Entertainment evolves into a nonprofit

In 2000, Madeline Marigold, then the owner of the Spicewood Vineyards, and two friends were tired of driving into Austin in order to see a concert, so they decided to bring shows to Spicewood by forming the Spicewood Arts Society.

The trio held their first dinner party and concert in the Spicewood Vineyards tasting room, seating about 50 people for the show.

"It was pretty scrunched, but it was successful," Spicewood Arts Society President Martha Norwood said. "[The nonprofit] sold all of [its show] tickets pretty much every time."

As the concerts grew, the organization realized it could give back to the community and shifted its attention to the arts. In 2010 the nonprofit started offering scholarships to local high school students seeking a career in the arts, Norwood said.

"Three years ago we started doing an annual fundraiser that allowed us to offer scholarships to Lake Travis High School and Marble Falls High School," she said.

Gary and Sue Lowe, who are some of the nonprofit's largest benefactors, provide the entertainment for the fundraiser, which allows the SAS to put more money toward scholarships. The SAS started off with six $500 scholarships, but with increased donations every year has been able to increase the scholarships by $500 each year, offering six $1,500 scholarships this year, Norwood said.

In addition to the scheduled concerts and annual fundraiser, the SAS hosts a Fine Arts Roundup in October to showcase local artists and raise additional funds.

"We are increasing the number of artists each year," Norwood said. "We have some limitations because of the area at La Cabana, but it is such a nice area."

In addition to the art on display at the Fine Arts Roundup, which is scheduled to be held Oct. 19–20, musicians donate their time to help raise funds by performing, SAS Membership Chairwoman JoLeen Hall said.

While there has been discussion about the SAS finding a location of its own, Norwood said that wouldn't happen anytime soon.

"We won't move for at least three more years," she said. "Ron [Yates] really works with us at this location. He is a very gracious host."

Yates purchased the vineyard from the Marigolds and built the event center, which currently houses the SAS concerts and can seat between 230 and 250.

Norwood said that eventually she would not be opposed to having a dedicated location for the SAS but a large donation would be needed for anything like that to happen.

Raising money for fire relief

When wildfires scorched parts of Central Texas in 2011, the Spicewood Arts Society put together an emergency concert in three days to raise money. The event raised $44,000 for fire relief.

Interaction with area schools

The SAS recently began sponsoring Expressions magazine at Spicewood Elementary School. The magazine is a compilation of artwork by the students that is self-published with funds from the SAS.

The SAS was unable to fund the magazine last year as the school was not sure whether to continue the program.

"We tried to coax them into letting us do something for them because [art] funds are being cut all over Texas," SAS President Martha Norwood said.

As an alternative, the SAS helped send the elementary school choir to the capitol to sing.

"We helped with the gas, part of the bus cost and the sheet music for the kids," Norwood said. "That is nowhere near what we want to do, but at least it's something."

This year the SAS is expanding its efforts into Lake Travis Elementary School.

Spicewood Arts Society, Spicewood Vineyards, 1419 CR 409, Spicewood, 512-264-2820, www.spicewoodarts.org