Benjamin Knox- The Art of Success

Every once in a while the stars align to provide everything necessary for life in one place- Art, music and wine…

But rarely on a regular basis!

Benjamin Knox has been perfecting his vision for a quarter of a century in a veritable retail sweet spot. And over time his aggressive approach and hard work has paid off in several ways.

His elegant and spacious art gallery featuring his own work is surviving in a very tough economy. He continues to add features to his facility such as an event center, a wine bar and a party deck. And understandably his gallery has become the flagship for the College Station art community, offering fine art, good wine and live music every week. In fact three times a week!

Click on the arrow in the box below to hear Benjamin Knox explain his concept...

Indeed, there has NEVER been an opportunity like this!

Knox offers several evenings a week where professional, popular art, live music and great wine and cheeses are served in gorgeous surroundings.

Once an architecture major at Texas A & M, Benjamin quickly zeroed in on his niche and with great perseverance has gradually improved it until he stands victorious among a diminishing field of competitors. You might say he has illustrated in his business the true heart of a champion. So it is no surprise that much of his work has been studies of traditional Aggie icons, such as Texas A & M football and not a few compositions featuring the famous Texas A & M Aggie Corp. The fierce, competitive spirit seen on the A & M football field has been demonstrated on every canvas coming out of his studio.

Knox talks about his current, near epic exhibit...

We wish Benjamin the best of luck with that project!

The Wine Depot.

And that same spirit has gone into every product, every addition to his sprawling Art Gallery- Frame Shop- Wine Depot and Event Center. He manages it all himself, with the assistance of half a dozen personnel. There are full-time picture framers, food and wine servers, a couple of college kids working part time, and musicians entertaining several times a week. And above all of this activity he paints his large masterworks in his private studio upstairs.

The coolest people in College Station take advantage of this remarkable cultural asset...

But tonight Knox calmly meanders among the crowd out on the deck, enjoying his creation as if he were a casual guest. Meanwhile The Greg Tivis Trio delivers tight, engaging jazz; the musical equivalent to his masterful paintings...

Greg and his music can be enjoyed at several local venues every week.

Groups chat and dine in private nooks and out in the idyllic evening air. The place functions automatically like… something an Aggie would design; a very talented, somewhat right-brained Aggie. After years of searching and considerable training, Benjamin proudly claims that he has a solid crew that can handle these weekly events without any hand-wringing or angst. His crew makes him look good... and Benjamin Knox makes success look easy. And he seems to have done it on his terms, a feat within itself.

The Greg Tivis Trio makes time stand still while the world flies by.

But it has not always been so. Knox has overcome some serious personal challenges in recent years which have made him stronger and perhaps wiser, and an even smarter businessman, and if possible, an even more amazing artist. Now the near perfection of his ambitious domain is the result of decades of striving and passion, yet it all seems so ideal and serene. Perhaps his most fascinating, most magical art is his success. How can all of this achievement rise on University Drive, year after year, against impossible odds?

Knox pointed out a new work in his gallery of a Texas A & M football player, the twelfth man, kneeling and praying. It is the picture of a champion, nearly prostrate, leaning on his helmet, having given his all, exhausted and yet thankful, and still knowing where all good things come from. And most importantly, having the presence of mind to take the time to say a prayer of thanksgiving. It pretty much sums up where Benjamin Knox is today; the life of a champion, feeling gratitude for his success, happy with his performance on the field. It is a sweet place to be.

Benjamin Knox enjoys the fruits of his labors.

And Benjamin Knox is a big believer in giving back. In fact he credits some of his success to his reciprocity in this community. He has given a lot, and the community has given back in spades. He has also been sure to use his gallery as a venue for local musicians and emerging performers as well...

Art lovers, or music lovers, or Aggies, or avid wine tasters will find their cultural home here at Benjamin Knox Art Gallery, and his Wine Depot, and in the process, they will be sharing a little of his success.

