La Reunion was recently pledged $4800 by 8 generous donors. Please consider making a gift to this worthwhile project. Click here for a pdf of our Frequently Asked Questions to check out the amazing programming we have coming up the Fall.
Donations can be made via paypal to donate@LaReunionTX.org and checks can be mailed to La Reunion, 4848 Lemmon Avenue #100-117, Dallas 75219. Remember all donations are tax deductable.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Friday, June 08, 2007
Upcoming Event: Biological Livelihood of Mechanical Creatures Explored!
When we heard about the exhibit U-Ram Choe : New Media from Seoul opening in June at the fabulous Crow Collection of Asian Art, we knew this was a great opportunity to have some fun! Join us as we explore U-Ram Choe’s fanciful metal and plastic sculptures that pull us into conversation about aesthetics, machinery, and biological transformation. La Reunion supporters and newsletter subscribers are invited to a complimentary champagne tour of the new exhibit led by Crow Collection Director Amy Hofland. Sweet!
THURSDAY, June 14, 6pm – 7pm.
Complimentary champagne will be served.
RSVP to sarah@LaReunionTX.org
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Model Students
Feast your eyes on these photographs by Dominick Mastrangelo featuring the work of first year architecture students at University of Texas at Arlington. Big thanks to UTA professor and Oak Cliff dweller Danielle Langston for giving her students time to work on our project. More images and narratives by the students about their work will be on our website as soon as they're available.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
What a month!
Everyone who has celebrated La Reunion month was amazed by something. It's been our most ambitious programming effort, but also most representative of all that La Reunion TX is and will continue to be. Truly something for everyone. And we're not finished! Today you can learn about the history of the original La Reunion colonists who were so influential on Texas and Dallas in general and Oak Cliff in particular at the DMA. Tomorrow local architecture students will present their semester final projects – ideas for studios and artist housing at our site. Also tomorrow we find out if we've received funds from the Dallas Women's Foundation for Art Chicas Unidas.
Our first birthday celebration last night was far and away the most inclusive event we've hosted - from the ages of those in attendance (newborn infants through retirees) to the type of arts we featured – salsa performance and dance instruction; culinary; improv; breakdancing; and do-it-yourself shrinky-dinks. The historic Sons of Hermann Hall was once again our venue thanks to its lovely president Jo Nicodemus. A wonderful time was had by all because of help from outstanding volunteers – event coordinator Michael Hogenmiller; doormen Paul Semrad, Alvaro Garza, and Vance Wingate; door prize wrangler Leah Shafer; shrinky-dink activity leader Jessica Stewart; photographer Dominick Mastrangelo; set up aide Brad Ford Smith; and midnight tour guide Susan Cuellar (aka my mom)! Thanks again to sponsors Viking, Petropolitan, MAKE, From The Ends of the Earth, Green Living, Pandemonium, Crosby Catering and Coffee, and the Ballen family (founders of the LaFonda Hotel in Santa Fe, NM).
Extra special love to everyone who attended our events all month long, and we look forward to continuing our growth and positive impact on Dallas for years to come!
Our first birthday celebration last night was far and away the most inclusive event we've hosted - from the ages of those in attendance (newborn infants through retirees) to the type of arts we featured – salsa performance and dance instruction; culinary; improv; breakdancing; and do-it-yourself shrinky-dinks. The historic Sons of Hermann Hall was once again our venue thanks to its lovely president Jo Nicodemus. A wonderful time was had by all because of help from outstanding volunteers – event coordinator Michael Hogenmiller; doormen Paul Semrad, Alvaro Garza, and Vance Wingate; door prize wrangler Leah Shafer; shrinky-dink activity leader Jessica Stewart; photographer Dominick Mastrangelo; set up aide Brad Ford Smith; and midnight tour guide Susan Cuellar (aka my mom)! Thanks again to sponsors Viking, Petropolitan, MAKE, From The Ends of the Earth, Green Living, Pandemonium, Crosby Catering and Coffee, and the Ballen family (founders of the LaFonda Hotel in Santa Fe, NM).
