Art in the Park is the brainchild of Nancy Gray, project chair and director of the Fourth Street Gallery in Lampasas, Texas. "On a recent trip to Florence, Italy I spoke with a sculptor about carving on-site. I was immediately intrigued about bringing a portion of the great works to Lampasas, and its citizens."
Since January 2005, Gray; artists T.J. Mabrey, David B. Hickman, and Carolann Haggard; and a group of volunteers have worked to bring the sculpture garden to fruition. Gray envisions the finished garden as a place where people can relax and enjoy art and nature in a historical setting, as a place where visitors can refresh themselves at Hanna Springs once again.
In April 2006, - The Committee for Art in the Park filed for 501 ( c ) (3) status as Lampasas Association for the Arts. Formerly under the umbrella of Preservation Lampasas, Lampasas Association for the Arts (LAFTA) is now an independent organization with its own non-profit status. Preservation Lampasas sponsored the arts organization while it was getting underway in 2005 and while it was launching the successful Art in the Park initiative.
This project culminated in the start of the Hanna Springs Sculpture Garden, a permanent public space in Campbell Park funded almost entirely by private and corporate monies. The Sculpture Garden is located at 501 East North Avenue and Live oak Street, in Lampasas, Texas. The group has an all-volunteer board, which organizes fundraising and educational activities designed to bring the arts to Lampasas.
The board members are as follows:
- Nancy Gray - President
- Tina Matney - Vice President
- Mike Thomas - Secretary
- Pat Millican - Treasurer
- Tracy Guthrie
- Betty Lindsey
- Beverly Wood
- Robin Gradel
- John Cole
- Dr. Levell
- Judith Hetherly
Our Mission is:
Expanding opportunities for everyone to experience the Arts.
Goals are:
- Build awareness of the importance, influence and benefits of the Arts.
- Establish visibility and access to all artistic disciplines.
- Support a receptive climate for Artists to create and show case their work.
- Nurture artistic expression for all.
- Advocate for the Arts in Education.