On Independent Filmmaking, Creative Activism And West Texas: Kat Broyles
Director and multidisciplinary creative Kat Broyles shares her creative process, the inspiration for Moondogs, as well as her own thoughts on abortion access in 2022.
This summer, we’re checking in with our members and friends on the meaning of abundance.
As we get ready for The Front Festival, we sat down with one of this year’s featured filmmakers, Kat Broyles. Kat shares her creative process, the inspiration for Moondogs, as well as her own thoughts on healthcare access in 2022.
For more details on The Front Fest, head here.
Kat Broyles (center) directs onset during the filming of Moondogs.
MEET KAT BROYLES.
Katie Broyles (she/her) is a third year Studio Art major and the director of Moondogs. Her artwork primarily focuses on expressing the complexities of human relationships through video, painting, illustration, and sculpture.
Her films have been selected for the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival and the Austin Spotlight Film Festival.
She has worked on numerous film sets, most notably SIX on History Channel as a production assistant and My Friend Shokat in production design, and has acted in numerous student films. She is interested in transitioning into directing films about important and meaningful stories that combine the metaphysical with the mundane.
No. 1 — Creating an independent film takes a lot of energy, gumption and give-it-your-all risk-taking. Creating an independent film like Moondogs, however, requires all that and a whole lot more. Why did this story become so important to you? What were some of the goals you had in creating this film and bringing it to light?
When I first began to write Moondogs, I knew I wanted to write about the desert, as it was a landscape so prevalent in my teenage years. I knew I wanted to write a sort of portrait of the young women I grew up with and our experiences and struggles.
One of the goals of this film was to depict the nuanced relationships between teenagers, inspired by my own at that age, on the precipice of adulthood contending with subjects of heavy emotional weight. Another goal was to depict an emotional journey of an abortion-seeker and how the external policies effect our internal worlds.
I wanted to emphasize the West Texan desert as a motivating character, representing the vastness and nuances of these experiences. Texas has historically been a battleground for reproductive rights and I wanted to humbly try and capture an experience of being swept up in these invisible forces.
No. 2 — Since Moondogs premiered, Roe v. Wade has been overturned. What kind of texture does that bring to the film now? Anything in particular you’d like new viewers to think about?
I think it brings a very certain feeling of anguish to the film now, as it already depicts the difficulty of getting an abortion in the past—the lack of clinics, the cruel 24-hour waiting period, the mandated ultrasound and lack of insurance coverage, all things already making it almost impossible for abortion seekers of color, rural, and undocumented abortion seekers to receive care.
Now, the characters in Moondogs would not even be able to receive an abortion, and her friends would be prosecuted for aiding and abetting an abortion, possibly facing jail time. They would have to drive to New Mexico or further to receive an abortion to avoid any sort of persecution. This places even a greater burden on abortion seekers than before, which was already impossible to begin with. It was definitely a series of heartbreaks making and finishing this film as the reproductive rights to Texans were stripped away.
No. 3 — What does nurturing abundance in your creative life look like right now? Got any rituals/practices you particularly love?
Nurturing abundance for, right now at least, is really finding the enjoyment in small things. I feel like I am starting over almost, and re-learning to let myself lead with curiosity and not a drive to succeed. I love to take my dogs out for walks daily and have been getting better at baking. I am also letting myself write very freely and without judgement. Definitely went through a long period of solitude/self-isolation and I do feel like little by little, I am getting out of it.
No. 4— What has art-making brought to your life? Anything in particular you’d like to reflect on?
Art-making has brought so much to my life. It has been the anchor to a lot of who I am and how I approach the world. Studying and practicing art and now filmmaking has broadened my horizons in so many ways. It is incredibly challenging and sometimes so disheartening, but it is such a fulfilling process in the end.
I feel like I am always learning from my community and can explore themes through so many different avenues. I love the sharing and collaborative process of art-making and how it creates and encourages self-reflection. Even when you take time away, it is always there to come back to.
No. 5 — What do you hope for the future of your creative work?
I hope I can better service my community through creative work. I hope I can help foster projects that are meaningful and equitable both behind and in front of the camera. I would love to continue my writing and hopefully get a feature off the ground, as well as work with as many creatives as I can in the meantime. After a long hiatus, I would like to paint again.
want to attend the front fest?
Find more information at thefrontfest.com.
You can also keep up with what we’re up to at Future Front—from virtual events to membership—here.
On Honoring the Diaspora of Blackness and Creating with Curiosity: Ibeyi Anga and Whitney Hamilton
Curators Ibeyi and Whitney share their artistic processes, how they unearth inspiration, and staying present through sustainable practice.
This summer, we’re checking in with our members and friends on the meaning of abundance.
In anticipation of the second annual BLACK ART WKND, we are highlighting two curators from OF COLOR — Ibeyi Anga and Whitney Hamilton, as they explore the vastness of this year's theme, ALL KINDS OF BLACK. Curators Ibeyi and Whitney share their artistic processes, how they unearth inspiration, and staying present through sustainable practice. For more details on BLACK ART WKND, see here.
Meet Ibeyi AnGa.
Ibeyi Anga is a curator that resides in the here and now. Her works are based on creative and cultural initiatives curating, producing, and the allowance of various art styles.
She is interested in interdisciplinary approaches to life and form expression. Her most recent curatorial project draws inspiration from Igbo cosmology, N’anya Chi which translates to “see through gods eyes”.
In 2021, she founded Anga Haus, a collective whose mission is to celebrate life through ubiquitous forms of expression.
