REFRESH BUTTON

Quiet Please

2012-01-18T19:45:00.001-06:00

My friend Paul (not husband Paul) posted a tweet about The Joy of Quiet a few weeks ago, an article in the New York Times about a modern return to silence. I haven't been able to shake the resonance with pretty much everything in the article. Serves as a little cosmic nudge as I'm headed for another 10-day in March. Just sharin'. It's worth a read.

The boy child

2012-01-12T17:51:00.001-06:00

2011-12-14T20:56:00.002-06:00

I'm realizing that I've checked out on a lot of different things the last few years. Completely blocked entire ideas, people and concerns. I think I'm ready to check back in. More soon.

2011-12-12T20:57:00.001-06:00

Comics by Eva

The girl. She's so grown up.

2011-11-30T21:45:00.001-06:00

Stray Cat Thanksgiving vol. 8 (I think)

2011-11-24T13:17:00.005-06:00

A long, lovely day of cooking-from-scratch so far....

chocolate angel pie
pumpkin pie
savory butternut squash pies with hazelnuts
citrus salad
homemade bread
almonds and green beans
quinoa and roasted corn and feta
yummy cheese and fancy pants crackers

I'm thankful for friends and amazing food. My gosh, we know how to cook. I hope I don't leave the house all day.

Boot makin'

2011-11-21T10:00:00.002-06:00

All growed up!

2011-11-16T09:51:00.005-06:00

Proud mama cat, I am. Thanks Jason for starting something real fun, real big and seeing Art Con through with me. Thank you Art Con team for rocking my world and doing a far better job than I ever could.

Art Con in less than 3 minutes - a film by Turk

Photo booth pics - Featuring animal heads!

Observer article - Excellent slide show to boot.

Front Row article - More great photos!

Short film about Eva being an artist this year on Art & Seek (official media sponsor, I might add)

And so it goes

2011-11-11T23:50:00.002-06:00

The Candy Exchange

2011-10-31T21:10:00.002-05:00

Halloween in our neighborhood is a real big deal. Eva was the anime character Death the Kid. Jiri was a dead version of himself. Good times.

Green belt!

2011-10-22T11:35:00.002-05:00

No pictures allowed

2011-10-16T14:03:00.003-05:00

I sneaked this picture on our way in. I got my mind blown in West Texas y'all. Art pilgrimages are good for the soul. If you ever get the chance, visit The Hill. Here's an article from last year and a Think TV episode on KERA.

Workin' for the Man

2011-10-09T10:45:00.003-05:00

After many years of working it on my own time, hustling multiple part time jobs and inventing the organizations I work for, I now have a full time job. So does Paul. Weird. We've done a 180 this summer and we have this bizarre new life. There are things I miss about our chaotic freelance life, to be sure.

But there's a whole host of super-mega positives:
1. We don't have to stress out about money.
2. My house is clean at the end of the day when I come home from work.
3. My new gig involves going to tons of rock shows.
4. Paul's new gig involves going to the Opera. A lot.
5. Weekends are golden, intense family time.
6. My free time is REALLY my free time.
7. All my work is on a computer in an office. Not taunting me from my laptop bag.

There's more. This is all I can commit to right now. We're not curing cancer, nor are we saving the world. We're both just throwing ourselves behind good music and contributing to the cultural fabric of our city. It's a good place. I'm grateful. The sh*t is hitting the fan everywhere with job losses, economic collapse and bedlam on Wall Street. We've worked hard to be in this place in our lives. I like it. And I know this 'too shall pass'. For now, we remain grateful.

birmingham

2011-09-09T16:22:00.004-05:00

I have been to my home planet and connected with kindred spirits. And now I miss it all terribly. I have much to say about Burning Man, but I can't seem to generate the words.

Magic
Lovely
Kind
Awesome
Spiritual

More soon.

Home.

2011-09-06T17:03:00.001-05:00

Junior zoo keeper

2011-08-15T18:31:00.001-05:00

I will never tire of this. Ever.

2011-08-14T21:51:00.000-05:00

She made a dress.

2011-08-03T12:47:00.001-05:00

Boomerangs

2011-07-30T18:22:00.001-05:00

Ladies weekend

2011-07-26T15:31:00.002-05:00

Eva and I zipped off to the ranch for the weekend to hang out with my grandmother Sarabelle. (Guess who I was named after?) As a kid, I spent numerous vacations with Tookie. I remember those long summer days riding around in a truck, swimming in the river or eating lunch at the County Club. Without dropping off my 12 year old with my 88 year old grandmother, I wanted Eva to have a small taste of that experience.

Thank you to our pal Cari for coming with and shooting this iphone pic. Now we're home sweet home and bracing ourselves for massive changes in our personal lives. More soon on THAT I'm sure!

Helper kitty

2011-07-14T10:53:00.000-05:00

Watch out world! The Thunderclouds made their big debut tonight!

2011-07-06T21:49:00.007-05:00

Eva and Emma spent six hours on Tuesday writing and playing, another 4 or so hours on Wednesday to prepare for their big concert. Thanks to Jen Mauldin for recording all seven minutes. Enjoy.

