Filigree Theatre Is Austin's Newest Women-Led Company
Filigree Theatre, Austin’s newest theater group, hopes to connect the local theater community with the greater national community in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, as well as foster the talent that exists here already.
Elizabeth V. Newman hails from New York — born and raised, with a detour in Los Angeles on the life path between there and here. Stephanie Moore is an Austin native whose roots go deep in the local scene. The pair likes to joke that they are two halves of the same brain.
The close collaborators are in fact the two halves of Austin’s newest theater group, Filigree Theatre, which hopes to connect the local theater community with the greater national community in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.
The company takes its ethos and its mission from its name. “Filigree” is derived from Latin words meaning both thread (“filum”) and seed (“granum”).
Though Austin is known for its music and its independent film scene, Newman points out, the theater community here — talented as it may be — continues to fly under the national radar, due in part to shrinking performance space.
The “thread” is meant to be a corrective to that circumstance, while Newman and Moore hope the “seed” part of the equation germinates the creative energy and talent that exists here already. Filigree also hopes to weave theatric experiences by incorporating creatives from other fields, including film and choreography into its thread-connected company.
Community, of course, is important to any group creative effort, but in theater, the need for shared space is immediate; it’s the whole point.
“The ephemerality of it is that it's there. It has to take place in that site with live bodies on stage and live bodies in the audience. . . hearing the breath, feeling the blood of the people on stage and the people around you is a community experience,” says Newman.
Filigree Theater kicked off the first production of its inaugural season last Thursday with “Betrayal,” a play about the deception inherent in a love triangle, that runs through Sunday, October 8, at the Santa Cruz Theatre.
The season will continue with two more plays, both written by women: one to celebrate theatre’s present (A Delicate Ship by Anna Ziegler) and one to celebrate its future (Trio by Sheila Cowley).
Filigree Theatre will also co-produce Stage One, a workshop series that stages readings by professional actors of new works by rising screenwriters and playwrights — seeds, if you will.
The series is just another example of the company’s obviously passionate adherence to its purpose to “celebrate the rich history of theater but also give voice to new artists and emerging writers.”
To learn more about Filigree Theatre's 2017-2018 season, visit filigreetheatre.com.
Meet #bossbabesATX's Fall URL Resident Artist DJ Mahealani
The first mermaids were a strike of inspiration — the culmination of influences DJ Mahealani had waded through along her way in life. The artist discusses how the magical, musical creatures came to be.
The first mermaids were a strike of inspiration — the culmination of influences DJ Mahealani had waded through along her way in life including La Sirene, Voudou, musical artists and the pervasive water metaphors that entered her dreams while living in Maui.
The DJ started rendering her favorite musicians and artists as sirens in July and has now created more than 80 of the magical creatures she hopes will function as more diverse, more creatively inclined Disney princesses for young girls, like those she works with part time. Though mixing and layering music helps pay the bills, collage is a more personal form of expression for Mahealani who makes her art just because she “want[s] to look at it and feel something.”
Below, the artist discusses how the mermaids — the whole pod of them — came to be.
How do you know you’re an artist (besides the obvious)?
I was raised with a small town/old school country tradition of leatherwork (my dad) and sewing/ quilt making (my mom) — but out of necessity of saving money, not to make any money. If you wanted something [growing up], it was necessary to be creative and figure out how to make it yourself, but none of that was considered or called art in my house. Also, my older sister (by 9 years) was always really talented at drawing and my parents actually got her art supplies when they could, so she was called an artist in my family. I could never draw or paint like her, although I did try! Because of that I never called myself an artist until I was grown and out of my parents’ house, even though I stayed creative, sewing thrift store finds, making collages, making cassette mixes and jewelry — all kinds of things growing up. I was basically using what I had on hand to create my world because I didn’t feel like I fit into the world as it was in front of me. I never took art classes. I was an honors kid that dressed weird in middle and high school.
After college, my sister and I were super close. I moved in with her in Maui where she lives as a professional artist to help take care of her daughter, my niece. I was/am really into reading; Toni Morrison is one of my favorites and I really wanted my sister to read her because of parts of our family history. My sister shared with me that she never considered herself a book reader; she knew how to read just fine, but never really considered herself “smart.” That blew me away because I always thought of her as smart. And, at the same time, I shared with her that I never considered myself an artist. That blew her away. So that day, we gave ourselves permission to be both. That’s when I started thinking of myself as and calling myself an artist. (And she fell in love with Toni Morrison too.)
When did mermaids become a part of your imagery? What was the impetus?
When I started [creating the mermaid collages] this summer, I had no idea I’d make 100 of them in a span of a couple of months. The first one I made, I happened to come across that picture from the 1999 VMAs of Diana Ross and Lil' Kim (where Diana Ross is tapping Lil Kim’s boob) and it just hit me in some kind of way and I wanted to make it into digital art somehow for me to enjoy. In the picture, their legs were cut off behind the podium so I just decided to give them mermaid tails.
