Art Spark Texas

Art Class - June Jamz - Texas Stories Bonus Class
2020-07-15 13:00 - 14:00, 2020-07-22 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Texas Stories Bonus Classes*
Join us for two additional weekly art activities and virtual discussions based on Texas History. In these two classes we’ll cover the Coahuiltecan People of South Texas and the Goodnight Ranch of the Texas Panhandle. Work at your own pace with recorded video lessons. Then, come together once a week on a virtual video chat, or call with instructor Jerry Slayton. All ages (with and without disabilities) are welcome – perfect for families looking for activities to do together.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/yahbs3yq
Weekly Art Activity and History Discussion Themes

July 15 – The Coahuiltecan People of South Texas -project students will learn storytelling by creating a picture comic of the Coahuiltecan Creation Story.
July 22- The Goodnight Ranch

Virtual Elements Dance Class: Adam Benjamin
2020-07-25 14:30 - 15:30
July 25th, 2020 Virtual Elements class facilitated by Adam Benjamin, UK based choreographer and teacher and a pioneer of the professional integrated dance field. Class is at 2.30-3.30 pm CT. This class will have an ASL interpretation.

“Bounded in a nutshell.” These words from Hamlet came to me while thinking about the class and what I might be able to explore. Lock Down has confined us all to greater or lesser degrees; the studio is still out of bounds yet inclusive work has always been about accessing space, so I wanted to take a look at internal spaces and see where we might go through sensing and imagining the body and space.
Class fee is donation based from $5-20. You can donate here.
Topic: July Virtual Elements Class with Adam Benjamin
Time: Jul 25, 2020 02:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85406570033?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 854 0657 0033
Password: [REDACTED]
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Dial by your location
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Meeting ID: 838 4067 8222
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kxvRqTX7R
Questions? Contact Silva via email silva@artsparktx.org

Call for Art Deadline: SILC 2021-2023 Plan Cover
2020-07-27
Texas State Plan for Independent Living Cover Call for Art: What Does Independent Living Meant to You?
$1,000 Award for Winner; $100 Honorable Mentions
Art Spark Texas & Texas State Independent Living Council
Deadline: July 27, 2020
Art Spark Texas and the Texas State Independent Living Council (SILC) invite artists with disabilities living in Texas to submit original artwork to be considered for the cover of the “Texas State Plan for Independent Living FY 2021-2023.”
There is no entry fee and two-dimensional works in all media are eligible. Entries should represent the theme of “What does independent living mean to you?” Although digital images will be used for selection and printing, the original artwork must also be available to be retained by SILC to become part of their permanent collection.
Request a paper entry form at 512-454-9912 or Click here to fill out online entry form.
Deadline: July 27, 2020

Fundraiser: Paws and Claws Pet Portraits
2020-08-02, 2020-09-02
Commission a pet portrait by one of our artists. Ongoing now through October 9.
Final exhibit Sunday, October 18, 1-4:00 pm CDT (free)
Commission your personalized Pet Portrait today from our talented Artists! Just upload your pet’s photo and tell us a little about them to help our artist paint a truly personalized tribute to your pet. Live outside of Austin? No problem! We can ship to any location in the US.
$85 per pet per portrait
Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3iy2an4
The fundraiser benefits all Art Spark programs.

Open Mic: The Lion and Pirate
2020-08-02 13:00
via Zoom (Captioned). Donations are appreciated. Featured reader: Casey Bottono.
The Lion & Pirate set off on their next online adventure, hope you’ll be aboard!
The event will start with our featured readers:

Casey Bottono is a writer and youth workshop leader living in Cornwall, England. Previously published in the Lapidus International journal of writing for wellbeing, Mookychick, PETRIe Inventory and Verbal Remedy, her work explores themes of bereavement, healing and recovery. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with Creative Writing and a Master of Arts degree in Professional Writing from Falmouth University, UK. Follow Casey at Twitter and Facebook.
Check out our Facebook event page for more details Or email Ms Boye at boye@artsparktx.org.
Donations welcome: https://www.artsparktx.org/donate/

Call for Entries Deadline: Expressions 2020 Exhibition
2020-08-10
Deadline: August 10, 2020
Art Spark Texas invites all artists ages 18+ in San Antonio and surrounding areas with a mental health diagnosis to submit artwork to the exhibition. There is no entry fee and 2D and 3D works in all media are eligible. Artwork may be no larger than 3’x3’. No negative images or images which are not suitable to be shown in the general public.
Download Call for Entries Form
For further information contact Susan Beattie at seabeattie@yahoo.com or (210) 908-1776 or April Sullivan april@artsparktx.org or 512.454.9912

Call for Art: DEAM 2020 Poster
2020-08-26, 2020-09-18
The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities
Disability Employment Awareness Month Poster: Increasing Access and Opportunity
Deadline to enter is September 18, 2020.
Each October, Texas celebrates DEAM with job fairs, public awareness events, and a statewide #HireAbility campaign to promote employment opportunities for Texans with disabilities. As part of the public awareness campaign, GCPD partners with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to distribute free DEAM posters to thousands of Texas employers and businesses to educate them on the talents and abilities of workers with disabilities, while sharing valuable employer resources through the HireAbility website. The posters are intended to spark conversations on the employment of people with disabilities in businesses and organizations across the Lone Star State. The posters feature original work from an outstanding Texas artist, along with their picture and personal statement, and the national DEAM theme. This year’s theme is “Increasing Access and Opportunity.”
Entry information available here.
2019 DEAM Poster – “The Right Talent, Right Now”