While I'm on the subject of Eva, surely you saw the article about QT Sox... Amazing. If only I had one ounce of her chutzpah. Seriously, watch out world.

Preparations are underway

2011-07-06T18:57:00.002-05:00

Why else would goggles of this nature be in our home?

Oh hai Dirk.

2011-06-16T17:02:00.001-05:00

I keep them all.

2011-06-05T12:43:00.001-05:00

And someday will frame them.

Exemplary, Commended, Recognized, Academically Acceptable, and Academically Unacceptable...

2011-06-01T19:27:00.005-05:00

So here's my little rant about all these commended and exemplary comments about tests. Um, don't you remember people? They're EASY. And if your kid ISN'T commended or exemplary, you have got a big problem. I kinda rolled my eyes when Eva made a perfect score. Not that I wasn't proud, I mean *YAY* my kid is brilliant. But I already knew that.

The underlying psychology here is that while it is fun to brag about how smart our girl is, it's also honest to call out how pathetic we have all become.

End of Rant.

All hamster funerals should end with snocones

2011-05-28T17:15:00.001-05:00

Quite the crowd

2011-05-26T17:21:00.002-05:00

I wrote my letters. I sent my emails. I got Paul to write about it. I showed up tonight at the school board meeting. I sat in a group of students from Seagoville, so when the Greiner commentary started, I was the lone, giant, tall white lady standing. I don't really know why it was important that I was there, but it was.

Now I have a migraine.

I'm watching and voting accordingly.

2011-05-25T13:05:00.003-05:00

May 24, 2011

Dear Senators, Representatives and School Board Members:

I am writing as a parent and Texas citizen about proposed cuts in the education budget to arts and music programming. It is unacceptable and decidedly* third world to expect our youth in Texas to not cultivate an appreciation of art, music and a solid quality of life that ultimately promotes future good citizens.

In addition to good citizenship, I know first hand the power of learning to read and play music or make art to create a solid foundation in diligent practice; in developing an appreciation of other cultures; in brain development. Texas schools should be in the business of producing active participants in our state instead of turning out drones who can take a test.

Please consider education cuts in other more robust areas like sports. Or encouraging tax collection on massive businesses that currently are not paying what they should, like natural gas drilling companies. It’s shameful, neglectful and downright embarrassing to negate the power of the arts to children, their families and their teachers.

Now go forth and do your job - which listening to your constituents*.

Sincerely yours,
Sarah Jane Semrad
Parent to Eva Mimms Semrad, 6th grade, Greiner Middle School

*of course the irony is not lost on me that I had two typos in my original printed letter.

The 12 year old is a marvelous cook.

2011-05-14T09:55:00.001-05:00

Lucky in family

2011-05-08T12:53:00.001-05:00

Does jasmine grow like this in Texas?

2011-05-01T10:52:00.001-05:00

Don't ask don't tell.

2011-04-29T09:27:00.001-05:00

Posh

2011-04-28T15:27:00.001-05:00

Balloons

2011-04-09T07:25:00.002-05:00

Whose job is it to pop them all at the end of the installation?

PKN Vol 6 : May 12

2011-04-05T08:37:00.004-05:00

PKN vol. 6 will be at Sons of Hermann Hall on May 12, 7-9pm. Get tickets now, they're about to sell out completely. We have some seriously juicy speakers this go 'round. Can't wait! Get more info and tickets here.
photo courtesy Mike Precker, one of our presenters.

ABOUT THE CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

Andrew Sturm

Andrew is a part of the buildingcommunityWORKSHOP, a Dallas based design center that seeks to improve the livability and viability of communities through the practice of thoughtful design and building. His passion for design has always been closely linked to communities in need; whether they be an informal neighborhood in Nicaragua, or an aging, former industrial town in upstate New York. Andrew has taught and lectured on design and social equity, and in 2008, he had the honor of co-curating the American Pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture, where he highlighted the work of artists, architects and creative instigators in the U.S. at the forefront of redefining practice.

Harvey Lacey

Lacey is a 62 years old entrepreneur who once served two tours in Viet Nam and installed telephone cables. It was during that time when learned the pleasure found in making something without having the proper tools or materials and do the impossible with nothing under the worst of circumstances. Lacey is a self employed welder/fabricator, inventor, artist and has three utility patents issued by the United States Patent office. Lacey is married with four kids and six grandkids. Lacey is without a high school diploma or college degree, but as he says “I’ve taken a lot of courses!”

Sean Garman

Sean is a licensed architect and the Sustainable Design Leader for the Dallas office of Perkins+Will. For the past 12 years Sean has focused his career in the Higher Education market sector with a specialty in Science Planning and Laboratory Design. Sean has furthered this laboratory expertise by completing the "Guidelines of Laboratory Design" certificate program at Harvard School of Public Health. Sean’s passion for sustainability is rooted in his education at Montana State University where he received both his Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees. Sean has just recently served a two year term as Chair of the Events & Education Committee for the US Green Building Council – North Texas Chapter and is still active on the committee today. Sean currently sits on the Board of the Dallas Architecture Forum, and is a member of the American Institute of Architects - Committee on the Environment.

