Art Spark Texas

DE-CRUIT: Virtual Writing Class for Veterans
2020-10-20 19:00 - 20:00, 2020-10-15 19:00 - 20:00, 2020-10-13 19:00 - 20:00, 2020-10-08 19:00 - 20:00, 2020-10-06 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
A Virtual class for veterans. At its core DE-CRUIT, developed by Stephan Wolfert, US Army veteran, is the process of interweaving personal writings with veteran-related Shakespeare texts, applying stage skills for life-skills and completing the communalization of trauma within the veteran community. No Shakespeare or theatre experience necessary.
Register here.
Instructor: Mitchell Stephens
When: Tuesday and Thursday | 7-8pm CST | Starting October 6th
Cost: Free | Space limited
In partnership with Amphibian Stage Productions
Questions? Please contact April, april@artsparktx.org.
If you are interested in supporting our Veterans Programming, please consider making a donation here.

Meet the Masters: Virtual Art Class for Veterans
2020-10-18 15:00 - 16:00, 2020-10-11 15:00 - 16:00, 2020-10-04 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

Exhibit: Paws and Claws Pet Portraits
2020-10-18 14:00 - 16:00 | AGE Building, 3710 Cedar Street, Room 101, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
Art Exhibit – Paws and Claws Pet Portraits.
Please join Art Spark Texas and our Portrait Artists for the Paws and Claws Art Pop-up Exhibit this Sunday, October 18th from 2-4:00 PM at the AGE Building back porch area near Rm 101 entrance. Pickup for the Art is 3:30-4:00 PM.
RSVP: april@artsparktx.org
We are looking forward to seeing all of you and taking some photos of you with the Stars of the portraits—your beloved pawed and clawed friends – who are welcome and encouraged to attend this Sunday! We will have some doggie and kitty gift bags for them, too. The exhibit is taking place outside on the back porch of the AGE Building to better provide for good social distancing. There is a grassy, fenced area for your pets. Pets must be on leash at all times. Please bring your own pet clean-up bags.
Sunday, October 18, 2020
AGE Building (back porch), 3707 Home Lane, Austin, TX 78705
Exhibit 2-4:00 PM
Art pickup 3:30-4:00 PM
We will be streaming the event on FB Live. If you prefer not to be filmed, just let us know. Please help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask at this event. Thank you.

Art Class: Texas Stories Vol. 2
2020-10-16 15:00 - 16:00
This 8 week series will cover historical figures and cultures of Texas. This week, join us for a discussion on Texas Political Legend, Barbara Jordan. Watch our YouTube lesson to learn about Ms. Jordan and create art in her honor. Barbara Jordan was known for her powerful public speaking, and in this week’s art lesson we will use words to create a collage portrait.

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
2020-10-15, 2020-10-08, 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

Create Your Story!: Virtual Class for Veterans
2020-10-14 18:30 - 20:00, 2020-10-07 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.

White Cane Day
2020-10-14 09:00 - 11:00 | Texas Workforce Commision, United States
Art Spark Texas is providing AD services during this virtual event.
The President of the United States annually recognizes White Cane Day by the Blind Americans Equality Day Proclamation on October 15th to acknowledge the abilities of people who are blind and to promote equal opportunities as any other American.
The mission of White Cane Day is to educate the world about blindness and how the blind and visually impaired can live and work independently while giving back to their communities, to celebrate the abilities and successes achieved by blind people in a sighted world and to honor the many contributions being made by the blind and visually impaired.
Each year the Austin community comes together for an event to celebrate this exciting day. Although due to the Covid19 situation, the event will be virtual, it promises to be bigger and better than ever, so tell your friends and come have some fun!
October 14, 2020 – 9:00 am CST
Click here to join via live stream on Granicus
Listen to the live Audio Description by calling (571) 317-3112
Access Code: 262-332-365
For more information:
Texas Workforce Commission, whitecaneday@twc.state.tx.us
www.whitecaneday.org

Character Writing: Virtual Class for Veterans
2020-10-12 18:30 - 20:00, 2020-10-05 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.

