Arts and Culture in Midland TX
Arts Council of Midland
1506 W. Illinois
(432) 687‑1149 | www.acmidland.org
Through its mission of enriching lives with the arts through community-wide advocacy, education, outreach and promotion, Arts Council of Midland serves as a focal point for advancement of the arts in the community. The nonprofit arts council – founded as the Midland Arts Assembly in 1981 – is the umbrella organization for the performing and visual arts and also serves as a presenting and re-granting organization.
In addition to awarding grants to local organizations through funds from the City of Midland’s hotel/motel tax fund, the arts council plays a pivotal role in helping local arts groups work together. The arts council also produces a variety of original arts programs to encourage participation in the arts, including quarterly exhibits, arts classes, Celebration of the Arts and the Artist Community Market. Arts Council of Midland is also home to the FMH Foundation Sculpture Garden.
Hispanic Cultural Center of Midland
1311 E. Wadley
(432) 683‑4226 | www.hccmidland.org
Hispanic Cultural Center of Midland’s mission is to “preserve the Hispanic culture for the youth through education in the arts.” Two mothers who wanted to preserve the Hispanic culture for Midland’s youth through art education programs founded the Center in 1996, which became a nonprofit organization in 1997. For nearly 20 years, the center has enhanced the quality of life within the community by creating artistic educational opportunities, building self-esteem and pride in a multicultural group, and promoting cultural efficiency. Programs include instruction in art, dance, drama, music and speech. Throughout the year the center hosts special events, including Ballet Folklorico recitals, mariachi workshops and competitions, the Sixteen of September parade, Dia De Los Muertos festival and a Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Live on Stage Series
www.liveonstage-pb.com
The Live on Stage Permian Basin Series presents national and international artists for the educational and cultural enjoyment of the community. The annual six-concert series, presented at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, brings audiences and artists together for a variety of performances ranging from classical, country, pop, rock and jazz to sketch comedy. Affordably priced season tickets are available.
McCormick Art Gallery
3600 N. Garfield
(432) 685‑4651 | www.midland.edu/mccormick
Located in Midland College’s Allison Fine Arts Building, McCormick Art Gallery brings a full calendar of exhibits, including the Studio 3600 Series, held in spring and fall to present the works of students in a solo setting. The gallery also hosts the Midland Arts Association/Midland College Fall Juried Art Exhibition, which showcases works from artists all across Texas. Each spring and › fall, the college hosts Student Art Shows, including a free lunch reception, to feature the works of talented students.
The Midland College art program started in 1971 and includes instruction in oil and watercolor painting, printmaking, drawing, ceramics, sculpture and photography.
Midland African American Roots Historical/Cultural Arts Council
www.rootscouncil.com
Midland African American Roots Historical/Cultural Arts Council organized for the purpose of bringing to Midland a cultural revolution of art works, crafts, artifacts, literature, contemporary art and photographs, performing arts, musicians, theater and music appreciation, of African-American history and culture. The cultural arts council is organized for charitable and educational purposes and to improve, enhance and beautify. The organization’s goal is to emphasize and enhance culture and human dignity.
Midland Arts Association
www.midlandartsassociation.org
The Midland Arts Association was established to serve local artists, to encourage a community of interest between professional and lay people in all forms
of art.
Midland Festival Ballet
4410 N. Midkiff Rd., Ste. C-1
(432) 682‑2653
www.midlandfestivalballet.org
Midland Festival Ballet’s mission is to develop the skills and expand the artistic potential of young dancers and provide quality performance opportunities for them while helping to foster public understanding and appreciation of classical ballet. Founded by Judy Coleman in 1992, the organization provides high levels of technical training, including ballet, contemporary dance and Pilates, and presents live dance performances with guest artists from major ballet companies.
Ballet and dance performances include Septemberfest, Celebration of the Arts, Fairy Tale Festival, Spring Gala and an annual presentation of The Nutcracker with the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale.
Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale
3100 LaForce Blvd.
(432) 563‑0921 | www.mosc.org
Enthralling patrons for more than 50 years, the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale is the largest symphonic organization in the Permian Basin. Classical performances, chamber music, pop productions and special events frequent the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. The organization includes the Lone Star Brass Quintet, the Permian Basin String Quartet, the West Texas Winds, Symphony Chorale and Kid’s Choir. Subscriptions and single tickets are sold through the Wagner Noël Box Office, (432) 552‑4439.