Extra special love to everyone who attended our events all month long, and we look forward to continuing our growth and positive impact on Dallas for years to come!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Free workshop helps fund films
Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund Workshop: Dallas Filmmaker Grants
Wednesday April 25, 2007
7PM to 8:30 PM
Magnolia Lounge
1121 First Ave
Dallas, Texas 75226
(in Fair Park next to the African Museum and the Music Hall)
Workshop is FREE!
Call 214 428 8700 for more info.
The Austin Film Society's Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund (TFPF) has a ten-year history of supporting Texas filmmakers with cash, goods and services - $675,000 for 222 film and video projects at last count. TFPF recipients have shown their films at festivals like Sundance, Cannes and Toronto and have been nominated for Independent Spirit Awards. This year, TFPF will award $150,000 to Texas filmmakers working in all genres of film and video.
The Austin Film Society's Director of Artist Services Bryan Poyser will be joined by Dallas filmmaker David Lowery (whose short film THE OUTLAW SON received a TFPF grant in 2005), to take you through the application process step-by-step.
Presented in partnership with the Video Association of Dallas.
For more information about TFPF, please visit
www.austinfilm.org/for_filmmakers/texas-filmmakers-production-fund
Wednesday April 25, 2007
7PM to 8:30 PM
Magnolia Lounge
1121 First Ave
Dallas, Texas 75226
(in Fair Park next to the African Museum and the Music Hall)
Workshop is FREE!
Call 214 428 8700 for more info.
The Austin Film Society's Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund (TFPF) has a ten-year history of supporting Texas filmmakers with cash, goods and services - $675,000 for 222 film and video projects at last count. TFPF recipients have shown their films at festivals like Sundance, Cannes and Toronto and have been nominated for Independent Spirit Awards. This year, TFPF will award $150,000 to Texas filmmakers working in all genres of film and video.
The Austin Film Society's Director of Artist Services Bryan Poyser will be joined by Dallas filmmaker David Lowery (whose short film THE OUTLAW SON received a TFPF grant in 2005), to take you through the application process step-by-step.
Presented in partnership with the Video Association of Dallas.
For more information about TFPF, please visit
www.austinfilm.org/for_filmmakers/texas-filmmakers-production-fund
Monday, March 05, 2007
VOTE FOR US ON REZOOM.COM!
We have a great opportunity to win two awards totaling $105,000 for La Reunion, but it will require everyone's help for the next thirty days. We are enlisting your support in an exciting awards program presented by ReZoom.com, entitled A Better World. In total, ReZoom.com is awarding over $200,000 to more than 20 charitable organizations. We are already nominated for the Regional Awards. Regional award winners will each receive a $5,000, and then we will qualify for the $100,000 National Award!Please go to http://www.rezoom.com/ every day between March 1 and March 31 and cast a vote for us.Your participation is easy!
With just a few clicks, you can help us create a better world. Go to http://www.rezoom.com/
Click on the "A Better World" symbol on the right hand side of the website.
Click on the big orange "VOTE BUTTON"
Find us on the charity search map
Follow the instructions to register and enter your vote
You can cast a vote for us every day and ask your friends to vote too!
With your help we have a great chance to win a regional award. If this happens, we will notify you and let you know when the National period begins.We can show the country just how active our supporters are! Please forward this letter to your email lists of friends and family. Just think, for every 100 of you that send this message to 10 friends, who then send it to 10 friends - we will receive 10,000 votes...a day!! With your help - we can do it.
We have a great opportunity to win two awards totaling $105,000 for La Reunion, but it will require everyone's help for the next thirty days. We are enlisting your support in an exciting awards program presented by ReZoom.com, entitled A Better World. In total, ReZoom.com is awarding over $200,000 to more than 20 charitable organizations. We are already nominated for the Regional Awards. Regional award winners will each receive a $5,000, and then we will qualify for the $100,000 National Award!Please go to http://www.rezoom.com/ every day between March 1 and March 31 and cast a vote for us.Your participation is easy!
With just a few clicks, you can help us create a better world. Go to http://www.rezoom.com/
Click on the "A Better World" symbol on the right hand side of the website.
Click on the big orange "VOTE BUTTON"
Find us on the charity search map
Follow the instructions to register and enter your vote
You can cast a vote for us every day and ask your friends to vote too!
