By Loretta Humble
Jo Ann Surls asked me to tell you that on a donation basis, she will take you or your group on your own private tour of the James Surls Sculpture Garden. I don’t know if you all know this, but this place is a treasure and on its way to becoming a national art attraction. Surely you all know by now that our own hometown boy, James Surls, is internationally recognized as one of the finest sculptors alive today. He and Jo Ann are doing everything they can to use this place to promote art and beauty in East Texas and in the process, memorialize Jo Ann’s husband and James’s father, Joe Surls.
It is really something important and wonderful to see, and it is particularly wonderful when you get your own private tour conducted by Jo Ann herself.
And for a little larger donation, she will even fix lunch for you. She is not going to pocket that money, but will give every cent of it to the fund for restoring the Bartlett House property. Jo Ann didn’t tell me what kind of donation she thought would be appropriate but I know it wouldn’t have to be a lot, although if you are rich and generous, a lot would be appreciated, because the Bartlett House needs it. And your tour will be well worth whatever you can give. Or more.
If you would like to reserve a tour, call Jo Ann at 903-489-0897. Or if you’d like me to get you more information, call me at 903-681-2880. Or if you are an Internet person, email me a [email protected], or find me on Facebook.
If you haven’t seen the magnificent gardens that Jo Ann has created over the years, with her charming little houses and other surprises scattered throughout, that right there is enough for price of admission. I think heaven will have gardens a lot like Jo Ann’s.
Then she will probably offer you a glass of wine, or tea if you prefer, and sit and visit with you. Sitting and having a glass of something and a conversation with Jo Ann is also worth the price of admission.
And we haven’t even got around to the art that is located there. It includes a large collection of James Surls’ art, as well as works by a number of outstanding recognized artists that James has selected to show there. I’m telling you folks, this is big. Not everybody knows how big. Go now and beat the crowds.
I’m imagining some art groups might like to arrange to spend an afternoon sketching or painting out there. I didn’t ask Jo Ann about that, but I’ll bet she would love it. If you do that, please invite me.
I wrote a big long column telling you all about the Bartlett House property, so you would understand what Jo Ann is up to and why, but it got so long I didn’t have room to tell you what she asked to me to tell you. So I’ll have to save it for another time. I want to explain why it is worth restoring, and how this quirky little Malakoff Area Garden Club keeps doing huge events to raise money to restore it. These events are wonderful gifts to Malakoff, and to the East Texas art community, but we usually end up spending all the money they bring in just putting them on. That is why we are now looking to have some little events that don’t cost much, to see if we can make some Bartlett House restoration money that way. Offering private tours is Jo Ann’s current contribution. I’m going to tell you all this again in greater detail in another column, soon. I mean, hey, I already have that one written.
By the way, if a bunch of you get together and come out, I may see you there. Sometimes I get to play docent. I love it.