Art and Fredericksburg.

Art is emotion. If a piece of artwork inspires an emotional response in you, its art. Most of what is presented in local galleries is art that you are going to have no trouble responding to. Visit these galleries, either in person or by their websites, and I guarantee you will see something that brings tears to your eyes:

Whistle Pik is thought of as a 'classic' art gallery. Its quiet, the lighting is carefully positioned, and the many of the paintings displayed are absolutely stunning. I have visited art museums in lots of places around the world, and what is presented here is in the same class. www.whistlepik.com

Artisans at Rocky Hill is entirely the work of Hill Country artists. Much of it you can touch while you marvel at the fine lines and finishes, and ranges from paintings to furniture and jewelry. The wooden canoe made by FHS shop teacher and owner Barry Bradley (his wife Anne runs the gallery) is far too pretty to ever put in the water. www.artisansatrockyhill.com

Beckendorf Gallery showcases the work of Charles Beckendorf, whose prints of deer in hill country settings have hung in offices all over town for many years. Beckendorf, who died in 1996, got it right. Limited edition prints of his many works are made available by Dawn Beckendorf beginning at $35. www.beckendorf.com

The Benini Foundation and Sculpture Ranch - located 7 miles outside Johnson City, created by Italian born artist Benini. If you take the 'tour' of their excellent website you may be inspired to make a personal visit to this stunning setting. www.benini.com

Fredericksburg Art Gallery has something for everyone, with a variety including lots of excellent western art. When you buy the print or painting you find on this tour, you can have it framed in their excellent frame shop. www.fbgartgallery.com

Fredericksburg Art Guild is a non-profit studio and gallery next door to the Chamber offices. Stop in to see local art and visit with an artist at work. 997-4949

Hill Country Images and Kathy Weigand Photography has both a collection of beautiful photos (local scenes as well as western mountains and wild horses), and she will create more beautiful photos with you in them if you like! www.hillcountryimages.com

Irene Klein Country Gallery and Studio: Irene made hill country bluebonnet paintings famous. She doesn't have a website but you don't have to look far to find one of her paintings hung on a wall around town. She teaches painting in her studio as well. 997-4766.

Jackson's Uptown Antiques - everything in this place is beautiful. You will find antique furniture and furnishings as well as original paintings, some by area residents. This Friday, May 11th, from 6-8 PM Jeannie and Larry Jackson are presenting a showing including 'food, spirits, demonstrations, and lively conversation." www.fredericksburgtexasantiques.com

John Bennet creates and shows his western sculptures at his Rodeo Studio. He selects his subjects from historic photographs and makes them accurate to the smallest detail. www.rodeostudio.com

While checking out some of the photos on the Joyce Combs Gallery website www.joycecombsgallery.com you may be shocked by the emotional impact an abstract painting called "Autumn Forest" has on you.

Kerr Arts and Cultural Center is in the old Post Office in downtown Kerrville. Their exhibitions of hill country art change regularly. Slow down next time you are visiting our southern neighbor and take the time to wander through this very nice place. Beginning in October they present their 8th annual Texas Furniture Makers show. www.kacckerrville.com

Photography 414 Gallery will surprise you with the breadth of subjects and techniques presented by their artists. When I visit I always wonder why I can't take photos like that! (I can't). www.photography414.com

Sherryl Brown Fine Art has no studio but presents showings of local artists at various places around town. Next - The Art of Portaiture at St Barnabas Episcopal Church Parish Hall, Friday May 18th from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, with complementary beverages and snacks, RSVP please 990-9305. I had the opportunity to meet Lee Casbeer at one of her events (he is featured in this one too) - Lee did the paintings showing the old Fort Martin Scott (displayed on site) and the fun mural in Java Ranch. Sherryl is currently a director on the Chamber Board. If you have the opportunity to take one of her walking art tours, I can recommend them as a really cool way to spend $5 and 2 hours. www.sherrylbrown-fineart.com

IHS Studios isn't listed as a gallery but they create stained glass for churches, businesses, and residences all around the country. Dennis and Linda Roberts have been my friends for many years and I am often surprised by the intensity of feeling he puts into windows. He did a proposal for a huge stained glass window for a church a few years ago called "Creation" that made me think in ways I had never before. (That church didn't buy it). Plus, I have borrowed his kayaks many times. www.ihsstudios.com

The Grasshopper and Wild Honey - Don't let the beer steins in the window confuse you - in the back you will find original works of art, including Irene Klein and Jack Terry original oils and some hardwood furniture that will make you drool. Mike Sedgewick has a collection of interesting collectible items as well. www.grasshopperfbg.com

Oil Painters of America presents the 16th National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils at galleries all over town, opening May 11th. We were just inundated by motorcyclists; who knows what to expect when thousands of oil painters and their fans descend on us? www.oilpaintersofamerica.com

Art Past Dark is a weekend for the celebration of art coming in November. Most of the people and galleries mentioned thus far are the ones who make this happen. You will find art created by your friends and neighbors featured as well as by the artists and galleries already mentioned. They have a very cool, fun, and inexpensive gala event, too. www.artpastdark.com