party etc etc
above? Rick Brettell and Rick Lowe check out entries for "Make Space for Art".
So here's the scoop. The jury met last weekend. We announce the winner of the architecture dealio tomorrow (or tonight? check out the timestamp - haha) at PanAmerican ArtProjects in the Design District. Party is 6-8pm at 1615 Dragon. After staying up all night last night and tonight laying out handouts and proofing copy, I'm ready for this thing to happen. Most excited about the awesome works of William Cannings on display during our party and the music of Escalator Maintenance Society - they played at my old gallery ages ago.... but this time in addition to the toy pianos, they have a toy drum kit and a stand up bass is somehow involved. Oh yeah, and then we announce the winner to our architecture ideas competition. Am I coherent? I'm really tired. Good-night!
Saturday, March 01, 2008 @ 12:34 AM La Reunion
whirlwind weekend
I'm so glad this weekend is over. Had Jessica and I known what we were getting into with this whole juried architecture business, we might have been too nervous to take it on. That being said, WHEW, this weekend is over and we have winners! We can't release names until the party on Saturday March 1 at PanAmerican ArtProjects.
Sitting in on the jury deliberations was very, very cool. I loved seeing the chemistry between professionals in various disciplines debate the artistic vision and architectural credibility of each of the entries. They were like a 5 pronged organism that moved together through each of the entries. Thought was given to each and every one and in the end and nice 2 hour discussion about the top 10 or so ensued. Pictures coming soon. For now, back to work.
In other news, it's my baby girl's birthday today! She's 9! CRAZY! Happy birthday Eva!
Monday, February 25, 2008 @ 09:19 AM La Reunion
winners announcement party
Mark yer calendars now. Winner's announcement for Make Space for Art on March 1 at PanAmerican ArtProjects. 1615 Dragon St in Dallas. 6-8pm. Lotsa work between now and then. Come one, come all. Music, booze, winner's announcement...
Monday, February 18, 2008 @ 09:15 PM La Reunion
told this story twice today. so it's on my mind.
A few weeks ago, Eva (8) and I were in the car and were talking about how in a world where people throw trash on the street and don't take care of the planet, we have a responsibility to be the change we want to see and set the example of what that looks like. We talked a little about what that might be and then after a long pause she says, "You know... I know a lot of bad things are going to happen after I'm an adult."
Yeah, so after my heart was done being broken and wondering why I had children in the first place, I thought Thank God I have a place to channel the angst I have over my daughter (and son) growing up in a world where as an adult she's going to have to deal with unfathomable things like a lack of clean water and air. Thank God I have La Reunion to throw myself into. I can't fix the world's problems, but I can be a part of an example solution.
I don't know about you, but I feel a responsibility to do something.
Monday, January 07, 2008 @ 07:51 PM La Reunion
make space for art
registration deadline is monday, dec 17 for make space for art. over 16 entries in the last 24 hours! we'll be over 100 total soon! remember, it's open to students, architects, and artists.
Sunday, December 16, 2007 @ 09:54 AM La Reunion
Make Space for Art jury announced
Last night at Murray Street Coffee, we had the jury announcement for 'Make Space for Art', our juried architecture exhibit we're hosting to generate ideas for the La Reunion TX facility which will eventually be built on 35 acres of donated land in Oak Cliff. The champagne poured and the crowd was dymanic. Marvelous time. Read all about the jurors here.
Friday, November 30, 2007 @ 08:43 AM La Reunion
what are we doing again?
I had a wonderful conversation the other day with a brilliant gal who asked me why I was doing La Reunion. A site visit and conversation with someone else yesterday yielded more for me. Hmmmm. Thought I'd speak to that publicly. My personal answer's simple: because I'm passionate about cultivating and sustaining artists and culture in my community. La Reunion isn't my first go with such an idea. After producing independent art shows for a few years, there was this gallery I formed in 2004 where emerging artists had space to present their ideas in all media. Then there was the community arts project I co-founded, steered and managed for a couple of years that connected local artists and businesses through a concept gallery with satellite locations all over Dallas. Most recently, there's the annual underground art event I co-founded that brings all walks of life - expected and unexpected - to reinvest in the local arts economy. La Reunion is the fourth verse of a song I've been singing for years. What started as a lovely kernel of an idea with my pal Catherine has quickly become larger than either one of us had imagined independent of one another.