Kael Alford

Kael Alford is a documentary photographer, writer and journalist born in Middletown, NY, in 1971. She takes an immersive and long term approach to the subjects she reports including political conflict, underrepresented communities, cultural identity, and the human relationship to the natural environment. Kael began her career covering culture and conflict in the Balkans and the Middle East for European and American newspapers and magazines from 1996 - 2005. Her photography about the impact of the U.S. – led invasion of Iraq on Iraqi civilians is widely exhibited and included in the book: Unembedded: Four Independent Photojournalists on the War in Iraq (Chelsea Green 2005). She will return to Iraq this summer to follow up on that project. She is also documenting Native American communities on the coast of Louisiana facing dislocation due to massive coastal erosion and the environmental impacts of the oil and gas industries. That work will be exhibited at the High Museum in Atlanta in July, 2012. Alford takes photography assignments, lectures and writes about her work. She teaches at the annual Foundry Photo Workshop, and will be teaching photography at SMU in the fall. She holds a BA in Literature, an MA in Journalism from the University of Missouri and was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University in 2008-2009. Alford is represented by Panos Pictures in London and lives in Dallas, Texas. For links to Kael’s work see: www.kaelalford.com and www.unembedded.com

Michael Siegel and Ben Hutchison

Michael Siegel is founder and owner of Green House. After graduating from law school, he acted upon his desire to create a new dining concept - healthy affordable. Green House is a mobile restaurant that focuses on healthy, wholesome meals served from a converted mobile kitchen. The menu focuses on lean proteins and local vegetables, as well as utilizing biodegradable utensils and containers. Ben Hutchison is the Executive Chef and has over fifteen years of kitchen experience in Dallas, having been with Star Canyon, Routh Street, and most recently, Food Company.

Dustin Haisler

Dustin Haisler is currently the Director of Government Innovation for Spigit, Inc. Dustin is the former Assistant City Manager and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the City of Manor, Texas. While at the City of Manor, Dustin and his team innovated a number of solutions to increase efficiency and cut cost. Dustin’s innovative uses of technology have received international attention and won numerous awards. In 2009, Dustin was named by Government Technology as one of the 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers of Technology in the nation. One of Dustin’s most notable projects was the deployment of a Quick Response Codes (QR-code) throughout the City of Manor. QR-codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be decoded with most newer model camera phones. Residents and tourist that visit Manor can scan the QR-codes placed throughout town with their camera phones to receive real-time information on city projects, historic buildings and much more. In addition, Dustin helped launch Manor’s open innovation platform, called Manor Labs, in conjunction with the Persuasive Technology Lab at Stanford University. Dustin graduated Magna Cum Laude from LeTourneau University with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration.

Tom Parr IV, Artistic Director, Nouveau 47 Theatre
Tom graduated from Baylor in 2000 with a BFA in Theatre Performance. In 2003 he co-founded Second Thought Theatre. During his time with STT, Tom served as the company’s resident director and later as the Artistic Coordinator. His directing credits with Second Thought Theatre include Pluck the Day, Anton in Show Business, Bobby Gould in Hell, Wonder of the World, History of the World, Six Thousand Feet to Salvation, The Glory of Living (DMN #1 play in 2006), and Scapino. Other directing credits include Tape (Boaz Unlocked), Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge and Fuddy Meers (RTC), and The Slipknot and Laughing Wild (Act I). In 2007 Tom briefly served as an artistic associate for Risk Theater Initiative. While there, he directed The Blue Room and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (DMN #9 play 2007). He has also directed Holy Rollers and this year’s Alice in Wonderland with White Rock Pollution for the annual Festival of Independent Theaters, for which he won a 2010 DFW Critics Forum Award for Direction. Tom has served as both a theatrical set designer and lighting designer and has earned multiple nominations for his work. Tom’s expertise spans from technical direction (Dallas Children’s Theatre tour) to stage management (Philadelphia’s American Family Theatre) to visual effects and film (Disney Pictures and In-Sync, Inc.). In his spare time Tom dabbles in acting just enough to remember what an actor feels like.

Dawn Rizos
Dawn Rizos, owner and CEO of The Lodge, is nationally recognized for innovation and integrity in the gentlemen’s club industry. The Lodge, which opened in 1996, has won many local and national awards that have spotlighted its elegance, fine cuisine and friendly atmosphere. Ms. Rizos was named Innovator of the Year at the industry’s national convention in 2006, and The Lodge was named the Best Overall Club in America in 2008. Entertainers flock to The Lodge from around the country for its safe and nurturing environment, incentive programs and emphasis on education. One of the many benefits unique to The Lodge are college scholarships awarded annually to entertainers. Through fundraisers and personal donations, the club has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities, including animal shelters and breast cancer research. The Lodge’s reputation for excellence makes it a popular destination for men and women, businesspeople, and visitors to Dallas from all over the world. Ms. Rizos grew up in Monroe, Louisiana, where both her parents were physicians, and moved to Dallas in 1981 to attend Southern Methodist University. She held top management positions with the popular Olympic Pizza restaurant chain for many years before opening The Lodge. Ms. Rizos, who has three children, lives in Highland Park.

