Hallet Oak Foundation

Hallet Oak Foundation DBA Hallet Oak Gallery and DBA Friends of Hallettsville Downtown Revitalization

Revitalization of Downtown through arts and culture - Hallet Oak Gallery is a center for cultural arts to foster art appreciation in the surrounding communities. Its mission is to increase art education and create opportunities for youth and senior citizens as well as those disadvantaged by age, race, income or health to participate. The center serves as a venue and resource for community activities in the centrally located town of Hallettsville. It serves as an information center for visitors wishing to learn more about the art and history of the area. Through Friends of Hallettsville Downtown Revitalization it serves as a center for collecting both information and funding resources to maintain the town’s historic landmarks and to help with identifying and beautifying points-of-interest for visitors.

History: The Hallet Oak Galley has been in operation since June 2015, formed by Mieko Mahi with the help of the owner of the historic 126 year old building, Dr. Betty Edwards. The historic building houses the Hallet Oak Gallery. The Gallery is run by the help of thirteen volunteers and numerous patrons and supporters. Mieko would like to recognize the commitment and dedication of Docent and Assistant Treasurer: Aaron Riske. "Aaron keeps the doors open to the public. If it wasn't for Aaron's donation of his time from the very beginning of the creation of the Gallery, we would not be able to achieve as much as we have to date", says Mieko Mahi. The art center has visitors from out-of-town who discover local art, meet local artists and learn the history of the town. The gallery also sponsors performances by original songwriters once a month. The gallery offers monthly “lunch and learns” on topics such as copyrighting, getting published, painting, fireworks safety and others.

How we formed: Three board members: Mieko Mahi, Alice Vickers, and Claire Scoggin combined their talents to create Hallet Oak Foundation. Advisory Board Members are: Dr. Betty Edwards and Sue Pritchett. Assistant Treasurer, Aaron Riske.

How We Work: The gallery plans events a year in advance. Sponsors and donors help with advertising and performance expense. Artists and others in the community volunteer time, expertise, and materials.

Arts engagement, cultural planning, and design projects from the Friends of Downtown Revitalization sector will increase art landmarks and beautification as well as added safety to our small town.


Section A: Hallet Oak Gallery Monthly Activities, Current and Proposed

Promoting Hallettsville & It’s Artist to the State of Texas: Meet the Artist Every Saturday Morning, Spotlight on the Arts Every Saturday Afternoon. Exhibits of work by local, international, and upcoming artists selected by a panel of curating art experts.

Fostering Art Appreciation Groups: Art Appreciation Movies and Lectures - free ongoing education series to the public. Donations are encouraged through membership or donations.

Bringing in Interesting Expert Speakers: Monthly Lunch & Learns Priced for Senior Citizen, nominal fee to cover some of the cost for speaker

Continuing Arts Education through Curricula and Leisure Learning: To collaborate and donate supplies needed to create art, to offer scholarships and recognition to talented students and individuals. Support curriculum as needed working with surrounding schools


Encouraging Disciplined Creativity: Art Contests, nominal entry fees with awards and recognition to winners

Planning Free Community Events, free to the public such as Halloween jack-o-lantern contest and School Christmas ornament fund-raising

Engaging the Disadvantaged: Offering nursing homes, and low-income community members - offer free wall art, or art loans, donations and trips to events

Providing Actives for Active Seniors: Art Activities during the day for seniors, free for seniors,
donation encouraged

Maintaining Evolving Gallery Art Exhibit Collection: Artworks for sale, but not to exceed educational activities and free public exhibits and receptions

Downtown Musical Performances: - Music Night featuring original songwriters, nominal fee with encouraging new upcoming artist, discounts for seniors

Extend Benefit of a Historical Location: Nominal rental fee for community and private events

B) Friends of Hallettsville Downtown Revitalization Proposed Activities

Encouraging Leadership through Committees: Meeting space and office, minimum fee

Info Center: Free

Training Docents for Informative Tours: 28 hours a week to answer question, free to public

Honoring and Promoting Hallettsville’s Uniqueness: Walking tours, or guided tours with peddle car, minimal fee

Planning Conferences around Art & History: Historical conferences with book signings, with nominal fees to cover some expenses and offering discounts to seniors, teachers, and students

Planning Free Community Events - e.g. snow machine, free to public

Annual Hallettsville Chriskindlmarkt with cultural music, free to public, annual event

Encouraging Community Improvements: Seek funding for improvements downtown, i.e.: community arts, public art, or beautification projects

Promoting Welcoming Committees To help welcome tourist, visitors, and newcomers, and business to the area through welcome baskets, and social gatherings