With your help we have a great chance to win a regional award. If this happens, we will notify you and let you know when the National period begins.We can show the country just how active our supporters are! Please forward this letter to your email lists of friends and family. Just think, for every 100 of you that send this message to 10 friends, who then send it to 10 friends - we will receive 10,000 votes...a day!! With your help - we can do it.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
april calendar of events. something for everyone.
April 3, 6:30PM-8:00PM – Kick-off dinner at Tin Star. 20% of dinner sales benefit La Reunion.
Uptown Tin Star
2626 Howell Street, #100
Dallas, Texas 75204
214-999-0059
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
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 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.
Confirmations thus far include organic fair trade coffee and chips & salsa from Crosby Café & Catering, door prizes from MAKE, Pandemonium, Green Living, and From the Ends of the Earth, Paul Slavens' Texclectic Unsemble (a rock/improv hybrid), jazz by the John Holiday Band, and the Booker T. Washington Latin Jazz Ensemble. Break dancers, mariachis, and dance lessons in the works. More details coming! $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
The original La Reunion colonists arrived in Dallas from Europe in 1855 on April 22, which is now celebrated as Earth Day. This April the newly-formed La Reunion TX celebrates its first anniversary in Oak Cliff. Thanks for making it a great year - hopefully the first of many!
Uptown Tin Star
2626 Howell Street, #100
Dallas, Texas 75204
214-999-0059
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
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 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.
Confirmations thus far include organic fair trade coffee and chips & salsa from Crosby Café & Catering, door prizes from MAKE, Pandemonium, Green Living, and From the Ends of the Earth, Paul Slavens' Texclectic Unsemble (a rock/improv hybrid), jazz by the John Holiday Band, and the Booker T. Washington Latin Jazz Ensemble. Break dancers, mariachis, and dance lessons in the works. More details coming! $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
The original La Reunion colonists arrived in Dallas from Europe in 1855 on April 22, which is now celebrated as Earth Day. This April the newly-formed La Reunion TX celebrates its first anniversary in Oak Cliff. Thanks for making it a great year - hopefully the first of many!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Is it the end of January already?
It is. Wow. Thanks to a chance meeting at a winter cocktail party with the delightful code enforcement officer Bob Curry, the next thing we know, 30 SMU frat boys are cleaning up the right-of-way out in Oak Cliff in front of the La Reunion stretch of land. Pictures on flickr. In anticipation of you asking... I don't think they were busted for a kegger or anything exciting. Instead, I think they were participating in some sort of required Greek community service. Either way, we are truly grateful that a mass of tires, trash, and other assorted items have been removed. Thanks boys!
In other news, the Belmont show was wall-to-wall people, from what I hear. I was, of course, waving from a jet on my way to France on a long-planned vacation, so I had to miss the Belmont festivities. Thank you to everyone who showed up and checked out the juried exhibit, Art With a View : La Reunion in the OC. A special thanks to Jesus Chairez and Carissa Byers for shooting some pictures and to those who purchased art. Thanks to the uber hip Belmont Hotel for hosting. A portion of sales goes to La Reunion and the show is up until March 13.
In other news, the Belmont show was wall-to-wall people, from what I hear. I was, of course, waving from a jet on my way to France on a long-planned vacation, so I had to miss the Belmont festivities. Thank you to everyone who showed up and checked out the juried exhibit, Art With a View : La Reunion in the OC. A special thanks to Jesus Chairez and Carissa Byers for shooting some pictures and to those who purchased art. Thanks to the uber hip Belmont Hotel for hosting. A portion of sales goes to La Reunion and the show is up until March 13.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Call for Artists!
La Reunion and The Belmont Hotel present
‘Art With a View’ - La Reunion in the OC
The La Reunion artist selection committee is making a call for art relating to Oak Cliff and specifically La Reunion if possible. All media will be considered, although works wired and ready to hang will be given preference.
Inspiration:
The original La Reunion colony was instrumental in the cultural formation of Dallas and specifically Oak Cliff in the mid-1800’s. The first piano and brewery were here as a direct result of their settlement. Although they failed as a utopian artist colony, they have had a lasting impact on current Dallas through street names, descendants, and artistic sensibilities. Feel free to Google the colony for access to pictures, maps, and other historical information. Be creative!