As a serial social entrepreneur, I can speak about the failures as well as the successes. I know this for certain : An eye toward long-term sustainability is in the fore-front of my mind and it's what keeps me up at night - sustainability with the building, with the programs, with the staff, with the finances. How can La Reunion be an innovative and yet well-oiled machine with a solid business plan and a means to sustain itself long term? It's an invigorating conversation with lots going on in meetings, continuing education, miscellaneous websites and development behind the scenes. Having an idea and doing a little planning is one thing. Execution is another. Stay tuned folks.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007 @ 07:06 PM La Reunion
make space for art
After only one month of launching Make Space for Art, La Reunion TX already has three official international registrations and a whole passle of stateside entries. We are about to annouce the jury and do one last push before registrations are due December 17. Entries of course aren't due until January 31. It is amazing to me how people from around the world are interested and hungry for an exciting architectural project such as this one. The international attention gives me sustaining confidence that we are progressing forward with a profound project that has the potential to truly inspire the world on a number of levels. Through the live/work space and its architecture. Through the awesome programs we have developed over the last year. Through the innovative ways we are looking to sustain ourselves over the long-haul. LRTX is the ultimate challenge (both to those creating it and to the community) as it is simultaneously the ultimate dream project. I'm honored to be the director.
Monday, October 22, 2007 @ 08:31 AM La Reunion
trees
wow. yesterday i met with a couple of local artists named kevin obregon and brad ford smith who are going to spearhead the tree carving at the la reunion land later this winter. that's where unhealthy and non-native trees have been tagged by preservation tree and approved by the city of dallas for banding - a technique where the bark is hacked off one handswidth around the trunk of the tree, thus inhibiting growth and slowly killing the tree from the inside out. the dying tree becomes a feast for insects and birds and restores a more balanced ecosystem.
we trekked around a bit and talked about various artistic visions. the most final version we have will most likely be altered somewhat before we execute the idea in january, but i'm already really, really excited. it's going to take a couple of clean-up days in advance to get the site ready, but once artists are lined up and we pick a date - wow-oh-wow. you'll want to be there to check it out.
Sunday, September 23, 2007 @ 09:20 AM La Reunion
social artists. there's a paper to be written out of all this.
ah. i love my friends. beaming proud to know people unafraid to ACT. as my pal catherine and i have often joked about our own wee project: if we'd know it was all going to go this fast, we'd have started sooner or been to chicken to start!
"hey! i wonder what would happen if we....." it's kindof like pushin' paint. but real-life-monopoly style. and with people. and gatherings. it's like what the bird used to say "create your local art scene." there's so much brewing in our little neck of the woods.... :)
Thursday, June 21, 2007 @ 01:44 PM La Reunion
Thursday 6/14 Tour at the Crow Collection
check it out. i can't wait to experience these for myself. If you want to attend, rsvp to sarah@LaReunionTX.org.
Saturday, June 09, 2007 @ 12:54 PM La Reunion
LOOONG WEEKEND OF FUN!
La Reunion celebrates one year of awesomeness with a party
on Saturday, April 28. 7PM-11PM.
Sons of Hermann Hall
3414 Elm Street
Dallas 75226
Seriously folks. We have breakdancing by Diverse Soulz.
Salsa dance lessons and a live performance by the Dallas Latin All-Stars.
Music improv by Paul Slavens.
Complimentary chips and salsa from Crosby Catering and Cafe.
Super-mega cool door prizes from Pandemonium, MAKE, Viking, Green Living, From the Ends of the Earth, and Petropolitan!
~ONLY $10!~
"wait, what?" you said. "$10!?"
After the party? We're glad you asked.
For $15 more, shuttle over to the DMA for a backwards, late-night private tour
of Fast Forward (we're calling it Rewound)
led by Susan Cuellar - long time docent of the DMA
and mom to LRTX board prez Catherine Cuellar.
Includes transportation to/from the museum, the private tour and museum admission.
If you can't come to the party on Saturday night, please consider the lecture on Sunday!
Sunday, April 29 at 1PM
Free with museum admission.