After I made that first one, every time an artist would float through my mind, I’d see them with a mermaid tail. Next thing you know, I made a Dolly Parton [mermaid], followed by Aaliyah and Selena [mermaids] and they just made me so happy to look at. After I'd made the first five or so, I was reflecting on the first two I'd made (Diana/Lil' Kim and Dolly) and it hit me that Diana was in black — a new moon elder — and Dolly was in silver and gold — a full moon elder. Both [were] older than Lil' Kim in the middle. Mahealani means the fullest blossoming of the moon and was given to me in a dream in Hawaii, so when moon ideas show up, I pay attention. So I got curious and realized I really appreciated the support between those two different aged women in that moment. And then I laughed because Lil' Kim has her boob out and Dolly — well, she is about those boobs! So there was this epiphany about women’s bodies and how women navigate their pride and womanness and all that without becoming prey. Both of those things were connecting to very personal things in my own life, so at this point these mermaids were getting deep for me. And I couldn’t stop making them — up to three or four a day sometimes.
I appreciated how each artist I chose dealt with their emotions differently in their art and music. And I reflected on how I wanted to appreciate that more within myself. I knew how so many times women are called overly sensitive, many times by men with their own anger and insecurity issues. I also knew I carried shame about feeling overly sensitive, but at the same time a good radar, antennae and many other things are very sensitive and that’s a good thing. So I needed to redefine that for myself. Seeing these mermaids I was creating was doing that for me. There was no shame or judgement from me when I’d feel the emotion of their art and they were helping me grow that for myself. It hit me that symbolically our mermaid tails are how and why we feel so much in the waters around us: a symbol of our sensitivity and also the muscle we need to swim through and navigate all of that emotion.
Why mermaids? What inspires you about that form?
Moving to Maui after college graduation deepened my mermaid connection in all kinds of ways beyond the obvious ocean. I found that my journal entries for those three years I lived there were all about feeling like I was underwater — metaphors about drowning/swimming/floating/sinking/ seeing things as if they were underwater all over the place. My collages at the time tended to have a fish in the sky somewhere or a mermaid, as if my whole world was the ocean itself. During and after college, I took Afro-Haitian dance, where I learned the ocean connection in Voudou and about La Sirene, a Lwa that lives under the sea and rules music. And somewhere between Maui and dancing in that class, this kind of mermaid metaphor was born that keeps swimming back around every few years with something for me to learn.
Why have you rendered musicians and artists in particular as mermaids? How do you choose who to feature?
I didn't set out with a specific idea of who I would make into mermaids. Frida Kahlo was my sixth [mermaid] I think, and soon after I made one of Octavia Butler and I wondered if I'd be compelled to make Toni Morrison, for example, but at this point I haven't [been]. All the rest have been people in music. And as I saw that, my deejay brain began making mind mixes of the musicians I chose and just kept thinking of women in music that have inspired me in some way over the years. So many — and so many total badasses I believe are overlooked and under appreciated compared to male counterparts many times.
Somewhere in all this, it hit me that I want to make a DJ divination deck out of them so that folks can consult the mermaids, pull from the deck and make a healing playlist. And then reflecting back on the Frida and Octavia mermaids, I suddenly saw them as representing quiet in the midst of all that sound — a break time for no music — which is really important to me too. Go look at art. Go read a book — that kind of silence helps the listening brain too in my opinion. So for right now, I am feeling they will be my only non-musicians. I was remembering La Sirene and the fact that I am a deejay and so making music mermaids felt like it was for her too — in her honor, being a ruler of music and all.
And I get to work and play with kids part time and so I see little brown girls of all shades with too many white princess backpacks and I was listening to mamas talk about how hard it is to find black and brown mermaids for their black and brown daughters and I began fantasizing about little girls seeing these mermaids instead. And how music helped me as a kid and how way before there was the Disney Little Mermaid, there was La Sirene and Yemoya and Oshun and Mami Wata and it all kind of began swirling together into this thing I dove into.
What does the collage medium give you that music/deejaying can’t and vice versa?
One of my favorite things is the alchemy of juxtaposition and collage and deejaying are both that. Whether it’s a mermaid tail on Bjork or a Grace Jones record mixed with Outkast wax, worlds are born and it’s fun to see what happens. That’s my jam! I think that’s why I figured out how to teach myself both.
So far the biggest difference for me is that compared to my visual art, with deejaying I have learned to hustle and pay bills from it. I see how the more I’ve been able to make money deejaying, the less room I may have to play as creatively and personally as I used to. I can’t get fully lost telling a story with my records on a Saturday night downtown when folks just want to dance. (To hear that find me at Mixcloud.com.) There are some songs I can get tired of playing, but when they make folks happy I just do it for the people anyways. Little choices like that are made all the time with my deejaying. I also have to have booking and money conversations that my sensitive artist heart has had to learn to distance from in a lot of ways.
