Tue, Oct 22, 2013
Painting with a palette of unconventional mediums, once a month baristas and coffee nerds transform our early-morning beverages into temporary pieces of art at TNT ATX, a head-to-head latte art throwdown. These latte artists travel from across Texas for coffee, competition, camaraderie and community. With skilled craftsmanship and a touch of chemistry, these latte artists continue to pour their heart out.
Thu, Dec 19, 2013
Bringing museums and gallery spaces to life, Jeremy Birks and Kirk Anders of Austin Art Services give a behind-the-scenes look into the world of art installation. They display each work of art with a thoughtfulness to help improve the viewing experience. Working to create an extension of the piece itself into the physical space with each installation, Austin Art Services helps artists and museums to express their ideas.
Mon, Feb 3, 2014
Working to grow from the personal tragedies they experienced, the choreographers and dancers of Dance to Empower processed their emotions by creating a unique dance performance. These dancers bonded since they understood each other's struggles. They helped to free each other and became stronger through this empowerment piece. "Silence to Power: Dance as a Response to Trauma" portrayed the ebb and flow of their healing journey and was performed in October 2013 at the Boyd Dance Theater in the Carver Museum.
Wed, Feb 26, 2014
As a mother, teacher, and dancer, China Smith is on a quest to spread awareness about the mixed nature and diversity of the African diaspora through contemporary dance. Her company, Ballet Afrique, employs a synthesis of ballet and modern blended with Afrocentric undertones to articulate the human condition and spirit through the unbounded art form of dance.
Thu, Mar 6, 2014
Clothing can inspire memories of the past or can be symbols of plans for the future. Artist Johnny Walker explores the relationship between people and their clothing in his public art installation Clothes Stories. KLRU commissioned Walker to create this public art project and brought on Goodwill Industries of Central Texas as a community-partner to help create this unique installation. Attendees at the Arts In Context party at the 2013 East Austin Studio Tour were asked to participate in selecting from thousands of garments donated by Goodwill, writing their stories, and hanging them for display at Big Medium's Canopy studios. Some attendees even brought their own special pieces to donate. Whether fact or fiction, these personal stories range from family histories and poems to revealing hopes and dreams. The installation was temporary, but the clothes' stories didn't end at the event.
Wed, Mar 19, 2014
Women are the fastest growing segment of the incarcerated population in the United States. Katherine Craft, seeing a great need for gender-specific programs for incarcerated women, founded Conspire Theatre in 2009 and has been run by Craft and coconspirator Michelle Dahlenburg since 2011.
Thu, May 1, 2014
In the sequel of "More Awkward Than Heavy," Ink Tank Lab's artists focus on collaborating, having fun and letting their imaginations go wild. "MATH2" is an installation that explores going to art shows as a social event and pokes fun at museum and gallery stereotypes. Ink Tank's artists want the attendees to participate, touch and help create the "awkward" experience. While some work in academic or museum settings and all have different aesthetics, working together as Ink Tank Lab allows these artists to lose the restraints put on when creating 'serious' artwork.
Thu, Jun 5, 2014
In order to beautify the neighborhood and build community, artists and citizens in north Austin collaborate to paint a long row of unassuming fences amidst Lamar's rush of traffic. Repeatedly painting the phrase "beauty will save the world" in various languages, this diverse community demonstrates the power of art in changing perceptions.
Wed, Aug 13, 2014
Set against the stunning backdrop of Laguna Gloria, R. Murray Schafer's Music for Wilderness Lake is a contemplative experience that combines a natural soundscape with haunting music. Organized by Director Steve Parker, twelve trombonists position themselves around the lagoon to play the experimental piece at dawn and at dusk, while a conductor sits in a canoe in the middle of the lagoon, signaling the trombonists with flags. Taking advantage of the unique air patterns and natural sounds during these times of day, Schafer invites the audience to listen to their natural surroundings along with the piece itself. While both observing and absorbing the landscape around them, listeners of Music for Wilderness Lake find themselves transported to a meditative state of being.
Sat, Sep 13, 2014
Through education and training, Arc of the Arts makes professional artists out of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program gives new skills to artists both in making art and in marketing and selling their works, providing a viable career path for a population with limited options. With a strong identity, a boost of confidence, self expression and platform for exposure, these artists meet new goals for refining their craft and for practicing social skills to use in their new career.
Sun, Sep 21, 2014
Located on the sprawling tarmac of the old Austin airport is the Blue Starlite Drive-in. A few nights a week, up to fifty cars and a handful of walk-in moviegoers gradually fill the lot. While some people drop tailgates and inflate air mattresses in truck beds, others arrange sofa cushions in hatchbacks or unfold lawn chairs around coolers. As the sun sets behind the city skyline and the stars come out, people tune their radios into the theater's own station attach one of many vintage speakers and settle in for the movie. In this short, we see why the Blue Starlite has become a worthy member of Austin's unique collection of independent cinemas.
Thu, Oct 2, 2014
More than a dance, tango is a connection between two people; and the teachers and students of Esquina Tango know that to dance it well, you must be tuned into the other person's body and movement. More than a dance studio, Esquina Tango offers a variety of classes and and is a cultural center that uses dance as a tool to bring people together, with tango at the heart of it. With patient instructors and classes for all ages and incomes, this non-profit dance studio has tuned into the needs of its East Austin community and continues to grow with panache.
Wed, Nov 12, 2014
Gina Chavez is exactly who she is supposed to be. This award-winning Austin musician uses her multi-ethnic roots to create her own sound. Influenced by the music she heard and the people she met while traveling through Central and South America, Chavez delves into cumbia, bossa nova, vintage pop, reggaeton and folk. Singing in both English and Spanish, her contagious love of life shines through in her unique fusion of musical styles.