From the DMA website:
"The Citizens of La Reunion featuring Dr. Rosemary Rumbley
1:00–1:40 p.m., Orientation Theater, Dallas Museum of Art
Join Dr. Rosemary Rumbley as she explores the history of La Reunion in Dallas."
Me? I look forward to tomorrow at 2PM. :)
Saturday, April 28, 2007 @ 12:17 PM La Reunion
La Reunion activities this weekend
April 21, 10:30AM-2:30PM – How Important Are We: Dallas / Fort Worth: The Next New York City? DADA presents two panel discussions (10:30AM-noon and 1-2:30PM) for the public on how curators, directors and art critics answer this question. La Reunion is a community partner is this presentation with board president Catherine Cuellar as moderator for the morning panel. Admission will be $30 for two panels or $20 for one panel. (Students with IDs may enter at $10 per panel). Proceeds will benefit the Edith Baker Art Scholarship Fund.
Latino Cultural Center
2600 Live Oak (at Good-Latimer)
Dallas, Texas 75204
April 22, 11AM-5PM – Oak Cliff Earth Day in Lake Cliff Park. Join state and local environmental, conservation, and wildlife groups, garden clubs, "green" businesses, city departments, state agencies, cycling, running, and hiking clubs, schools, and arts groups. Help make Oak Cliff's celebration of Earth Day (April 22nd) one of the largest in the State of Texas. DonateIT will be on hand to accept your used computer equipment. BRING IT ON!! www.oakcliffearthday.com FREE
Lake Cliff Park
Zang at Colorado Boulevards
Dallas, Texas 75203
Friday, April 20, 2007 @ 09:45 PM La Reunion
april is la reunion month!
something for everyone. yo. www.LaReunionTX.org
April 14, 11AM-5PM – Scriptwriting for Graphic Novels at the MAC. Ever want to know the finer points of writing a comic book? How to deal with that script once it’s turned over to an illustrator? How do these same collaborative issues affect playwrights and screen writers? $20 in advance or $25 at the door – includes lunch. Email sarah@LaReunionTX.org Space still available! YAY!
McKinney Avenue Contemporary
3120 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75204
214-953-1212
April 21, 10:30AM-2:30PM – How Important Are We: Dallas / Fort Worth: The Next New York City? DADA presents two panel discussions (10:30AM-noon and 1-2:30PM) for the public on how curators, directors and art critics answer this question. La Reunion is a community partner is this presentation. Admission will be $30 for two panels or $20 for one panel. (Students with IDs may enter at $10 per panel). Proceeds will benefit the Edith Baker Art Scholarship Fund. Lunch will be available for sale at the site. Call 214-943-1099 to register and reserve a lunch.
Latino Cultural Center
2600 Live Oak (at Good-Latimer)
Dallas, Texas 75204
April 22, 11AM-5PM – Oak Cliff Earth Day in Lake Cliff Park. Join state and local environmental, conservation, and wildlife groups, garden clubs, "green" businesses, city departments, state agencies, cycling, running, and hiking clubs, schools, and arts groups. Help make Oak Cliff's celebration of Earth Day (April 22nd) one of the largest in the State of Texas. www.oakcliffearthday.com FREE
Lake Cliff Park
Zang at Colorado Boulevards
Dallas, Texas 75203
April 28, 6PM-11PM – La Reunion Birthday Party at Sons of Hermann Hall.
Chips & salsa from Crosby Café & Catering, door prizes from MAKE, Petropolitan, Pandemonium, Green Living, and From the Ends of the Earth; performances by Paul Slavens (a music/improv hybrid), Diverse Soulz Breakdancers, Dallas Latin All-Stars (featuring alumni from the Booker T. Washington Latin Jazz Ensemble and UNT One O'Clock Lab Band. Dance lessons! $10 admission. For $15 more, shuttle to the DMA for a special late-night tour... keep reading!
Sons of Hermann Hall
3414 Elm Street
Dallas, Texas 75226
214-747-4422
April 29, 12AM-1:30AM – After the Sons party, shuttle over for a late-night tour of Fast Forward (backwards) at the DMA, led by Susan Cuellar, a longtime docent and mom to president of the LRTX board, Catherine Cuellar. $15 (includes museum admission for the DMA Late-Night regular activities. payable at the Sons event.)