My collage I only do because i want to look at it and feel something in particular. It’s way more personal and I don’t go out of my way to make money from it. It’s also super compulsive. It hits me, I honor it with the work of creation and it flows through. I very recently opened a Redbubble account so folks can buy some of my art on stickers and T-shirts online — but only after the suggestion of another artist after many folks kept telling me they wanted a poster or a shirt or whatever with my art. I don’t make much money from it, but I also don’t have to spend any money upfront either. It’s very manageable for me right now.
Will you give us five life recommendations?
Native plants and the birds, bees and butterflies that love them.
A frozen tank top or bra: Keep in a backpack to change into after riding a bike or loading in equipment in the summer.
All of the Missy Elliott music videos.
Mistakes. I never learned to stand up surf until I wasn’t afraid to fall. I never got better at deejaying until I wasn’t scared of sounding bad. The smartest women I know make mistakes and learn from them.
You can catch DJ Mahealani at our Oct. 24 meet, spinning vinyl and slinging a few of her Siren prints. The 11x17 prints are available for $25 and all proceeds benefit Hurricane Harvey and Puerto Rico relief efforts.
Market Preview: The 2017 craftHER Fall Gift Guide
A round-up of gift ideas, from us to you, to help you along your merry retail way as you get ready for craftHER this weekend. Join us this Sunday, October 1, where you can shop all of the vendors featured below.
It's October, y'all. Can you feel it in the air? You know what comes next: Halloween, Thanksgiving, the holiday season. Already, our fall craftHER market is here. And to pump you up for our biannual meeting of makers and local businesses, we've created a little preview / gift guide that'll give you a taste of the market and is sure to serve you (and the people in your life) well through the end of this year.
A round-up of gift ideas, from us to you, to help you along your merry retail way as you get ready for craftHER this weekend. Join us this Sunday, October 1, when you can shop all of the vendors featured below, plus 75 other incredible artists. View the full lineup here.
1.) Hauntwell
Hauntwell combines darkness and whimsy to create apparel blazoned with original, handprinted sigils ideal for the subtly witchy babe.
2.) FIBROUS
Earrings, necklaces, wall hangings, pillow covers, and more, FIBROUS offers a wide array of woven goods for the home and body.
3.) Fabulous Paws
For the furry friend, or furry friend-lover, Fabulous Paws makes one-of-a-kind pet accessories, including collars, bandanas, bowties, and even dog and cat beds.
4.) Daffina
Operated by a trio of sisters from Sierra Leone, Daffina uses ethical and fair-trade textiles imported from Africa to create handbags, luggage, backpacks and accessories that promote the rich culture and history of the continent.
5.) Abby Lou Pottery
Melding beauty with function, Abby Lou Pottery offers a gorgeous mug, cup, vase, bowl, votive and even salt shaker for whatever vessel needs you or your pals may dream up.
6.) wawawawick
Tell your girlfriend, mom sister, lover she's the tits with handmade cards and creations from wawawawick.
7.) Featherweight Studio
From design to execution, the arrow, cross and diamond motifs of Featherweight Studio's up-cycled fashions are made by hand by a local Austin artist.
8.) Hivelight
By gifting Hivelight hand-poured candles made with beeswax, you're helping to support sustainable bee farming while also giving the sweet scent of honey.
9.) Jennifer Lovena
Using bold colors and titillating prints, Jennifer Lovena's line of accessories was made for that one friend who is never not smiling.
10.) Enx Creative
Enx Creative's wide array of veladoras, prints, stickers, and apparel feature fun, vibrant designs that take inspiration from Dia De los Muertos, Frida Kahlo and Selena.
11.) Kaimera Leather
Quality leather pairs with quality craftsmanship to create long-lasting accessories, including journals and kink paraphernalia like whips and collars ;).
12.) Natural Magick Shop
Give the gift of magic via Natural Magick Shop, an all-purpose potion shop owned and operated by a practicing witch of 15 years.
13.) Senders Receive Tarot
Tarot reader and Reiki master Senders Receive will be offering special reading packages at craftHER that make for the perfect fated gift — for yourself or for others.
14.) ISKAY
ISKAY uses the bright, colorful textiles of Peru to create handmade tennis shoe. For each purchase, the brand donates to MAKALLAY, a Peruvian organization that provides health services and improves living conditions for Peru's poorest communities.
15.) Ponytail Mafia
Chances are you know more than one woman who needs a "Dog Lady" tee or a "God is a feminist" shirt or a "God bless Beyonce" tank. Ponytail Mafia is where you get them.
16.) White Deer Apothecary
White Deer Apothecary uses the healing energy of Texas plants in their line of salves, balms, tinctures, syrups, oils, bitters, honeys, and teas. Also available for custom orders.
17.) Radiance Artistry
Each Radiance Artistry painting is created with the radiance of a healing, meditative art practice. Gift an original, colorful piece of art or commission a custom work for someone who could use that energy.