Virtual Community Conversation with Antoine Hunter
2020-08-26 19:00 - 20:00
​Our August 2020 Artist of the Month award-winning Deaf dancer, choreographer, instructor and advocate Antoine Hunter is featured. Joining him will be Art Spark Dance Director Silva Laukkanen. Learn more about Antoine at https://buff.ly/31mtKNr
Wednesday, August 26, 7-8:00 pm CDT.
Free on Go To Meeting
More info and a link to join the conversation here: https://www.facebook.com/events/750942155694449/
Art Spark Dance

Art Class: Texas Stories Vol. 2 - Jack Johnson "The Galveston Giant"
2020-09-02 13:00 - 14:00
This 8 week series will cover historical figures and cultures of Texas. In this week’s lesson, students will learn how to create an animated gif in honor of legendary Texas boxer Jack Johnson. Join us for a discussion on “the Galveston Giant” Jack Johnson with guest speaker: kYmberly Keeton, African American Community Archivist and Librarian, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.
Register for Texas Stories Vol 2 – click here.
To learn more about Texas Stories visit our blog article “An Historic Summer with Texas Stories” – click here.

Songwriting Series: Dustin Welch
2020-09-02 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for the first installment of our fall songwriting workshop series. Wednesday, September 2nd, 7-8 pm CDT. This course will include three sessions, each facilitated by a different songwriter. Musicians and songwriters of all skill levels are encouraged to attend! If you are an absolute beginner who aspires to write lyrics or melodies, you will learn some tools and activities to help you get started. Or if you already have a few songs in your repertoire, you’ll gain some new prompts and a space to do more writing, receive constructive feedback, and meet other creatives.
We are thrilled to have Dustin Welch lead our first workshop! Read more about Dustin below.
Community Conversation with Dustin Welch

Wed, Sep 2, 2020 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/431901685
You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 431-901-685
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/431901685

Email eric@artsparktx.org to be added to our email list or if you need any accommodations.
About Dustin
Dustin Welch
A Nashville native, Dustin Welch grew up surrounded by writers, singers, pickers, and artists of all kinds. At an early age, he was exposed to the literary value of song form, and formed his own unique style of storytelling. Appalachian grooves and melodies coupled with lyrics, strange and beautiful. He encountered solid recognition for his talent and hard driving music and lyrical style for his first two solo records Whisky Priest and Tijuana Bible, putting him into the upper realm of Austin rockers. His long awaited third installment, Amateur Theater, was released in the fall of 2019.
The highlight of his active schedule is hosting weekly songwriting and guitar workshop in San Marcos for Armed Forces veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress for a program he founded called Soldier Songs and Voices. It’s inspiring—it’s a beautiful thing.

Open Mic: The Lion & Pirate
2020-09-05 19:00 - 20:30
The Lion & Pirate set off on their next online adventure. Hope you’ll be aboard!
To join the virtually Lion & Pirate Open Mic on Zoom, click here
Meeting ID: 853 2311 8334
Password: [REDACTED]
The event will start with our featured readers:
Joanne Stato, singer songwriter from Florida and a surprise guest. Learn more about Joanne and her music on our FB event page.
Then it will be your time to shine! As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform! Click here to sign up.
Donations graciously accepted: Donate today!

Art Class: Texas Stories Vol. 2 - Luckenbach, Texas
2020-09-09 13:00 - 14:00
This 8 week series will cover historical figures and cultures of Texas. This week, join us for a discussion on Luckenbach, Texas.
This week, join us for a discussion on the history and music of Luckenbach, Texas. Watch our YouTube lesson to learn about song-writing and create your very own Country-Western song!
Register for Texas Stories Vol 2 – click here.

To learn more about Texas Stories, visit our blog article “An Historic Summer with Texas Stories” – click here.

Dance: Virtual Elements Class
2020-09-12 14:30 - 15:30, 2020-09-26 14:30 - 15:30
Creative Group Dance
Class Fee: $5-20. Click here to pay for classes.
Creative Group Dance workshops are designed to encourage an inclusive, participatory and collaborative space, allowing each person to discover and contribute his/her/their unique creative energy to the larger group; from individual body to group body. For the September 2020 Elements series, we will cultivate the awareness of movement feelings in our muscles and explore the concept that dance is the expression of a living moment; that a dance grows naturally, organically from one movement to the next. No prior dance experience needed. Movement and dance belong to every person. These workshops take inspiration from the free approach to dance and movement pioneered by Barbara Mettler. Click here to learn more about Barbara Mettler.
This is a virtual class that meets on Zoom. Click here to join Zoom meeting.

Meeting ID: 873 4358 2231
Passcode: [REDACTED]

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Meeting ID: 873 4358 2231
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Class Fee: $5-20. Click here to pay for classes.

