Nonprofit Week 2025: Hill Country Atelier

Executive Director Holly White-Gehrt described Hill Country Atelier as a nonprofit art school that teaches classical drawing and painting techniques in the “Old Masters tradition,” rare for a small town.

The school aims to develop artistic mastery and sensitivity to beauty through mentoring. Art is described as a language that can be taught, with the school focusing on fundamentals such as understanding “value change” to create three-dimensional art.

The Atelier offers a three- to four-year core program, weekly life drawing and workshops, with plans to expand its new space to accommodate a waiting list of students. The school makes programs accessible through scholarships covering up to 50 percent of tuition.

Following the flood, Hill Country Atelier participates in a mosaic project to memorialize the event, led by Katherine Boyette and Wanda. Fundraising efforts, including recent successful events, remain crucial as the organization relies on donors to operate and offer free community programs.

The school continues to provide rare classical art education while adapting to serve community healing through commemorative projects.

For more information, visit texashillcountryatelier.org.