Michael Precker
Michael Precker joined DCG Inc. in 2007 after a 30-year career in journalism. His responsibilities include publicity, marketing, advertising and creative issues, as well as day-to-day management at The Lodge. His unusual career transition has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNN, National Public Radio and many other media outlets. In 1977 he joined The Associated Press in Israel as a correspondent, and was hired by The Dallas Morning News as its Middle East bureau chief in 1982. For the next six years he was based in Israel and reported from countries throughout the region, as well as southern Africa. Precker moved to Dallas in 1988 to become assistant national editor for the newspaper and joined the lifestyles writing staff in 1990. He wrote news and feature stories for every section of the newspaper, as well as restaurant reviews and a humor column. In 1985 he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting from South Africa. In 2000 he won the national Association of Woman Journalists feature reporting award for a story about a woman who recovered from the trauma of a brutal rape to confront her attacker in court. A long-time member of Congregation Beth Torah in Richardson, Precker is president of the synagogue’s Men’s Club, which has been honored for the past three years by the Conservative movement as one of the best in the nation. Precker is an honors graduate of Ohio University and earned a master’s degree from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. He is married with two sons and one grandson, all of whom live in Israel. His younger son, Daniel, currently serves in the Israeli Defense Forces.

Dr. Monica Evans
Monica Evans is an assistant professor of computer game design in the Arts and Technology program at the University of Texas at Dallas. She has designed and developed experimental and educational games with numerous university partners, including the Dallas Museum of Art, U. S. Army Training Doctrine and Command (TRADOC), Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), and Children's Medical Center of Dallas. Her most recent games include the Digital Calculus Coach, an educational game that teaches introductory calculus at the college level, and the Values Games Initiative, a series of five serious games about bioethics and human enhancement created for the UT Dallas Center for Values in Science, Medicine, and Technology. Dr. Evans’ latest written work can be seen in the game-themed volumes of the Popular Culture and Philosophy series, including Halo and Philosophy and World of Warcraft and Philosophy: Wrath of the Philosopher King. Her recent work on educational games appears in the International Journal of Game-Based Learning and the upcoming volume Critical Game Studies: Theory, Ideology, Methodology. Dr. Evans teaches courses in game studies, design, and development, and coordinates the Games Research Lab in the Arts and Technology program.

My livingroom is the BEST.

2011-04-03T20:35:00.001-05:00

Eva designs our future chicken coop

2011-04-03T14:28:00.001-05:00

A rough drawing.

Jiri's brain

2011-04-02T16:16:00.001-05:00

Sunrise

2011-03-27T15:17:00.001-05:00

2011-03-25T18:29:00.001-05:00

Vibes to spare?

2011-03-21T14:20:00.004-05:00

Sometimes you're ON, right? Like so on that everything you do smells like roses. All is good and right with the world. The planets are aligned, the sky is clear and crisp, the inbox is empty and by golly gosh nothing can stop you now etc.

Right now is not one of those times. Tapping into my inner Sarah Jane badassness is not happening. At all. Someone, somewhere send me a few good vibes, help me curse the Super Moon and her mean spirited off-kilterness. I'm tired of wobbling and tired being chastised for being stupid.

In other news, West Texas has called my name, as have the Lithium pools of the Hot Springs. Zeroed out inbox, here I come!

Eva : As cool as they get.

2011-03-13T20:12:00.001-05:00

Mmm..... g'raj mahal.

2011-03-11T20:46:00.001-06:00

Fixin to get ready to be Austin bound

2011-03-10T13:50:00.002-06:00

Which is still like two steps away from actually going, right? Right.

Eva and the girls have birthday dinner.

2011-02-25T19:15:00.001-06:00

Eva cleans out her piano music

2011-02-19T12:31:00.001-06:00

Go visit Sean.

2011-02-19T11:49:00.002-06:00

Sean is currently in residence at the Fairmont Hotel.

Meditation

2011-02-07T08:48:00.001-06:00

A few folks have asked for a narrative of the Vipassana meditation experience this past January. Here goes.

First off - why'd I sign up? Well, I do these retreat-like activities every few years or so. The last experience I had was in March 2007 and it was such an incredible, life altering shift. Like a tidal wave rolled through my life and washed out all kinds of ideas, assumptions and relationships with people that were keeping me from being the person I want to be - kind, generous, loving. Retreats are good for you in a hard-working way that vacations can't touch. Let me repeat: Retreats are WORK. There are other examples prior to March 2007, but that one in particular was quite powerful.

Ok, by why meditation? Yeah. That's a head scratcher to me too. This particular meditation center in Kaufman has been on my radar for years but I'd always said things like - 'I can't sit still for 10 days straight' or 'how can I possibly leave one of the projects I'm working on for 10 days' or 'no, that sounds too hard'. Stuff like that. Last August or so I was clicking around, curious about it once again and on a whim just sortof signed up. I didn't even tell Paul until the next day because I'd forgotten!

