The Regional Arts Council

"The tickets are very reasonable and the quality is outstanding," said Whitaker, who has been on the board of the Regional Arts Council for eight years. "You don't have to go downtown to see a professional production."

Third graders at Tomball ISD attend the performance every year, Whitaker said. It is an opportunity to gain exposure to a high quality artistic production that otherwise would not have existed for them, she said.

The Regional Arts Council has recently partnered with Tomball's DaVinci Artists Gallery to offer art classes for children with special needs and foster children. The art council offers art classes to all children, as well as private lessons with professional artists in the area.

"It's such a beautiful cause," said Shirley Skidmore, co-director of DaVinci Artists Gallery. "Anything to help children and bring out their rays of sunshine. It's an avenue for children to express themselves."

The Regional Arts Council holds an event several times each year called Margaritas and Masterpieces. Held at Cisco's Salsa Company in Tomball, the event offers art instruction and painting for an admission price of $35. The next class will be July 27. The class has been well received, Whitaker said.

"I tell them, God has put a little artist in all of us," Whitaker said. "You just watch and God shows up. He will help you have a beautiful picture."

The Regional Arts Council is considering offering art classes next year in local nursing homes.

"I love the arts, and I just feel it's so important to give back to our community and promote art any way we can," Whitaker said.

333 South Cherry Street, Tomball, www.tomballarts.com