“ …there is no shortage of creative input/energy in this world.”
No. 1 — In your own words, who are you, and what do you do?
My name is Ibiye Anga and my mission is to be present, perceive, and create. I embrace and respect change as a major constant in my life and I am able to participate actively by curating and creating art experiences for and within my community.
No. 2 — What does abundance look like to you?
Abundance to me looks like the endless inspired thoughts and actions that create this reality. It is in alignment and respect for the idea that there is no shortage of creative input/energy in this world.
No. 3 — How does your art celebrate blackness?
My art celebrates blackness by existing in this time and space. Life as a black woman is a celebration with every expression. My art celebrates blackness by existing in its full spectrum and ubiquitous nature.
No. 4 — Describe your creative process. How do you get from ideation to completion when it comes to art-making? When does something feel finished to you?
My creative process consists of allowing my curiosity to take charge of my life experience. I find that whenever I’m in a new environment physically or non-physically, I am supplied with a barrage of inspired thoughts. I make sure I write these down when they come so I can ACT on them. Acting on these ideas is the most rewarding part of my creative process because it allows me to think in ways I haven’t before and it’s a new adventure every time. My work/art lets it be known when it feels satisfied with the stage it is at. Sometimes it’s completion, and other times it's a prelude to another piece.
No. 5 — Tell us when/where you were when the inspiration struck for one of your pieces?
I’ve come to appreciate life as the ultimate form of material for inspiration. For my curatorial piece titled “narration”, it came by listening to my artists' processes and understanding that everything comprises of storytelling. Other times, it comes through dreams, media, colors, etc really anything/everything in this experience.
No. 6 — What are a few ways you cultivate abundance in your daily life?
Gratitude truly is the attitude - for the moments, relationships, and experiences of my daily missions.
No. 7 — How do you navigate creating a sustainable life (emotionally, financially, practically, socially, etc.) for yourself as an artist? What practices or routines keep you in balance?
I create a sustainable life for myself by challenging repeated patterns/paradigms. The overarching theme that rules my life is understanding that things can only get better. This allows me to embrace and anticipate change by questioning everything. One of my favorite practices is recording thoughts and moments by journaling (visual or audio).
Meet Whitney Hamilton.
Whitney Hamilton, a Chicago native, has always had a passion for curating experiences and spaces for people who looked like her, in order to discard that uncomfortable feeling of knowing you may be the only Black person, or person of color in general, in the room.
She has a Bachelors in both African American Studies and Gender & Women Studies and has worked at the DuSable Museum of African American Studies in Chicago. There she was able plan meaningful programs and events and assist with exhibitions to provide memorable experiences to those wanting to celebrate and experience Black culture.
As a recent Austin transplant, she is ready to take that drive for helping the Black community as she did in Chicago through a creative lens.
No. 1 — In your own words, who are you and what do you do?
In short: I'm a Black woman who is forever curious and loves to have a thoughtful experience. I love connecting with people and building relationships and then connecting those people to other people so that they can create great things.
No. 2 — What does abundance look like to you?
Abundance looks like joy, appreciation, and happiness. In a world where I live as a Black woman, these 3 things are something that I don't take for granted because I may not receive it.
No. 3 — How does your art celebrate blackness?
I don't create art myself, but I love and appreciate it and the people who do create it. I'm actually beginning my own personal art collection and I want to celebrate blackness with my collection being a majority of Black artists. For me, Black art is beautiful and it isn't always expected. As a child, I didn't even know Black people could be artists because of what was taught in school and what was on display in museums and art galleries. Now, I want to be able to celebrate the creativity and the different mediums of Black artists. So, though I'm not a creator myself, I want to be able to celebrate them by supporting them and sharing their work with my network through my own collection.
No. 4 — Describe your creative process. How do you get from ideation to completion when it comes to art-making? When does something feel finished to you?
I think I struggle with this. The ideation comes easily because a lot of my ideas for storytelling come from my lived experiences or the experiences of those close to me and what may be missing. What is something that I can enjoy? The completion is the problem. I think that it is living and breathing so would it ever be complete? But also, that is why I love the relationships that I build. They help me. I don't always know how to put my ideas into action and what that looks like so having people around me that do know and that know how to keep me grounded and not spiral is key.
No. 5 — Tell us when/where you were when the inspiration struck for one of your pieces?
Speaking specifically about curating the theme 'All Kinds of Black Women', I initially didn't know what theme I was going to pick. One day a few weeks ago, as I was scrolling on social media, I kept seeing a common theme when it came to Black women: Tired. I wanted to use the lens of my artists to tell the story of Black Women, but I wasn't sure exactly how. A few days later, I was watching Waiting to Exhale and though it was focused mainly on the story of 4 friends and their romantic relationships, don't all Black women currently, want to take a moment to exhale? That's the story I wanted to tell. Black women experience all of these things, but they still move forward. They still are trying to find ways to find joy and find beauty to their personal standards.
No. 6 — What are a few ways you cultivate abundance in your daily life?
Something else I'm struggling with especially when I let the external world get in the way. I try to pause, reflect on what I could do to cultivate abundance, add some joy to my day, and allow myself grace. Getting outside every day is a must. Even if it's just for 15 minutes. I love the sun and the Austin sun makes itself known, especially now (hahaha). Listening to music, especially on my vinyl player. The process of being intentional and gentle in getting a record, placing it, and enjoying the sounds....it's meditative in a sense.
INTERESTED IN _OF COLOR?
Here’s more info on Black Art WKND.