18.) Rejuvenate Bath & Body
Rejuvenate Bath & Body products are the gift to give when you just want to make someone feel good. Feel-good feelings available in body butter, body wash, lip balm, and cuticle oil.
19.) Moore Soap
Plant-based and small batch, Moore Soap is available in a range of good-smelling, beautifully colorful bars that will make bathing a daily luxury.
20.) OH TIFF! Professional Lacquer
In addition to non-tox, 5-free nail polish in a line of playful colors, OH TIFF! also offers a custom gift box that pairs polish (of your choosing) with other goodies, including bath salts, oil, a foot scrub and a special note.
21.) Beewell Organics
Beewell Organics is an all natural line of skin care products (including beard balm!) that feeds your face with organic, quality ingredients.
22.) Dandelion Acupuncture
Each appointment with Dandelion Acupuncture is individualized to the client, making it the ideal way to tell yourself how much you really mean to yourself this season.
23.) knottymisty
Each handmade knottymisty macrame creation is unique and made locally with naturally sourced materials. The Austin-based maker is already taking custom orders for the holiday gift-giving season.
24.) Milk Moon
Milk Moon's simple but elegant jewelry, including signature bolo necklaces, is sure to land with whichever babe is lucky enough to receive it.
25.) Whipdizzy Handbag Co.
Just like Texas, each Whipdizzy Handbag Co. bag is unique and durable — made using automotive upholstery vinyl and retro fabrics and design, cut, and sewn locally in the Texas Hill Country.
26.) Billie Claire Handmade
Billie Claire Handmade's designs are gorgeous, yes, but they can also be hilariously irreverent. Need a delicately hand lettered "Let's get fucking weird" print? She's your girl.
27.) Kelsey Kilcrease Illustrations
Kelsey Kilcrease Illustrations combines color, cultural references, florals, cacti and tacos to create imagery that is whimsical and fun. Shop her prints or commission a custom piece for someone special.
28.) FOREST + INK
Prints, pins, cards, and stickers, FOREST + INK is a menagerie of creative imagery that your eye will return to again and again.
29.) Ferro & Fawn
Using gems and stones, Ferro & Fawn crafts delicate, staple necklaces and earrings that would fit well into any Austin wardrobe.
30.) The Mall
You'd be hard pressed to find anything like the bright, pop-y, cute and fun paraphernalia of this shop at anywhere over than The Mall. Fortunately for you, the mobile retailer (not an actual mall) will be rolling through craftHER.
31.) Dope Crochet
Dope Crochet is dope. Who's your coolest friend? This line of fiber accessories — including standout hoop earrings of different sizes and colors — is for her.
We Asked: How Do You Define Culture?
It's a quick shorthand to use culture as a channel for identity. At our August meet, we asked, how do you define one of the things that defines you?
Where we come from, the clothes we wear, the books we read, the people we spend time with — all of these things make up who we are by way of describing our values and beliefs.
It's a quick shorthand to use culture as a channel for identity.; it's an external illustration used to explain an internal sense of belonging.
So, how do you define a thing that defines you?
At our August meet, we asked and you answered. We've featured some responses below.
September Tarotscopes from Solaris the Hii Priestess
It's Virgo season, y'all. Solaris the Hii Priestess breaks down what vibes you can expect for the month of September.
Today, we're introducing our monthly tarotscope series with Solaris the Hii Priestess, one of our regular exhibiting artists and routine collaborators. Each month, Solaris will draw cards for each astrological sign, and we'll publish the results. Enjoy!
Capricorn - Wheel Of Fortune
Understand that things go in cycles; you must learn how to let go and adapt to changes. This card challenges you to not be stagnant but to be active in obtaining your goals. If you feel that things are on the downside, there are things you can you do to improve your situation, whether it's changing your perception or an actual act. Ups and downs are a natural part of life and maybe you feel like there are circumstances that out of your control being thrown at you. Don't be afraid to take a risk—the wheel can always turn in your favor!
Aquarius - Three Of Wands
It's time for you to see all of the possibilities that are in front of you. What do you need to commit yourself to, and how can expand your horizons? Upcoming challenges may come with the new changes, but I assure you it's for the better. Now is the time for you to get out of your comfort zone and allow yourself to grow. Have confidence that you will be successful with anything that you set out to do. This card can also lean toward travel, so be bold and fearless and go for it.
Pisces - 4 Of Pentacles
Don't beat yourself up about what you have done wrong with your finances. This card indicates that you are striving toward having financial peace and stability, but you're being too hard on yourself. Relax and know that you got this! With proper preparation, you can obtain the security and comfort that you want. Don't be afraid to invest in yourself; be it a passion project or allowing the space for a break. It is easy to let your fear get the best of you, but life is about experiences—don't sell yourself short.
