Art Spark Texas

Elements Dance Class (canceled)
2020-04-11 14:30 - 16:30, 2020-02-22 14:30 - 16:30, 2020-02-08 14:30 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Town Lake YMCA, 1100 W. Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX, 78703, United States
Art Spark Texas offers the Elements dance class every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 2:30-4:30pm at the Town Lake YMCA in the large group exercise room on the first floor. Instructor: Silva Laukkanen
Elements is an ongoing class for people familiar with dance improvisation and want to go into the practice in a supportive environment. We study dance and movement improvisation and somatics. No gym membership is required to attend. Open to adults age 18 and up; all abilities with some dance experience. No registration necessary. The class fee is on a sliding scale from $5-$20, cash or check accepted. You can pay the class fee online here. See you at the Y!
For more information, email Silva Laukkanen or call (512) 454-9912.

Writers' Circle for Veterans (canceled)
2020-04-07 20:00 - 21:00, 2020-03-31 20:00 - 21:00, 2020-03-24 20:00 - 21:00, 2020-03-17 20:00 - 21:00, 2020-03-10 20:00 - 21:00, 2020-03-03 20:00 - 21:00
Tuesdays, March 3 – April 7, 2020 @ 8pm
The Writers’ Circle meets after the Writing Workshop in San Marcos.
Location: San Marcos, TX 78666 (contact us for new location information)
Workshop for Veterans in San Marcos, Texas
Tuesdays, Workshop 7-8pm, Circle 8-9pm
March 3-April 7, 2020
Each session of the six-week rotation is divided into two sections— a writing class and a writers’ circle.
Anyone may attend both or only one section each week.

The first hour will be a class that consists of reading to be completed before class (or in class if time allows), discussion over the reading, lessons on key concepts or ideas within creative writing, writing prompts, and writing prompts.
The second hour will consist of sharing and discussing each other’s’ work.

Course Description: Every person has a story to tell. Each life experience brings its own truth about existence in the world. Sometimes that truth is personal and can be seen through perseverance in the face of trauma or hardship. Other times, that story exists in the world that we observe, in the way people interact at a bowling alley or in the buzzing of bees as they pollinate a garden. This course is designed to help people find a way to tell their stories while learning the tools established by other writers. Whether a person wants to write about the time the cook spilled diesel fuel into the green beans on deployment or about the sharp pain that pierces their heart when visiting the gravesite of a close friend or relative, their story matters. This course will give veterans the tools to evaluate literature, write about their experiences, and express the truths they have learned in lives built on service. It will focus on teaching fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in order to give veterans a number of tools in writing their truths.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to identify key concepts within fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. They will be able to apply these concepts in creating their own stories, poems, and essays. Through creative writing, they will explore their own personal truths and find catharsis through expression.
Instructor: Clayton Bradshaw writes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction that recognizes hard truths and holds the world accountable. He graduated from Sam Houston State University with a BA in English and currently participates in the MFA-Creative Writing program at Texas State University where he also teaches Freshman English. His work can be found in Barren Magazine, The Deadly Writers Patrol; r.kv.r.y; Collateral; and War, Literature, and the Arts. His novel-in-progress, Quietus, looks to change the veteran narrative while exploring the inherited consequences of war far beyond personal trauma.

The Lion and The Pirate VIRTUAL Open Mic
2020-04-04 19:00 - 20:30 | TX, United States
The Lion and the Pirate open mic is Zooming ahead!
Sign up through noon Saturday, April 4, 2020 to perform via Zoom conferencing by clicking here
While we have sorely missed having our event in our amazing original host venue Malvern Books, we are glad to be able to continue our open mic in a virtual space. This just means that when Malvern re-opens to the public, we need to support them as best we can!
Our April open mic is moving online, via Zoom. We will start with featured performer, Thom the World Poet and surprise guests. 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!
When: 7pm – Saturday, April 4th
Where: Online via Zoom.
Here’s the link: https://zoom.us/j/742292394
Note: This event will be Live Captioned.
If you are worried about using your data you can join the fun by calling 1-346-248-7799 to dial-in then use the meeting code: 742 292 394
For this open mic, we’re especially interested in work that’s keeping you healthy and grounded as we physically distance ourselves. Have you written a poem or song (or found one) that’s helped get you through? Been practicing a dance routine that lets you move through the days with a little more joy? We invite you to share it with the community from your home stage!
If you’re a little shy, this could be your chance to take the first step. If you turn your video off, or perform off-screen, or put your pet in front of the camera.
Or you can tune in just to connect with your community and give us those “clap” reacts.
The show will be shorter than usual, so we will limit the number of sign up slots. Sign up is open from today through Noon on Saturday 4th of April. Click here to sign up.
For more information, email Boye Nagle or call 512-454-9912.

