Art Spark Texas

Makers Meet-up
2023-04-30 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Join Art Spark Texas staff April Sullivan and board member/veteran Judith Estrada Garcia, for our monthly Makers Meet-up, a creative in-person gathering, taking place the last Sunday the month 1-4:00 PM CT. All types of Makers are welcome! We’ll hang out, try a new art method and/or do a creative prompt or two, and share our work. You are always welcome to bring your choice of media, or your latest creative project to share. All supplies provided for card-making this month on April 30th.

Dance Performance at Rosedale School
2023-05-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Rosedale School, 7505 Silvercrest Drive, Austin, TX, 78757, United States
Join us for the culminating dance performance of our 2022-23 Rosedale residency!
No registration required. Just bring a photo ID. This is a donation-based performance. All donations support the work of Art Spark Texas.

Women Veterans Strong
2023-05-11 19:00 - 20:00
A virtual group for women vets to connect, create, and converse.
Join just to chat and learn from our guest!
May 11 – Flora Painting and Printing
We will make a simple flora themed still life and also use actual flora in creating a print.
Supplies Needed: Found flora (leaves, flowers, seed type grasses, etc.), watercolors and/or acrylic paints, synthetic or hair paint brushes (your choice on size) and a foam brush ½ to 1 inch, water, oil pastels and/or crayons, multi-media or watercolor paper, paper towels, brayer/dough roller/can of soda (or similar), and newspaper or plastic sheet
If you are in Austin and don’t have supplies, you can arrange to pick some up from Art Spark Texas! Please contact April Sullivan at 512-454-9912 ext 103 if you have questions.
Register in advance for this meeting at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsceGurDstGdGUBQk_1QdFZoHxuchPLwZs
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Makers Meet-up
2023-05-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Join Art Spark Texas staff April Sullivan and board member/veteran Judith Estrada Garcia, for our monthly Makers Meet-up, a creative in-person gathering, taking place the last Sunday the month 1-4:00 PM CT. All types of Makers are welcome! We’ll hang out, try a new art method and/or do a creative prompt or two, and share our work. You are always welcome to bring your choice of media, or your latest creative project to share. All supplies provided for the project of the month.

Art Spark TX Radio Hour Show
2023-06-05 14:00 - 15:00
Tune in every Monday at 2:00 PM CT to the Art Spark TX Radio Hour live on the Austin airwaves at KOOP 91.7 FM or streaming at https://koop.org/program/art-spark-tx-radio-hour/
Bringing inclusive discussion of topics important to the disability community & beyond!

Women Veterans Strong
2023-06-08 19:00 - 20:00
A virtual group for women vets to connect, create, and converse.
June 8 – Personal Nature Centered Short Story
Write and share a personal story where nature played an important role.
Supplies Needed: Paper and pen and/or computer
Register in advance for this meeting at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsceGurDstGdGUBQk_1QdFZoHxuchPLwZs
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Think Like a Designer
2023-06-09 09:00 - 14:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Join Art Spark Texas for our summer workshop series that combines the worlds of Art and Design with nature. In these weekly workshops participants will explore and create in a variety of different genres, including Graphic Design, T-shirt Design, Eco Art and Natural Dyes. Each class will provide students with a strong introduction to the topic as well as engage them in projects to workout their ideas. Come grow your art and design skills with us each week, in East Austin!
$35 per workshop, $130 all 4 weeks
Register here.

