Alyce Leard summed it up simply. “It really is a celebration,” she exclaimed.  The Painters Guild coordinator at the Mineola League of the Arts (MLOTA) took time out of a very busy day on the eve of the annual MLOTA Arts Show to share some thoughts on the importance of the event. 

Leard explained, “The Art Show is an invitation, not just to local artists, but to the whole community, to enjoy the creativity of others while exploring one’s own creativity. It is also an amazing opportunity to meet with other art enthusiasts.”

Over the past 20 years, the annual art show has grown into one of the most well-regarded shows in East Texas. 

Walking into the MLOTA building just before the show, one is struck at how effectively the MLOTA membership and volunteers are able to convert the building into a gallery. The care and attention-to-detail is obvious and the setting certainly adds to the impact of the presented art. 

This year, 300 pieces were on display. Interestingly there are presently 304 MLOTA members on the membership rolls. While many members do submit entries for the annual show, artists from across East Texas – from Rusk to Sulphur Springs and from Athens to Longview – find their way to Mineola for the three-day event. 

As with any complex event of this nature, work on the next event begins as soon as the last one is over. Leard voiced heartfelt gratitude at the efforts of all involved in preparing the show. From the Quilting Guild, that stages the artists’ reception on the opening night to the many volunteers, it is clearly a team effort. 

For Leard, it is a labor of love. “I told my mother that I have finally found my tribe,” she said through a smile. It was a combination of her mother’s floral design skills and her father’s woodworking talent which instilled in Leard a love of the arts.

Now in the middle stage of life, Leard noted that she has come full-circle in life to return (after a successful professional career and raising children) to that love of art which was nurtured in her as a young child.

“One of my favorite memories as a kid was time spent in my father’s workshop sawing, sanding, building  – creating.”

Leard is now pursuing an arts degree at Texas A&M, Commerce. 

She marveled at the collection of art on display. The show features works from amateur to professional in all age ranges. She specifically pointed out a number of pieces from young artists and spoke of the imagination and creativity which is often characteristic of young artists.

The show is divided into three broad categories: painting, dimensional art and photography. Within each of the broad categories one will find traditional mediums such as oil and watercolor painting, but also lesser-known techniques such as paper art and mixed media. 

The dimensional category contains a wide array of mediums from clay and glass to mosaics and wood burning. This year, there are also some carved gourds. 

The photography category is divided by subject (landscape, still life, portrait, animal, abstract and digital). In the junior division the same subject-specific breakdown is used for paintings as well as photography. 

Leard could not contain her enthusiasm when the tour passed by her painting of her young granddaughter, Navy. When asked about that moment when an artist realizes that they have successfully created a three dimensional image out of two dimensions, Leard responded, “It is magical…just a wonderful thing.”

Those thoughts were shared by two other presenters (and MLOTA members) who were busily preparing the show: Kathy Nelte who presented two landscapes, and Maryann Zapletal who presented a landscape and two animal studies.

“To create is the most expressive thing in the world,” stated Zapletal. “Anyone can learn and it is a most wonderfully-relaxing experience.