Odessa Arts

Odessa Arts Celebrating 48 years hosting, supporting, & promoting visual, performing, & literary arts! Music, theater, art shows and more.

Providing information about all the exciting arts events going on around Odessa! Honoring our great volunteers and member organizations.

✨ Your Cultural Weekend Calendar is here! ✨Looking for plans this Labor Day weekend (September 04 – September 07)? We’ve...
09/04/2026

✨ Your Cultural Weekend Calendar is here! ✨
Looking for plans this Labor Day weekend (September 04 – September 07)? We’ve got you covered with an amazing lineup of local events, live music, arts, and family fun across the area! 🎨🎶🎭

Swipe through to see what’s happening each day:

🗓️ Friday, Sept 04:
Permian Basin Fair:https://tinyurl.com/5bu7288u
First Friday:https://www.facebook.com/odessaarts
Evening in the Round:https://www.wagnernoel.com/events/detail/evening_in_the_round26
Coffee Rave Friday:https://tinyurl.com/Coffee-Rave-Friday

🗓️ Saturday, Sept 05:
Permian Basin Fair and Exposition:https://tinyurl.com/Permian-Basin-Fair
Knit & Stitch:https://www.noelartmuseum.org/programs/knit-stitch-3
Mats & Mingle - Hello Fall!:https://tinyurl.com/Mats-and-Mingle

🗓️ SUN Sept 06 & MON Sep 07:
Permian Basin Fair and Exposition:https://tinyurl.com/5bu7288u

Which event are you attending this weekend? Drop a comment below! 👇

Got an event coming up in the area? 🗓️✨
Let Odessa Arts help you get the word out! 📢
Every Friday we feature local events on our Cultural Weekend Calendar. Want your event included for next week or an upcoming weekend? It’s super easy! ✨

👉 How to participate:
1️⃣ Fill out the form: https://tinyurl.com/OdessaArtsEvents
2️⃣ Submit your details by Wednesday at noon to make it into Friday’s post.

📌 Don’t miss out—join our cultural calendar today! 📲

09/04/2026

🎉 FIRST FRIDAY IS TODAY! 🎉✨

It’s officially the first Friday of the month! Join us today, September 4th, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM for an evening full of local art, live music, and amazing community vibes. 🎨🎶🛍️

📍 Downtown Odessa, Tx.
🕒 When: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Bring your friends and family, explore the local shops, and support our creative community. Don’t forget to tag us in your photos! See you tonight! 🙌✨

Get ready! First Friday is just ONE DAY away! ✨Come support local artists, enjoy live music, check out the galleries, an...
09/03/2026

Get ready! First Friday is just ONE DAY away! ✨
Come support local artists, enjoy live music, check out the galleries, and celebrate our community.!

📅 Friday, Sep 4
⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Downtown Odessa, TX
✨ Free admission for everyone!

Don't miss out—see you tomorrow evening!🙌

09/02/2026

Places We Love ♥️

“...to find gifts for people, more locally, not just online. To find different things that kind of fit everybody’s personality and, make them feel special.”

Before McJack General Store became the beloved, treasure-filled staple it is today, owner Dusti Jackson saw a simple need: a place to find unique, heartfelt gifts locally without relying on internet shopping. What started as an idea to help people find special items for everyone in their lives quickly grew into a full-fledged local favorite.🛍️
Over the past three and a half years, Dusti and her boyfriend have built far more than just a retail shop, they’ve created a true family labor of love. Starting the project when their eldest daughter was just one year old and expanding as their second baby arrived, the store has grown alongside their children, who double as the official toy testers and their loyal best customers!🧸

From their famous giant Rice Krispie treats in fan favorite flavors like Banana Pudding, S’mores, and Fruity Pebbles, to a collection of over a thousand stickers and Texas-themed icons, McJack is packed with personality. They even celebrate local pride with unique Odessa keepsakes like pillows, pennants, and “With Love From Odessa” postcards. Stepping inside brings that classic small town square vibe, where you walk in for one specific thing and leave completely thrilled with ten unique finds you didn’t know you needed.

Every Wednesday, we’re shining a spotlight on a beloved location, learning more about its place in our community, the people behind it, and what makes it special to Odessa.

Get to know these Places We Love and share your favorite McJack finds or stories in the comments below!

📍 Odessa, Texas

_____________________________________

Lugares Que Amamos ♥️

‘“…para encontrar regalos para la gente, más a nivel local, no solo en línea. Para encontrar cosas diferentes que se adapten a la personalidad de cada persona y hacerlas sentir especiales”.

