But the necessary funding never could be found until 1997, when Ronnie Thompson closed the Depot Restaurant at 19th Street and Avenue G and approached the city about purchasing his building as a home for its Buddy Holly memorabilia. They recommended that the City Council purchase and renovate the building. From the beginning, the discussion was a need for the fine arts here, that this space could house both the Holly program and the city's visual arts program. That meant that Gibbons also would have to expand her own repertoire. It's been a challenge, which of course is a good thing, because the music community works differently than the art community.
Musicians often work in a collaborative process and then perform for an audience for feedback.
So there are differences in production and presentation. Even so, she feels that appreciation for fine art continues to grow in Lubbock. One of the most gratifying things for me is seeing people walk through the Buddy Holly Center and they're just stunned. They tell me they had no idea there was an art gallery here, or that we had such an incredible space. Mind you, none of Gibbons' works are on the walls, and she's OK with that.