Aries - Knight Of Wands
Apply recent new surges of energy to the areas that you want to see a change in. A knight has no fear—only courage—to win any battles against them. Use this mentality to fuel your confidence and your vision. On the flip side, don't allow impulsive urges to win over a preconceived plan. A man that fails to plan, plans to fail, and there are consequences for all of your actions. Don't lose sight of the vision that you have, while also balancing your current reality.
Taurus - The Moon
This card symbolizes mystery and changes. The moon rules the subconscious giving you the message through dreams, visions, Deja Vu, and imagination. Your relationships and situations may be shifting and evolving, so it's time for you to explore the nature of people around you. See what their true intentions are. Question if they are in your life for the greater good or to drain you. The moon is often portrayed as an illusion, so ask yourself, are things shining on their own or are they a reflection? (Keep in mind that the Moon only shines because its surface reflects light from the sun.)
Gemini - The Sun
The Sun card is a great representation for you, Gemini. It symbolizes fun, positive vibes and your inner child. What a great time to be optimistic, especially if you feel down or lack of clarity about some things in your life. It's okay to balance both reality and entertainment, responsibilities and fun, creativity and work. The sun is giving you strength to accomplish whatever you are trying to achieve. Learn from children. They don't hold on to sadness or anger for too long, and their main goal is to have fun and play with their friends and family. Express your creativity freely.
Cancer - Knight Of Swords
This represents the element of air which deals with the mind. You may feel the need to understand someone's point of view and maybe you're getting frustrated, but this is a sign that you need to take charge of protecting your energy. As a Cancer, you are a natural nurturer. Now it's time for you to nurture yourself back to feeling whole. The knight of swords is giving you the energy to overcome any obstacles that are standing in your way. It's OK to focus on yourself. Don't feel bad about saying no because, in the end, it will give you peace.
Leo - The Devil
The Devil card represents self-imprisonment caused by negative thoughtsm which challenge you to face your fear so that you are no longer held back. Negative habits and behaviors such as jealousy, greed, materialism are all things that keep you from experiencing spiritual freedom. Release yourself from personal bondage. It may seem like you're in a situation that you have no control of, but the chains around your neck are loose which shows that you may be distracted by some sort of illusion. Be aware of the people and situations that bring your vibrations down.
Virgo - Knight Of Cups
This is calling you to deal with matters of the heart. Use your emotions to guide you through your relationship or journey to finding love. This card is telling you to analyze your dreams because there may be a message for you. Be open-minded, Virgo, because someone or something new is coming in your life for your benefit. Use your magic to manifest exactly what you want to show up in your life. You may also feel inspired creatively to start a new passion project so let yourself fully feel and enjoy every moment of this flame. Don't hold back.
Libra - 9 Of Wands
This illustrates that you may be going through a real test of faith right now. Because of the conflict that you have been going through, you're always expecting the worst and you remain on your guard preparing to be defensive. Remain resilient, Libra, as you strive for peace and harmony. Things will balance very soon. Allow for the lesson to be learned and don't hold on to any grudges. Use this lesson as wisdom. The hardship is almost over and the light is near!
Scorpio - The Hanged Man
A symbol of release, preparing you for a spiritual shift with an opportunity to change your perspective about your trials. Although it may seem like you are powerless there is much enlightenment to gain. The release comes after a change is complete. Like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar, surrender to the process so that you can fly!
Sagittarius - 8 Of Cups
It's OK to be vulnerable and admit that you've been disappointed by some aspect of your love life. Sometimes the best thing to do is walk away no matter how much time and energy that you have invested. If the love was not reciprocated, letting go will save you pain in the long run. Your natural, happy, spontaneous nature will bring you back to life as something better awaits!
A note from Solaris: Allow me Solaris The Hii Priestess, to give you a spiritual forecast for this upcoming week. My goal is to give you insight and awareness from the cards that I pull. As a tarot reader, my job is to make you aware and present of your current energy and to explore what is in your subconscious. I want to help you find closure and put you at ease if you are facing a tough decision. I am not a psychic—I consider myself a holistic counselor.
Behind the Movement: Unity in Color's Austin Edition
This week, we released the photos for Austin's Unity in Color group portrait. Together, we commit to moving towards a collective future inclusive of women of color, transgender women & men, women with disabilities & women from all ages, religious faiths and backgrounds. Different cities worldwide have joined the #UnityInColor movement and we're proud to share the Austin edition!
Photo by Diana Ascarrunz for Unity in Color: Austin
This week, we released the photos for Austin's Unity in Color group portrait. This photo series serves as an actionable message of much more than solidarity—it's a commitment to unlearning eurocentrism and fighting for the intersectionality of feminism. Together, we stand in solidarity to show our support for Women's Rights. We acknowledge our past as we move towards a collective future inclusive of women of color, transgender women & men, women with disabilities & women from all ages, religious faiths and backgrounds. We wear yellow and gold as a nod to early feminist movements as well as ancient symbols of the divine feminine, while expressing our hope and desires for a more intersectional and inclusive movement today. Different cities worldwide have joined the #UnityInColor movement and we're proud to share the Austin edition!