Black Art WKND is an annual arts showcase and experience produced by _OF COLOR to platform Black creators and curators in Austin, Texas.
In 2022, Black Art WKND popped up from June 9 to 11, with installations and collaborations across the city. This year’s theme, ALL KINDS OF BLACK, is meant to highlight the people, places and practices of Black culture through various art forms and music.
Black is Scarred.
Black is Complex.
Black is Nuanced.
Black is Beautiful.
“Too often, the Black existence is surveilled and scrutinized, rather than celebrated. ALL KINDS OF BLACK will tell our story — from the Hood, to the Burbs, to the Diaspora. Black is everything and also the great nothingness from which all life is born. Limitless. As expansive as the universe.”
And here’s how you can get involved.
“Follow us and share our content on Instagram (@_ofcoloratx)! Our organization is 100% volunteer-led from top to bottom, so we are always happy to welcome energized folks into our community. We believe creativity comes in many forms and all are needed in our mission to build a coalition of creatives of color. Whether your creativity lies in design, curation, project management, copywriting, etc, we probably have a project you could contribute to. We’re also always looking for fiscal sponsors to help support our mission and experiences.
If you’re interested in volunteering, contact volunteer@ofcolor.org. (If you’re interested in sponsoring our experiences, contact marissa@ofcolor.org.)”
Want to stay involved through Future Front?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
This interview was compiled and written by Future Front Communications Fellow, Willow Beauchamp.
On Celebrating AAPI Artists And Creators Of Color In Austin: Nina Ho And Marissa Rivera
In this interview, Nina and Marissa reflect on their work as creative leaders and share their thoughts on generative, grounding community traditions.
This summer, we’re checking in with our members and friends on the meaning of abundance.
To kick things off, we’re catching up with two long-time, Austin-based collaborators of Future Front—Nina Ho and Marissa Rivera. Through our friends at _OF COLOR, they’re collaborating for the first time on an experiential art showcase, RITUALS, celebrating AAPI creators in our city .
In this interview, Nina and Marissa reflect on their work as creative leaders and share their thoughts on generative, grounding community traditions. For more information on how to support RITUALS, click here.
Meet Nina Ho.
Nina Ho is an entrepreneur, creative director, and educator based in Austin, Texas.
She is the founder of collective blue, an Austin-based lifestyle brand that celebrates diverse creators through digital storytelling and event production, as well as missfits fest, an event series celebrating self-identifying Asian American women in entrepreneurship and the arts.
Nina is also a creative director and photographer with a focus on fashion editorial work. When it comes to giving back, she enjoys leading entrepreneurship, human-centered design, and branding workshops in Austin and abroad.
No. 1 — In your own words, who are you and what do you do?
My name is Nina Ho (she/her), and I'm an entrepreneur, creative director, and educator. I'm passionate about creating spaces for women and people of color to thrive—especially in the domains of entrepreneurship and the arts.
No. 2 — What does abundance look like to you?
Abundance to me looks like connecting to one's inner reservoir of light and love and carrying it forth in daily life.
No. 3 — How do you measure success in your work?
Success to me when it comes to work is honoring the ebbs and flows of creation and output as well as rest and reflection. My priority is the well-being of myself and my team so that we're able to do the work we love and create the impact we desire in a sustained and equanimous manner. It's taken a lot of hard lessons and re-evaluating my relationship with "productivity" to arrive here personally and as a leader.
No. 4 — What keeps you grounded? Any tips or rituals?
A breakthrough for me has been leaning into all the ways of knowing - not just mentally but also physically, emotionally, and spiritually/energetically. When I trust myself to already hold all of the answers that I seek, I'm able to naturally gravitate towards the rest, play, people, food, and experiences that I need to recharge and feel grounded. For me, some of those activities look like gardening, meditation, cooking, reading, and making art from a place of inspiration and ease.
No. 5 —What have you let go this year that has made a positive change in your life?
I've let go of my need to categorize experiences into neat boxes of either/or and this or that. More than one truth can exist at once (even if they seem contradictory), and embracing this ambiguity has been incredibly freeing. For example, I am doing my best, and I can do better. Both statements can be true at once.
No. 6 — Your newest community project, RITUALS, debuts this weekend. What are you excited about when it comes to this particular showcase?
Collective joy! The themes within our community these past few years have been grief, protection, and resilience, and I'm excited to lean into the brighter side of life—truly to cleanse, to release, and to celebrate… I'm grateful for this collaboration with the _OF COLOR team and to be able to hold space for the AAPI community in Austin.
Meet marissa rivera.
Marissa Rivera (she/her) is a licensed psychotherapist, yoga teacher and educator in Austin, Texas.
She is the owner of Ola Wellness, a private psychotherapy practice proudly serving Austin's LGBTQ+ communities of Color. As an Indigenous Tejana, Marissa is passionate about serving her community. She is active in amplifying local artists and musicians of color through her work as a board member for the SIMS Foundation and Director of Partnerships for _OF COLOR.
In her downtime, Marissa enjoys volunteering with Divine Canines, taking long walks with her pup Bruce Wayne, performing as a backup dancer, and finding the best al pastor tacos in town.
No. 1 — In your own words, who are you and what do you do?
My name is Marissa Rivera (she/her/ella), and I am a Queer Indigenous Tejana who as a licensed psychotherapist creates space for intergenerational healing within LGBTQ+ communities of color. I’m also passionate about building creative healing communities through my work on the Board of Directors for the SIMS Foundation and as Director of Partnerships for _OFCOLOR.
No. 2 — What does abundance look like to you?