Nomination Deadline: 2020 Art Spark Texas Artists of the Year Awards
2020-03-31
The 2020 Art Spark Texas Artists of the Year Awards nominations are now open! We have revised the nomination form to allow you to nominate artists in several categories, including:

Spark Award
Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award
Mobile Art Senior Artist Award
Haven Street-Allen Artist of the Year.

The award ceremony will take place in September 2020 in Austin. We support all winners with their travel costs to come to the event. Nominations are open now and they are due no later than March 31, 2020. We will announce winners in June 2020.

All artists with a disability of all disciplines* who live or work in Texas are eligible, ages 16 and up. We welcome self nomination as well.

*Visual art, 2D and 3D, media, dance, music, drama, writers, poets – all are welcome and we encourage you to nominate someone you know!

Download Nomination Form

Elements Dance Class (canceled)
2020-03-28 14:30 - 16:30, 2020-03-14 14:30 - 16:30 | Town Lake YMCA, 1100 W. Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX, 78703, United States
We have canceled this event. Please click here for more information. Art Spark Texas offers the Elements dance class every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 2:30-4:30pm at the Town Lake YMCA in the large group exercise room on the first floor. Instructor: Silva Laukkanen
Elements is an ongoing class for people familiar with dance improvisation and want to go into the practice in a supportive environment. We study dance and movement improvisation and somatics. No gym membership is required to attend. Open to adults age 18 and up; all abilities with some dance experience. No registration necessary. The class fee is on a sliding scale from $5-$20, cash or check accepted. You can pay the class fee online here. See you at the Y!
For more information, email Silva Laukkanen or call (512) 454-9912.

Speaking Advocates (canceled)
2020-03-28 13:00 - 15:00 | AGE Building Rm 161, 3710 Cedar Street, Austin, Texas, 78705
We have canceled this event. Please click here for more information. Our Opening Minds, Opening Doors Speaking Advocates group is free and meets the last Saturday of every month from 1 to 3 PM in Room 161 of the AGE of Central Texas Building. We welcome adults with disabilities who are interested in presenting stories and meeting other speakers. Email Ms. Boye to RSVP or learn more.

The Lion and The Pirate Open Mic (canceled)
2020-03-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Malvern Books, 613 W. 29th Street, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
We have canceled this event. Please click here for more information. Share a story, poem, song, or other talent in a fun and supportive neighborhood bookstore. The open mic is wheelchair accessible. Please contact us at least one week in advance to request other accommodations, including ASL interpreting, audio description, etc.
You can RSVP, invite friends, and follow our Facebook event page for updates.
For more information, email Boye Nagle or call 512-454-9912.

Audio Described Performance: "Aladdin" (canceled)
2020-03-12 20:00 | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
Aladdin
March 12, 2020 @ 8pm
“Discover a whole new world at Disney’s ALADDIN, the hit Broadway musical.
From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of ALADDIN, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.”
Accessibility Information: https://texasperformingarts.org/visit/accessibility
Event and Parking Information:
https://texasperformingarts.org/season/aladdin-broadway-austin-2020
Ticket Office:
email: tickets@texasperformingarts.org or call: 512.471.1444
Tuesday–Friday: 10 am–5 pm

Scriveners' Circle and Workshop
2020-03-03 19:00 - 20:00
Writing Workshop for Veterans
Location: San Marcos, TX 78666 (contact us for new location information)
Workshop 7-8pm, Circle 8-9pm
Tuesdays, March 3-April 7, 2020
Each session of the six-week rotation will be divided into two sections— a writing class and a writers’ circle.
Anyone may attend both or only one of the sections each week.

The first hour will be a class that consists of reading to be completed before class (or in class if time allows), discussion over the reading, lessons on key concepts or ideas within creative writing, writing prompts, and writing prompts.
The second hour will consist of sharing and discussing each other’s’ work.

