It really is bootiful.
Following months of anticipation, the Wimberley Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance revealed its latest fiberglass boot on October 11 at Hays City Store. Owners Travis and Tamra Tindol unveiled the sixfoot- tall Bootiful Boot “Hill Country Twilight Picnic.” Accomplished Wimberley artist Kimberlea Springer-Smith captured the spirit of the Hill Country, and the Tindol’s dedication to good food, fun times, and arts of the Hill Country in her embellishment of this beautiful boot.
Springer-Smith, who has been a visitor to Wimberley since the 1980s, said what astounds her is the dedication Wimberley gives to the arts.
“I moved here myself in 2018,” she said. “What amazes me is all the support that businesses and people give to the arts in this little valley. It just blows me away.”
She said working on multiple boot projects has felt like a chance for her to give back to the public.
“It’s a chance to give back to the community and to the restaurant, or whomever buys one of the boots,” she added. “It’s something for them, to have something permanent, that hopefully will bring in more customers and make people’s visit here a little more special whenever they come through.”
This isn’t the first boot Springer-Smith has painted either. This is the third boot the proficient painter has produced.
“I feel honored and thrilled to have this be my third boot,” she said. “It’s always a long process for me and takes a lot of time to paint. I’m a little slow and I do a lot of detailed work.”
It took her about six months to paint the boot, but the results are phenomenal as witnessed by the applause of those in attendance. Her other two works of art can be seen at Jeans Antique Mall and Middleton Brewery.
Bootiful Wimberley, a project of the WVACA, launched an initiative in 2014 to highlight the arts in Wimberley and enhance cultural tourism. Business sponsors and artists jumped to embrace the project. A brochure with boot details and a map of their locations is available at the Wimberley Visitor Center or by visiting https:// bootifulwimberley.com.
This most recent unveiling marks more than 50 boots in the area.
Fans of Springer- Smith can see more of her work at www. kim-springersmith.com.