For me, abundance means being able to share with others one's expansive capacity for curiosity, compassion, community, and authenticity.
No. 3 — How do you measure success in your work?
Success for me looks like creating experiences that encourage people to question their assumptions and to expand the lens they use to view the world. I think art has a unique ability to bring those experiences to life, enhance one’s connection to community, and give voice to stories needing to be told.
No. 4 — What keeps you grounded? Any tips or rituals?
I’m someone who is vulnerable to being too analytical and overthinking things, so I make a point to engage my senses and body whenever I notice myself trapped by my own arbitrary expectations. For me, this means swimming, dancing, laying in the grass with my pup, or even practicing environmental meditations outside. I always encourage my clients to connect with the people, places, and practices that make it safe to connect with their bodies and spirits when living in our current feudal oligarchy feels overwhelming. Doing so is the only way we can continue building a more connected future together.
No. 5 — What have you let go this year that has made a positive change in your life?
I’ve learned to de-prioritize relationships and spaces that aren’t aligned with my current path, without judgment and still leaving room for connection on perhaps a different level. It’s ok (and natural!) for connections to ebb and flow, so learning to let go of rigid expectations has been helpful for me to live a very busy life with more ease.
No. 6 — This weekend, _OF COLOR is presenting RITUALS for the first time, in collaboration with may Austin-based AAPI artists. What are you MOST excited FOR?
I am ecstatic to celebrate our AAPI community in Austin and be exposed to some amazing talent! Nina Ho has spent months developing this vision with support of our _OF COLOR team in order to really highlight the diversity within the AAPI community. I’m excited to soak in the different stories and experiences that’ll be represented.
No. 7 — What are the best ways to get involved with _OF COLOR?
Follow us and share our content on Instagram (@_ofcoloratx)! Our organization is 100% volunteer-led from top to bottom, so we are always happy to welcome energized folks into our community. We believe creativity comes in many forms and all are needed in our mission to build a coalition of creatives of color. Whether your creativity lies in design, curation, project management, copywriting, etc, we probably have a project you could contribute to. We’re also always looking for fiscal sponsors to help support our mission and experiences.
If you’re interested in volunteering, contact volunteer@ofcolor.org. (If you’re interested in sponsoring our experiences, contact marissa@ofcolor.org.)
Want to stay involved through Future Front?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
This interview was compiled and written by Future Front Communications Fellow, Eunice Bao.
The Front Market’s First-Ever Spring Season At Distribution Hall: 4,000 Visitors Later
On April 23 and 24, we took over Distribution Hall in Austin, Texas to produce the Spring ‘22 Season of The Front Market.
On April 23 and 24, we took over Distribution Hall in Austin, Texas to produce the Spring ‘22 Season of The Front Market.
Keep reading for a full look at the market’s impact—and a sweet taste of the weekend’s immaculate vibes.
HERE ARE 5 things that happened at the front:
✰ No. 1 —
We exhibited more than 160+ women and LGBTQ+ creators and small business owners across Texas.
✰ No. 2 —
We welcomed 4,000+ visitors at Distribution Hall (4,500, if you include dogs).
✰ No. 3 —
Thanks to donations at the door and the Good Cocktails Bar by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, we fundraised $2,000+ for our Creative Future of Texas Fund.
✰ No. 4 —
We hosted two parties around The Front Market to support causes we care about, including an Earth Day initiative with GOOD girls ATX, as well as a creative community fundraiser with _OF COLOR.
✰ No. 5 —
It took a team of 200+ people and four months of collaboration to create The Front Market for two days. The market’s buildout generated more than $10,000 in commissions and contracts for women- and queer-owned businesses and production teams in Austin.
WANT TO REMINISCE? BASK IN THE VISUAL RECAP.
All photos by Tess Cagle Photography (@tlcphotographyatx)
You can still keep up with the creators and small business owners who joined us, too.
Just head to thefrontmarket.com (click here) to tap into the Spring '22 Season lineup at anytime. You can also sink into why spaces like The Front Market matter. We dive deeper into what supporting our local creative and small businesses communities means at thefrontmarket.com/mindset.
Thank you to our sponsors, partners and friends.
✰
Thank you to our sponsors, partners and friends. ✰
It's crucial for us that The Front Market is more than lip service for women and LGBTQ+ voices in Texas. We would not be able to use the market as a space to nurture movements and causes we care about without support from our sponsors, members, staff, volunteers, friends and you. Thank you.
On Working With Your Mom And Running A Supportive Kitchen: Chef Victoria Elizondo
Victoria chats scaling and expanding Cochinita & Co. and the importance of nurturing your community while you grow.
THIS SPRING, WE’RE CHECKING IN WITH OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ON WHAT IT MEANS TO NURTURE.
For this interview, we touched base with Victoria Elizondo of Cochinita & Co., one of our vendors within The Front Market.
Victoria chats scaling and expanding Cochinita & Co. and the importance of nurturing your community while you grow.
ABOUT VICTORIA ELIZONDO AND COCHINITA & CO.
“My name is Victoria Elizondo, chef and owner of Cochinita & Co. I am a DACA recipient who started the business with the purpose of reconnecting with my culture by bringing a piece of Mexico to me and sharing it with our community. ”
GET TO KNOW VICTORIA:
NO. 1 — What are you hoping to nurture through your work in 2022?
After the pandemic started I realized how important it really is to support local. We wish to continue to grow and also help grow other small businesses and vendors around us.
NO. 2 — Who are your biggest inspirations in Texas?