Course Description
Every person has a story to tell. Each life experience brings its own truth about existence in the world. Sometimes that truth is personal and can be seen through perseverance in the face of trauma or hardship. Other times, that story exists in the world that we observe, in the way people interact at a bowling alley or in the buzzing of bees as they pollinate a garden. This course is designed to help people find a way to tell their stories while learning the tools established by other writers. Whether a person wants to write about the time the cook spilled diesel fuel into the green beans on deployment or about the sharp pain that pierces their heart when visiting the gravesite of a close friend or relative, their story matters. This course will give veterans the tools to evaluate literature, write about their experiences, and express the truths they have learned in lives built on service. It will focus on teaching fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in order to give veterans a number of tools in writing their truths.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to identify key concepts within fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. They will be able to apply these concepts in creating their own stories, poems, and essays. Through creative writing, they will explore their own personal truths and find catharsis through expression.
Instructor
Clayton Bradshaw writes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction that recognizes hard truths and holds the world accountable. He graduated from Sam Houston State University with a BA in English and currently participates in the MFA-Creative Writing program at Texas State University where he also teaches Freshman English. His work can be found in Barren Magazine, The Deadly Writers Patrol; r.kv.r.y; Collateral; and War, Literature, and the Arts. His novel-in-progress, Quietus, looks to change the veteran narrative while exploring the inherited consequences of war far beyond personal trauma.

Speaking Advocates: Love You - Help You
2020-02-29 13:00 - 15:00 | AGE Building Rm 161, 3710 Cedar Street, Austin, Texas, 78705
Saturday, February 29, 2020 @ 1pm Room 161
Love You – Help You. February is the month of love and relationships. Any relationship is a complicated balance of many factors, togetherness vs independence, my needs vs your needs, expectations vs honesty, listening vs speaking. This dance seems to be far more complicated for those of us with disabilities who must choreograph this delicate ballet with overprotective parents, partners, caregivers and even strangers.
We want to hear about your successes and failures with defining and claiming your independence while staying connected to those you love and need.
Our Opening Minds, Opening Doors Speaking Advocates group is free and meets the last Saturday of every month from 1 to 3 PM in Room 161 of the AGE of Central Texas Building. We welcome adults with disabilities who are interested in presenting stories and meeting other speakers. Email boye@artsparktx.org to RSVP or learn more.

DanceAbility Method: Lecture Demonstration
2020-02-21 11:00 - 12:20 | Recital Hall in the Performing Arts Center at Texas State University, 405 Moon St, San Marcos, Texas, 78666
Lecture Demonstration: “The DanceAbility Method: Creating a Social Model of Inclusivity Through the Language of Dance”
Olivia O’Hare and the Body Shift Collective will present a lecture demonstration titled “The DanceAbility Method: Creating a Social Model of Inclusivity Through the Language of Dance” on February 21st from 11am-12:20pm (including Q & A) in the Recital Hall in the Performing Arts Center at Texas State University (405 Moon St, San Marcos 78666). This event is free and open for public.
The language of the body, preverbal, is the oldest language. Olivia’s lecture will include a discussion of the power of improvisational dance for developing body awareness, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and creative expression for people of all abilities and backgrounds. The Body Shift Collective will demonstrate the principles of the DanceAbility method of inclusive dance to showcase how practicing structured improvisation can create instant choreography in the moment. There will be a brief Q & A with Olivia and the dancers after the presentation.

Audio Described Performance: Come From Away
2020-02-20 20:00 | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
Come From Away – A New Musical
February 20 @ 8pm
“Broadway’s COME FROM AWAY is a Best Musical winner all across North America!
This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.
Don’t miss this breathtaking new musical written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and helmed by this year’s Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley. Newsweek cheers, “you take to a place you never want to leave!”
On 9/11, the world stopped.
On 9/12, their stories moved us all.”
Accessibility Information: https://texasperformingarts.org/visit/accessibility
Event and Parking Information:
https://texasperformingarts.org/season/come-from-away-broadway-austin-2020
Ticket Office:
email: tickets@texasperformingarts.org or call: 512.471.1444
Tuesday–Friday: 10 am–5 pm

Audio Described Performance: Game Night
2020-02-20 19:30 - 21:00 | TILT at Imagine Art, 2830 Real St, Austin, Texas, 78722
Game Night with TILT
It’s all fun and games as TILT takes over East Austin this February!
Join us as we kick off TILT’s sixth season with 75 minutes of nonstop tales & tournaments, sports & stories, and puzzles & play! Whether you prefer to sit back and relax or join in on the fun throughout this interactive performance, you’ll never think of playing games in quite the same way again.
Thursday night, February 20 will be:
Audio-described
ASL Interpreted
Sensory Friendly
Purchase tickets online

