Wimberley, Texas is home to many exceptional galleries, but none is more highly respected for fine art and sculpture than Pitzer’s Fine Arts at 13909 Ranch Road 12 in the heart of the beautiful Hill Country.

On Saturday November 11, 2023, 10 am – 7 pm, Pitzer’s celebrates its 45th anniversary Texas style, with sips and bites, live music in the courtyard, and artists present. Sculptor Gerald Balciar will demonstrate his techniques, and Angela Mia will discuss her popular body of work.  

It all began in 1978 when Rob Pitzer was selling pianos in Corpus Christie. One day sculptor Kent Ullberg came into his shop, set a small sculpture on a piano and challenged Rob to sell it, which he quickly did. Soon he was selling more sculptures than pianos and turned the space into his first gallery. After a few years, Pitzer’s moved to Carmel CA, where its reputation for statuary continued to grow.

Initially, Pitzer focused his fine arts company on monumental sculpture for public and private collectors. Notable placements included such diverse locations as the Anheuser-Busch Visitor Center in St. Louis Mo, the Cherry Creek Mall in Denver CO, the Wildlife Federation Headquarters in Washington DC, and Texas A&M University in College Station TX, among many others. 

Missing Texas, Rob Pitzer left Carmel in 2006 and moved his gallery to Wimberley. He opened in an historic downtown building where sculptures graced the courtyard, over time adding acclaimed painters to his roster. 

Today, sculptor Kent Ullberg is still represented by the gallery, along with 40 other talented artists, notably G. Harvey, Robert Peters, Luke Frazier, Gerald Balciar, Trevor Swanson, George Lundeen, Angela Mia, Nelson Boren, as well as Texas locals Eric Slocombe, Kim Springer-Smith, Jim Street, Otto Lawson, and Milbie Benge, and many others. 

Rob Pitzer retired in 2020, leaving oversight of the gallery to his sons, Tyson and Trey Pitzer, and day-to-day operations in the knowledgeable hands of gallery manager, Pam Rudd. Rudd had joined him as full time sales assistant in 2017 after managing the EastEnd Studio and Gallery in Marshall, MI. She grew EastEnd from a 14-person co-op in 700 square feet to a 3000 square foot gallery with 66 artists and highlighted by the state as a “gallery to watch.” When she moved to Wimberley in 2016, Rob Pitzer wisely invited her to integrate her new Wandering Oaks Fine Art Gallery with Pitzer’s, which worked out well for both.

Today, Rudd occasionally adds artists to accommodate the changing interests of collectors and giving upcoming artists a chance, if she feels they’re a good fit. She says, “It’s a such privilege to represent these artists. I build customer relationships based on the gratitude I feel at being able represent work of this caliber.” She loves to encourage young people’s interest in the arts and welcomes all visitors, never too busy to share her extensive knowledge of the art and the artists. 

Rob Pitzer and Kent Ullberg and Rob Pitzer celebrating one of Kent's bronze sculptures

Gallery Director Pam Rudd with Kent Ullberg and his wife at a recent show

A look into the amazing studio of sculptor Gerand Balciar

Sculptor Gerald Balciar, who will be demonstrating his art during our celebration on November 11, 2023