Williamson County Art Guild Inspires Community through Exhibits, Education
What began nearly 50 years ago with a small group of artists and art supporters meeting above a Georgetown bank has grown into a vibrant cornerstone of the local arts community.
Founded in 1976 by ceramicist Sheila Crabill and lawyer-turned-art enthusiast Steve Benton, the Williamson County Art Guild (WCAG) was built on a mission to foster artistic expression and a love for the arts across the region. The pair began meeting with Jay Sloan in a room above the bank he owned in Georgetown, and as the small group of creatives expanded, they moved meetings to the Stone Haven Senior Center to accommodate more artists.
While WCAG has evolved over time, the group’s dedication to supporting artists has remained constant. Long-time WCAG member Linda Figg shares, “The volunteer-run group was and continues to be focused on stimulating interest in art in Williamson County and beyond through education, charitable purposes, and community involvement.” Approaching its golden anniversary in 2026, the organization is stronger than ever, with close to 200 active members and monthly meetings held at the Georgetown Public Library.
SPOTLIGHTING LOCAL TALENT
Open to artists of all skill levels, WCAG offers a wide range of opportunities to grow, connect, and share. Its members feature a kaleidoscope of creatives–fiber artists, photographers, painters, mosaicists, stained glass artists, printmakers, muralists, and sculptors. Members regularly take part in workshops, artist talks, and skill-sharing events while gaining visibility through exhibits at various venues across the county.
A major milestone came in 2023 with the opening of the WCAG Rock St. Gallery in downtown Georgetown. The gallery features work by 26 member artists, plus a new monthly exhibit at the front of the space that rotates to showcase a variety of styles and themes. Receptions are held the first Friday of every month from 5 to 7pm, inviting the public to engage directly with artists and their work.
WCAG’s impact reaches beyond adult creatives, having long championed student artists through scholarships and youth exhibits. This commitment was recognized with a 2025 grant from the Georgetown Arts and Culture Board, which helped fund a student art show and awards for young artists. Held in May at the Rock St. Gallery, the “Every Voice Matters” exhibit featured work by students served by The NEST Empowerment Center–an after-school program for at-risk high schoolers in GISD.
CREATIVE CONNECTIONS
Residents looking to get involved–as artists or supporters–are welcome to attend monthly meetings at the Georgetown Public Library, usually held the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 8pm. WCAG also hosts rotating exhibits at locations across the region, including St. David’s Georgetown Hospital, Williamson Museum, Georgetown Palace Theatre, Round Rock Public Library, Framers Gallery, Truewood by Merrill.
To learn more about upcoming exhibits, artist opportunities, or how to become a member, visit wcagtx.org.
From Canvas to Curtain
A shining example of WCAG’s collaborative spirit is its ongoing partnership with the Georgetown Palace Theatre. Their joint efforts bring fine art into the theater space—giving patrons a chance to engage visually with each show before the curtain even rises. This summer, that partnership takes center stage once again with a WCAG art exhibit in the lobby of the Springer Stage that will accompany the Palace’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. “Our production-themed artwork adorns their walls and gives their patrons sort of a ‘jump start’ into the world of the theatrical production,” says Patti Wojtowecz, WCAG exhibit organizer.
The Palace and WCAG have worked together on several shows, with recent exhibits inspired by Our Lady of the Tortilla, Proof, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. “We love this partnership,” says Palace Development Director Debra Heater. “As two anchors of Georgetown’s Cultural District, it’s important for us to stay connected and keep the city’s arts vision thriving. The fact that the city is making art a priority especially on the Square, that’s paramount to us as well.”
Set in the small Russian village of Anatevka, Fiddler on the Roof follows a poor dairyman named Tevye as he struggles to maintain his Jewish traditions while his five daughters chart their own paths and political tensions threaten the fabric of their community. The accompanying WCAG exhibit features paintings, collages, photographs, and mixed media pieces while paying homage to the vivid, dreamlike works of French artist Marc Chagall, whose 1912 painting, The Fiddler, famously inspired the musical’s title. “You will see references to fiddlers, weddings, sunsets, and small-town life in exotic places,” Patti says. “I hope these pieces help the theater goers on their journey to be fully immersed in the theatrical productions they are about to take in.”
The Fiddler on the Roof exhibit is open for viewing until July 10 in the Palace’s Springer Stage lobby.