April 29, 1PM – La Reunion lecture at the DMA in the Orientation Theatre. Rose-Mary Rumbley leads a discussion of the lasting cultural impact this French colony has had on the formation of Dallas. Free with regular museum admission.
Dallas Museum of Art
1717 North Harwood Street
Dallas, Texas 75201
214-954-0234
Wednesday, April 04, 2007 @ 05:00 PM La Reunion
the belmont show
WOW. i put out a call for entries about 2 weeks ago for this belmont show called 'art with a view - la reunion in the oc'. not the greatest title ever, but one gets the idea.
it's fairly phenomenal how many entries i've received. and they're AMAZING. really. i'm astonished at the research and interest in an obscure utopian colony that settled in dallas 150 years ago. circle the date: wednesday, january 24. 7-10pm at the belmont hotel. we jury the entries on saturday, just a few days before the opening. good luck to all who have submitted. the exhibit will be up through mid-march.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 @ 12:20 AM La Reunion
art conspiracy
it's over. and i've been mulling for 2 days what my response is and what it should be. they're really the same, i guess. i'm finally rested and fed and sortof back to normal. rather than giving a blow by blow of how thursday and friday went, i'd rather comment on my favorite parts of art conspiracy.
i love when people get together and make art or music. asking an artist for an old/unsold piece of inventory and have a silent auction is one thing.... asking them to come to a random space with crappy lighting in the cold and create a piece in a mere 2.5-3 hours in front of other artists is another altogether.
asking an artist to suspend their belief about what the 'market value' of their work is and simply donate their time and skill for the betterment of the community is an example of generosity on the artist's part. allowing the general population to buy one of these pieces at a virtually unheard of price is revolutionary. and totally what it's all about. anyone can afford orginal art at art conspiracy. anyone.
i love that art conspiracy isn't entirely about the money and yet it's a fundraiser. tons of people have suggested ways to make more money on the art. and that's appreciated, of course. however, that kindof defeats magic of the conspiracy, now doesn't it? it's ok that an awesome piece sells for $20. it really is! and it's equally awesome when people bid up several hundred dollars against each other. the paradox is profound and an artful communication in itself.
i'm pleased with this year and wondering how the hell art con III will top it next year. i guess i don't have too much else to say except i love dallas and think this is totally where it's at. i adore all the bands that played and the artists that participated. i'm grateful for my friends who do this with me and love it that they 'get it' too. i'm entirely committed to la reunion and am looking forward to making it happen over the next couple of years. art con II is making that a reality right now. yay!
Sunday, December 03, 2006 @ 03:19 PM La Reunion
ART CON II
The Art Conspiracy at the Longhorn Ballroom
150 artists // 5 bands // 1 very large fiberglass longhorn
On November 30, 2006, one-hundred fifty+ artists will descend upon
the legendary Longhorn Ballroom, located at 216 Corinth @ Industrial
to create one-of-a-kind artworks, all based upon 18inx18in plywood squares.
~On Friday, December 1, 2006 at 7:00PM, the doors finally open to the public~.
$10.00 per person admission at the door.
~Art for sale between band sets by donation system only~
Minimum $20.00 requested donation for artwork. Cash or check only.
Mediators available to handle on-the-spot auctions and drama.
Live music provided by
The Happy Bullets
Spitfire Tumbleweeds
Peter Schmidt and His Gentleman Scholars
Fishboy
Salim Nourallah
between sets and before the show: John Holiday and Dj Stephen R!!
video installation by Edward Ruiz, Robert Moreno, Robert McCollum, and Kris Youmans
Free, secure parking available and most importantly,
All proceeds will be donated to the La Reunion, a non-profit artist residency program forming in Oak Cliff.
see you there?!
Jason Roberts
Andrea Roberts
Cari Weinberg
Tim Ruble
Shea Wood
Courtney Miles
Josh McKibben
Rhett Jones
Sarah Jane Semrad
www.artconspiracy.org
*awesome painting above by cathey miller*
Thursday, November 30, 2006 @ 09:56 AM La Reunion
the official pr by cari.
Art Conspiracy Rides Again
Dallas Artists and Musicians Will Once Again Conspire for Charity Using a Groundbreaking Format
November 3, 2006, DALLAS, TX – The Sex Pistols made punk rock history there. Jack Ruby once owned it. Bob Wills yodeled and fiddled on stage there. And the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas will once again make history when it hosts the 2nd Annual Art Conspiracy next month.