My mom. She works side by side with me and takes control when my mental health is low. Her energy never runs low. She is powered by living her American dream.
NO. 3 — What does creative collaboration mean to you?
A creative collaboration is something that you put work and love into. It's a symbol of passion and dedication shared by two entities.
NO. 4 — How do you make space in your life to creatively recharge? Any tips or routines?
Going to the park. Whether for a walk or a picnic, being out in nature and watching other people look happy releases so much serotonin for me. I recently took on pilates, its probably the hardest workout I've ever done and I did martial arts for a little bit.
NO. 5 — How do you approach building community around your work?
Using local products/ingredients on our menu is definitely my favorite way to support the local community. We also enjoy creating collaboration dinners or markets. Lastly, I love to go out to eat to local restaurants on my time off.
NO. 6 — What's the one recommendation you'd make to someone new starting out as an independent creative or small business owner?
Be patient. Do good. Treat your team with respect. Having a bad ego will not take you very far. Connections are important, but make sure they’re meaningful. Don’t use people or their resources. Take care of yourself first.
Want to stay involved with creators like Victoria through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
On The Ebbs And Flows Of Creativity And Community-Building: Artist Swathi Konduri
Swathi chats with our team about transitioning into art full-time and the creative environments she needs to recharge.
THIS SPRING, WE’RE CHECKING IN WITH OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ON WHAT IT MEANS TO NURTURE.
For this interview, we touched base with Swathi Konduri of Swatcasso, one of our vendors within The Front Market. She chats with our team about transitioning into art full-time and the creative environments she needs to recharge.
ABOUT SWATHI KONDURI OF SWATASSO
“I am an artist originally from Orlando, Florida who loves bold colors and experimenting with a variety of mediums such has acrylic paint, colored pencil, photography and digital art. I am inspired by art that makes me feel deeply and aspire to create pieces that do the same! After quitting my tech sales job, I now make art full time and sell art prints at markets all around Austin. ”
GET TO KNOW SWATHI:
NO. 1 — What are you hoping to nurture through your work in 2022?
I am hoping to nurture a more disciplined approach to art—creating works as a series rather than bouncing around and trying a bunch of new ideas.
NO. 2 — Who are your biggest inspirations in Texas?
One of my biggest inspirations is Sari Shryack. I followed her on Instagram before I even moved here and first saw her art hanging in Revival Coffee in 2019. She uses her talent to add a little bit of color and humor to daily objects. Specifically, I really am inspired by her ability to make literally any mundane object interesting. I am, of course, also inspired by all the people I see constantly vending with me at art markets around town and their work ethic.
NO. 3 — What does creative collaboration mean to you?
Creative collaboration means coming together to create one vision from a variety of directions and constantly pivoting to see how these different approaches can aid one another.
NO. 4 — How do you make space in your life to creatively recharge? Any tips or routines?
I make space in my life to creatively recharge by changing the environments where I create, whether that's painting at the park or sketching in a coffee shop. Each environment has different sources of inspiration to offer and puts you in a whole new mindset. My creative practice incorporated a variety of mediums and that allows me to explore different parts of my imagination. But most importantly, I constantly remind myself that creativity ebbs and flows and no amount of force or work can change that.
NO. 5 — How do you approach building community around your work?
I build community around my work by befriending as many people as I can in creative spaces I inhibit such as art markets or my art classes. I try and make sure I cultivate these relationships where I can share my creative struggles and discuss with people who share similar perspectives.
NO. 6 — What's the one recommendation you'd make to someone new starting out as an independent creative or small business owner?
I would just recommend not letting your failures or successes affect you too much because you may start to create for the external world or validation rather than for yourself! And also reach out to people for help, the Austin community is so warm and everyone wants to see each other win.
Want to stay involved with creators like Swathi through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
On Co-Founding A Creative Space And Collaborative Mindsets: Ceramicist Corrie Pocta
Corrie Pocta shares her advice for small business owners starting out, as well as her thoughts on the arts community in Dallas.
This spring, we’re checking in with our members and friends on what it means to nurture.
For this interview, we touched base with Corrie Pocta, one of our vendors within The Front Market.
Corrie Pocta shares her advice for small business owners starting out, as well as her thoughts on the arts community in Dallas.
ABOUT CORRIE
“My name is Corrie Pocta and I am a ceramicist based out of Dallas, Texas. I spent the past seven years as a high school art teacher and this May marks one year of pursuing my art-based small business full-time. ”
GET TO KNOW CORRIE:
NO. 1 — What are you hoping to nurture through your work in 2022?
With a baby on the way this summer, I am hoping to nurture sustainability within my practice. I recently got molds made of some of my favorite vase designs and will be focusing on texture and experimental glazes with larger works rather than big batches of mugs and smaller pieces for the remainder of the year.
NO. 2— Who are your biggest inspirations in Texas?
I am most inspired by the arts community I come in contact with regularly here in Dallas. I co-founded an artist co-op and shop called Trade Oak Cliff with artist Brooke Chaney in 2020. Our members include Molly Sydnor, Charli Miranda, and Niki Dionne. These women and their work inspire me daily. In addition to our crew, I am greatly inspired by the work of Mylan Nguyen, Analise Minjarez, and Sarita Westrup. Each of these artists incorporated a rich knowledge of fibers and clay within their pieces. Outside of DFW, I really admire the work of Broad Studios in Austin and their educational efforts with the arts in their community.
NO. 3 — What does creative collaboration mean to you?
