Kerrville honors women in the arts during women’s history month

During a special presentation at Tuesday’s Kerrville City Council meeting, the Community Arts Program recognized 12 women for their artistic contributions to Kerr County, highlighting the diverse talents shaping the local arts scene.

“From historic Sangerfests to the dances in Rosalie Dietert’s home, artists have been creating culture here for generations,” noted the Community Arts Program. “Today we honor these remarkable women, the artistic gifts they share with us and thank them for their commitment and contributions.”

The honorees represent various artistic disciplines across Kerr County, from music and theater to visual arts and education.

Julie Sentall, who serves on the board of the Symphony of the Hills and the Hill Country Vocal Arts Society, highlighted the symphony’s upcoming 25th anniversary season. She credits her own artistic journey to early exposure.

“It was this concert that inspired me to get involved in music,” Sentall said.

Elaine Capers, president of the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center for the past two years, emphasized the center’s extensive reach.

“The programs that come through the art center that benefit the community of Kerrville and the area of Kerr County and the surrounding counties is just amazing,” Capers said.

The Hill Country Arts Foundation, represented by Roseanne Thrall, offers theater, visual arts and the only public ceramic studio in the area.

“The arts are just stellar here,” Thrall said. “Get the kids young…because it can change your life. Everybody knows here. It can change your life. The arts can. It’s an important part of the human condition.”

Local musician Ashley Valero expressed a simpler connection to her art form.

“I’m just a girl who likes music, to be honest. I love the oldies. I like to sing and so, you know, anytime I get opportunity to, I just like to go out and do it,” Valero said.

Amy Goodyear from the Cailloux City Center for the Performing Arts announced the theater’s reopening in August, urging continued community support.

“If you don’t support things like the artists here and the music here and the performing arts, you could lose them,” Goodyear warned.

Dance instructor Libbie Horton, who works at Arcadia Live Theater, described the transformative power of movement.

“Dance has the power to bring people out of their shell, to bring out parts of them that they’ve never seen before and help them discover their true selves,” Horton said. “When you can move with the music, the body communicates to the mind what it usually cannot.”

Jacobi Caldwell, a professional violist and instructor at Schreiner University, praised the supportive artistic environment in Kerr County.

“The community lifted us up in so many ways. It was just an extraordinary experience,” Caldwell said, noting the rarity of a community where people “say yes to the ideas and what’s happening next.”

Carol Arnold highlighted the Museum of Western Art’s significance, encouraging residents to visit.

“If you’ve never been to the Museum of Western Art, please go see it because you will be astonished at what this community has there, and it needs the community support as all the arts do,” Arnold said.

Other honorees included art educators Monika Lovelace and Alana Kocich and youth artist Isabel Venegas, who will have her artwork exhibited at City Hall as part of the Art in Municipal Buildings initiative.

The recognition coincides with Women’s History Month celebrations throughout March.

The presentation at the Kerrville City Council meeting highlighted several notable women who have made significant artistic contributions to the community:

• Lynda Ables: Founder of the Hill Country Youth Orchestras
• Carol Arnold: Pastel artist affiliated with the Museum of Western Art
• Elaine Capers: Artist and board president at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center
• Jacobi Caldwell: Conductor/musician and instructor at Schreiner University
• Amy Goodyear: Director/actor at Playhouse 2000 and the Cailloux City Center
• Libbie Horton: Choreographer/dancer at the Arcadia Live Theater
• Alana Kocich: Art educator at Tivy High School
• Monika Lovelace: Art educator at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center
• Julie Sentell: Board member with the Symphony of the Hills
• Rosanne Thrall: Artist and retired staff member at the Hill Country Arts Foundation
• Ashley Valero: Musician and volunteer with the Doyle Community Center
• Isabel Venegas: Youth artist at Tivy High School