Why are we doing this again?

Name's Sarah Jane and I'm the director of this organization. I had a wonderful conversation the other day with a brilliant gal who asked me why I was doing La Reunion. 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 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 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.

Make Space for Art Updates!

WOW. We interest and/or registrations from Korea, Vietnam, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Canada, Harvard, California, New York, Slovak Republic, Egypt, and of course LOTS of local inquiries. Keep it coming folks. Deadline to register is December 17, 2007. Deadline for submissions is January 31, 2008. Contact Jessica Stewart at jessica@LaReunionTX.org if you have questions about Make Space for Art. Many exciting annoucements to come in the next few weeks - including the jury!

Inspiration

A couple days ago, La Reunion TX board member Jessica Stewart and I (Sarah Jane) met with the Erika Huddleston - Marketing Coordinator for The Trinity Trust at Murray Street Coffee (one of our favorite places to meet). We began sharing about our organizations and what they mean to Dallas as a whole and the timelines we are both working with. Although La Reunion TX isn't involved in any part of the Trinity River Project, we wanted to know more about this proposed parks and roads system as residents in a part of town that will be profoundly impacted by the vote on November 6, 2007. Please check out their website to read about all of their exciting developments. And either way - if you are local, go vote!