Creative Community

Create Austin is here for people from various creative disciplines to come together to share their ideas, their visions about how Austin can foster its artistic community to new heights.

Attending a CreateAustin meeting was of my favorite events of last year, because here were dozens of other very creative people, all using different media to express.  Here were people I would LOVE talking to for hours -- about process, passion, metaphor... the SUBSTANCE of creation and creativity.  From a completely different perspective than mine.  It was fascinating!  Being a video game maker (and dabbler in photography), I really truly LOVED hearing different viewpoints, new metaphors, new ideas... it was heaven.

So CreateAustin.org can foster that kind of communication.  It can be a place to share art, to share needs, to share resources, to share IDEAS, to share how we can make Austin an even more wonderful haven for art and artists, where the creative pursuits are held as important (or nearly so) as good roads and for sure moreso than another generic city apartment complex or strip mall.  Where art is nurtured as an important facet of society. As Ben Shahn points out in "The Shape of Content", he was dismayed by a university's charter that touted the importance of art, then pages later pointed out that it wasn't serious pursuit, like science or math. That must not happen here. Both hands must work toward the same goal, instead of the second hand undoing what the first one does.

Austin is taking a step forward so that will not be the case. It's been said you can judge a civilization by the quality of its art.  Austin's civilization is about to rise to a higher plateau. And if we all work together, we can be part of something wonderful.

So how about it, creative folk of Austin?  We've started a dialogue.  We've stated our intent.  But what are each of us personally going to do about it?  Let's ask not what our city can do for us -- let's ask what we can do for our city. And then show each other that we can accomplish it. Together.

So let's hear about it, Austin -- what can we do with CreateAustin.org, with our collective voices, hands, hearts... to bring about the change we all want?   

For me, I want to start monthly get-togethers of interested folks in a more relaxed setting, where artists from different disciplines can socialize and share their experiences.  Not a meeting, but a gathering. A forum to start communication as people as well as artists.  So in addition to ideas about change, let's pick a time (First Wednesday?) and a place (open to ideas) where we could congregate, knock back a tea, soda, or beer, and talk of creation, change, and passion for art.  Let's make this happen. NOW.

--Tom Hall, KingsIsle Entertainment

Comments

[Ann Ciccolella]

Tom,
I liked your post. Have you gotten other responses. I'd like to try and make this happen. A location could be Opal Divine's on S. Congress.... their room is big...let me know what you are thinking.
Ann C.

[Lynn Johnson]

We are new kids on the block with our new Access Gallery, A new Austin gallery promoting the creative power in people with disabilities. Access Gallery is located at 3701 Guadalupe, Suite 103, at the corner of Guadalupe and 37th Street. We have been open about 8 months and we would like to encourage and engage the local artists community into the artwork of our disabled community. Suggestions as to how we can become more integrated & inclusive.