Antes de que McJack General Store se convirtiera en el amado local lleno de tesoros que es hoy, su propietaria, Dusti Jackson, vio una necesidad muy simple: un lugar para encontrar regalos únicos y sinceros de forma local, sin depender de las compras por internet. Lo que comenzó como una idea para ayudar a las personas a encontrar artículos especiales para todos en sus vidas, se transformó rápidamente en un favorito absoluto de la comunidad.🛍️
En los últimos tres años y medio, Dusti y su novio han construido mucho más que una simple tienda minorista; han creado un verdadero trabajo hecho con amor y en familia. Comenzando el proyecto cuando su hija mayor tenía solo un año y expandiéndose con la llegada de su segundo bebé, la tienda ha crecido junto con sus hijos, ¡quienes también cumplen la función de probadores oficiales de juguetes y sus clientes más leales!🧸

Desde sus famosos Rice Krispie treats gigantes en los sabores favoritos del público como Banana Pudding, S’mores y Fruity Pebbles, hasta una colección de más de mil calcomanías e íconos con temática de Texas, Mc Jack está repleta de personalidad. Incluso celebran el orgullo local con recuerdos únicos de Odessa, como cojines, banderines y postales de “Con amor desde Odessa.” Dar un paso al interior transmite esa vibra clásica de la plaza de un pueblo pequeño, donde entras por una cosa específica y sales completamente fascinado con diez hallazgos únicos que no sabías que necesitabas.

Cada miércoles destacamos un lugar querido, aprendiendo más sobre su espacio en nuestra comunidad, las personas detrás de él y lo que lo hace especial para Odessa.
¡Conoce estos Lugares Que Nos Encantan y comparte tus hallazgos o historias favoritas de MacJack en los comentarios!

📍 Odessa, Texas

This Week in Odessa History! 🎨✨On September 2, 1985, the Art Institute for the Permian Basin first opened its doors, est...
09/01/2026

This Week in Odessa History! 🎨✨
On September 2, 1985, the Art Institute for the Permian Basin first opened its doors, establishing a permanent home for the visual arts in our community. Later renamed the Ellen Noel Art Museum in 1996, it has spent over 40 years inspiring generations through world-class exhibitions, education, and creative programs!

Have you visited the newly renovated museum recently, or do you have a favorite memory of an exhibition there over the years? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 👇🖼️

_______________________________________

¡Esta semana en la historia de Odessa! 🎨✨ El 2 de septiembre de 1985, el Art Institute for the Permian Basin abrió sus puertas por primera vez, estableciendo un hogar permanente para las artes visuales en nuestra comunidad. Rebautizado más tarde como el Museo de Arte Ellen Noël en 1996, ¡ha dedicado más de 40 años a inspirar a distintas generaciones a través de exposiciones de clase mundial, educación y programas creativos!

¿Has visitado el museo recientemente tras su remodelación o tienes algún recuerdo favorito de sus exposiciones a lo largo de los años? ¡Déjanos tu comentario aquí abajo! 👇🖼️

How does a town contend with a tragedy? 🕊️The Bright Star Memorial 🌟honors the 7 dead and 25 injured during the shooting...
09/01/2026

How does a town contend with a tragedy? 🕊️

The Bright Star Memorial 🌟honors the 7 dead and 25 injured during the shooting in Odessa on August 31st, 2019. It was unveiled on the 5th anniversary of the shooting and was briefly closed to do additional concrete and stonework, lighting, and landscaping before reopening to visitors last year.

*A Scientific-Minded Artist: 🎨🔬 The Bright Star Memorial was created by Jim Sanborn, whose other works include the Kryptos art piece at CIA headquarters. His art frequently features projection work, like the projection cylinder at the center of The Bright Star Memorial. ✨

*More Than Names: 🕊️📝 Sanborn sought to make the words featured on the central projection cylinder more personal by featuring quotes from survivors and family members of the deceased. Reneé Earls, president of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, spearheaded communication with those survivors and family members whose responses ranged from first-hand accounts to scripture to descriptions of loved ones.

*A Reflective Journey: 🚶‍♂️🌅 The outdoor plaza that houses the Bright Star Memorial is intentionally placed in a quieter part of UTPB campus and requires a longer walk through a shade structure, over a bridge, across a playa, and up a spiral path to reach. The plaza’s secluded location offers visitors a quiet place to reflect on Odessa’s resilience while surrounded by 32 desert willows, one for each victim.