Axis Dance Company Teacher Training in Physically Integrated Dance
2020-02-16 14:00 - 17:00 | L.Theo Bellmont Hall, 2109 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, Texas, 78712
Axis Dance Company Teacher Training in Physically Integrated Dance
Fundamentals of Inclusive Teaching and Working with Diverse Students
Purchase Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/teacher-training
With the goal of introducing inclusive dance practices and sensitivity, AXIS Dance Company offers this exciting, movement-based workshop geared toward teachers and faculty working with diverse populations. The session includes both learning and experiencing participatory exercises, tasks, and activities for classrooms and discussions about disability, language barriers to learning, and accessibility. We design this teacher training for teachers of dance and experienced artists interested in developing their teaching skills in leading integrated dance in an inclusive and supportive environment.
AXIS Dance Company teaches inclusively, ensuring workshops are accessible to all.
When: February 16th, 2020 from 2pm-5pm
Early bird registration $30 until February 1st and after that $45 Purchase Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/teacher-training (contact sliva@artsaprktx.org for more information)
This workshop will be held at:
L. Theo Bellmont Hall
Dance Studio BEL 502A
2109 San Jacinto Boulevard
Austin TX 78712.

Audio Described Performance: AXIS Dance Company
2020-02-15 19:30 | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
AXIS Dance Company
With Works by Jennifer Archibald, Marc Brew & Robert Dekkers Presented in partnership with Art Spark Texas and KUT-FM
February 15, 2020 @ 7:30pm
Prepare to leave all your preconceptions at the door!
AXIS Dance Company, one of the world’s most acclaimed and innovative ensembles of performers with and without disabilities, will change the way you think about dance and the possibilities of the human body forever. Founded in 1987 and based in Oakland, California, AXIS has become a jewel of contemporary dance and disability culture. AXIS has paved the way for a powerful contemporary dance form—physically integrated dance—performing in over 100 cities in the US, Israel, UK, Europe, and Russia.
For their Austin debut, AXIS brings three short performances to Bass Concert Hall:

Petrichor– the smell of earth after rain by Jennifer Archibald. This program, offers snapshots of intimate connections and pushes the dancers of AXIS to face how gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
Flutter by Robert Dekker. A trio of dancers explore the balance between structure and freedom, between holding on and letting go, and between individuality and interconnectedness.
Radical Impact by Marc Brew. Performers explore what it means to be human through music and movement, investigating themes around identity. The work draws on each dancer’s unique experiences and how they identify in the world and connect with others – telling their stories through the medium of dance.

Post-Perfomance Talk: Immediately following the performance

Valentine’s Arts and Crafts Pop-up Shop
2020-02-08 12:00 - 16:00 | St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2128 Barton Hills Drive, Austin, Texas, 78704
Shop for unique Valentine gifts created by Art Spark Texas and Austin NextTribe artists on Saturday, February 8th (12:00-4 PM) at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2128 Barton Hills Drive in Austin! Curated vendors will offer fine crafts, cards, wearables, jewelry, artwork, books, prints, nail art and more!
Typewriter Stars will be on hand to create personalized Valentine poems on vintage typewriters while you wait. The Zilker neighborhood Girl Scouts will sell cookies. Tasty treats and libations will be served. Plenty of free parking available.
Share our Facebook event

Audio Described Performance: A Night with Janis Joplin
2020-02-05 19:30 - 22:00 | The Topfer at ZACH Theatre, 202 South Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX, 78704, United States
A Night with Janis Joplin
The Topfer at ZACH Theatre
Created, Written and Directed by Randy Johnson
Starring Mary Bridget Davies
Audio Described performance: February 5, 2020
The legendary queen of rock-n-roll, Janis Joplin, explodesonto the stage in a concert experience that celebrates the Texas musical marvel, and shines a spotlight on the trailblazing female blues and soul vocalists who influenced her. A Night with Janis Joplin is packed with enduring hits like “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Mercedes Benz,” and “Summertime,” plus hit songs by icons Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Etta James, and more. It’s sure to take a little piece of your heart!
Age recommendation: 17 and up for strong language, political commentary, and adult themes
Strobe lighting effects will be used during this performance. Some stage lighting aims toward audience at certain moments of the show.
Run time: Two hours and 20 minutes
Visit ZACH Theatre online or call 512-476-0541 to purchase tickets and request audio description.

