About

The goal of the Lost Pines Artisans Alliance is to enrich and unify the arts community in Smithville and Bastrop County and to work to make Smithville known as an “arts destination” bringing increased tourism and commerce to Smithville. The Lost Pines Artisans Alliance will also work to make the arts more accessible to the citizens of this community. We will work to do this through education, outreach, and the creation of and participation in community events.

The Lost Pines Artisans Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit registered in the State of Texas.

The Mary Nichols Art Center-LPAA Gallery is located in the heart of Smithville. This beautiful historic home has been renovated and is dedicated to the public art of Smithville area artists.

LPAA is the current resident organization of the Mary Nichols’ Art Center, located in the heart of Smithville, which serves as the program office of the Cultural District. This beautiful, historic, city-owned home is dedicated to the public art of Smithville area artists.

The house was built by Robert Lee Nichols (born in Bastrop) and his new wife Mary Virginia Wilkes. They had moved to Smithville in 1884 and lived in the cottage next door 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. 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 first artists’ organization to take residence in this house that year, and in 2008, the Art League graciously handed over the keys to the LPAA.

The LPAA maintains this city-owned property in exchange for use of the building rent-free. LPAA has office space her, and hosts meetings, events, educational workshops and classes here. Classes encompass various painting methods, music, fiber 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.

The LPAA Gallery is located on Main Street in in space donated by woodworker/ carpenter Sam Blasco. This location has increased visitors to the gallery from the previous location at the Mary Nichols’ Art Center, resulting in increased sales and more visibility for its member artists.