📍 Location: 5161 E University Blvd, Odessa, TX 79762

Have you had the chance to visit the Bright Star Memorial yet? 🤍👇 It’s truly a beautiful space for reflection.

______________________________________

¿Cómo enfrenta un pueblo una tragedia? 🕊️

El Bright Star Memorial 🌟 rinde homenaje a las 7 personas fallecidas y 25 heridas durante el tiroteo en Odessa el 31 de agosto de 2019. Fue inaugurado en el quinto aniversario del tiroteo y cerró brevemente para realizar trabajos adicionales de concreto, piedra, iluminación y jardinería antes de reabrir sus puertas a los visitantes el año pasado.

*Un artista con mente científica: 🎨🔬 El Bright Star Memorial fue creado por Jim Sanborn, entre cuyas obras destaca la escultura Kryptos en la sede de la CIA. Su arte suele incluir proyecciones, como el cilindro proyector situado en el centro del Bright Star Memorial. ✨

*Más que nombres: 🕊️📝 Sanborn buscó dar un toque más personal a las palabras plasmadas en el cilindro de proyección central incluyendo frases de sobrevivientes y familiares de las víctimas. Renée Earls, presidenta de la Cámara de Comercio de Odessa, lideró la comunicación con ellos, cuyas respuestas abarcaron desde relatos de primera mano y pasajes bíblicos hasta semblanzas de sus seres queridos.

*Un viaje para la reflexión: 🚶‍♂️🌅 La plaza al aire libre que alberga el Bright Star Memorial está ubicada intencionadamente en una zona más tranquila del campus de UTPB. Para llegar a ella, es necesario realizar un recorrido a pie que atraviesa una estructura de sombra, cruza un puente, pasa por una cuenca seca y asciende por un sendero en espiral. La ubicación aislada de la plaza ofrece a los visitantes un espacio silencioso para reflexionar sobre la resiliencia de Odessa, rodeados por 32 sauces del desierto, uno por cada víctima.

📍 Ubicación: 5161 E University Blvd, Odessa, TX 79762

¿Ya has tenido la oportunidad de visitar el Bright Star Memorial? 🤍👇 Es realmente un espacio hermoso para la reflexión.

Sources🔗: https://texasstandard.org/stories/odessa-tx-mass-shooting-memorial-anniversary/
https://jimsanborn.net/main.html
https://www.teneyckla.com/projects/civic/bright-star-memorial
https://www.oaoa.com/local-news/bright-star-memorial-reopens/

📸:https://www.utpb.edu/give/brightstars

“Odessa trajo a mi vida muchísimas cosas y entre esas el arte. Así que, eh, me he dedicado a pintar muchas botas y flore...
08/31/2026

“Odessa trajo a mi vida muchísimas cosas y entre esas el arte. Así que, eh, me he dedicado a pintar muchas botas y flores. Me encanta cómo quedan, me gusta la reacción de las personas cuando ven mis botas y siento que Odesa está presente en muchos momentos porque fue la ciudad que me recibió y siento que en Odesa nació una nueva Yesenia. Así que yo le debo muchísimo a Odesa y agradezco poder pintar lo que pinto hoy día porque me siento super orgullosa…Yo amo ponerme mis botas vaqueras y salir a la calle . Creo que Odesa está muy presente porque me recuerda la Yesenia que era y la Yesenia que soy hoy.”

-Jessenia Moreno Corzo
________________________________________________

“Odessa brought so many things into my life, and art was one of them. So, I’ve dedicated myself to painting a lot of boots and flowers. I love how they turn out, I love people’s reactions when they see my boots, and I feel that Odessa is present in so many moments because it was the city that welcomed me. I feel like a new Yesenia was born in Odessa. So I owe so much to Odessa, and I’m grateful to be able to paint what I paint today because I feel super proud… I love putting on my cowboy boots and going out on the street. I think Odessa is very present because it reminds me of the Yesenia I was and the Yesenia I am today.”

-Jessenia Moreno Corzo

08/31/2026

Artists Of Odessa✨

Behind every great local artist is a story of roots, family, and dedication.

Meet Jessenia Moreno Corzo, a visual artist who brings paper and canvas to life using acrylics, watercolors, and oils. From painting non-withering flowers as a heartfelt gift for her husband to waking up every day and discovering new techniques sent by her lifelong mentor, Yesenia infuses deep meaning into every stroke. For her, true art lies in the unseen process, transforming a quiet, personal space into authentic creations that speak straight to the heart.