Women Veteran Art and Nature Workshop in Troy, TX
2023-06-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Green Trees Farm, 2520 Rock Road, Troy, 76579
Reconnect with Nature at Green Trees Farm, an equine facility and a quiet country retreat. Women Veterans, and current and prior military are invited out to Green Trees Farm at 2520 Rock Road, Troy, TX 76579 on Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 9 am to noon for a reflective nature walk on the Green Trees Farm Grace Trail®, then gather in the arena for a horse circle where you can meet, interact and learn from horses up close, and then head to the barn to decorate your own journal provided by Help Heal Vets. Use your journal to write about your experience and sketch the horses.
**Please note, this is an all outdoor experience. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Please register to secure your spot, food, and supplies. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-vet-art-and-nature-workshop-troy-tx-horses-art-writing-walking-tickets-634107290977
If you have questions, please contact April Sullivan at april@artsparktx.org or 512-454-9912 ext 103.
Funding for this project is sponsored by the Texas Commission on the Arts.

ATXgo! Parks Access Volunteer Training
2023-06-10 11:00 - 12:30
Are you a park enthusiast who cares about accessibility? We are looking for volunteers to survey parks and help people with disabilities enjoy the great outdoors. At this volunteer training, you will receive an introduction to the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), learn more about our diverse programming, and a review of our access survey. The training is free but registration is requested.
Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflAFOQac0aHbbZE2ZHjVAoE-oaoukuXRJpq9yrv96EF7GNDw/viewform
The zoom link will be sent out a week before the training.

Hairspray (Audio Described)
2023-06-15 20:00 - 22:30 | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
You Can’t Stop the Beat! Hairspray, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon is back on tour! Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world?
Featuring the beloved score of hit songs including “Welcome to the 60’s,” “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” Hairspray is “fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!” (The New York Times).
This all-new touring production reunites Broadway’s award-winning creative team led by Director Jack O’Brien and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell to bring Hairspray to a new generation of theater audiences.
Don’t miss this “exhilaratingly funny and warm-hearted musical comedy” (The New Yorker).
Accessibility Information: https://texasperformingarts.org/visit/accessibility
Event and Parking Information: https://texasperformingarts.org/season/hairspray-broadway-austin-2023
Ticket Office:
email:tickets@texasperformingarts.org or call: 512.471.1444
Monday–Friday: 10 am–5 pm

Hamilton (Audio Described)
2023-06-25 14:00 - 17:00 | Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston Street, San Antonio, TX, 78205, United States
HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre ─ a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education.
Event Information: https://www.majesticempire.com/events/hamilton/
Call the Majestic Theatre Box Office at 210-226-3333 and indicate you want audio description.

VIRTUAL OPEN MIC: THE LION & PIRATE
2023-07-02 13:00 - 14:30
The Lion & Pirate, an inclusive, open mic for writers, performers, and acoustic musicians, invites you to join us the first weekend of the month.
Join the Lion & Pirate for our next virtual inclusive, open mic! Featured performers to be announced; then, it will be your time to shine!
Join us on Zoom:
Use this Link to attend our virtual open mic.
Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/3QnaRvNnL83XG1n79
Stay tuned to our Facebook Group for event updates, signup sheets, and links, and invite your friends too. You can tune in just to connect with your community and give us those “clap” reactions.
As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform! There will be 10 sign up slots. We ask that you sign up ahead of time. Any sign-ups after 10 will be held on a backup list.
Questions? Please email Ms Boye: boye@artsparktx.org.

Women Veterans Strong
2023-07-13 19:00 - 20:00
A virtual group for women vets to connect, create, and converse.
July 13 – Pressed Flower Bookmarks
Start early for this one! Find some flowers out in nature and press them between pages of books for a few weeks. Then, make bookmarks using simple materials.
Supplies Needed: Pressed flowers, Clear Contact Paper.
Register in advance for this meeting at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsceGurDstGdGUBQk_1QdFZoHxuchPLwZs
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Beauty and the Beast (Audio Described)
2023-07-19 20:00 - 22:15 | Hill Country Galleria, 12712 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave, TX, 78738, United States
Magnolia Musical Theatre and the City of Bee Cave present Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Hill Country Galleria!
This audio described performance is free and runs from 8 PM to 10:15 PM.

Event Information: https://magnoliamt.org/beauty-and-the-beast-summer-2023/

Image Description: An outline of the beast holding a rose against a starry sky appears on a graphic.