Moving forward. Upon arrival to the Center, I was struck by how nice the facilities were. Clean, warm, organized, comfortable. After a nice dinner, we took our vow of 10 day silence and went into the meditation hall for the first time. My first hour (of what would turn out to be about 100 hours) of meditation was incredibly hard. Mind over matter.

For the first three days I was bored out of my ever-loving mind. In the 6 hours I wasn't sleeping or the 10 hours I wasn't meditating, I was making strange things out of toilet paper, grass and dental floss. There were numerous manicures, facials and eyebrow plucking sessions. With no paper, pens, music, reading materials, journals etc I read every single shampoo bottle, mouth rinse and face cream I could get my hands on. I found some super glue on Day 4 and made a 'book' out of paper towels, using makeup as a medium to draw or paint with. I folded my clothes and quickly established a Mr. Rogers-like routine every time I came and went from my living quarters.

By day 7, I'd had the sort of experience people meditate for: complete dissolution of the body. I'm pretty sure people took drugs in the 60's for this same effect. There's something to it of course - lightness, love, compassion, forgiveness and all the effects of those have on real life interactions with other people. I loved going into the isolation chambers and sitting completely alone in the dark. By day 9, I was scheming on how to stay a few extra days or shuck it all and become a meditating hermit. On day 10 we broke our silence. The feeling of vibrations on my vocal chords for the first time after 10 days astonished me.

The technique itself is very simple of course. Observation of your physical body at an extremely subtle level and having no opinion about what's experienced. Watching. Watching. Watching. At subtler and subtler levels. Something unattainable in the city. Unattainable in one sitting. Something that can only be observed after unplugging completely for multiple days.

I will be going back, perhaps in a year or two. I'm sitting twice a day now, almost every day. Paul's going in August. He says I'm a little different but I don't know that I can tell. Sometimes I feel completely in synch and aware and other times I feel like the same old stuff is bothering / haunting me. This too shall pass etc.

Link: Southwest Vipassana Meditation Center. Find 10 days and go. It's profound knowledge to have about yourself. Of what your mind is truly capable of. An investment of which the return is an unprecedented calmness and peace.

Creative Time Report

2011-02-05T07:37:00.005-06:00

Commissioning the Creative Time report on the state of Dallas arts was genius on SMU's part to recalibrate the system. All sectors do this. Why is it when it's THE ARTS that everyone freaks out and calls Captain Obvious on the situation?

Dallas absolutely sucks for a myriad of reasons. Don't think I don't know this. Literally if it weren't for grandparents and cousins for our children, the Semrads would have been out of here AGES ago. Eons. What's paradoxical is that this very weakness - the complete shittiness of this place - is what makes it so great. You can start something new and have absolutely nothing to lose. In the process you make really good friends, have a great time and make the world a place you want to be in and your children to be in. It's awesome. I can point to a number of projects that I've been involved with to prove it. I can also point to a few projects specifically in Oak Cliff to prove it too. It doesn't mean you don't travel, get educated and look to the 'outside' for commentary.

When everybody quits bitching and starts doing, we might actually manifest something really awesome in Dallas.

Carry on now, carry on. I have.

Christmas at the ranch. In iphone pics.

2010-12-29T16:33:00.004-06:00

The trees at Turkey Creek

Jiri throwing rocks from the bluff.

Sparklers. And other assorted fireworks.

Playing Uno on the top bunk.

Loading marshmallow guns!

Jiri sits in my dad's lap and drives a big truck.

Eva hangs in her pj's all day and writes in her notebook.

Eva reads. A lot.

We watch the sun set in the backyard.

We go fast on ranch roads and get REALLY dusty.

End of November already?

2010-11-29T14:18:00.004-06:00

Seriously, how is it Nov 29 already? In my head, it's like August and I just got back from Turkey. Art Con is already done. A trip to Marfa. Idea Week. PKN. LRTX resignation as ED and transition to chair advisory board. Where the heck has the time gone?

In other news, I'm rediscovering some really cool things I'd forgotten about myself. Like how much I like to hang out in a bookstore. Or obsess over feng shui. Or cook. Dear lord, so many parts of my neglected self have resurfaced. I'm continuing to say NO to tons of stuff. Tons. And it's awesome.

The future holds a trip to the ranch. And 10 days of silence. My pal Y says we should have a fundraiser where people place bets on how long I can (or can't) stay.

Bittersweet Crossroad

2010-11-10T17:30:00.003-06:00

It's never easy to say good-bye. Not that I'm really saying good-bye. It's simply a bittersweet moment of transition - for myself personally, professionally and also for an organization that I love dearly. Over the last 4 years, I've had the honor to know numerous artists, community members, supporters, funders and folks from all walks of life that are attracted to the mission of La Reunion. We are, of course, on a journey to create an artist residency immersed in nature in Dallas. On the way, we have manifested as an innovative organization that is highly collaborative and directly supports artists in the creation of new work through new opportunities, stipends and materials budgets. It's been a wild, fruitful ride.

