The Aug. 6 First Friday Reception at the Art Center for the Islands will feature the 2010 Merit Show winners. The reception will be open from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the art center, 323 N. Alister St.

An exhibit of artwork of the winning artists from the March All-Members Show will be on display at the reception.

The public is invited to socialize and enjoy the exhibit, live music and refreshments.

Winning artists from the March show are Debra Wilbanks Williams of Port Aransas, Ed Bokamper of Corpus Christi, Donna Garven of North Padre Island and Sandra McInnes who is a Winter Texan from Canada.

Williams is an award winning Texas artist. Her work has been shown in galleries, group shows and the McAllen International Museum. She is one of the original 13 artists of the K-Space Art Studios in Corpus Christi.

Bokamper recently exhibited his work at the Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation Department and at La Vallita in San Antonio. The diversity of Texas landscapes is reflected in his art, from beaches of the Gulf Coast to the Texas Hill Country.

Garven’s artwork has won a place in the Merit Show for the past few years. She teaches pastel and oil painting every Thursday at the center.

McInnes is unable to participate in the exhibit, but plans to return to Port Aransas this winter.

Artwork in the exhibit will be on display and available for purchase through Friday, Aug. 27.

Allied Waste Services is sponsoring the art center during August.

For more information call the art center, 749-7334, e-mail artcenter@centurytel. net, or visit their Web site, www.portaransasartcenter. org.
Winners’ show The 2010 Merit Show-Winners’ Show will showcase these winning artists’ works at the Art Center for the Islands First Friday reception on Aug. 6. Pictured, clockwise from top left, is art by Debra Wilbanks Williams, Ed Bokamper and Donna Garven.