We can only imagine what Benjamin Knox might do next with this amazing facility, and how or where he might aim his talents in the future. Knox says he wants to explore landscapes and do more western and historical subjects, and other things to do with our Texas heritage. If his delightful weekly parties are any indication… the best is yet to come.

The Benjamin Knox Art Gallery is located at 405 University Drive, (East) in College Station, Texas. Hours are Mon-Wed 12-8, Thur-Sat 12-12, LIVE MUSIC Thur & Fri 7-10

DOWNTOWN BRYAN: An Alignment of Stars in the Basement…

of the La Salle Hotel!

Downstairs ... in the Brazos Room.

On the first Sunday evening of every month, Bryan’s top music performers congregate at the bottom of the La Salle Hotel for a jazz jam to die for…  and it is free.  As you take the elevator to the basement you ask yourself, how good can it be, hidden in the bowels of an ancient hotel on a Sunday night? But seven years worth of musical bonding keeps bringing Bryan-College Station’s most devoted music fans back to the basement for their jazz fix.  You quickly realize why!

 Visiting for the first time, veteran performer Misslette Caillouett brought her guitar but read the outstanding sound and set it down... she would just be happy to get to sing with such an All Star band.  “These guys are MONSTERS!” She beamed.

 

Greg Tivis needs four hands to keep up with all of his jazz.

That may have been true, but these monsters brought nothing but pure joy to their audience, who helped transform the lively La Salle Hotel Brazos Room into a 1940’s nightclub. Led by the multi-talented Greg Tivis at the keyboard, mostly local musicians offer up a diverse show of Jazz styles from dixieland to swing to cha cha, with the precision of professionals who know each other-  and the music through years of such revelry.

local music patriarchs Richard Phelps and Jay Brakefield contributed early on... on cornet and clarinet respectively...

And a welcome sight, Hannah Ridgeway, a well-received young female vocalist brought her fresh approach to some jazz classics… some spicy "cha cha" and had the rare thrill of singing with such an inspiring collection of musicians. There is hope for the next generation!

A member of the audience, John Leonard breaks into spontaneous dance at the beginning of "Walkin' Stick."

There were THREE very good sax players, who kept the audience clapping from solo to solo as if it was a High School graduation ceremony. It seems everyone is a multi-tasker…  Tivis will tickle the keys on his keyboard and then suddenly join the brass with his cornet…

Ralph Moncivais on flute

Ralph Moncivais, leader of the RAZZ Band, started with lovely flute riffs and then pulled out his tenor sax and brought down the house with it. And they were just getting warmed up.  Richard Kent is a wonderful clarinetist, but he too cannot resist his saxophone.  And once you hear him play, you will not be able to resist him.

 Richard Kent tearing it up on sax... with Greg Tivis at keyboard, Steve Carr on bass, Randy Watkins on drums, Ken Appelt playing accoustic guitar, Kevin Duff on electric guitar,  and Ralph Moncivais also on sax...

Known more professionally for her country and western performances, it turns out Misslette cut her teeth on jazz and confesses that it is dear to her heart. Manny Lopez of the Texas Twisters helps out on bass.

I recognized drummer Randy Watkins, who took a little break and was able to give me a heads up, when he learned DON POPE, an acknowledged virtuoso on piccolo and flute, and one great soprano sax player from Conroe, had just arrived…  Randy  promised it would be good... and I have learned to trust his judgment about music... What a show!  Paul Fridrich filled in on drums and brought out his big guns...

Greg Tivis explained that he had fewer musicians this time... but we still celebrated the "best of the the best, in these parts." And that was no brag, as they say, just fact. This alignment of stars was pure serendipity, one that he might not have been able to arrange except under rare circumstances.

Don Pope drops by... Some of the best things in life are free... And in this case, the best of the best!

Pure, unrestricted joy... in the basement... Who knew? This monthly event is a well hidden jewel, but YOU CAN DISCOVER IT FOR YOURSELF...

Next month's theme: New Orleans Christmas!

But you have to get out of the house!