I believe our ideas are bettered when we share them with others and allow for their experiences and expertise to help develop them. I believe our communities are bettered by an increase in people connecting with their creative selves and each other through the arts and reject scarcity mindset that keep us in competition with people working within similar mediums.
NO. 4 — How do you approach building community around your work?
One of the ways I build community through my work is through monthly clay classes I teach out of my studio, TRADE. Throughout the pandemic I have helped multiple people get started with home clay studios and offer kiln firing services to make the medium accessible to local people working from home. In addition to classes, my co-op members and I host monthly artist markets in our space helping to connect our audience to additional local crafts beyond what we showcase regularly in our studio shop.
NO. 5 — What's the one recommendation you'd make to someone new starting out as an independent creative or small business owner?
A recommendation I make for someone starting a small business is to go see a tax consultant and a few fellow small business owners at the beginning of your first year of business to get tips for best book-keeping practices. Sometimes the process of taxes can be the most daunting part of starting a small business and it’s best to get a structure for logging things before you get in over your head with events and sales that have already taken place.
Want to stay involved with creators like Corrie through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
An Earth Day Guide: How To Nurture Your Closet, Community And Creativity (All At Once)
Use this mini-guide to examine your own relationship to style, community and the clothing industry.
This Earth Month, we’re hosting another Spring showcase for The Front Market, exhibiting more than 160 creators and small business owners across Texas. Because, for us, supporting local is a crucial component of nurturing community—as well as your planet.
So, we’ve connected with our new friends at GOOD girls ATX for a few tips for nurturing more sustainable shopping habits and an earth-conscious closet year-round. Here, you’ll find a mini guide from GgATX’s founders Marcella Bechtel and Kara Wright on changing your relationship to consumption and reimagining your approach to style( for good)! Enjoy!
Spring has officially sprung in Texas—birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and that pollen is flowing (hello, allergies!). Our planet is busy nurturing her babies, old and new growth.
Meanwhile we, susceptible shoppers of the Global North, are being bombarded with marketing messages about ‘spring cleaning.’ Originally a phrase used to describe cleaning the literal dust from our homes after a long winter, fashion brands have manipulated the tradition into a ‘spring closet cleanout’ in which you simply replace those items with new ones later on.
If springtime is the planet’s time to bloom, why are brands teaching us to purge and pollute? What if instead we decided to shift that tradition to one that nurtures the wardrobes we already have? By cherishing the items we already have, we avoid the environmental and social harm associated with the production and distribution of new fashion items.
In honor of Spring (and Earth Day), we invite you to nurture your wardrobe in a way that also nurtures the planet, your community and your creativity.
Below are three tips on how to get started.
1.) Nurture your Planet—and care for your clothes.
We’re big fans of re-homing items that are no longer serving you (might we suggest a seasonal clothing swap by GOOD girls ATX), but the absolute best action you can take for the planet is to wear and care for the items already in your closet
Wear what you have and only give up the things you know someone else will love more than you.
Sparingly wash items (especially jeans) using cold water settings and air drying whenever possible. This will preserve color & shape, prevent shrinkage & breakage and save energy!
Mend, repair, & hem. If you don’t know how, one of your friends might. And if you want to learn, we have workshops coming up to help you!
Stop shopping, first or second-hand. Consumers in the Global North buy five times more clothes than they did in 1980’s, but only wear those clothes 7 times on average.* Replace that void with other activities that could actually help yourself and/or the planet.
*The High Price of Fast Fashion, WSJ
2.) Nurture your community—and start local.
Living in the Global North, where the majority of clothes are sold but barely any are manufactured, we’ve become so removed from where and how the clothes we use are made. Building relationships with local vendors not only humanizes the industry, but ensures more ethical practices, supports the local creative community and improves economic vitality.
Avoid shopping from large online marketplaces and support local, independent shops. Buying directly from the makers or those who represent them maximizes the amount of value that stays within our communities. This even applies to second-hand marketplaces like Poshmark & DePop!
When purchasing new, invest in natural fibers (like cotton, linen & silk) that will last longer, can more easily be upcycled/downcycled, and are less likely to land in your local landfill.
Start budgeting for charitable donations. Transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle often includes cost savings. Consider donating those costs directly to local charities that you know and love.
Studies show that materialism can be tied to depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Center your time on nurturing community and your own life experiences.
3.) Nurture your Creativity—and change your relationship to style.
Fashion is a huge component of self-expression. With the amount of clothing items in circulation, creating a unique style for yourself is more possible than ever. But with the amount of new items in production, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by choice or feel pressured to adopt trends. Finding new ways to wear & style clothes is a great way to consume less, build your personal style and exercise your creativity.
Upcycling (also known as creative reuse) is the process of transitioning unwanted or useless items into something with an increased perceived value! Naturally dye or accessorize that stained top (maybe even at our Earth Day Upcycling event on 4/22). Another option is to down-cycle old t-shirts or towels into rags (goodbye paper towels!), household accessories and so much more.
When in doubt, you don’t have to throw it out. Remember that trends come in and out and that inspiration can strike at any time. Just because a piece isn’t working for you this season, doesn’t mean you have no future together. We’ve all regretted getting rid of something later on—maybe as much as we’ve regretted buying something.
If an item in your closet isn't getting worn, style it a different way. Dresses can be shirts, shirts can be skirts. Still don’t get it? Seek professional help. There are sustainability-minded stylists all around who are willing to help you reinvent your wardrobe. (“Your style gets better the more that you know your stuff.” — Sam, @Lotte.V1)
Remind yourself that shopping is not the only way to spend your time or be creative. Corporations realize that they can exploit our need to express our identities. If you remove yourself from this constant cycle of consumption, you give yourself time to seek out other creative outlets, such as pottery lessons, gardening, volunteering, baking, etc.
