Adorably Adorned Armadillos Abound
Kerrville hosts unqiue 'dillo design contest

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

"Ima Hill Country 'Dillo" was created by Lisa Fallon of Kerrville, sponsored by Ken Curll. More Dillo creations are featured on page 8a of the June 12 edition of Country World South Central Texas. - Staff photos by Carolyn Rost

June 12, 2003 -- If Gary P. Nunn, country-western singer, wants to go "home with the armadillo," (as quoted in his song London Homesick Blues), all he needs to do is head for Kerrville!

The colorful, unusual armadillos were on display at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center during the month of May, and from June through September, visitors can view them at 60 different locations throughout this Southwest Texas town.

Visitors to Kerrville can pick up maps for the armadillo trail at the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau at 2108 Sidney Baker. Mary Lee Tennant, publicity vice-president, said she expects "people will be coming to Kerrville just to see the trail!"

One of the center's members got the idea for the project while driving back from a trip to New Mexico. Since Houston has cattle and other cities have adopted other animals as their own, she decided Kerrville should adopt the armadillo, since people usually see them only as "road-kill," on their backs, with their feet up in the air!

So for the last 16 months or so, the 600 members of different arts groups at the Kerrville Arts and Cultural Center have been planning and creating 60, fiberglass armadillos. Each of the critter's design was carried out by students and/or local artists.

The prototype was carved from bass wood by Wayne Jarvis, and was five-foot long and 18-inches tall. Another Center member, Frank Keith, used it as a form to cast the 60 fiberglass animals, each weighing about 25 pounds.

The design contest was won by local artist Carolyn McBride, with her "Texa'dillo" featuring the Texas flag, bluebonnets and yellow wildflowers.

Each armadillo is painted in a different style, with some artists adding special effects to the animal, with the average finished product taking a total of about three days to complete.

According to Tennant, the Armadillo Stock Show Premiere Party in early May drew around 300 local citizens for food and country dancing. The Armadillo Round-Up and Auction will take place on Oct. 11, where Nunn will entertain, including his famous "armadillo" song. The armadillos will be auctioned to the public at the celebration, and proceeds will benefit the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center.

More information can be obtained by calling 800-221-7958 or online at www.kerrvilletexas.cc.