Moving onward. I've taken a full time job with Dallas Social Venture Partners as event producer for bigBANG!, an annual philanthropic conference here in Dallas. This isn't new. I've already been doing the job for over a year in a contract labor capacity and now have moved into a full time position. This move frees me up in an unexpected way to streamline my graduate degree studies at SMU. I could feel this day coming for sometime and the LRTX board has been very supportive of this decision and move for the organization.

So my future with LRTX? I'll chair the advisory board and serve to energize this talented, rock star group. I can't wait!! Catherine Horsey was available and willing to step in as interim director while we look for a more permanent replacement. It's an exciting time for LRTX, to be sure.

This is my best stab at a 'personal' comment. A letter to our whole mailing list goes out next week.

I am one happy girl.

2010-11-02T16:31:00.000-05:00

Art Conspiracy is excited to announce that it will be able to donate $30,000 to our 2010 beneficiary, Today Marks the Beginning. TMtB will use this money to help bolster their MasterPEACE program which uses art to impact awareness of social issues and teach children about non-violence.

"All of us in Today Marks the Beginning are ecstatic about the news that we will receive a check for $30,000 from Art Conspiracy! This is the largest single donation that we have received in the history of our organization,” says Karen Blessen, co-founder, Today Marks the Beginning.

Blessen went on to say, “This money will allow us to bring our MasterPEACE programming to hundreds of Dallas children, and we are incredibly grateful for that. Additionally, I am left with an enormous optimism about the combined power of positive creativity and community. Major kudos and hats off to Art Conspiracy, all the contributing artists, and the volunteers!”

Over 120 artists created artwork for the October 23rd event and dozens and dozens of volunteers did everything from selling t-shirts to building the stage to taking out trash. Art Conspiracy is equal parts community event and fundraiser that supports a new Dallas-area creative beneficiary each year.

Since 2005, Art Conspiracy has raised over $110,000 for groups including:

* Resolana, a group that provides rehabilitative arts programming for women in the Dallas County Jail
* Preservation LINK, an organization that teaches audio and visual media to students in South Dallas and Fair Park
* La Reunion TX, an artist residency in the making in Dallas
* St. Anthony Community Center, a center that offers visual art, music and dance to more than 800 children in South Dallas.

About Art Conspiracy

Art Conspiracy is street level philanthropy. Members of the creative community in North Texas pool their talents to create bi-annual fundraising events that support other nonprofit arts programs. Art Conspiracy events are designed to be affordable and offer everyone a chance to purchase original artwork at a reasonable level. Art Conspiracy is a 501c3 organization with IRS nonprofit status (so your donations are tax deductible!) More information is available at: www.artconspiracy.org

Art Con Six - over and out

2010-10-26T10:46:00.004-05:00

Video by Can Turkyilmaz. Thank you to all the artists, volunteers, board, supporters, bands and everyone who "gets" it.

Idea Week

2010-10-13T00:22:00.003-05:00

Fantastic week of IDEAS IDEAS IDEAS! Good thing everyone putting this thing on is all about ACTION. I have loved so much working with all of the Idea Week team. Folks who understand the power of ACTION as a result of inspiration. I have some plans for the action cards at PKN vol. 4 Wed night. Stay tuned.

I'm conspiratorial - no brainer

2010-10-08T20:31:00.006-05:00

And not just because Art Con is 2 weeks away. In a panic? No...!
Ok, Yes.

Anyhoo. No, this whole Gap logo thing. Lest you be fooled. Step one: Roll out a crappy design. Step two: Get everyone talking. Step three: Incite rabid loyalism in people who like the clothes, damn it, they don't care what the logo looks like. Sheesh.

New Coke 2010. It's so obvious.

In other news, scan the barcode below for all things Art Con 6:

School

2010-09-28T08:37:00.004-05:00

Happy beyond happy about being in school again. This is totally what my soul needed. Back in my UD days, I was taking 19 hours, working 2 part time jobs and stressing out every last minute of it.

To be older. To slow down. To rest while digesting the tragic genre (part of my class this semester) is such a gift.

To write things other than press releases and FYI blog entries is deeply satisfying. Just for giggles, maybe I'll hit publish on such papers here. Alter this little landscape somewhat. I've got nothing else to rant about these days after all.

paper cranes are totally about peace.

2010-08-26T22:12:00.002-05:00

We (ok, Paul) walk Eva to school and I try to be around to walk and pick her up. It's only day 3 but it's quickly becoming my favorite time of day. She has the best stories. Today's? She was bored after eating her lunch and didn't know anyone anyway so she folded a paper crane. Next thing she knew, she'd folded "about 30" and given them to random kids who had never seen such a thing.

Awesome.

