Art Spark Texas

Elements
2023-01-28 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Body Collective, 5501 N Lamar Blvd c111, Austin, TX, 78751, United States
The Elements dance class is back on the fourth Saturday of every month! The first class starts Saturday the 28th from 1:00-2:30 PM at Body Collective, 5501 N Lamar Blvd c111, Austin, TX 78751. Class is taught by Silva Laukkanen.
In this class, we will be getting familiar with the elements of dance and exploring each element at a time. First, we will look into the idea of time in dance improvisation. This class is open to individuals of all abilities and skill levels, ages 16 and up. Fee in sliding scale $5-$25.

Class Schedule:
January 28th | 1:00-2:30 PM at Body Collective
February 25th | 1:00-2:30 PM at Body Collective
March 25th | 1:00-2:30 PM at Body Collective
April 22nd | 1:00-2:30 PM at Body Collective
May 27th | 1:00-2:30 PM at Body Collective

January Makers Meet-Up
2023-01-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Spend a relaxed Sunday afternoon at our East Austin location learning how to make a Macramé bracelet and/or plant hanger in this free introductory workshop led by Artist Judith Miller. It’s free to participate. We will have the basic supplies needed plus yummy snacks!

VIRTUAL OPEN MIC: THE LION & PIRATE
2023-02-04 19:00 - 20:30
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.
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 MsBoye.

Valentine Art and Gift Pop-Up
2023-02-11 12:00 - 17:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Love is in the air! Shop for unique and artful gifts for all your favorite people at our Valentine Art and Gift Pop-Up! Selected artisans will be offering lots of eye candy: Fine crafts, paintings, wearables, jewelry, and more. Refreshments served.

“Waiting for the Bus” Script Workshop
2023-02-19 13:00 - 16:00 | Ground Floor Theatre, 979 Springdale Road, Suite 122, Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Join Art Spark Texas along with members of TILT Performance Group and ATX Theatre ConFab producers for a developmental reading of James Burnside’s “Waiting for the Bus,” a new play on America’s long and troublesome history of institutionalizing people with disabilities.
Synopsis: The history of the institutionalization of disabled people, particularly people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in America began in the 1840s with the noble notion of “Moral Therapy.” That what would “cure” these people was light, fresh air, good food, and honest work. Large gothic facilities were built in the countryside, and they rapidly became overcrowded, poorly maintained, and poorly staffed while “patients” were subjected to all manner of experimental “procedures.” This play could easily have been just another horror show​. And that would certainly be a large portion of the truth, but lost would be the humanity of the people who lived in these institutions—people with hopes and dreams and love, people with family and friends.
Afterwards, stay for a talk led by AST Executive Director Celia Hughes where you can gain new perspectives about what it’s like to live with or without accommodations directly from cast and audience members living with disabilities and from advocates who specialize in providing accommodations.
THIS IS THE PLACE where you can finally ask all those burning questions about exactly how to create events that are more accessible to ALL audiences—with the added benefit of witnessing methods in action during the reading.
We will provide ASL interpreting, audio description, and open captions.

February Makers Meet-Up
2023-02-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Join us at our monthly Makers Meet-Up Sunday, February 26 from 1-4:00 PM! Open to all artists of all abilities, teens to adults – the Austin community is always welcome! Create a beautiful mandala in a friendly and supportive workshop. Artist Christina Culverhouse will teach us how to make colorful and mesmerizing mandalas like the ones pictured on our event cover page. It’s free to participate. We will have the supplies needed plus yummy snacks! Questions? Contact outreach@artsparktx.org.

Amplify Austin Day
2023-03-01 18:00 - 23:30
Art Spark Texas is participating in Amplify Austin Day! Support us now through 6 PM Central Time on March 2nd by making a donation: https://bit.ly/3RsHHD7

Art Spark has been breaking down walls, challenging perceptions and opening doors for Texans with disabilities for over 25 years.
It’s what we do. Our goal this year is $10K.
Don’t forget to Add #LoveTitos at checkout and we receive an extra $25 from Tito’s!

VIRTUAL OPEN MIC: THE LION & PIRATE
2023-03-05 13:00 - 14:30, 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.

Nominations Open: 2023 Artist of the Year Awards
2023-03-06
The 2023 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
Gloria Bond Creative Aging Award
Haven Street-Allen Artist of the Year

The award ceremony will take place in Austin in September 2023. We support all winners with their travel costs to come to the event. Nominations are now open and they are due no later than April 30, 2023. We will announce the winners in June 2023.
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

Women Veterans Strong
2023-03-09 19:00 - 20:00
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
At this meeting, we will be making origami boxes with Susan Beattie. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting and the the supplies needed.

East Austin Arts District's Third Thursday
2023-03-16 18:00 - 21:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Celebrating Spring at the Third Thursday East Austin Arts District (self-guided) gallery tour. Featuring blackout poetry art by April Sullivan, intricate mandalas by Christina Culverhouse, delicious floral paintings by Nada Diwan and Myscal’s glass-encased bluebonnet and flower suncatchers. Refreshments served, all are welcome. Best night of the month to catch lots of Art happenings in Austin.

ATXgo! Parks Access Volunteer Training
2023-03-25 11:00 - 13:00 | Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park, 7000 Ardath Street, Austin, TX, 78757, United States
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 practice using our access survey in the field. The training is free but registration is requested.
Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflAFOQac0aHbbZE2ZHjVAoE-oaoukuXRJpq9yrv96EF7GNDw/viewform

Location:
Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park,
7000 Ardath Street, Austin, TX 78757

Monthly Makers Meet-Up
2023-03-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Join Art Spark staffers and artists, April and Susan, 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. If you would like to teach a workshop, please contact outreach@artsparktx.org.

Art in the Park
2023-04-13 09:30 - 13:30 | Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Art in the Park
Art in the Park
April 13, 2023
9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Fiesta Gardens
2101 Jesse E Segovia St.Austin, TX 78702

Register by March 31st!
This fun-filled day is an inclusive festival for students with disabilities to enjoy a field trip day at the park. Enjoy art activities, music and performances on the stage, and food.
ATTEND
School groups, home-schooled children, and adult groups are also welcome to attend and participate.
Register to attend the event here.
ART BOOTHS
We are looking for arts organizations, local businesses, volunteer groups, and individuals to volunteer your time hosting one of the make-and-take-art activities for the day. Come up with your own activity or ask us for guidance.
Register to volunteer at an art booth here.
PERFORMANCES
We also need performers for the stage for 30-45 minute kid-friendly acts.
Register to perform on the stage here.
If you have any questions about the event, contact Art Spark Texas at 512-454-9912 or info@artsparktx.org.

Women Veterans Strong
2023-04-13 19:00 - 20:00
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
At this meeting, we will be making “Kindness Rocks” with Sonia Crose.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting and the supplies needed.

Nomination Deadline: 2023 Artist of the Year Awards
2023-04-30
The 2023 Art Spark Texas Artists of the Year Awards nominations are now open! Nominating categories include:

Spark Award
Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award
Gloria Bond Creative Aging Award
Haven Street-Allen Artist of the Year

The award ceremony will take place in Austin in September 2023. We support all winners with their travel costs to come to the event. Nominations are now open and they are due no later than April 30, 2023. We will announce the winners in June 2023.
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.
Download Nomination Form

Makers Meet-up
2023-04-30 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 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.

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.
