Artists and artisans give
to Hecho en Encinal fall raffle

Janet Krueger believes that art should be accessible in rural areas, as well as in cities. Small communities are often left out of the funding streams that are available to more populous places. Drawing on the generosity of artists and artisans who support the idea that art is for everyone, Hecho en Encinal will offer it's second annual fall raffle.
Krueger, whose most recent commission hangs in the SBC arena in San Antonio, will donate a drawing of a fondly remembered Encinal scene, the interior of Reyes Cafe. Once the destination for enchiladas and other Tex-Mex favorites, the cafe has been closed for several years.
Artist Dotty Zamora grew up near Encinal and has studied art in Texas, Japan, and Europe. She recently returned to live in the area and share her world view with her hometown. Her mixed media donation, She Canned, combines techniques of drawing, painting, and wax emulsion in a 12" x 12" artwork.
Several items showcase the community of Encinal. For instance, there is a gift certificate for dinner for two at the local restaurant, The Recreation Center. Ranch manager George Nieto presents a rustic South Texas-style mirror. An Encinal Food Basket will be filled with goodies (tamales, traditional cookies, and jelly made from cactus tuna) all homemade in Encinal. Diana Reese, known in Encinal for her sewing, cooking, and other craftwork, is also creating an Encinal gift basket and a Christmas wreath.
Friends from Cotulla and Laredo have donated items, too. From Cotulla comes a hand-stitched Christmas-themed quilt with gingerbread men. Jessica Ratliff of Laredo created a turquoise-beaded bracelet especially for the raffle.
The raffle drawing will be held the evening of Dec. 18 at the Encinal Elementary School Annual Holiday Program. Each year each class at the school performs a short musical number or skit for the community. This year the program will include a presentation of creative writing from Youth Arts, an NEA funded project for middle and high school students.
Check the Hecho en Encinal website (www.encinalart.org) for a full list of items and a preview picture of some of them. Tickets are on sale ($10 for a book of five or $2 each) from the board members and friends of Hecho en Encinal. Email hecho@netscorp.net or call the office at (956) 948-7228 if you need more information.