Disney's Mary Poppins (Audio Described)
2023-07-21 19:00 - 23:00 | AISD Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Boulevard, Austin, 78723
Austin ISD Summer Theatre Series proudly presents MARY POPPINS, the story of the Banks family who live in a big house in London on Cherry Lane. Things are not going well for the family, the children, Jane and Michael, are out of control and are in need of a new nanny. Jane and Michael have their own ideas about what sort of caretaker they should have, while their parents—and in particular Mr. Banks—are insistent on someone strict for the job. When a mysterious young woman named Mary Poppins appears at their doorstep, the family finds that she’s the answer to their prayers, but in the most peculiar way. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones she has a profound effect upon. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “anything can happen if you let it.”
This audio described performance runs from 7 PM to 11 PM.

Event Information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cast-b-bert-cast-disneys-mary-poppins-asl-audio-description-avail-tickets-660662789187

Image Description: Graphic of Mary Poppins dressed in a red coat and flying with her suitcase in hand. Text reads, “Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, The Broadway Musical.”

Women Veteran Art and Nature Workshop in Dallas, TX
2023-07-28 08:00 - 12:00 | Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas, TX, 75217, United States
Connect and Reflect in Nature
Join female veterans for a nature walk at Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas, TX 75217. Then, we will gather inside the education center for nature art and yoga.
** Please wear appropriate clothing and walking shoes for the nature walk. This event is specifically for Women Veterans, current, and prior military.
Only 20 spots available.
In partnership with At Ease Texas and the North Texas VA with funding from the Texas Commission on the Arts. If you have questions, please contact April Sullivan at april@artsparktx.org or 512-454-9912 ext 103.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/676964889207

Makers Meet-up
2023-07-30 13:00 - 16:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Join Art Spark Texas staff April Sullivan and board member/veteran Judith Estrada Garcia, for our monthly Makers Meet-up, a creative in-person gathering, taking place the last Sunday the month 1-4:00 PM CT. All types of Makers are welcome! We’ll hang out, try a new art method and/or do a creative prompt or two, and share our work. You are always welcome to bring your choice of media, or your latest creative project to share. All supplies provided.
This month we are doing Marbleized Paper Journals. Use a fun marbling technique with shaving cream and liquid watercolor and assemble your pages into a journal.

Women Veterans Strong
2023-08-05 10:00 - 11:00
A virtual group for women vets to connect, create, and converse. Register in advance for this meeting at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsceGurDstGdGUBQk_1QdFZoHxuchPLwZs
Our regular Second Thursday event has been moved in August to Saturday, August 5th so that we can host a discussion about the PACT Act before the August 9th deadline.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Makers Meet-up
2023-08-27 13:00 - 16:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Join Art Spark Texas staff April Sullivan and board member/veteran Judith Estrada Garcia, for our monthly Makers Meet-up, a creative in-person gathering, taking place the last Sunday the month 1-4:00 PM CT. All types of Makers are welcome! We’ll hang out, try a new art method and/or do a creative prompt or two, and share our work. You are always welcome to bring your choice of media, or your latest creative project to share. All supplies provided.
This month we are making Dream Catchers.

Women Veterans Strong
2023-09-14 12:30 - 13:30
A virtual group for women vets to connect, create, and converse. Register in advance for this meeting at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsceGurDstGdGUBQk_1QdFZoHxuchPLwZs
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Activity and Supplies for this month:
Create a Hapa-Zome (Leaf Dye) Art Banner
Gather the following Supplies:
Plain (unpatterned) Light Colored Fabric and/or Paper (your choice of size; however, I recommend a minimum of four inches wide by 12 inches long)
Gathered fresh leaves, grasses, flowers/flower petals (avoid dried out grasses and leaves)
A sturdy stick at least 6 inches long
A large rock or hammer
Glue and/or Embroidery Floss with Needle
We will create art banners using collected foliage/flora. We will then prepare the piece(s) for display.