Important dates:
- Entries due: 5PM on Wednesday, Jan 17. (see below for digital requirements)
- Selected Art Delivered to the Belmont: 2PM on Sunday, Jan 21.
- Reception: 7-10PM on Wednesday, Jan 24.
- Pickup of unsold works: 5PM on Wednesday, March 14.
Art requirements:-
- Submission: a good quality digital photo resized no larger than 1000 pixels in either vertical or horizontal direction emailed to sarah@lareuniontx.org.
- Include your name, title of work, medium, and dimensions in the body of the email.
Other Important information:
- Commission split is 70% to the artist and 30% as a tax deductible donation to La Reunion.
- Show will be promoted through The Belmont Hotel, La Reunion and a press release will be sent to all local media.
Please contact Sarah@LaReunionTX.org for more information!
‘Art With a View’ - La Reunion in the OC
The La Reunion artist selection committee is making a call for art relating to Oak Cliff and specifically La Reunion if possible. All media will be considered, although works wired and ready to hang will be given preference.
Inspiration:
The original La Reunion colony was instrumental in the cultural formation of Dallas and specifically Oak Cliff in the mid-1800’s. The first piano and brewery were here as a direct result of their settlement. Although they failed as a utopian artist colony, they have had a lasting impact on current Dallas through street names, descendants, and artistic sensibilities. Feel free to Google the colony for access to pictures, maps, and other historical information. Be creative!
Important dates:
- Entries due: 5PM on Wednesday, Jan 17. (see below for digital requirements)
- Selected Art Delivered to the Belmont: 2PM on Sunday, Jan 21.
- Reception: 7-10PM on Wednesday, Jan 24.
- Pickup of unsold works: 5PM on Wednesday, March 14.
Art requirements:-
- Submission: a good quality digital photo resized no larger than 1000 pixels in either vertical or horizontal direction emailed to sarah@lareuniontx.org.
- Include your name, title of work, medium, and dimensions in the body of the email.
Other Important information:
- Commission split is 70% to the artist and 30% as a tax deductible donation to La Reunion.
- Show will be promoted through The Belmont Hotel, La Reunion and a press release will be sent to all local media.
Please contact Sarah@LaReunionTX.org for more information!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
art con wrap up
The numbers have been punched and the net for La Reunion is somewhere close to $12,000. A nice shot in the arm to start 2007 off with. We have thank you's to so many people for such an amazing event.
bands:
John Holiday
The Happy Bullets
Spitfire Tumbleweeds
Peter Schmidt and His Gentleman Scholars
Fishboy
Salim Nourallah
volunteers:
Jason Roberts
Andrea Roberts
Cari Weiberg
Tim Ruble
Shea Wood
Courtney Miles
Minus
Josh McKibben
Kris Youmans
Robert McCollum
Kevin Nash
Coy Green
Edward ruiz
DJ Stephen R
Erica Felicella
Pia Koch
Elisa Belsley
Scott Horn
Nicole Cullum
Melanie levy
David Marquis
Alex Taliercio
Ligh Tomlinson
Chad Stocklager
Paul Semrad
John Weedon
Rob Shearer
Alvaro Garcia
Harley Jebens
Tj Pendergrass
Mary Truitt
Julia Gregory Schloss
Jennifer Sobieraj
Mary Solomon
Marcus Striplin
Daniel Miller
Leah Shafer
sponsors:
Orr-Reed
Davis Hawn Lumber
Cliffdweller Magazine
Fusion Advertising
Print Place
HBS Media
and last, but totally not least, all the visual artists that participated. wow. pictures on flickr soon. some already on the art con site.
A bow to you all.
bands:
John Holiday
The Happy Bullets
Spitfire Tumbleweeds
Peter Schmidt and His Gentleman Scholars
Fishboy
Salim Nourallah
volunteers:
Jason Roberts
Andrea Roberts
Cari Weiberg
Tim Ruble
Shea Wood
Courtney Miles
Minus
Josh McKibben
Kris Youmans
Robert McCollum
Kevin Nash
Coy Green
Edward ruiz
DJ Stephen R
Erica Felicella
Pia Koch
Elisa Belsley
Scott Horn
Nicole Cullum
Melanie levy
David Marquis
Alex Taliercio
Ligh Tomlinson
Chad Stocklager
Paul Semrad
John Weedon
Rob Shearer
Alvaro Garcia
Harley Jebens
Tj Pendergrass
Mary Truitt
Julia Gregory Schloss
Jennifer Sobieraj
Mary Solomon
Marcus Striplin
Daniel Miller
Leah Shafer
sponsors:
Orr-Reed
Davis Hawn Lumber
Cliffdweller Magazine
Fusion Advertising
Print Place
HBS Media
and last, but totally not least, all the visual artists that participated. wow. pictures on flickr soon. some already on the art con site.
