In 1886, the Fredericksburg Casino Society was formed with the stated purpose of “cultivation of the fine arts, especially dramatic and musical arts, and the intellectual stimulation of its members.” These were the seeds planted for what was to flower as the Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance (PCAA) as we know it today. Twenty-six artists, artisans and craftspeople met to discuss the formation of the “Gillespie County Arts Alliance.” Their presented goal was “To encourage, promote and support the work of all creative artists and artisans in Fredericksburg and the surrounding area.” Today, PCAA still does this with 14 local students receiving scholarships currently, a variety of grants, each pertaining to the arts, and our PCAA Musical Evenings series.
1979 to present PCAA
In the late seventies, the Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance (PCAA) board decided it needed a festival to gather, sell their art and celebrate Fredericksburg’s German culture. Oktoberfest was born! Its first year was 1981, and it has always been held on Marktplatz. Fast forward to 2023 where we will celebrate our 43rd anniversary. Over the years PCAA/Oktoberfest has built and/or assisted with many projects on Marktplatz and in the community. We paid in full for the design and construction of the Maibaum and Oktoberfest Halle. We contributed to a variety of projects and on-going maintenance. These have included FestZimmer, Die Kuche, landscape, hardscape, new picnic tables, repainting, renovation and upkeep of several Marktplatz buildings and rooms, and tables and chairs for the new event room currently under construction.
2023 PCAA Grants
4th July Parade Comm. Ambelside School Admiral Nimitz Foundation Bethany Pre-school City of Fredericksburg Comm. Ed Summer Theater Die Kunstler Fredericksburg Art Guild Fredericksburg Choral Fredericksburg Comm. Orchestra Fredericksburg Middle Schoool Fredericksburg Music Academy Fredericksburg High School Band Fredericksburg Theater Academy Fredericksburg Theater Company German Choirs of Fredericksburg Gillespie Co. Fair & Festival Assn. Gillespie Co. Historical Society Harper High School Band Harper Elementary School Heritage Upper School Music Living Well Learning Center Market Square Redevlopemt Comm. Primary School program St Mary’s Catholic School
2023-2027 PCAA Grants
4th July Parade Comm. Ambelside School Admiral Nimitz Foundation Bethany Pre-school City of Fredericksburg Comm. Ed Summer Theater Die Kunstler Fredericksburg Art Guild Fredericksburg Choral Fredericksburg Comm. Orchestra Fredericksburg Middle Schoool Fredericksburg Music Academy Fredericksburg High School Band Fredericksburg Theater Academy Fredericksburg Theater Company German Choirs of Fredericksburg Gillespie Co. Fair & Festival Assn. Gillespie Co. Historical Society Harper High School Band Harper Elementary School Heritage Upper School Music Living Well Learning Center Market Square Redevlopemt Comm. Primary School program St Mary’s Catholic School
2023-2027 PCAA Scholarships
Current Recipients:
Daven Ballejo – University of Texas Mariah Boyd – Texas State University Cameron Clements – Texas A & M University Will Cooke – University of North Texas Olivia Findley – Tarleton State University Parker Feuge – Texas State University Jorja Simpson-Hahn – Savannah College of Art & Design Austin Merrill – Texas State University Ciara O’Leary – Franciscan University of Steubenville Whitney Phillips – Savannah College of Art & Design Hank Rawls – University of North Texas Jenna Rickerhauser – Abilene Christian University Sydney Slaughter – University of Arkansas Reily Wilder – Texas State University
2023 PCAA Musical Evenings
This Year Featured
April – FHS Jazz Ensemble May – Jake Penrod June – Soul Sessions July – Georgia Parker August – Floyd Domino September – Bob Appel