Meet the Masters: Virtual Art Class for Veterans
2020-09-13 15:00 - 16:00, 2020-09-20 15:00 - 16:00, 2020-09-27 15:00 - 16:00
This Veteran class is open to beginners and anyone wanting to play with art supplies. Learn about famous artists and create your own art based on master works by artists such as Diego Rivera, Andy Warhol and Joseph Cornell.
Art Supplies Provided! We mail the art supplies to you. You watch a video and create the art on your own time. Then join other Veterans on a weekly video chat to share what you learned and created.
Register by contacting April Sullivan at 512-454-9912 or april@artsparktx.org or register using this online form.
“Four Trees” by Egon Schiele

Character Writing: Virtual Class for Veterans
2020-09-14 18:30 - 20:00, 2020-09-21 18:30 - 20:00, 2020-09-28 18:30 - 20:00
This class is open to Veterans or current service members. Beginners or experienced writers interested in learning how to write character driven stories by creating your own characters and building out their environment, interactions, and responses.
Taught by Veteran writer Clayton Bradshaw. Weekly writing lessons will be given, and you will join other Veterans on a weekly video chat to write and share. You can also join by phone only.
Character Writing Virtual Class for Veterans
Mondays, September 14 through October 12
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Register by contacting April Sullivan at 512-454-9912 or april@artsparktx.org or register using this online form.

Create Your Story!: Virtual Class for Veterans
2020-09-16 18:30 - 20:00, 2020-09-23 18:30 - 20:00, 2020-09-30 18:30 - 20:00
This class is open Veterans or current service members. Express your story with powerful words and bold colors! Reflect, create and connect to your personal story through freestyle, stream of consciousness style writing exercises. Then, transform your words into images by using a variety of art supplies. Supplies will be mailed to you.
Taught by artist and writer Elizabeth Decker. Join other Veterans by video chat or phone each week for writing and art prompts. This is your chance to play with color and words!
Register by contacting April Sullivan at 512-454-9912 or april@artsparktx.org or register using this online form.

Art Class: Texas Stories Vol. 2 - German Culture in Texas
2020-09-18 15:00 - 16:00
This 8 week series will cover historical figures and cultures of Texas.
This week, join us for a discussion on German culture in Texas. Watch our YouTube lesson to learn about German artist Max Ernst, and create a drawing that incorporates physical texture.
Supplies Needed: pencil, cardboard (or cereal box), liquid glue and crayons.
Our guest Evelynn Weinheimer, from the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg, will provide historical insight on early German-American life.
Register for Texas Stories Vol 2—click here.
To learn more about Texas Stories, visit our blog article “An Historic Summer with Texas Stories”—click here.

ABOUT ART SPARK TEXAS
Art Spark Texas challenges perceptions of how people contribute by creating an arts-inspired, inclusive community of individuals with diverse abilities.
If you enjoy our Texas Stories Vol. 2 Series, please consider making a Donation today.

2020 Artists of the Year Awards Ceremony
2020-09-20 14:00 - 15:30
Art Spark Texas is pleased to announce the 2020 Artists of the Year Awards Ceremony taking place Sunday, September 20, 2020, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM in Austin. The event will be virtual this year and will provide the following accommodations: ASL, audio description and captioning. All are welcome to attend virtually.

Sunday, September 20, 2020
2:00-3:30 pm CDT
Click here to register (and receive zoom link information)

Thank you to our Artist of the Year Awards Sponsors
Corporate Sponsors
Austin Lighthouse
Supporting Sponsors
RK Audiology
Become a 2020 Artist of the Year Awards Sponsor!
For more information, click here or contact susan@artsparktx.org. Pay online: Corporate, Business, Community, and Individual sponsorship opportunities available ($100-2,500).
ABOUT ART SPARK
Art Spark Texas challenges perceptions of how people contribute by creating inclusive, arts-inspired communities of individuals with diverse abilities. The Art Spark Texas Artist of the Year Awards were created in 2017 to celebrate the achievements of artists with disabilities from all artistic disciplines in Texas. For more information about the award winners, and to receive information about the award celebration, contact outreach@artsparktx.org.
Click here to register for the 2020 Art Spark Texas-Artist of the Year Award Celebration.

Art Class: Texas Stories Vol. 2 - Vietnamese Culture in Texas
2020-09-25 15:00
This 8 week series will cover historical figures and cultures of Texas. Join us, Friday at 3pm, for a discussion on Vietnamese culture in Texas. Watch our YouTube lesson to learn about the Vietnamese Refugee experience and create a poem and paper fold boat. Our guest Christine Turknett will provide personal and historical insight on Vietnamese-American culture.
Register for Texas Stories Vol 2—click here.
To learn more about Texas Stories, visit our blog article “An Historic Summer with Texas Stories”—click here.

Expressions 2020 Exhibition
2020-10-01
Join us for a virtual art exhibition of artwork by Texas artists with a mental health diagnosis. October 1-30, 2020. This annual exhibition is a celebration of talent during Mental Illness Awareness Week October 4-10, 2020.
Click here to view artwork.
For more information or to purchase artwork, contact April Sullivan at april@artsparktx.org