A bow to you all.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Art Conspiracy II
December 1 at the Longhorn Ballroom. The countdown is officially on. www.artconspiracy.org for all the details.
Friday, October 27, 2006
$50K for a TX artist; apply by Nov. 17
This isn't La Reunion-related, but still an interesting opportunity
Hunting PLC, an international oil services company, has announced their call for entries for the 2007 Hunting Art Prize—a $50,000 award open to established, emerging, and amateur artists from throughout Texas. Artists submit a single two-dimensional work (excluding photography) for consideration for the prize. Initial entries include one slide and a completed online form, all submitted no later than Friday, November 17, 2006.
While last year's competition focused on the Houston region, which is where Hunting's North American headquarters are located, the scope for this year's prize has expanded to include any Texas resident 18 years of age or older. For more information or to download a flyer, visit their website.
Hunting PLC, an international oil services company, has announced their call for entries for the 2007 Hunting Art Prize—a $50,000 award open to established, emerging, and amateur artists from throughout Texas. Artists submit a single two-dimensional work (excluding photography) for consideration for the prize. Initial entries include one slide and a completed online form, all submitted no later than Friday, November 17, 2006.
While last year's competition focused on the Houston region, which is where Hunting's North American headquarters are located, the scope for this year's prize has expanded to include any Texas resident 18 years of age or older. For more information or to download a flyer, visit their website.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
We are official!
Last week, we got THE LETTER. The one from the IRS that states we are officially a 501c3 non-profit corporation. This has been such a wonderful journey so far and we can't thank everyone enough for continued support.
That being said, please mark your calendars for Friday, December 1 for Art Conspiracy II. It's going to be held at the legendary Longhorn Ballroom on Corinth @ Industrial. More than 100 artists and 5 bands are participating. Go to www.artconspiracy.org for ALL the info.
That being said, please mark your calendars for Friday, December 1 for Art Conspiracy II. It's going to be held at the legendary Longhorn Ballroom on Corinth @ Industrial. More than 100 artists and 5 bands are participating. Go to www.artconspiracy.org for ALL the info.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Thank yous.
We had a little art show over the weekend that barely made it into the La Reunion newsletter and onto the La Reunion website and yet we still had a great turn-out and sold a ton of work! Thank you to the not-yet-open ZEN Sushi over in the Bishop Arts District for donating their empty space on Saturday during the Bishop Arts Block Party. Thank you to Richard Ross, Zachary Broadhurst, Carissa Byers, Lance Jones, Kelly Berry, Therese Power, Margarita Buenaventura, and Patrick Rhodes for providing work on such short notice and donating a portion of sales to La Reunion. Seriously guys, that was awesome.
Barry Crosno with DonateIT was also there to stimulate interest in a new company he works for that allows folks to donate their old non-functional computers, cell phones, printers, cartridges etc with a portion of proceeds going to various non-profits. He'll be on hand at our booth at the Urban Street Bazaar the last weekend of September. Come check it out.
Last, thanks to all of you who stopped by and said Hi. Clearly none of this would be possible without community support. And for this, a bow.
Barry Crosno with DonateIT was also there to stimulate interest in a new company he works for that allows folks to donate their old non-functional computers, cell phones, printers, cartridges etc with a portion of proceeds going to various non-profits. He'll be on hand at our booth at the Urban Street Bazaar the last weekend of September. Come check it out.
Last, thanks to all of you who stopped by and said Hi. Clearly none of this would be possible without community support. And for this, a bow.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Upcoming events. Check it.
La Reunion is gearing up for all sorts of events this fall. Friend and fund raisers loom as the weather cools and our lives settle back into a routine.
