DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the Simon Michael Gallery, right here in Aransas County. Now, some places earn their reputation loud and fast. Rockport earned its the quiet way — one painter, five acres, and a whole lot of students who came and never quite wanted to leave.
Let me back up. Simon Michael was born in Houtzdale, Pennsylvania, in 1905, and apparently the boy could draw before most kids could sit still. He grew into an artist and an itinerant art teacher — meaning he moved, he roamed, he brought the art to wherever the people were.
Then came 1948, and Michael made his way to Rockport. He established the Fulton School of Painting, and that was just the beginning. He visited neighboring towns — Bay City, Victoria, and later Corpus Christi, Fredericksburg, and other sites — carrying that artistic sensibility up and down the Texas coast and beyond.
But in 1951, Michael planted his flag for real. He purchased five acres right there in Rockport and established the Simon Michael School of Fine Art. On those five acres rose a home, a gallery, and a studio.
Thousands of students came through. Thousands. And out of all that teaching and painting and gathering of creative souls, something larger took root.
The school established the Rockport-Fulton Art Colony and the Rockport Art Association — which in time became the Rockport Center for the Arts — and together they cultivated the vibrant local arts community that Rockport carries to this day. Simon Michael lived to 2002. The community he helped build outlived him still.
What the marker says
Born in Houtzdale, Pennsylvania, Simon Michael (1905-2002) showed artistic ability at an early age. He became an artist and itinerant art teacher. In 1948, Michael moved to Rockport and established the Fulton School of Painting. He visited neighboring towns including Bay City, Victoria, and later, Corpus Christi, Fredericksburg and other sites. In 1951, Michael purchased five acres in Rockport and established the Simon Michael School of Fine Art. Buildings included a home, gallery and studio, attracting thousands of students. The school established the Rockport-Fulton Art Colony and Rockport Art Association (later Rockport Center for the Arts), which cultivated the vibrant local arts community. (2023)