At 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 1, more than 150 artists will have their work auctioned off in the historic Longhorn Ballroom. The musical lineup will feature five bands including The Happy Bullets, Fishboy, Salim Nourallah, and Peter Schmidt and His Gentlemen Scholars.
The Art Conspiracy is unique because all involved artists do their work on-site. The day before the event, artists will come to the Longhorn Ballroom where they will be issued a piece of wooden canvas. The artists will work in shifts to fill in as many canvases as possible in a 24-hour period. Starting bids for all pieces will be $20.
"It's not just an artifact that people are buying when they come to Art Conspiracy and contribute,” says Sarah Jane Semrad, Artist Coordinator, Art Conspiracy. “ They're really buying a piece of process...of a happening."
Last year’s event marked the first time an event of this scope had ever taken place in Dallas. It attracted over 850 attendees ranging from first time art buyers to serious collectors, casual music listeners to diehard fans. This year the Art Conspiracy will continue to spotlight historic, but under-utilized Dallas venues.
"The buildings we use tell their own incredible stories along with the art and music,” explains Jason Roberts, Music Coordinator, Art Conspiracy. “I think all of us have gotten the chills from throwing the cobwebbed lights back on to these old dusty floors and imagining all of the great performances once hosted here."
This year’s Art Conspiracy will benefit La Reunion, a Dallas-based artist residency. The future home of La Reunion will be located on 32 wooded acres in Oak Cliff. When completed, La Reunion will provide housing and studio space to artists and gallery and performance spaces that will be open to the public. In addition, the structure will be built with sustainable materials and renewable energy sources.
Art Conspiracy organizers, musicians, and artists are available for interviews. For more information and/or Art Conspiracy artwork, please contact Sarah Jane Semrad or Jason Roberts.
Art Conspiracy Details:
Date: 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 1
Location: The Longhorn Ballroom, 216 Corinth, Dallas, TX 75207
Participants: 150 Dallas Artists, 5 Bands, 1 Very large fiberglass longhorn
Admission: $10
Benefiting: La Reunion, a Dallas artist residency located in Oak Cliff
Friday, November 03, 2006 @ 07:43 PM La Reunion
La Reunion in Cliff Dweller
A Permanent Home for Art – and Artists – in Oak Cliff
If art is the soul of a community, Oak Cliff’s fledgling La Reunion artist residency project is poised to become a leading source of inspiration and sustenance for that soul.
KERA reporter Catherine Cuellar, president of La Reunion, kicked off the artist residency project in January 2006 alongside executive director and art photographer, Sarah Jane Semrad. Ten months later, both are hard at work, realizing their dream of creating a permanent place in Dallas for artists from around the world to live and work, interact with the local community, and stimulate follow-on artistic and creative endeavors.
Something Old, Something New
Semrad and Cuellar, both Cliff dwellers, plan for La Reunion to become part of the nationwide Alliance of Artists Communities network, offering a unique focus on the conversation between traditional media (paintings and sculpture, for example) and new media (things like digital video and music that people can access via cell phones, PDAs or other electronic devices). Artpace San Antonio is Texas’ only existing Alliance program thus far. And, while La Reunion will share Artpace’s commitment to hosting artists and fulfilling community obligations, the Oak Cliff facility program is being designed from the ground up to be more accessible to a wider variety of participants, inviting applications from local, national and international artists rather than hand-picking potential residents.
Thus far, the two have been wildly successful, already securing the donation of 35 acres of land along West Jefferson, next to Chalk Hill Trail and across the street from the Dallas National Golf Club. “I approached Sarah Jane with the idea of creating an artist residency program, and she was immediately on board,” Cuellar states. “By May she had already secured the land, and by July we had our first volunteer party to clear the property.”
They’ve filed La Reunion’s 501 (c) (3) paperwork seeking non-profit status with the IRS, and are actively recruiting business and community leaders to serve on the program’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board. They were also able to raise the funds needed to cover the fee for filing for nonprofit status with the IRS.
Welcome Addition
La Reunion has also been busy forging alliances within the local art community, garnering the support of organizations like Oak Cliff’s Ice House Cultural Center, Arte Oak Cliff, and Art Conspiracy, the annual benefit concert-and-art-exhibition event at the Texas Theatre that’s rapidly become a fixture on the Oak Cliff holiday scene.