First up: a lecture by Dr. Charissa Terranova on the philosophy of Fourier and the original La Reunion colony that settled Dallas over 150 years ago. It will be held at the Santa Clara Catholic Church, adjacent to our La Reunion land on Thursday, September 28 at 8PM. Complimentary dessert and coffee provided generously by Crosby Catering and Cafe. If you've never heard Charissa speak, you're totally in for a treat! Mentally stimulating and super friendly, she'll impress you with her ability to craft well-thought out commentary on whatever she presents. Admission is free. 321 Calument Avenue, Dallas.
Second: La Reunion will have a booth at the Urban Street Bazaar that our pal Julie over at MAKE organizes September 30-October 1. Featuring arts and crafts by local artisans and live music all weekend, La Reunion will also be the beneficiary to the live auction! Our own board prez Catherine Cuellar will be the auctioneer. Admission to the bazaar is free. Stop by on your way to the fair! Thomas at Boll in the St. Thomas Historic District, Dallas.
Third: Art Conspiracy 2 benefits La Reunion. If you missed last year's stellar event, well, there's just no excuse this year! Details TBA, although go ahead and save the date: December 2. Check out the Art Conspiracy site fill yourself in on last year.
First up: a lecture by Dr. Charissa Terranova on the philosophy of Fourier and the original La Reunion colony that settled Dallas over 150 years ago. It will be held at the Santa Clara Catholic Church, adjacent to our La Reunion land on Thursday, September 28 at 8PM. Complimentary dessert and coffee provided generously by Crosby Catering and Cafe. If you've never heard Charissa speak, you're totally in for a treat! Mentally stimulating and super friendly, she'll impress you with her ability to craft well-thought out commentary on whatever she presents. Admission is free. 321 Calument Avenue, Dallas.
Second: La Reunion will have a booth at the Urban Street Bazaar that our pal Julie over at MAKE organizes September 30-October 1. Featuring arts and crafts by local artisans and live music all weekend, La Reunion will also be the beneficiary to the live auction! Our own board prez Catherine Cuellar will be the auctioneer. Admission to the bazaar is free. Stop by on your way to the fair! Thomas at Boll in the St. Thomas Historic District, Dallas.
Third: Art Conspiracy 2 benefits La Reunion. If you missed last year's stellar event, well, there's just no excuse this year! Details TBA, although go ahead and save the date: December 2. Check out the Art Conspiracy site fill yourself in on last year.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
humble beginnings & major progress
From the bottom of our hearts, thanks to everyone we knew before and especially everyone we met for the first time this morning at the first Community Clean-Up Day! Before-and-after photos will be posted soon on flickr. Thanks to all the amazing volunteers who braved 100-degree heat, stinging insects, and poison ivy to help us fill the largest dumpster we could find with heaps and loads of trash, *including* a kitchen sink! Many helping hands posted signs so volunteers could find us; shared tools, gloves, trash bags, sunscreen, and snacks; worked very hard quite early on a Saturday morning; and documented our progress. It's inspiring to see so many willing to give of themselves for the benefit of the community, and as a whole we are far more than the sum of our parts.
Special thanks to The Oak Cliff Tribune for getting the word out in advance and covering our event, Gus Treviño at Nodding Dog Coffee Company in the Bishop Arts District for donating five gallons of cool iced tea to refresh our volunteers, and to Moonlady Amy Martin for helping us set the tone.
The La Reunion coffers are still light about $100, which will cover the cost of removing our now-full walk-in dumpster from the site. So if you were unable to attend and still want to aid our effort to transform Dallas through art and green living, please contribute through our website, or PayPal us some funds c/o donate [at] LaReunionTX [dot] org.
Local media continues to smile upon us. Thanks to Daily Candy for advance publicity, and to Frank Trejo, who interviewed several La Reunion supporters for The Dallas Morning News.
Please plan to join us for future clean-up efforts and a lecture in late September by advisory board member Dr. Charissa Terranova from SMU. For details, sign up for our mailing list online.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Reminder : Clean-Up : This Weekend
With well over 30+ volunteers and two days left, we are gearing up for the Community Clean-Up day this Saturday from 8AM to noon. Please join us. Email sarah@lareuniontx.org for directions etc..