2023 Artist of the Year Awards Ceremony
2023-09-17 13:00 - 16:00 | The Cathedral, 2403 East 16th Street, Austin, TX, 78702, United States
The 2023 Artist of the Year award winners will be honored at the annual awards ceremony hosted by Art Spark Texas at The Cathedral, 2403 East 16th Street, Austin, TX 78702 on Sunday, September 17, 2023. This free event will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 PM CDT, and is free to attend. This will be an in-person live event. All ages are welcome.
RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-art-spark-texas-artist-of-the-year-awards-celebration-tickets-652331540197
Congratulations to our 2023 Artists of the Year!
Haven Street Allen Artist of the Year – Mario Lopez
Spark Award – Kurt Wilkinson
Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award – Valois Vera
Gloria Bond Creative Aging Award – Kathyna Hatla
Director’s Commendation – Karen Lamb
Director’s Commendation – Tommy Nienaber
Event Details:
MC – Ann Ciccolella, Artistic Director, Austin Shakespeare, a professional theater company that performs plays with “heightened language” at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Ann began her directing career Off-Off Broadway after graduating from New York University. These days, Ann facilitates a weekly Artist’s Way creativity group on zoom, and brings Shakespeare into middle and high school classes.
Music by The Spinrockers, an Austin-based band featuring singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger Devin Gutierrez and piano-playing singer-songwriter Mary Rose Bushland! Expect a feel-good blend of rock and R&B classics along with some tasteful originals!
Light refreshments and music starting at 1:30 PM.
Awards Presentation until 4:00 PM.
Location: The Cathedral
The 2023 event will be in person. A recorded version will be available on YouTube after the event.
Please let us know by Monday September 11th if you would like ASL Interpretation. Captioning will be provided.
For more about the celebration or to request accommodations, contact April at 512-454-9912 or info@artsparktx.org.

Makers Meet-up
2023-09-24 13:00 - 16:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Join Art Spark Texas staff April Sullivan and board member/veteran Judith Estrada Garcia, for our monthly Makers Meet-up, a creative in-person gathering, taking place the last Sunday the month 1-4:00 PM CT. All types of Makers are welcome! We’ll hang out, try a new art method and/or do a creative prompt or two, and share our work. You are always welcome to bring your choice of media, or your latest creative project to share. All supplies provided for the project of the month.
This month we are doing Sun Prints!

SIX (Audio Described)
2023-10-05 19:30 - 21:00 | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!
Accessibility Information: https://texasperformingarts.org/visit/accessibility
Event and Parking Information: https://texasperformingarts.org/season/six-broadway-austin-2023
Ticket Office:
email: tickets@texasperformingarts.org or call: 512.471.1444
Monday–Friday: 10 am–5 pm

Image Description: The text “‘SIX: The Musical” appears over a purple and blue background. A king’s crown hovers above the “I” in “SIX.”

Women Veterans Strong
2023-10-12 12:30 - 13:30
A virtual group for women vets to connect, create, and converse. Register in advance for this meeting at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsceGurDstGdGUBQk_1QdFZoHxuchPLwZs
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Illustration and Poster Design Class
2023-10-14 10:30 - 12:30 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Illustration and Poster Design class
Saturdays – October 14 – November 18 @ 10:30am-12:30pm
Instructor: Jerry Slayton
(6 weeks) Learning drawing and graphic skills to tell your story through image making. Combine your illustrations with computer graphics to design a poster that promotes your story in print and on social media.
* This class is open to any and all adult artists with disabilities.
* FREE, no cost or supplies required for this class.
Registration form: https://forms.gle/uaGMkkmqoa41Zg516

Image Description: Flyer for Illustration and Poster Design Class lists class details along with an illustration by Sam of two people smiling and waving with a dialog box reading “Visual Storytelling” above them.

