A PASSION FOR ART

Del Rio’s Firehouse Gallery, also home to the Del Rio Council for the Arts, has a mission to provide “affordable arts education and entertainment for the enrichment of the community and the surrounding area”. This community-based nonprofit stays true to its word, sponsoring a robust catalogue of programs and exhibitions year round for the region’s art enthusiasts. The facilities are housed in Del Rio’s original fire house, an early mid-century two story construction that once served as city hall and jail as well as fire station. It’s among a number of the city’s historic buildings, some of which that have been restored to their original state or, like the Firehouse, reimagined in order to serve a more modern purpose. Today, the Firehouse includes a gallery with changing exhibitions and an art school offering classes in drawing and painting, ceramics, along with an artist-in-residence program. A Firehouse favorite is the downtown First Friday Art Walk, a lively event that takes place the first Friday of every month.