small so the artists can sell. They like it that way. They don't mind the competition."

A jury of three decided the lineup of artists, who will come from as far away as San Antonio, for the show. On the jury were Molly Webb, owner of Webb Gallery; Herman Little, an attorney who serves as president of the Lake Houston Cultural Arts Council, and Fred Rosenberg, a local merchant and owner of On the Park candy store.

Little said that, in the case of the art festival, less is more. "My perspective on the show and the smaller setting is that, in this type of festival, the community can come and be sure it will see high quality and forms of diversity of expression," he said. "Having a show that is so focused gives a really high quality and diversity of interest."

Despite the fact that the show is relatively small, Little said visitors can see things they might not see at larger shows. "In other shows, you might see hundred of artists, but it's hard to really focus on quality," Little said. "A visitor to our show can be sure he will see things that are really representative of the state's art."

The Kingwood Art Society's Anne Vandagriff, who also is helping organize the festival, said other art shows in the Houston area have outgrown themselves. She said the society hopes its show can eventually be the place for the state?s art community to display their works.

"Our goal is to have nothing but top-quality artists," Vandagriff said. "We're trying to keep ours smaller. We eventually want to be the show to be in, that's our aim, for people out in this area. It was a huge success in its first year, and that's our goal."

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God"s throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of our King!

Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes for ever!

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!

Rejoice, O holy Church! Exult in glory! The risen savior shines upon you! Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God"s people!

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!

It is truly right that we should praise you, invisible, almighty, and eternal God, and your Son, Jesus Christ. For Christ has ransomed us with his blood, and paid the debt of Adam"s sin to deliver your faithful people

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!

May the Morning Star, which never sets, find this flame still burning. Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead, and shed his peaceful light on all creation, your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

HYMN "How Great Thou Art"

O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandure and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze; (Refrain)

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in; that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died to take away my sin; (Refrain)

When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall find my heart. Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim, my God, how great thou art! (Refrain)

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

Do you believe in God the Father"

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ"

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit"

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

If you do not have a church home, Kingwood United Methodist Church would welcome you to join us at our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 a.m. services today in our sanctuary. Our church is located on Woodland Hills Drive, one-half mile south of Kingwood Drive.

A continental breakfast for two hundred persons will be available after this service ($1 donation.) We would be happy for you to join in this time of fellowship.

If you would like to leave an offering after the service, plates are available in the stage area.

This is the first event which happened at the Kingwood Town Center.