SIX (Audio Described)
2023-10-15 13:00 - 14:30 | Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston Street, San Antonio, TX, 78205, United States
From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!
Event Information: https://www.majesticempire.com/events/six/
Call the Majestic Theatre Box Office at 210-226-3333 and indicate you want audio description.

Image Description: The text “‘SIX: The Musical” appears over a purple and blue background. A king’s crown hovers above the “I” in “SIX.”

Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival (Audio Described)
2023-10-20 18:30 - 22:00 | The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, TX, 78704, United States
In 2023, the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) is celebrating 20 years of its Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival & Short Film Competition! Join CTD (and Art Spark Texas) for two nights of live entertainment, featured guests, community, and great disability cinema! The 2023 Festival takes place Friday and Saturday, October 20 – 21, 2023, at the Rollins Theater at the Long Center in Austin, Texas.
Your $10 ticket reserves your seat at the Festival and will be reimbursed at the door! Get your ticket and view program details on the Cinema Touching Disability website.
Regarding access, the theater will have open seating, with unattached chairs on a level floor, and some tables for those who need a surface. All films will be screened with open captions, and ASL interpretation will be provided for all spoken portions of the Festival. Audio description will be provided.

Image Description: Icon of a person in a wheelchair in motion with a video camera in hand. Text reads, “20th annual Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival & Short Film Competition.”

Abstracts Watercolor Class
2023-10-21 14:00 - 15:30 | Caldwell County VFW Post 8927, 7007 US-183 Hwy, Lockhart, TX, 78644, United States
This class is open to Veterans, families, and caregivers.
Free! All supplies provided.
Taught by veteran artist Denise Knebel. Beginners welcome!
Register by emailing april@artsparktx.org
For more information call 512-454-9912

The Lion & Pirate Open Mic IN PERSON
2023-10-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
The Lion & Pirate Open Mic is back with a special in-person event! This will be our first in-person open mic since the shutdown. Join your friends from the Lion & Pirate for an afternoon of poetry, music, seeing old friends, and lots more!
This special event honors the 20-year celebration of the Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival (another project of L&P co-host, the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities). Close out your CTDFF weekend by chilling with us and other like-minded folk.
We’re super excited to welcome back you old-timers and other in-person regulars who may not have been able to attend our virtual events. We can’t wait to party with you talented folks again! See you there!
What to Expect:

The performer sign-up opens at 1:30 PM at the gate.
This is a disability-inclusive open mic, so all performers are welcome, regardless of their abilities. It’s a supportive and welcoming environment where everyone is encouraged to share their gifts.
The Lion & Pirate Open Mic is a great way to showcase your talents and connect with other artists.
We encourage a variety of performers, including musicians, poets, comedians, storytellers, and more to join us.
The backyard of the Art Spark Texas office is a beautiful and relaxing space to perform.
This will be an acoustic show, but we will have a microphone available for you soft-spoken folks.
Both the office and the backyard are accessible, please email MsBoye for individual accessibility questions or requirements.
The event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome.

Image Description: A lion statue wearing an eye patch and a pirate’s skull-and-bones do-rag grips a microphone cable in its jaws. Text reads, “Join us in person! The Lion & The Pirate, an inclusive open mic for writers, performers, and musicians. 2 PM to 4 PM, Sunday, October 22, 2023. Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX.” Logos for Art Spark Texas and the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities appear at the bottom.

Fun with Phone Photography and Cyanotypes
2023-11-05 10:00 - 13:00 | VFW Post 8587, 1000 N College St, Georgetown, TX, 78626, United States
For Veterans and their families
Children welcome with adult supervision.
Free! Bring your phone, other supplies provided.
Anthony Maddaloni will teach basic phone photography skills, then send you out on a photography scavenger hunt to take photos and collect natural objects for a sun print or cyanotype.
Register at funwithphotography.eventbrite.com
For more information call 512-454-9912