Although Spring is traditionally a time to reimagine and reinvigorate, these tips for nurturing your wardrobe can be applied year round. Different seasons simply mean different conditions under which to grow… and we love growth, baby!
Don’t feel like doing it alone?
GOOD girls ATX is an inclusive community built for you and the planet. Check out their events page or Instagram for upcoming clothing swaps and skills workshops.
On Clothes-Swapping, Eco-Feminism And Normalizing Sustainability: GOOD girls ATX
Marcella and Kara of GOOD girls ATX speak to the mission and vision behind their clothes-swapping pop-up series, as well as their ideas for nurturing our communities (and our home planet) year-round.
This Spring, we’re touching base with our members and friends around this season’s theme: NURTURE.
Today, we’re talking with Marcella and Kara of GOOD girls ATX on the mission and vision behind their clothes-swapping pop-up series, as well as their ideas for nurturing our communities (and our home planet) year-round.
Marcella. Courtesy of GOOD girls ATX
Kara. Courtesy of GOOD girls ATX
MEET MARCELLA AND KARA OF GOOD GIRLS ATX:
1.) Who are you and how would you describe what you do in your own words?
Marcella Bechtel: We are Marcella Bechtel and Kara Wright, founders of GOOD girls ATX. We are a community-driven organization dedicated to helping individuals build wardrobes that are GOOD for the planet and its people.
Kara Wright: We’re here to normalize sustainable lifestyle practices beginning with how we interact with the fashion industry. Our bread and butter is clothing swaps, but we’ve been trying out new concepts like skills workshops and the upcoming Earth Day Upcycling Party. At every event, we promise to be radically transparent, intentionally inclusive and data-driven.
2.) What prompted the start of GOOD girls ATX? Paint a picture of the last two years for us.
MB: Literally the night we met, Kara and I identified a mutual passion for sustainable fashion and knew we wanted to work together on something big, but we didn’t know what that was. In 2019, we threw our first clothing swap with friends in our backyard called “Good girls Wear Hand Me Downs”. Everyone who came got amazing clothes, but the sense of community and positive energy that was felt by every swapper was even more powerful.
KW: So we continued to throw clothing swaps for the next year, but each one got bigger with the help of friends in the community. In order to expand our educational component, demonstrate event impacts and reach more people, we decided to build a brand, website and Instagram account. Playing off the name of our first swap and recognizing the elements of ecofeminism in our mission, we started officially calling ourselves GOOD girls ATX in March 2021.
MB: Anybody can be a GOOD girl! Our Fall 2021 swap included male-identifying participants for the first time, and they’ve been with us ever since. All are welcome at GOOD girls ATX.
3.) What is GgATX hoping to nurture? In the community? In terms of our habits?
MB: GOOD girls ATX is hoping to nurture wardrobes, community, and identity. We provide tools to sustain wardrobes, because the best thing that anyone can do for the planet and its people is wear what is already owned. We love that GOOD girls ATX has brought together a community of like-minded individuals (consumers & vendors) that are interested in fashion & sustainability. Our vision is to nurture consumption habits to be hyper-local & consciousness. Fashion is a way to express oneself but not the only way to create an identity.
KW: We’re also trying to nurture a more empowered, hands-on relationship with material possessions. We want everyone in our community to not only imagine what is possible with their garments, but to have the skills and tools to transform it into something they love wearing. We’re talking about styling, repair, tailoring, dyeing, printing- all that fun stuff!
4.) If GgATX were a physical space, what would your dream HQ look like? What could people find?
MB: Our dream HQ would probably be a tiny house that is completely made out of reclaimed items & completely zero-waste. It would probably be very minimalist and centered around a large outdoor collaborative space.
KW: You’d absolutely see a sewing machine in or two. Our HQ would be a place that anyone could come to with a clothing item and leave with a solution whether that’s coaching them through repairing the item or exploring avenues for re-homing it.
MB: One of the biggest issues that we’ve run into is having so many leftovers from clothing swaps, so you’d definitely see some swap leftovers that we’re in the process of re-homing.
5.) With Earth Day coming up, conversations about the climate and our communities will uptick. What do you wish people would practice year-round when it comes to Earth Day?
MB: We’ve been seeing a lot of marketing for ‘shopping sustainably on Earth Day’ or ‘$1 Earth Day sales’. These messages are examples of greenwashing, which is when brands use marketing to influence consumers to purchase items perceived as ‘sustainable’. No matter what materials you’re purchasing, consumption affects the Earth in some way. If we could inspire people to practice something year-round, it would be conscious consumerism and re-homing. Only 15% of items make it onto the floor at donation centers, so it’s also important to avoid getting rid of items too quickly.
KW: And this is in no way limited to fashion… We use fashion as the basis to connect folks to the impacts of their behaviors, but shifting consumption habits universally is critical to restoring balance with the planet. We want communities to be mindful about how they consume everything—furniture, electronics, energy, buildings, food, data, content!
6.) What voices in sustainability, climate action and eco-culture, do you appreciate most? Why?
MB: Amanda McCarty, from @ClothesHorsePodcast. Her Austin-based podcast is fun but very educational and gives awesome insight into the fast fashion and cottage industries.