Produced by Maureen Nicol of #bossbabesATX, with support from NaturallyCurly.com, in partnership with the YWCA ATX and Counter Balance: ATX (what a team!), Unity in Color was shot by Austin-based photographers Diana Ascarrunz and Jinni J, with videography by Illyana Bocanegra. You can view more photos from the shoot here.
Behind Unity in Color, as a series:
Before we get into the magic of this golden shoot, how it came together, what it meant/means and who was involved, let's delve into Unity in Color.
Unity in Color (unityincolor.org) is part of a worldwide photo series, created and curated by Jasmine S., a DJ and multimedia artist/producer based in Los Angeles. The series is city-based and calls for a large group portrait of women wearing all yellow, in recognition of the first feminist movement but also in protest of that movement's initial exclusivity, racism, classism and lack of intersectionality. Through the photo, viewers are invited to research and educate themselves on intersectional feminism.
Photo by Diana Ascarrunz for Unity in Color: Austin
Photo by Jinni J for Unity in Color: Austin
Photo of YWCA representatives by Diana Ascarrunz for Unity in Color: Austin
Behind Unity in Color — Austin:
As a creative project, this shoot exists to send a message of new feminist values, while cultivating long-term change and discussion between those involved. For that reason, Austin's photoshoot was a collaborative event between #bossbabesATX, the YWCA and Counter Balance: ATX. Due to logistical constraints around the number of people who could be photographed at once, each group invited a limited number of members from their organization, all of who are contributing directly to the fight for intersectionality in women's equality. After the photoshoot, we sat down to a picnic brunch and discussed our vision of the future, our collective wishes for intersectionality and respect within the feminist movement, recognizing the importance of dismantling White Feminism and renewing our commitment to coalition-building between all in attendance. Over the next year, #bossbabesATX will be supporting infrastructure and communication between all of the women who participated, shining a light on their goals, missions and values.
We hope this Unity in Color production will inspire you to build similar coalitions in your day-to-day lives—the movement does not start or end with this shoot, #bossbabesATX or the groups involved. If you're curious about the series, how to join the conversation and community-building we'll engage in over the next year, shoot an email to thebabes@bossbabes.org or contact Unity in Color.
*We'd like to thank Unity in Color, Jasmine S., NaturallyCurly.com, the YWCA and Counter Balance: ATX, as well as the photographers, volunteers and in-kind donors (Topo Chico, Baby Greens, Blenders and Bowls and Hubert's Lemonade) for making this shoot possible.
Photo by Jinni J. for Unity in Color: Austin
Photo by Jinni J. for Unity in Color: Austin
Lifestyle Design and Culture Change: #bossbabesatx x Aceable (Session 2)
On August 31 at REVELRY's new space, we hosted the second event in our three-part summer installation of SHE TALKS with Aceable. There will be one more session in this series; stay tuned!
Produced by #bossbabesATX, SHE TALKS is an ongoing discussion-based personal and professional development series, tackling topics from finances to intersectional feminism.
On August 31 at REVELRY's new space, we hosted the second event in our three-part summer installation of SHE TALKS with Aceable. There will be one more session in this series; stay tuned!
The Vibe
Hosted at REVELRY (formerly Byron & Blue), this second session featured four panelists, chatting both the reasoning and strategy behind their side hustles and bootstrapped career paths. Statistically speaking, more and more women are diversifying their incomes and exploring entrepreneurship outside of their nine-to-fives. It's a global and national phenomenon—and we want to know why.
*Prior to the panel, we were joined by Nyla Spooner of Thoughts Caught in My Fro to speak on Hurricane Harvey relief efforts and her work with the Counter Balance Disaster Restoration project. At the panel, we collected donated items for families and communities displaced by Hurricane Harvey. To learn more about how you can get involved, head here.
Nyla Spooner of Thoughts Caught in My Fro, providing information on Hurricane Harvey relief efforts and needs
The Panel
Featuring four multi-hyphenate professionals, in conversation with #bossbabesATX founder, Jane Hervey
Didn't get to attend? Want the recap? Watch the livestream of the conversation and view photos from the event here. Learn more about the panelists below and get their full bios here.
Qi Dada Ras of Divine & Conjure, LLC., RAS Day and Riders Against the Storm
Sydney Hardwick of Cooking With Sydney
TK Tunchez of Frida Fridays and Las Ofrendas
Ashley Jennings of Divinc ATX
Following the conversation, we closed the event with an exercise in creating personal user manuals to help all of us better determine the work cultures and environments we create and participate in. You can download a copy of this activity here.