Create Your Story! : Writing and Art Workshop for Veterans
2020-02-03 13:30 - 15:30 | Austin VA Outpatient Clinic, 7901 Metropolis Dr., Austin, TX, 78744, United States
Hosted by Art Spark Texas (formerly VSA Texas) and the Austin VA Outpatient Clinic
Held at the Austin VA Outpatient Clinic, Room 2B-164
Six Week Class: February 3 – March 9, 2020
Mondays 1:30-3:30 pm
Instructor: Elizabeth Decker
FREE! Register: 512-454-9912 or april@artsparktx.org
Space is limited. Any experience level welcome.
Express your story with powerful words and bold colors! Reflect, create and connect to your personal story through freestyle, stream of conscious style writing exercises. Each week you will focus on a different theme and have a piece of writing and a piece of art at the end of each session. Supplies will be provided.
Elizabeth Decker is a celebrated artist, author, poet, teacher, documentary filmmaker, certified Mediator, and personal creative story guide. Her work is about helping others remove blocks that hold them back and passionately move forward rediscovering and redefining who they are. Her popular workshops are booked in Austin, LA, and NYC. She has been a guest speaker for the Episcopalian Veterans Fellowship and her illustrated book of prose, The MelancholyGirls, has helped inspire others to create and share their honest story of self. Find more about Elizabeth at www.elizabethdeckerproductions.blogspot.com

The Lion and The Pirate Open Mic
2020-02-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Malvern Books, 613 W. 29th Street, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
Share a story, poem, song, or other talent in a fun and supportive neighborhood bookstore. The open mic is wheelchair accessible. Please contact us at least one week in advance to request other accommodations, including ASL interpreting, audio description, etc.
You can RSVP, invite friends, and follow our Facebook event page for updates.
For more information, email Boye Nagle or call 512-454-9912.

Card Making Party
2020-01-26 13:00 - 16:00 | AGE Building Rm 161, 3710 Cedar Street, Austin, Texas, 78705
Join us for Card-making, Creativity and Community
Spend an afternoon making cards with Art Spark artists and friends! We will provide supplies and snacks, but you are welcome to bring supplies and snacks to share.
The event is free, but we ask that you make some cards for Art Spark to sell besides the ones you make to take home. We will have lots of Valentine’s Day card-making materials. We hope to make this a quarterly event. Any questions? Please contact outreach@artsparktx.org

Speaking Advocates: What Inspires Us
2020-01-25 13:00 - 15:00 | AGE Building Rm 161, 3710 Cedar Street, Austin, Texas, 78705
This month’s Speaking Advocates theme is “What Inspires Us“.
The experiences of people with disabilities are frequently distorted as inspiration for non-disabled people. The term “inspiration porn,” coined by the late comedian/activist Stella Young, refers to exploitative portrayals of people with disabilities in which their regular everyday activities are re-framed as brave or inspirational while the same activities, when performed by non-disabled people, earn little recognition. Join the Speaking Advocates this month to reclaim the original meaning of inspiration as that which emboldens us to pursue great ambitions, persevere in accomplishing our biggest goals, or elevating our consciousness to a higher plane. It’s your turn to say what inspires you.
Our Opening Minds, Opening Doors Speaking Advocates group is free and meets the last Saturday of every month from 1 to 3 PM in Room 161 of the AGE of Central Texas Building. We welcome adults with disabilities who are interested in presenting stories and meeting other speakers. Email Ms. Boye to RSVP or learn more.
Follow our Facebook group page for updates.
Image description: Comedian Stella Young sits proudly in her power wheelchair wearing bright red high-heeled shoes with white polka dots held up for the camera to see. She looks straight into the camera with a mischievous grin on her face.

Call for Art: Valentine's Pop-up Shop
2020-01-24
DEADLINE: January 24, 2020. Download Entry Form.
Art Spark Texas is hosting a pop-up shop for artists to sell their work in advance of Valentine’s Day. 2D and 3D works in all media, crafts, literary arts, and other handmade products are eligible. Tables and chairs provided. For more details and an entry form contact april@artsparktx.org.
Art Spark Texas Valentine Arts & Crafts Pop-Up Shop
Saturday, February 8, 2020
12-4 pm
Download Entry Form (.doc file)