Virtual Elements Dance Class
2020-10-10 14:30 - 15:30
Physically Integrated Modern Technique with Dancing Wheels
Our October 10th Virtual Elements Class (2:30pm CDT) is taught by the founder of Dancing Wheels Dance Company Mary Verdi-Fletcher, company Artistic Associate Mark Tomasic and Director of Outreach & Community Engagement Sara Lawrence-Sucato who all will lead physically integrated dance class in modern technique. Participants will engage in an inclusive dance experience based on the Company’s foundational principles of Translation, Equity, Accessibility, and Meaning.
Topic: October Virtual Elements Class
Time: Oct 10, 2020 02:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Class Fee: Class is on a sliding scale from $5-20, pay online.

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
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[Image Description: Sit-up and stand-up dancers dancing in a studio that has a big window in the background.]

Songwriting Series: Gaelynn Lea
2020-10-07 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for the second installment of our fall Community Conversations: Songwriting Workshop Series. 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.
Meeting Information
Songwriting Series: Gaelynn Lea
Wed, Oct 7, 2020 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)
Meeting Link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/379301309
Access Code: 379-301-309
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/379301309
Email eric@artsparktx.org to be added to our list. Captioning and ASL will be provided. Please let us know if you need other accommodations.
We are excited to welcome Gaelynn Lea to facilitate our second workshop!
If you enjoy our Community Conversations Songwriting Series, please consider making a Donation today.
About Gaelynn Lea
Gaelynn Lea won NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2016, and not long after she hit the road with her husband Paul. So far she has toured in 45 states and 9 countries, captivating audiences around the world with her unique mix of haunting original songs and traditional fiddle tunes. Gaelynn Lea has appeared in several major festivals over the years, including SXSW, Winnipeg Folk Festival, and Reykjavik Arts Festival. She has opened for well-known bands such as Wilco, The Decemberists, LOW, The Jayhawks, and the industrial rock supergroup Pigface.

Gaelynn Lea poses with her violin.
Gaelynn Lea performs from her electric wheelchair. She began playing violin 26 years ago after a creative music teacher helped her to adapt a playing style that suits her frame. Lea holds her instrument like a tiny cello and loops her classically trained rhythms and melodies with her Memory Man pedal to create a “symphonic cacophony that is both glorious in its reach and profoundly introspective”. (Ear to the Ground) Her original songs explore the contrasting nature of existence—dark and light, birth and death, anger and forgiveness, sorrow and joy. Gaelynn Lea’s “music is imbued with a melancholic poetry so potent it must be heard to be believed.” (Boston Globe)

In addition to performing and recording, Gaelynn also does speaking engagements about Disability Rights, finding inner freedom, and accessibility in the arts. In recent years, she has used her music as a platform to advocate for people with disabilities and to promote positive social change. So far she’s been able to share her perspective on PBS NewsHour, BBC World News, The Moth Radio Hour, and through two widely-viewed TEDx Talks.
Gaelynn Lea is currently working on a memoir about her touring adventures and disability advocacy that she plans to release in 2022. Since the Coronavirus pandemic halted her traveling, Gaelynn has been performing a weekly concert on YouTube to fans who join her every Sunday afternoon from all over the world.
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 Community Conversations Songwriting Series, please consider making a Donation today.

Virtual Open Mic - The Lion and Pirate
2020-10-04 13:00 - 14:30
Our featured reader this month is Lion and Pirate regular, Edith Tapia “Blackbird”. Edith was born in her beloved country, Mexico. She took part in local events since elementary school, including “Civil Mondays”, writing patriotic and traditional poems to perform for government members.
In middle school, Edith competed in a poetry statewide contest, winning second place. In high school, she won second place in a poetry nationwide contest. The Sonora University awarded her an honorable mention for her participation in their regional literary contest with the piece “Plegarias de Una Luna Enamorada” and was published in their anthology Realidad Aleatoria.
Now living in the USA, Edith attends open mics sharing her bilingual work. She has been featured twice for the “Austin Poetry Society” monthly event in 2018 and also published in their anthology 2020. She has won three times the Ekphrastic challenge in “Hearsay Poetry” open mic and been published on hearsaypoetry.com. Read Edith’s poems at Medium and Wattpad. After we’ve flown with Blackbird, 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!
Performers sign-up. For more details, check out our Facebook page.
Questions? Please contact Ms Boye, boye@artsparktx.org.
If you are interested in supporting the Lion and Pirate open mic, please consider making a donation here.

