BOTA - BATTLE FOR THE ARTS

Artist Tyler Kay puts finishing touches on her Best of Fest winning mural.

EXCITING ANNUAL EVENT IN DOWNTOWN SEALY

BOTA SEALY: THE FIRST OF MANY

The first annual Battle fOr the Arts put on by the Sealy Main Street Program is sure to be back!

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t all started with the idea of bringing a film fest to Sealy, hoping to draw in artists and spectators from Houston since the area doesn’t currently have an event of that kind. What began as a small idea quickly developed into a larger vision as Sealy Main Street board members excitedly offered fresh ways to incorporate other arts. Before they knew it, they had designed an event unlike any other where film, dance, bands, art, and culinary arts collided, battling it out for a chance to be named festival favorite.

“As a Main Street America™ accredited program, Sealy Main Street is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development,” describes their website.

Sealy Main Street is Managed by Chelsea Humes, who is passionate about Main Street and creating a place for the community to gather. The board consists of 10 other members who envision creating places that people love to live and visit, where businesses can thrive, and where community can come together. An event like BOTA checked all those boxes, and then some!

The excitement was palpable in contestants and event-goers alike, eager to connect with fellow lovers of the arts and take in as much as possible. Artists shared their passions with the crowds, and those in attendance watched in amusement. It’s not often you find as many talented people that BOTA boasted to host in one place, especially in a hidden gem of a location like Sealy.

Above, mural artists work on their masterpieces, while event goers sign the community mural wall.

While the event provided unique entertainment for attendees, it also gave contestants the opportunity to gain exposure and network with fellow artists. Moments like those can define an artist’s career, creating a pivotal point in their trajectories. How impactful that Sealy Main Street was able to create such an event, bringing people together to celebrate and embrace different artistries!

Competitions were hosted throughout historic downtown Sealy, highlighting many of Main Street’s iconic locations. This gave attendees the chance to see little bits and pieces of the town as they navigated the event, organically featuring its qualities and allowing those in attendance to take in all that Sealy has to offer. Interactive mural painting allowed folks to literally make their mark on the community, symbolizing how all members are an important piece of the bigger picture. It’s as if the town itself became a part of the featured art. It truly was a community effort to pull off such an elaborate event. Venues like the Saddleback Saloon, Sealy High School, Liedertafel Hall, San Felipe de Austin Historic Site, Sealy Historical Park, the Texas Theater, and Sealy Trinity Lutheran Church were vital in making it as successful as it was. Countless volunteers donated their time, and local business graciously sponsored. As wonderful as it was, the Sealy Main Street board is already talking about how they can make next year even better!

“We were very excited to have people visit from all over Texas, and even a few from out of state, that are very excited to come back for this next year,” stated Chelsea Humes, Sealy Main Street Project Manager. Information regarding this event can be found at www. botasealy.com and details about the Sealy Main Street Project, including information about how to help in their efforts, at www.mainstreet.sealyedc.com.

Top left, BOTA was a hit, largely in part to its volunteers; bottom left, Sealy’s Liedertafel Hall is a piece of art in itself; top right, the Battle of the Bands at Saddleback Saloon was the perfect way to end the day of festival-ing around town, bottom right, post-viewing Q&As with directors and their teams were held at Liedertafel Hall, where the film festival was hosted.