This series' partner: Aceable
Aceable is a mobile-first platform for certification and training courses, ranging from drivers ed to real estate continuing education. At Aceable, they believe that everyone should have access to education. They believe that certification and value-added training should be cost-effective, yet also high quality. They believe that learning should be a joy. They believe that by delivering innovative, outcome-focused courses we can empower people to thrive in life and succeed at what they do. They are a team of teachers, designers, writers, engineers, customer experience heroes and those passionate about education who love what we do. They are the new standard for learning. They are certification courses for the 21st century. Together, we are driving education forward. You can learn more about Aceable at aceable.com and aceableagent.com.
Learn more about why dot orgs and dot coms should collaborate and specifically the message behind our partnership with Aceable here.
The last event in this SHE TALKS series will be released soon; stay tuned! In the meantime, you can keep up with our upcoming productions here.
How to Help Southeast Texas: The Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
We’re heartbroken by the devastation happening in southeast Texas and heartbroken for the people in our community who hail from Houston and the surrounding areas.
We know you are too, and, like you, we want to help.
We’re heartbroken by the devastation happening in southeast Texas and heartbroken for the people in our community who hail from Houston and the surrounding areas.
We know you are too, and, like you, we want to help.
So many different organizations throughout Austin are working to provide relief to those affected. Below, we've listed just a few of the ways you can support affected communities as they begin the recovery process.
1.) Donate to local food banks.
As the number of evacuees climbs, area food bank resources will be stressed. Consider donating money to the Houston Food Bank, the Food Bank of Corpus Christi, and/or the Galveston County Food Bank. If you have canned goods, ready to go, drop them by the Central Texas Food Bank or to any number of drives happening around the city.
*Below, you'll find correspondence directly from our contacts at the Central Texas Food Bank on what they need and could use from the community:
We’re currently encouraging both food and monetary donations that will go towards emergency boxes for those who were impacted by Harvey. Feel free to share these links or the following list with any fellow #bossbabesATX to let them know how they can continue to help out right now!
Food Items:
- Creamy Peanut Butter
- Squeeze Grape and Strawberry Jelly
- Black Beans
- Rice
- Chunk Light Tuna in water
- Beef stew – can pop top
Non-Food Items:
- Mouth Wash
- Large or Small Deodorant
- Soap (either bar or liquid)
- Shampoo
- Paper towels
- Paper plates
- Plastic cutlery
- Wet wipe/baby wipe pack
- Ziploc bags
2.) Volunteer.
Several grassroots groups are helping to mobilize and organize volunteers to help distribute donations and to assess the needs of evacuees sheltered in Austin. If you're able to contribute your time, contact the organizers (a conglomerate of local nonprofit representatives) at harveyaid2017@gmail.com or 209-787-0473, or use the volunteer signup form here.
3.) Contribute to a donation drive.
Organizations throughout Austin are collecting badly needed items to take to Houston and the surrounding areas:
— SprATX is accepting donations at their shop of several necessities including socks, toiletries, baby items, pet supplies and ready-to-eat foods. Those that donate will also receive 15% off all SpATX goods, allowing them to support Harvey evacuees and local artists. You can check out the full donation list here.
— An Austin relief team will be making the drive from Austin to Houston to ferry badly needed donations and supplies for both survivors and rescue volunteers. Check out the full list here or contact the volunteers to join their trip.
— In addition to accepting donations at multiple locations throughout Austin, Counter Balance ATX is also seeking monetary donations and volunteers to help identify and research places acting as evacuee shelters. You can also purchase items from the organization’s Amazon wish list, which will be updated as evacuee needs evolve in the coming weeks.
— Mayor Adler has asked Austin residents to compile small hygeine kits for the 6,000 displaced folks from Hurricane Harvey taking shelter in our city. Learn more about the project and how can contribute with Jane from @atasteofkoko.
— Our friends at Texas Humor and Sauceda Industries are harboring relief efforts at their warehouses. The following statement is from their team:
1) If you're wanting to send items to the affected cities, but aren't sure how to get it there or who to send it to please ship to our warehouse. We are helping with temporary supplies storage and will get them to exactly where they're needed via our various shipping partners that are active in the area. You can ship, drop off, or order via Amazon and have delivered below.
Sauceda Ind.
HARVEY RELIEF
506 E St Elmo RD
BLDG B
Austin, TX 78745
We're working directly with people on the ground in cities up and down the Gulf Coast to make sure cities that need certain things get enough and don't get overwhelmed with supplies they don't currently need.
2) Before you drive down to any particular town with supplies, do your best to reach out to any contacts in the areas and find out what the specific needs are. They're changing daily.
Water is the first thing that comes to mind for most folks, but things like tarps, cleaning supplies, and tanks of gas are also needed. Hot meals/brown bag lunches seem to be a welcomed donation regardless.
Either way, open your hearts and wallets. Just do your best to talk to folks directly and find out the specific needs before sending. Let's make sure everyone's getting whatever it'll take to get them back to 100% as soon as possible.