Things don’t appear to be slowing down for La Reunion anytime soon. Cuellar and Semrad have recruited a building committee of advisors and directors who are brainstorming ideas for both the project’s facilities and ways to fund the costs of its design and construction, which are expected to run about $500,000. The two hope to build residences and facilities comprising at least two studios – one for new media and one for traditional media.
Fundraising efforts for the artist residency program are pressing forward as well, with this year’s Art Conspiracy at the Longhorn Ballroom benefiting La Reunion. “It’s crazy,” Cuellar says. “I’m not sure things could go any faster if we wanted them to.”
Favorite color:
Green. La Reunion needs $500,000 to construct two artist residences and a central “living room” exhibition space. The facility is also being designed from the ground up as a “green” space, making the most – and taking the best care – of its wooded location.
Favorite history lesson:
“We named the project La Reunion after the French utopians who established a colony in the 1850s along the banks of the Trinity River, just west of what is now downtown Dallas,” explains Cuellar. “It’s the perfect name for celebrating the arts in Dallas and Oak Cliff.”
Favorite place in the Cliff:
The non-profit’s newly secured, 35-acre tract along West Jefferson, by Chalk Hill Trail.
Deepest secret:
The family who donated the land. “They’ve asked to remain anonymous, and we’re strictly observing that request,” Cuellar says. “Suffice it to say, they’re extremely generous. We can’t thank them enough.”
Next big thing:
Art Conspiracy, at the Longhorn Ballroom, Dec. 1, 7 p.m. Proceeds of the event, which will feature five local bands and the work of more than 100 artists, will benefit La Reunion.
by Melody Townsel
Friday, October 13, 2006 @ 04:15 PM La Reunion
art conspiracy details coming together
holy schmoley. it's confirmed. art conspiracy lives again at the historic longhorn ballroom on friday, december 1. bands still tba. suffice it to say, we're thrilled.
the space is amazing with a kitch factor that's sky high. see you there.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006 @ 06:20 PM La Reunion
geek out with me?
Thursday, Sept. 28, 8pm – "Collecting and Collectivity: The Enigmatic Dialectic of Dallas"
La Reunion advisor Charissa Terranova will discuss the history of the La Reunion settled in Dallas over 150 years ago. She places the colony in the greater history of community formation and art collecting in the city. In particular she will highlight the philosophical teachings of Fourier and the history of the original La Reunion colony as it is an early example of "collectivity" here in Dallas. Terranova holds a Ph.D. in architectural history and theory from Harvard and is currently a local art critic and assistant professor of art history at SMU. Admission is free.
Organic, fair trade, shade grown, locally micro-roasted coffee and dessert provided by vegetarian and vegan specialists Crosby Cafe & Catering.
Santa Clara Catholic Church
321 Calumet Ave, Dallas, Texas 75211
Wednesday, September 27, 2006 @ 08:39 PM La Reunion
advisory board meeting
Tuesday, September 26, 2006 @ 10:43 AM La Reunion
green is sexy
so, i picked up the new issue of Dwell Magazine the other day at Wholier-than-thou-Foods because i was lured by the 'green goes mainstream' cover story. having been what i would call green for many, many years now, i wanted to see what this meant in the context of such a foxy looking design magazine.
after reading it from cover to cover, my conlusion is to say 'yay!' to everyone jumping on the green band wagon. there are a few sustainable communities going up around dallas: one near royal lane, one in the cedars, and one in denton (i'll accumulate links later). probably more. everyone has a hybrid car, it seems, and most folks i know are installing compact fluorescent light bulbs faster than you can say 'al gore'.
here's the scoop with me: i'm no hippy-granola-eating-militant. i'm a mama. and the thought of my babies growing up thinking they can have WHAT they want WHEN they want at the expense of not only our planet, but those in lower socio-economic groups keeps me up at night. i awaken from terrible dreams where there's not enough water and it's too hot to think. when i look at the sky and see the long white lines and watch all the geek-out pbs science shows and really think about what we're eating and where it came from, i start to totally freak out. fortunately, la reunion is helping me focus some of that panic into something productive. i get to channel my angst with something i love: art and artists.