✨ Want to be our next Featured Artist? Know someone we should spotlight as an Artist Of Odessa? Send us a DM today!
_________________________________________

Artistas de Odessa✨

Detrás de cada gran artista local hay una historia de raíces, familia y dedicación.

Conoce a Jessenia Moreno Corzo, una artista visual que da vida al papel y al lienzo a través del acrílico, la acuarela y el óleo. Desde pintar flores que nunca se marchitan como un regalo desde el corazón para su esposo, hasta despertarse cada día con nuevas técnicas enviadas por su mentora de toda la vida, Yesenia infunde un profundo significado en cada pincelada. Para ella, el verdadero arte radica en el proceso que no se ve: transformar un espacio personal y tranquilo en creaciones auténticas que le hablan directo al corazón.

✨ ¿Quieres ser nuestro próximo Artista Destacado? ¿Conoces a alguien a quien deberíamos destacar como Artista de Odessa? ¡Envíanos un mensaje directo hoy!


✨ Your Cultural Weekend Calendar is here! ✨Looking for plans this weekend (August 28 – August 30)? We’ve got you covered...
08/28/2026

✨ Your Cultural Weekend Calendar is here! ✨
Looking for plans this weekend (August 28 – August 30)? We’ve got you covered with an amazing lineup of local events, live music, arts, and family fun across the area! 🎨🎶🎭

Swipe through to see what’s happening each day:

🗓️ Friday, Aug 28: Book bashes, planetarium screenings, and outdoor movie nights!
🗓️ Saturday, Aug 29: Literary conventions, live music, fantasy balls, karaoke, and fantasy football draft games!
🗓️ Sunday, Aug 30: Fine art exhibitions and creative arts entries!

-Friday Night Flicks:https://tinyurl.com/Friday-Night-Flicks-SING-2
-Sci-Friday (Enemy Mine):https://tinyurl.com/Sci-Friday-Enemy-Mine
-Book Boyfriend Bash:https://bookboyfriendbash.com/tickets
-Fantasy Football Draft Parties:https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14n6BqkRs4T/
-Wicked Pages Fantasy Ball: https://bookboyfriendbash.com/tickets
-West Texas Symphony - PROKOFIEV!: https://tinyurl.com/West-Texas-Symphony-PROKOFIEV
-Sing & Sling: https://tinyurl.com/Sing-and-Sling
-Exhibition Closing · Sanctuary or (various places of solace) by Benjamin Muñoz: https://www.noelartmuseum.org
-Permian Basin Fair - Creative Arts Entry: https://pbfair.org

Which event are you attending this weekend? Drop a comment below! 👇

Got an event coming up in the area? 🗓️✨
Let Odessa Arts help you get the word out! 📢
Every Friday we feature local events on our Cultural Weekend Calendar. Want your event included for next week or an upcoming weekend? It’s super easy! ✨

👉 How to participate:
1️⃣ Fill out the form: https://tinyurl.com/OdessaArtsEvents
2️⃣ Submit your details by Wednesday at noon to make it into Friday’s post.

📌 Don’t miss out—join our cultural calendar today! 📲

08/27/2026

OA UNCUT! 🎬✨

Thank you Carma-Lynn Muscroft and the incredible team at BasinPBS 💛  for giving our Executive Director Aaron Ganz and Odessa Arts a platform to share our passion for the arts community and Odessa’s 100th🎂 birthday!
West Texas is truly special! 🎬🎨✨

Follow us every Thursday🗓️ for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening in the Odessa Arts offices. Unfiltered, real, and live looks at our team at work!👩🏻‍💻🖇️📋🖋️

________________________________________________

¡OA UNCUT! 🎬✨

¡Muchas gracias a Carma-Lynn Muscroft y al increíble equipo de Basin PBS 💛 por darle a nuestro Director Ejecutivo Aarón Ganz y a Odessa Arts una plataforma para compartir nuestra pasión por la comunidad artística y el cumpleaños número 100 de Odessa! 🎂
¡El West Texas es verdaderamente especial! 🎬🎨✨

Síguenos todos los jueves 🗓️ para ver de forma exclusiva el detrás de cámaras de lo que sucede en las oficinas de Odessa Arts. ¡Una mirada directa, real y en vivo de nuestro equipo trabajando! 👩🏻‍💻🖇️📋🖋️

       

Address

115 W 6th Street
Odessa, TX
79761

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14323371492

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Odessa Arts posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Odessa Arts:

Shortcuts

Share