On November 6 of this year, Clark would be celebrating his 80th birthday. Guy Clark Festival, October 21 to November 12, includes a multi-faceted tribute to Guy in art, film, and music. This unique Festival celebrates a true Rockport Kind of Guy and his deep ties to his childhood hometown. The Festival includes an exhibition of new, original paintings by Rockport artist and Clark’s good friend Steve Russell interpreting sixteen of his songs that will be memorialized in an art book. The book contains images of the paintings along with remarks by Russell, 16 musicians that recorded them, and local history champions Cheryl Livingston and Ty Husak.   

Two evenings of special musical performances by Verlon Thompson and Shawn Camp will precede a screening of the documentary film Without Getting Killed or Caught, directed by Tamara Saviano and Paul Whitfield. A companion CD produced by John Macy and Coastal Bend Music comprises 16 Guy Clark songs performed by noted Texas singer/songwriters, including Thompson, Camp, Lyle Lovett and more.

Additional Festival merchandise include a limited edition, signed gicleé of Rockport Kind of Guy, a painting by Steve Russell used as the cover art for the book, and a companion CD. Merchandise for the Festival is available for pre-order September 14.

“Rockport Center for the Arts already possesses nationally recognized visual arts and cinematic programs,” said executive director Luis Purón. “In the very near future, the performing arts will be a new but regular offering that is sure to energize our community and visitors. We are excited to launch Guy Clark Festival, and with it, chart a new direction for programs in the performing arts.”

Important Festival Dates:

September 28   Tickets go on Sale at 10AM for An Evening With Verlon Thompson and Shawn Camp
October 15       Rockport Kind of Guy, new work by Steve Russell, Exhibit Opens
October 21       Rockport Kind of Guy Book/CD Release and Signing with Steve Russell
November 7-8   An Evening With Verlon Thompson and Shawn Camp - A Musical Performance
November 12    Film Screening Without Getting Killed or Caught directed by Tamara Saviano and Paul Whitfield

Proceeds from the Guy Clark Festival benefit Rockport Center for the Arts’ new building (link to Imagine), currently under construction in the heart of the town Guy Clark loved.

To learn more, pre-order merchandise, and book tickets, visit GuyClarkFestival.com .