*This event is part of Open Learning, Future Front’s ongoing series of workshops, clubs and pop-ups on creativity, craft & community-care. This session has been specifically selected to complement Future Front’s newest art show “Ceremony” during East Austin Studio Tour.
The WATER Shop: A Pop-Up Bookshop
presented by water literature & megz kelli
The WATER Shop is a hyper-curated Black boutique pop-up bookshop, featuring rotating selections of gently used and sustainably-sourced literary works by Black authors and creators.
Curated by independent artist Megz Kelli, The WATER Shop will open for its first pop-up at The Future Front House during East Austin Studio Tour. Join us in The Future Front House gallery for an accompanying installation and lounge—all designed to create a safe space for readers and writers within the community to engage with the literary arts.
Free registration is required to attend this event.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
From 12 PM to 6 PM, join WATER LITERATURE in The Future Front House gallery for an installation and pop-up lounge featuring complimentary sips, music and a surprise special literary guest.
12 PM — Shop Opens
3 PM — Sips & Refreshments Begin
4 PM — Reading and Q&A with poet and author Jasmine Reid
5 PM — DJ Set by Dougie Do
about the artists
Megz Kelli (she/her) is a multi-hyphenate creative, filmmaker and one-half of the acclaimed hip-hop outfit Magna Carda based in Austin, Texas.
Notable for her eclectic musical style–a genre-defying blend of rap-meets-jazz-meets-R&B-meets- electronic—and for performing with live instrumentation, Megz Kelli draws inspiration from jazz, art, and literature.
Jasmine Reid (she/her) is a twice trans poet of flowers. She is the author of Interlocutor Goddess (Autumn House Press, forthcoming) and Deus Ex Nigrum (Honeysuckle Press, 2020). An MFA graduate of Cornell University and recipient of fellowships from Cave Canem and Poets House, her work has been published or is forthcoming in the Academy of American Poets’ Poem-a-Day, Kenyon Review, and Virginia Quarterly Review, among others. Jasmine was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York, where she is an assistant professor at NYU. Find her at reidjasmine.com.
Dougie Do (he/him) is a producer/DJ/Keyboardist and one-half of the genre-bending duo Magna Carda. Originally from Houston and based in Austin, Dougie’s eclectic taste creates a DJ set that provides a unique atmosphere to transport the listener to another dimension. DJ sets range from old school, 90’s hip hop and r&b, house/world, and finishing it off with modern goodies.
HOW TO ATTEND
This event is free and open to the public, with donations encouraged. All proceeds support Future Front’s continued programming amplifying women and LGBTQ+ creatives in Texas.
Name your ticket price to donate below:
*If you are a Future Front member, please provide your name at the door for entry or head to members.futurefronttexas.org or futurefrontmembership.squarespace.com to access member rates for event tickets, applications & other perks at anytime.
PREPARE YOUR VISIT TO THE FUTURE FRONT HOUSE
The Future Front House is located at 1900 E. 12th Street.
WHERE TO PARK: The Future Front House has a large paid parking lot across the street and is directly accessible by bus line. There’s also free parking up and down the street and in surrounding neighborhoods. Carpool, if you can!
WHAT TO DO: The Future Front House is located within the historic East 12th Street District, which is home to many other creative spaces and businesses, as well as organizations like Six Square. Explore the District while you’re around.
AVAILABLE LANGUAGES — ASL interpreters can be provided upon request. Si necesita traducción al español para participar en este evento, envíenos un correo electrónico a hello@futurefronttexas.org.
OUR COMMUNITY SAFETY GUIDELINES —
All Future Front staff, volunteers and guests will be required to practice mutual respect, as well as demonstrate an alignment with Future Front’s code of conduct and values.
Capacity is limited to reduce crowding of any kind and all events will be held in primarily outdoor and open-air spaces or have access to proper ventilations and well-maintained A/C systems.
At Future Front events, all guests are expected to follow Austin-local health and safety guidelines for gatherings, as well as practice consideration with the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and any other legal, mind-altering or dangerous substances and objects. This includes:
As Future Front strives to be a good neighbor, we also discourage the use of tobacco products on the property of nearby businesses and residences, to improve air quality, throughout our events.
Tobacco use and electronic smoking device use are not permitted at any time within Future Front properties and event spaces at least 15 ft from entrances, exits, operational windows, or ventilation system intake vents.
Littering of tobacco-related products on the grounds or parking lots is also prohibited.
Concealed or open weapons and firearms (including handguns) are not allowed at any Future Front venues.
GOT QUESTIONS? Shoot us a note at hello@futurefronttexas.org. We're happy to help and will get back to you!
BEHIND Austin Studio Tour
The Austin Studio Tour, produced by Big Medium, is a free, self-guided art event in Austin, Texas.
The annual East and West Austin Studio Tours provide opportunities for artists all over Austin to connect, showcase current work, and for the public to experience the cultural vibrancy of our city.
BEHIND FUTURE FRONT
HOMEGROWN IN AUSTIN, FUTURE FRONT IS AN AWARD-WINNING CULTURE SPACE AND EXHIBITION SERIES—WITH WOMEN AND LGBTQ+ CREATIVES AT THE FRONT.
As an arts and culture nonprofit, we produce two community-led exhibitions, The Front Market and The Front Festival. Beyond our flagship showcases, we host year-round shows and workshops at our creative space in historic East Austin, welcoming 20,000+ visitors per year.
Through these programs and collaborations, we invite the public to dream of a future where creativity, curiosity and intersectional design thrive in Texas—where we see ourselves and our cultures reflected in our communities. Learn more at futurefronttexas.org.
THIS PROJECT IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY The City of Austin Economic Development Department, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Texas Commission on the Arts, Waymo, The LINE Hotel Austin, Pease Park Conservancy, the Red River Cultural District, Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation, Topo Chico, as well as Future Front’s donors and members. THANK YOU!