Saturday, August 12, 2006 @ 07:41 PM La Reunion
La Reunion press
Dallas Morning News article.
and a quick time video on www.LaReunionTX.org.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006 @ 10:34 PM La Reunion
residency visit
our vacation wasn't all play even though *gasp* i did leave my computer home and only took a couple of calls. on our way home, well, not exactly on our way, we stopped off in the delightful little town of eureka springs, arkansas and checked out the writer's colony, a residency program devoted to writers and composers. sharon and jane took a great deal of time out of their day to tell me all about their programming and share with me the clever collaboration with corporate america for various aspects of their brick and mortar costs. they feature a state of the art sponsored kitchen (above) for cookbook writers! it's bizarre but it works and is invaluable to their programming.
inspired about la reunion? oh yeah.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006 @ 10:24 PM La Reunion
cleanp-up @ la reunion
so, i can't stop thinking about what happened yesterday. 30 or so folks showed up at La Reunion and worked in the 95 degree heat to pick up junk: tires, shingles, bottles, even kitchen sinks. not one person ever complained. not one person got hurt. everyone smiled and laughed it off when the wheelbarrow broke. good friends and total strangers 'got it' yesterday. it's my hope that what happened yesterday becomes infectous because that's what will help us through the long uphill with creating something out of nothing. this dream for dallas is catching on. thank you to all who made it yesterday and to those who sent their well-wishes from afar.
kevin nash was on hand to shoot some footage for a promo piece and the talented erica felicella was there to shoot stills. i shot not one single picture all day! so, i'll post a few once erica uploads tham onto flickr.
Sunday, July 16, 2006 @ 09:08 AM La Reunion
clean-up at la reunion is tomorrow
oh, the laundry list of things i had planned tonight. but i'm resting for the la reunion community clean-up day. 40+ folks are coming and i figure it's going to be super hot, so i'm staying in. sooo worth it, although i kinda wanted that obligatory shot of myself and wayne/michelle with michelle's work. alas.
Friday, July 14, 2006 @ 10:40 PM La Reunion
oh blessed day: it's in the mail
catherine and i mailed the irs docs today. it's done and la reunion is officially pending as a non-profit. what a relief! to celebrate, we went to the brand-spanking new W hotel for a celebratory sunday afternoon cocktail. four words: it is really nice.
in other news, paul's band played over the weekend at the cavern:
they're goofy, but fun to watch play.
Sunday, June 25, 2006 @ 05:59 PM La Reunion
la reunion - more of the story
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so prom. yes, it was a fun party and we did raise enough to file our 501(c)3 papers. yay! again, more pictures on flickr. and more coming, as well as the yearbooks once all the pictures are assimilated. thanks for coming to the party, everyone! i'm so appreciative of everyone who helped pull the event off. pictured above are the three confirmed board members thus far. the beautiful allison graham with viginia cook realtors and the super awesome arts PR gal lisa taylor. and of course my dear friend and girl reporter, catherine cuellar.
more about the la reunion project. thanks to a generous donation and weird twists of serendipity, we have a 32 acre property in oak cliff we can use to house the residency program for many years to come. it needs a lot of work but we can really feel like we can take ownership of some ideas because we have access to the property for so long.
yesterday we paid a visit to show some friends and start some ideas cooking:
there are babbling brooks, wild roses, and lotsa poison ivy. pictured are catherine and jason woelfel. (photographer at prom)
a chunk of the old dallas interurban rail line runs through one edge of the property. it's lovely.
of course no trip would be complete without a little excitement, which came in the form of a flat tire. here, nicole gives us a peak at her super cute boyfriend scott's undies.
blessed. blessed. and under obligation. got it. incredibly exciting. all of this.
Monday, May 08, 2006 @ 10:28 AM La Reunion
prom
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La Reunion prom rocked. i'm soooo tired. more later. tons more pics here.
Sunday, May 07, 2006 @ 05:33 PM La Reunion
La Reunion - where life and art unite
so i'm just going to start slipping this in here. little by little. info about the new project i'm up to can be found here: www.LaReunionTX.org. the best part? we have a location as of yesterday. and it's so much better than we originally imagined. details at the prom on may 6 at sons of hermann hall. please email me if you didn't get an invite and you're intrigued. i'll be sure to add you.