Long pants, sturdy shoes, and water are a must! All volunteers must sign a waiver. Please join us as you are able.
Long pants, sturdy shoes, and water are a must! All volunteers must sign a waiver. Please join us as you are able.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Behind the scenes // updates
We have all been busy doing mundane behind the scenes work lately. It's a learning curve to be sure, but nice to know all the intricacies of zoning, platting, engineering, and escarpments. In gearing up for the community clean-up day on July 15, I met with the city arborist and had an interesting conversation about the land, the vegetation, and some creative options on how to proceed. Catherine and I also did an interview with Quin Mathews for Art Matters that will air on WRR on Sunday, July 9 at 4PM and Thursday, July 13 at 6:30PM. Be sure to tune in! Catherine and I have also met with an architect who is a member of the USGBC for advice on a LEED certified structure. It's all been fascinating thus far.
Other behind the scenes work? We're working on putting together our advisory board. With a killer interdisciplinary cross-section of working Dallas artists and professionals, we will have the qualified input to make decisions about which artists stay and for how long. More information on that on the La Reunion website soon.
Other behind the scenes work? We're working on putting together our advisory board. With a killer interdisciplinary cross-section of working Dallas artists and professionals, we will have the qualified input to make decisions about which artists stay and for how long. More information on that on the La Reunion website soon.
Monday, June 05, 2006
La Reunion update, resources, community clean-up
La Reunion held its first board meeting over the weekend. Sarah Jane Semrad (wow, that's me!) has officially been hired as executive director for the project. Community interest in this residency grows as we talk with more and more people. This is exciting! We have added a button on the main La Reunion site to add your name to the mailing list. Also, a paypal button! Money is always appreciated. Please click one or more of those buttons.
Although La Reunion is new to Dallas, the concept of an artist residency is certainly not. There have only been a few to exist in our fair state over the years. An excellent resource to explore other programs across the United States and abroad is www.artistcommunities.org. As La Reunion plows forward, we look to other programs' best practices and then modify to fit our community. Conversations with green architects knowledgeable in LEED certification and with the potential Chalk Hill Trail situated very near our site have proven inspirational, to say the very least.
Last, more announcements on this as exact plans develop: COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAY! Slated for Saturday, July 15 from 8AM - 12PM, the community clean-up day will not only be an opportunity for folks to come check out the site, but also to participate in clearing the land, which has been neglected for many years. Long pants, bug spray and water are a must! Please contact Sarah Jane Semrad if you are interested.
Although La Reunion is new to Dallas, the concept of an artist residency is certainly not. There have only been a few to exist in our fair state over the years. An excellent resource to explore other programs across the United States and abroad is www.artistcommunities.org. As La Reunion plows forward, we look to other programs' best practices and then modify to fit our community. Conversations with green architects knowledgeable in LEED certification and with the potential Chalk Hill Trail situated very near our site have proven inspirational, to say the very least.
Last, more announcements on this as exact plans develop: COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAY! Slated for Saturday, July 15 from 8AM - 12PM, the community clean-up day will not only be an opportunity for folks to come check out the site, but also to participate in clearing the land, which has been neglected for many years. Long pants, bug spray and water are a must! Please contact Sarah Jane Semrad if you are interested.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
La Reunion Prom was a blast!
A huge public thank you to all who attended the La Reunion Prom last night at Sons of Hermann Hall. Most especially Jeremy Ordaz, Mike Graff, Allison Graham, Harley Jebens, Alvaro Garza for working the door. Paul Semrad and Stephen Ruiz for playing DJ. Jason Woefel, Carissa Byers, and Jonelle Doughty for their photographic prowess. Glenn Goodfellow for the amazing baked goods and Sons of Hermann Hall for being the coolest venue in town. The party was a smash and we suceeded in raising enough funds to cover our 501(c)3 filing fee and additional administrative start-up costs. We took the opportunity to announce the news of the generous anonymous gift of 32 acres of wooded land in Oak Cliff that we have rent free for many years. In addition, we introduced our first three board members: Catherine Cuellar, Lisa Taylor, and Allison Graham. More pictures on the flickr page linked above well have yearbooks for sale here once all images have been compiled.
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