80 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • January/February 2018 TheCoastalBend.com Port Aransas Art Center is a busy place throughout the Winter months Painting class with wine, receptions, and workshops The beautiful, new home of the Port Aransas Art Center opened last spring, and has become a center of local camaraderie for local art enthusiasts. It will be alive with activities this winter. Sun Jan 21 5-8 p.m.—Wine Whine & Design Island Style: Artist Instructor Monica Garcia leads this fun painting workshop, where students are en- couraged to bring wine and snacks. Mondays 1-4 p.m.—Fun with Acrylics Class with Judith DeShong Hall. Tuesdays 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.—Drop & Draw Class with Pat Donohue. Fridays 10 a.m.-1:00 p.m.—Watercolor Class with Kay Barnebey or Nancy Buskey. Thurs Jan 25: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.—”Creating a Travel Memory”Workshop with Judy Hall. Fri Jan 5 & Fri Feb 2—Port Aransas First Friday reception with live music, refreshments, special exhibits plus meet Port A and guest artists. Sat-Sun Feb 10-11 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.—2-Day Watercolor Workshop with Lee Ricks. 101 N. Alister St. (361) 749-7334 • PortAransasArtCenter.org The Port Aransas Parks and Recre- ation Department offers free birding tours every Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. Knowledgeable birding guides lead the weekly tours at the Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture. Tours begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Port Aransas Community Park parking lot. Experienced and beginner birders, families, and anyone inter- ested in the outdoors and nature are invited to experience the beautiful natural resources Port A is known for. Bring your cameras and binoculars, maybe some hot coffee or cocoa, and dress for the weather! Free guided birding tours every Saturday morning this Winter