2020 Virtual AccessAbility Fest
2020-10-03 09:00 - 16:00, 2020-10-02 09:00 - 16:00
AccessAbility fest offers a gateway to resources, opportunities and recreation for individuals facing barriers to their maximum level of independence due to a physical, developmental, sensory and/or mental health challenges.
​The 14th Annual AccessAbility fest will kick-off virtually October 2-3, 2020, featuring numerous activities, information sessions, and exhibitors with information, products, programs and services that promote independence and inclusion where individuals with disabilities live, work and play.
This FREE celebration includes activities for the entire family to enjoy, demonstrations, webinars and more. Advanced registration is required to attend.
Registration Link: Click here
Visit the Art Spark Texas exhibitor booth and be entered to win a raffle for an Art Spark Texas face mask.

Art Class: Texas Stories Vol. 2 - Czechoslovakian Culture in Texas
2020-10-02 15:00
This 8 week series will cover historical figures and cultures of Texas. This week, join us for a discussion on Czechoslovakian culture in Texas. Watch our YouTube lesson to learn about Creative Activism and create a piece of art to be shown at The Czech Center Museum in Houston.
YouTube lesson: Click here to watch on our YouTube channel.
Register: 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.

Holiday Art & Gift Show - Holiday Curated Boxes!
2020-10-02
Call for Art
Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2020
Have you been wondering? Is Art Spark Texas hosting a Holiday Art & Gift Show this year? Well, we have an idea and we hope you like it!
Holiday Curated Boxes
As with everything in 2020, it’s going to be a little different. The curated box concept has become popular in recent years and seems especially suited to the current time. People purchase specialized boxes of items selected by the “curators.” Some examples are beauty products, fair trade or sustainable handmade items, edible treats, art and crafts, etc. Our Holiday Curated Box would contain 5 small pieces of arts and crafts created by Art Spark artists with each box containing 5 original works of art. We will also add some Art Spark “extra goodies.” The boxes can be used by the purchaser as a single gift, or the art items in the boxes can be given by the purchaser to multiple recipients, or even kept as a gift for themselves to support Art Spark Texas and our Artists.
Participation Details:
If this interests you, respond by 5 pm Friday, October 2nd with sample images, prices, and descriptions to April@artsparktx.org. We are looking for small gift items that can be created in multiples that you would feel comfortable pricing at $10 or less. Artists receive 50%. Items should be sized around 6″ x 8″, or smaller, with a depth of no more than 3″. (We ask that art not be holiday specific, since we won’t be familiar with the purchaser’s beliefs or customs.)
Here are some ideas, but we want to know your creative thoughts!

2 D Art
3 D Art
Cards / Notecards
Suncatchers
Jewelry
Scarves
Painted rocks or shells
Candles
Sachets
Soaps
Small notebooks
Bookmarks
Magnets
Stickers
Pet items
CDs

Questions? Have an idea you want to run past us?
Join us for a Virtual Q & A session.
Holiday Show Artist Q & A
Thu, Oct 1, 2020 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (CDT)
Click here to join from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
You can also dial in using your phone:
United States: +1 (872) 240-3412
Access Code: 633-128-301
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts.
Or just call and leave a message for April at 512-454-9912 ext 103 and she will call you back as soon as possible.

Fundraiser: Paws and Claws Pet Portraits
2020-10-02
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.

Dance: Virtual Elements Class
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
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Class Fee: $5-20. Click here to pay for classes.