Midland Shared Spaces Gallery
3500 N. A St.
(432) 685‑0400 | www.midlandss.org
The gallery at Midland Shared Spaces features rotating exhibits year-round and highlights various local artists, including members of the Midland Arts Association and the Palette Club of Midland.
Midland Quilters Guild
Meets at 1305 Midland Dr. (Alamo Heights Baptist Church)
(432) 638‑2157
www.midlandquiltersguild.com
The Midland Quilters Guild is a membership organization that meets monthly to “show and tell” their latest projects, swap ideas and share a love for the art of quilting. In addition to regular membership meetings, the guild hosts a variety of workshops and an annual quilt show.
Palette Club
907 W. Wadley
www.paletteclubmidland.com
The Midland Palette Club art center began in the very late 1920s when some neighbor ladies found others also interested in art. They took turns painting in each other’s homes, garages or storerooms. On Sept. 16, 1935, they met to officially form an art club. The club hosts public art demonstrations featuring artists from all over the U.S. on the second Tuesday of January through April and September through November. ›
Permian Basin Bookies
www.pbbookies.com
The Permian Basin Bookies is an eclectic writer’s group made up of authors from West Texas and beyond. The Bookies are open to membership of those wanting to improve their craft and sell what they write. Improving literacy from the beginning reader to the most professional writer is always on the mind of the organization.
Summer Mummers
208 N. Colorado
(432) 570‑4111
www.summermummers.com
Summer Mummers is the longest-running summer theater in Texas and the oldest continuous melodrama performed in the United States. The eagerly awaited annual production is a melodrama scripted by a local author featuring an eclectic array of dance numbers, sing-alongs, comedy routines, boisterous audience participation and a can-can dancer finale.
After playing in diverse locations for 32 years, the Mummers moved permanently into the Yucca Theatre in 1981 after dozens of volunteers pitched in to restore the former movie/vaudeville house.
Shows are performed Friday and Saturday nights from mid-June through early September. Past performances have included “The Drunkard,” “Peril on the Pecos,” “Rascality on the Rig,” “Calamity on the Colorado” and “Catawamped Among The Cacti.”
Summer Sunday Lawn Concerts
1705 W. Missouri Ave.
(432) 683‑2882 | www.museumsw.org
Museum of the Southwest has hosted free concerts on its grounds every summer for more than two decades. Performed Sunday evenings in June and July, the shows incorporate pop, rock, country, blues, jazz and barbershop. Community members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for a relaxing evening of entertainment.
Tall City Blues Fest / Promising Projects
(432) 262‑0034 | www.tallcitybluesfest.com
In addition to the multi-day indoor/outdoor summer music festival, Tall City Blues Fest creators work to keep the blues alive throughout the year by hosting several “Wang Dang Doodles.” A Wang Dang Doodle references a Saturday night soirée and was a song written by Willie Dixon, then popularized by Howlin’ Wolf and later Koko Taylor. As the chorus says “We’re going to pitch a Wang Dang Doodle all night long.” Translation: Let’s party!
Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center
1310 N. FM 1788
(432) 552‑4430 | www.wagnernoel.com
Celebrating its grand opening in November 2011, the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center has expanded the cultural horizons of Midland/Odessa with a broad range of community and regional events, including Broadway tours, symphonies, ballet, opera and music concerts. This longtime dream of civic leaders and the community was launched in 2006 and constructed with funds from the Texas legislature, the University of Texas System and individual donors. The $81 million facility is named for donors Lissa and Cy Wagner of Midland and the late Mrs. W.D. (Ellen) Noël of Odessa, who donated a combined gift of $10 million to help ensure its completion.
The 1,800-seat performance hall features state-of-the-art sound and lighting and offers excellent sight lines. The Rea Greathouse Recital Hall, a smaller multi-use facility, hosts recitals, small-group and ensemble performances and lectures. Classrooms and rehearsal space for music students are offered at The Rea Music and Academic Center, which also houses administrative and facility management offices.