Reporter-News photo by Thomas Metthe Carolyn Cockerell recently reached an agreement with Abilene Christian University's art and design department to show art from the campus. Local arts officials believe it is the first time an college in the city has had a permanent place to show art in downtown Abilene.

Jack Maxwell has a nice problem to have. The art department he oversees at Abilene Christian University produces more art than it can show.

Carolyn Cockerell has a nice problem to have. She has a building downtown with available space that she's eager to lease to artists now that a sculptor has moved his gallery from Abilene to Galveston.

Their mutual acquaintance Garlan Jenkens helped find a solution that benefits Maxwell and Cockerell -- plus anyone who enjoys seeing paintings, sculpture, photography and other visual art forms.

Starting in December, ACU's Art and Design Department will lease space at Cockerell Galleries, 1133 N. 2nd St. That will give ACU a presence right in the middle of Abilene's downtown arts community that Maxwell said he hopes will raise the profile of his student artists -- and give the college more space to show art.

The arrangement also gives Cockerell access to a wider variety of artists and touring exhibits that will be available for the public to see. And, it could lead to ACU performing artists giving concerts or other shows in downtown Abilene.

Cockerell quickly admits, "I am not a professional artist." But she says she loves art, admires and respects artists, and enjoys giving the artists who have studios in her building a place to work and show their creations.

Previously, sculptor Nic Noblique had an art gallery in Cockerell's building. But he moved his gallery to Galveston, leaving some space free at the North 2nd Street location.

Meanwhile, Maxwell has seen enrollment grow at ACU's art department, spurred in part by students who have grown up using computer applications such as Photoshop to crop and digitally alter photographs and who have developed their visual senses since they were young.

The Shore Art Gallery at ACU's Don Morris Center has been the primary place to show art by students and faculty, and touring exhibits. But Maxwell acknowledges the gallery is not close to any parking lots, and its entrance is not visible to much of the campus.

Plus, with more students producing more art, the Shore gallery has not had many opportunities to bring exhibits on national tour to ACU, depriving students and Abilene residents of the chance to see and learn from professional artists.

Jenkens, who serves as director of ACU's Shore Art Gallery, became acquainted with Cockerell when her gallery hosted an event honoring the late Abilene artist Clint Hamilton (who once was part of the New York City art scene). As they got to talking, Jenkens learned that Cockerell was looking for more art to show, and Cockerell learned ACU needed more space to show art.

"The timing was right on both ends, and it didn't take long for the dean and provost to say, 'Sure,'" Cockerell said.

The Cockerell Galleries will show art by ACU students and faculty -- the current exhibit is by ACU art professors -- and touring shows. The Shore Gallery will continue showing art by ACU students and faculty, and will have more space available for touring shows on campus.

Maxwell said other goals include raising the profiles of ACU's art department in Abilene, providing Abilenians with another place to see during ArtWalks (downtown art festivals scheduled the second Thursday of each month), and possibly involving art departments at Hardin-Simmons and McMurry universities in exhibits at the downtown gallery. Performing artists also may decide to use the space.

Lynn Barnett, executive director of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, called the agreement between ACU and a private gallery owner "very unique, and I'm just certain it will enhance things that are going on downtown. Whatever partnership we can build from that, it bodes well for downtown."

The year-long lease with ACU also will allow the Cockerell Galleries to establish regular hours of business. Currently, Cockerell opens the gallery on request (her office is in the building), and it is open during ArtWalks. (The hours for business will be announced soon.) And, students and faculty who show work on North 2nd Street will be within a block or two of places such as The Grace Museum, the Center for Contemporary Arts, the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, and downtown businesses that frequently show work by local artists.

The gallery will have a grand opening during ArtWalk on Dec. 13 to celebrate the agreement with ACU during ArtWalk on Dec. 13.

IF YOU GO:

Cockerell Galleries

Where: 1133 N. 2nd St.

What's going on: Grand opening celebration, with the exhibit "Double Vision" by Jack and Jill Maxwell. Live music will be performed.

When: Dec. 13 during ArtWalk (5-8 p.m.)

Gallery contact: Carolyn Cockerell, 829-7975, carolync@wctcb.com