Sam Weir, lead stylist and founder of @Lotte.V1, has truly progressed our thinking when it comes to consumption habits. She used to be a celebrity stylist and now she’s using her skillset to help individuals get creative with their own closets. We’ve worked with her on a number of projects and anyone who was with us during our exploration of styling would definitely recognize her.
KW: I’m currently obsessed with @Clean_Creatives, a coalition of marketing, advertising and PR creatives who have taken a pledge to decline work from the fossil fuel industry and, in some cases, take a direct stand against it. They’re fighting the worst of the greenwashing Marcella was just talking about. One of my favorite things to remind people through GOOD girls ATX is that over 50% of the clothes produced globally are of synthetic materials aka FOSSIL FUELS.
7.) How do you nurture yourselves as creators? What does that look like on a daily or weekly basis?
MB: As creators, we’re constantly doing research on our own time to further our understanding of consumption psychology and textile innovation. Additionally, we’re both really into nurturing our own identities, whether that’s upcycling a wardrobe item, practicing yoga, riding bikes, hiking, camping, or just having conversation with like-minded individuals.
KW: We do spend a lot of time connecting to our bodies and nature. Entering a flow state lets our minds play and wander. It’s super normal for one of us to go on a solo bike ride and come back like “I just had the best idea for GOOD girls!”
8.) GOOD girls ATX in three emojis?
💚 green heart, 🤠 cowboy smiley, 💫 shooting stars
PS — You can also attend GOOD girls ATX’s Earth Day Upcycling Party at our headquarters.
On April 22, 2022, GOOD girls ATX is teaming up with Austin’s upcycling experts to throw an Earth Day Party that will nurture your creativity, your wardrobe, your community—and your home planet.
Hosted on the Future Front patio from 6:30 to 9 PM, drop by anytime to shop sustainably-made creations at the All Upcycled Pop-up Shop and help raise funds for others doing good in our community. With an advance ticket, you can also create one-of-a-kind pieces at the BYOGarment Upcycling Bar.
100% open-air and outdoors. Human-friendly. All are welcome. 👋
5 Wishes For Texas On Transgender Day Of Visibility
For Transgender Day of Visibility 2022, we took a moment to check in with some of Future Front’s creative collaborators in Austin, Texas.
For Transgender Day of Visibility 2022, we took a moment to check in with some of Future Front’s creative collaborators in Austin, Texas.
From musicians to writers to entrepreneurs, each of these creators have used their work to loudly and proudly show up themselves and trans folks in their communities.
Here are their five wishes for the future of Texas:
No. 1 — Ezra Edwards, DJ & Event Producer
Ezra (he/him) has been working as a DJ and an event producer in Austin, Texas since 2010. Currently, he spins under the monikers DJ Boyfriend and DJ Boi Orbison. Born and raised in Austin, he’s won the Austin Chronicle's Best DJ of Austin in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
No. 2 — La Morena, DJ & Hair Stylist
La Morena (she/her) makes her audience travel through a series of vibes in her eclectic DJ sets. Originally from Brownsville Texas, La Morena uses her heritage and personal experiences to educate her sets, always delivering a special mix between Cumbia, reggaetón, house, Latin hits and hip hop.
No. 3 — Eli and Ally, Entrepreneurs
Eli (he/him) and Ally (she/her) are the founders of Rise Market. Rise Market is a Queer-Trans POC and Woman Owned social commerce platform championing LGBTQIA2+ creators, entrepreneurs and advocates.
No. 4 — KB, Poet & Cultural Worker
KB Brookins (also known as KB) is a Black/queer/transmasculine poet, essayist, and cultural worker from Stop Six, Fort Worth, Texas. Their poems are published in American Poetry Review, Poetry Northwest, and elsewhere; their essays are published in Huffington Post, Teen Vogue, and other venues. KB is the author of How To Identify Yourself with a Wound (Kallisto Gaia Press, 2022), a chapbook selected by ire’ne laura silva as winner of the Saguaro Poetry Prize. They have received Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize nominations, along with fellowships from PEN America, Lambda Literary, and The Watering Hole among others.
KB’s cultural work spans six years. In that time, they founded and led two nonprofits (Interfaces and Embrace Austin). They have also contributed to many initiatives, such as Austin’s first LGBTQIA+ quality of life survey, inclusion of chosen names on the University of Texas at Austin diplomas, and serving as Project Lead for the Winter Storm Project.
KB’s debut full-length poetry collection, Freedom House (Deep Vellum Publishing, 2023) is forthcoming. Currently, they are an Artivism Fellow with Broadway Advocacy Coalition. KB is represented by Annie DeWitt at The Shipman Agency. They live in Austin, TX, where they are working on projects and trying their best. Follow them online at @earthtokb, and subscribe to their sporadic opinions/updates through Out of This World.
No. 5 — p1nkstar, Musician & Nightlife Curator
p1nkstar (she/her) creates a world far removed from this dimension's binaries through music and conceptual shows, merging hyperpop with neo-perreo and club. She has been described as “early Aughts Paris Hilton on Hello Kitty steroids” by The Austin Chronicle, who crowned her as their Pop Princess in 2020. Since 2016, p1nkstar has rapidly become an emblematic figure in the Texas arts and nightlife scenes by opening inclusive spaces that center the work of trans and queer artists. p1nkstar has received three Best of Austin awards for her space-making work in the city and most recently, became the first openly-trans person to receive an Austin Music Award in 2022.
What is Transgender Day of Visibility?
Celebrated globally, International Transgender Day of Visibility (also called TDOV, Transgender Day of Visibility) is an annual event occurring on March 31 dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society.