SCHOOL

2010-08-22T10:46:00.004-05:00

The first day of school has traditionally been lost on we Semrads. We don't notice the shopping, the tax free weekend, the hubub. We start school when we feel like it and move at our own pace, having home schooled since 2005 when Eva started "school" - mostly because we are total snobs and have crazy high standards about learning. And loving to learn. I could go into a whole host of other issues and complaints and truly valid reasons. But I won't.

This year is different. Eva wants to try school and see what it's all about. So try it we will. We got her registered - which is not that easy if you have no report card or tests to validate your grade level. We met her teachers and walked the school grounds to find all her classes. We bought uniforms and a clear backpack as requested by the administration. We met the band director and Eva will start the flute this year.

Jiri? He's staying home a few more years with Paul as his teacher. Me? I'm beginning a Masters degree at SMU. We all start tomorrow.

A new era starts on Monday...

2010-08-21T13:53:00.001-05:00

Awkward!

2010-08-17T10:29:00.002-05:00

I just sent one of the most awkward notes of my adult life in the mail. Here's the million dollar lesson for 2010 kids: don't ever get yourself in a situation where you can't fully express your need to love and take care of others. It's the shittiest feeling in the world. That is all.

Caves

2010-07-28T07:54:00.001-05:00

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

2010-07-25T08:38:00.002-05:00

Home. Missing Turkish food, coffee and friends, but HOME. I can't wait to muck around with the pictures. And I can't wait to go back.

Highlights? Oh there are many. Here's the short list:
- Ephesus - I'm a sucker for ancient Greek and Roman cities, (thanks UD).
- Topkapi Palace - In particular the man reading out loud from the Qur'an. For 500 years straight, someone has been reading aloud. Through earthquakes, wars and changes in government. Two hour shifts for 500 years.
- Bursa. The whole dang town. The Ulu Cami, the Whirling Dervishes (amazing amazing amazing freaking amazing), the preciousness of family life in this city.
- The Turkish Bath after a visit to the Grand Bazaar. Wow.
- Diving off the second story of a boat into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Antalya at the base of a waterfall. I did not make this up.
- Exploring the caves of Cappadocia and visiting an artist residency.

When I scroll through the pictures on my camera, I'm amazed at what we did in two weeks. Pictures soon. For now, rest.

2010 is a pretty great year so far...

2010-06-18T13:01:00.004-05:00

Right. Where to start. I don't blog so much these days. Not feeling the urge.

Just finished this little project.
Now? Post conference work, LRTX grant writing and data combing the database.
Then? Heading to Turkey for a good portion of July.
But not before PKN3 at Dallas Center for Architecture.

Upon returning, school. For me this time. And then The Feast. Then TEDxSMU. Then Art Con VI. THEN Marfa for by twiceayear sanity session.

It's good to be.

Bring it

2010-05-26T13:14:00.004-05:00

I'm pretty pumped about Cathey's show opening tomorrow night at the Magnolia. I might need this one. Reminds me of me.

recap

2010-05-09T22:49:00.006-05:00

It's Mother's Day. I woke up in a tent this morning with a precious 8 year old boy. Sat by a campfire last night. Co-hosted a marvelous reception at the Nasher with La Reunion yesterday afternoon. Ate pizza on Friday night. Now? Cyberstalking late on a Sunday evening can't be a good thing. Instead I'll prepare for this. Or this.

Truth is: I miss Paul and Eva profoundly. They're home tomorrow from their NY trip. Ready for a trip of my own - to Turkey or Marfa. The end.

PKN Dallas vol. 2 - RSVP now for May 13

2010-04-28T17:07:00.003-05:00

RSVP here.

I literally can't write right now

2010-04-21T17:34:00.001-05:00

Not that anything is THAT interesting. Ok it is. The NYC trip was amazing. Year two for 99 Percent Conference. I'll blog about it and the trip soon. And the upcoming landmarks. Nasher. PKN2. Stuff like that.

NX35

2010-03-14T10:52:00.006-05:00

I sat on a panel at the kickoff of NX35 with four other totally engaging and wonderful panelists:

Kevin Roden of Denton's Drink & Think
Vicki Meek of the South Dallas Cultural Center
Robert Milnes, the dean of UNT's visual art program
Michael Seman, a phd candidate in UTA's Urban Planning program and in the band Shiny Around the Edges.
Lyndsay Milne moderated.

It was stellar and fairly well attended. I mostly kept my conversation about Art Con and LRTX, although there was a dive into a conversation about kids and the arts. Uh, sometimes you take em and sometimes you leave em - that was my answer and I'm sticking with it. I had a great time and it's been entertaining to read the post-panel commentary. Here's a few of them:

DC9 at Night
Denton Record Chronicle
Front Row

I think all in all it was a fabulous panel. I wanted to talk more about accessibility and the arts, which I brought up at the end with only a nibble from the rest of the audience and panelists. Bummed about missing the Flaming Lips show last night. I hear it was EPIC. But I'm catching Ishi / Neon Indian / Florene tonight! Woohoo!

In other news, here's an interview I did with Kyle Kondas and Jax Daws on their new Spirits blog. Pretty funny!

