Wimberley’s reputation as an arts community got a big boost with the unveiling of a magnificent bronze sculpture in the heart of the new Oak Park & Welcome Center just off Wimberley Square. The fourfoot high bronze boot, which is called “Hill Country Soul,” is a gift to the city of Wimberley from the Wimberley Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance in appreciation of the town’s continuing support for the arts and culture in the Wimberley Valley. Bronze artists Michael W. Hall and Paul Malachi, both of Michael Hall Foundry in Driftwood TX, created and named “Hill Country Soul.” Michael Hall designed and created the boot mold; Paul Malachi carved the boot’s intricate surface design.
This gift is made possible thanks to the generosity of WVACA board member, past president and chair of WVACA’s Bootiful Wimberley initiative, Dr. Hilda V. Carpenter and her husband, Steven J. Green. For more information about the Wimberley boots, visit bootifulwimberley. com.
Legend says that wishes come true while rubbing the toe of the Hill Country Soul boot! A “stagecoach” donation box, built by Leon Rose and finished by Macy Land, is placed next to the bronze boot to encourage locals and visitors alike to donate their change after rubbing the toe. This will help to make their wish come true and help advance Wimberley’s many creative arts activities.
The Wimberley Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance is an umbrella nonprofit organization with a mission to collaborate, educate, and promote the Wimberley Valley as a vibrant cultural arts community supporting visual, performing, literary and culinary artists. WVACA oversees Wimberley’s designation as a Texas Cultural District by the Texas Commission on the Arts. For information on WVACA’s many exciting initiatives and events, to make a donation or become a member visit wimberleyarts. org.