3) If you have any questions about where certain supplies are needed, let me know. Email me directly at
jayb@saucedaindustries.com
or call me at
832.640.9194
— We will also be accepting donations at the She Talks event happening tonight (update: this event has already occurred), thanks to Nyla Spooner of Thoughts Caught in My Fro. If you’re headed our way this evening to talk lifestyle design and work/life balance, and you feel so moved, please check out the list of needed items.
4.) Attend events benefitting the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
For example, this Friday, you can blow some steam and help Hurricane Harvey relief efforts at Houston Strong at Mohawk Austin. All proceeds of the benefit, featuring Black Joe Lewis, The Octopus Project, Walker Lukens, and more, go to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund established by Houston mayor Sylvester Turner in response to the natural disaster. Diapers, formula, socks, undergarments, bottled water, and nonperishable food will also be accepted onsite at the show happening tomorrow evening. Tickets are $20.
You can find more events in the Austin area on Facebook here.
5.) We also suggest perusing this community-curated and -compiled list of businesses donating to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
Make every dollar you spend this week count!
6.) And last, but certainly not least, if you choose to volunteer and get involved, please be respectful and mindful in the wake of this tragedy.
On-the-ground responders and organizers are operating off of very little sleep, while sifting through large amounts of information, requests and inquiries—rest assured they are doing their best to coordinate efforts to all coastal cities affected by the Hurricane Harvey. When volunteering, support as you can and recognize when your efforts may be better spent elsewhere. When donating items, ensure you are donating what's needed, as sorting through items is a time-costly task for volunteers. Your help is appreciated—both big and small—so do what you can and show up for the people and the community you love.
- team #bossbabesATX
We Asked: How Do You Care For Yourself?
We asked: how do you practice self-care? You answered.
How do you care for yourself, love yourself, treat yourself like you hung the moon, treat yourself like you deserve the world, show yourself respect, celebrate yourself, recognize yourself, have compassion for yourself, forgive yourself?
At our June meet, we asked how you practice self-care. These are some of your answers.
On Black Art, Being Self-Taught and Embracing Inconsistency: "Meet Her Hands" with Multimedia Arist Neta Bomani
Bomani's pieces will be on display at the Elisabet Ney Museum through Sept. 6.
This summer, we produced our second Meet Her Hands production with the Elisabet Ney museum. This series features three self-identifying women, Texas-based artists in discussion about their work, their inspiration and their hands (hence their process).
The Vibe
Elisabet Ney Museum
On August 10, we gathered on the banks of the Elisabet Ney Museum, the former home of sculptor, Elisabet Ney, for an interview between Candace Roane and the third artist in Meet Her Hands 2017, Neta Bomani. As the sun set, attendees enjoyed an intimate exhibition of the artist's work, a Q&A with the artist herself and cider provided by Argus Cidery.
The Interview
Attendees gathered for a Q&A between Neta Bomani and Bomani's friend, collaborator Candace Roane. Below are a few highlight quotes from the conversation:
On not monetizing her work:
I've been thinking about doing art that's more anti-capitalist and more pan-African... I don't make art for profit... I don't believe for making art for money. I make art for myself and other black people
On being a self-taught multimedia artist:
Photography taught me to balance creativity with technical skills. I try to approach my artwork with prior knowledge.
I've been experimenting recently with collage work, which is something from childhood and is very youthful and also influences my experience with zine-making.
I just exist with this natural aptitude and inclination to do things with my hands. If there was someone who influenced me, it would be my father, who is an artist as well, though he probably wouldn't call himself one.
I consider myself to be self-taught. I was making art before any formal training. I did go to university for design, which provided a language for what I was doing...just to be honest I was doing my best work when I was outside of school because there were no outside forces. Even when I was making a lot of mistakes and errors, those still influenced the stylings of my art today.
On her process:
I do a lot of note-taking—that's something I never stop doing. I'll write down thoughts and ideas, and when I find myself in that momentum, that's when I'll start to create. I also spend a lot of time with family: I'm very private and family centered, and that's something that drives me as well.
My process varies. I am a very inconsistent artist... but art is a very self-reflective process. I try not to give into pressure and just make art when it moves me. I'll have a conversation with someone and realize I want to explore that idea, so I'll write it down and consult my notebooks when I feel the itch to create. That's where I live—I live in my notebooks."
On her inspirations:
I saw a quote on Twitter, and it addressed within the tension of society, what does it mean to be a problem? And that really resonated with me... I try to address that with my art. I try to address those unanswered questions and I hope that other people find that, too.
I definitely make sense of the world through my art. I process the world through my art... we live in a white supremacist, male-dominated society, and I'm a Black woman.
On overcoming doubts:
I was doubting myself two hours ago. Everyone doubts themselves. Even when I'm making art, I will doubt myself, but I have to just get through it and come out on the other side.
The Exhibition
featuring select works by Neta Bomani
Bomani's pieces will be on display at the Elisabet Ney Museum through Sept. 6, thus concluding our 2017 Meet Her Hands season! Til next summer, y'all.