The Mary Nichols Art Center

301 BURLESON STREET

This beautiful historic home has been renovated and is dedicated to the public art of Smithville area artists. Lost Pines Artisans Alliance is the current resident organization of the Mary Nichols Art Center, which serves as the program offi ce of the Cultural District.

The house was built by Robert Lee Nichols’ (born in Bastrop) and his new wife, Mary Virginia Wilkes. They moved to Smithville in 1884 and lived in the cottage next to the property, completing their home by the early 1900s. Robert was employed by the Missouri-Kansas and Texas Railroad. He and Mary raised nine children in that house. After Robert Lee and Mary Wilkes Nichols died (1942 and 1947, respectively), they left the home to all of their children. The offspring of those children (numbering 14 at the time) donated the home as a gift to the City of Smithville for the Mary Wilkes Nichols’ Art Center in 1992. The Art League of Smithville was the fi rst artists’ organization to take residence in this house that year, and in 2008, the Art League graciously handed over the keys to the LPAA.

LPAA has offi ce space there, and hosts meetings, events, educational workshops and classes there. Classes encompass various painting methods, music, fi ber arts, pottery, and other modes of artistic expression. This partnership between the

City of Smithville and the LPAA extends the limited resources of LPAA, allowing them to make a greater contribution to the community.

This wonderful historic building has come back to life and is open once again for art classes and workshops. The Art Gallery is open to the public Friday/Sunday 1-4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special exhibits and receptions are held. The Art Center features local artists and encourages creativity in children.

The goal of the Lost Pines Artisans Alliance is to enrich and unify the arts community in Smithville and Bastrop County and work to make Smithville known as an “Arts Destination”. Bringing increased tourism and commerce to Smithville, the Lost Pines Artisans Alliance works to make the arts more accessible to the citizens of this community, via education, outreach, and the creation of and participation in community events. Like an insurance policy from The Nitsche Group.

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