PKN Dallas

2010-03-01T08:36:00.003-06:00

First ever PKN Dallas was last night. It was stellar. Many thanks for those who made this under-the-radar event. We called this the 'Friends and Family Edition' because my partner in crime on this, Brian, and I had never done it and wanted to work out the kinks with people we know and love. Thanks to Chris at Smoke for the space and all the amazing presenters. Here's the bio's of the speakers:

Bang Dang - Raised in Dallas since four years old and having a Chinese background, Bang has a somewhat unique, Eastern/Western take on how to do architecture. The natural inclination to be rational, subtle and minimal is always countered by the urge to be somewhat instinctive, brave and free. After graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin in 1998, Bang has worked for the office of Gary Cunningham for close to 10 years. Despite a strict Modernist allegiance and an admiration of Corb, Aalto, Mies, Wright, Eames, Neutra and many others, Bang tries to keep an open mind towards new work pushing the field of art and architecture. Bang recently started his own office and is also currently pursuing a graduate degree at UTA so that he can practice and teach concurrently.

Catherine Horsey - Catherine Horsey is a consultant on resource-efficient buildings and nonprofit governance and works as a volunteer with the Texas Music Center, Friends of Fair Park, the Fair Park Trust Fund, North Texas Master Naturalists and the U.S. Green Building Council. Past projects include Urban Reserve; the Trinity River and Dogwood Canyon Audubon Centers; and Park Row Estates, an affordable housing development in South Dallas. She has a long history of nonprofit management, including seven years as executive director of Preservation Dallas. In 2000, Mayor Ron Kirk proclaimed Catherine Horsey Day in recognition of her contributions to Dallas; in 2004, Mayor David Cicilline of Providence, Rhode Island, where she was then living, recognized her for her “overarching advancement of our cultural life.” She returned to Dallas for good in 2004, where she plays left-handed mandolin and right-handed banjo.

David Goltl - Born and raised in Omaha Nebraska, studied computer science at the University of Nebraska at Omaha until moving to Dallas TX. Has now been a Dallasite for almost 17 years. Blames his mother for drawing him into design as well as the love of shoes.Huge fan of design and has been working for Design Within Reach for almost 5 years. Can either be found searching for "good" design, shoes, or riding his bicycle. Loves Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain.

Brian Gibb - Gallery owner, artist, designer, publisher, are some of the titles that Brian Gibb carries. In 2003 he co-founded Art Prostitute, the internationally acclaimed art publication that has been widely recognized for its excellence in design and content, having conducted interviews with some of today's most influential contemporary artists. In 2004 Gibb extended the project to include a gallery, now known as The Public Trust, and is one of the founding member galleries of The Contemporary Art Dealers of Dallas. His solo exhibition Please Believe Me, was the debut of a body of intensely personal work in which Gibb chronicles, "the high price of living with a single dream." This work explores the struggle of the rise, relationships and the musings of a culture jammer. Gibb's work has been exhibited throughout Texas, as well as Portland, Monterey and Los Angeles. He continues to publish books under the imprint BEE LEE GEE Press. Most recently, Brian has collaborated with James Cope of The Goss-Michael Foundation to create Pop-Up 310, an independent curatorial project for cutting edge art in the West Village. Brian Gibb lives and works in Dallas, Texas.

Cherie Boettcher - Cherie founded Birth and Women’s Center in 1993 after earning a Master’s – level certificate in Nurse – Midwifery from the State University of New York. Prior to this time, she practiced as a home birth midwife for 13 years and worked as a Registered Nurse in a hospital setting. To date, she has attended more than 3,000 births in 30 years of practice. She has committed her life to providing women with a safe, nurturing environment where they may become mothers, and a supportive space where couples share in becoming families.

Allison V. Smith - Allison V. Smith is an award winning photographer whose career started in photojournalism at the Dallas Morning News. Some of her clients include The New York Times, KIPP Schools, and The Omiydar Network. Her work is in the permanent collections at The Dallas Museum of Art and Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Smith and her mother published a book of photographs taken by Stanley Marcus called Reflection of a Man: The Photographs of Stanley Marcus. Allison and her husband, gallerist Barry Whistler reside in Dallas with their two dogs Bucks and Daisy.

More advance warning on the next one and a bigger venue. Promise. Sometime in April. (pic via Cari Weinberg's iphone)

home. hitting the ground running.

2010-02-28T11:33:00.003-06:00

Going to West Texas ALWAYS clears my head. Looking at stars in one of the darkest places on earth can't be a bad thing, methinks. Being with women who are as ballsy as can be is pure heaven. The pictures will come later. Oh, the pictures.

Open House yesterday at the LRTX site was amazing. Lovely crowd, lovely weather and totally inspiring new installations. So proud to know each and every person who came out to the site and checked out the work.

In other news. Sabotaging a good thing sucks. If you're this person, step aside and get off the bus. Take look at the bigger picture and then keep your petty mouth shut. Or simply stop your bad mouthing and start helping, ok? Vibes are officially being sent your way. Rant over.

Thank you West Texas for the clarity.

And Lent Begins...

2010-02-17T13:00:00.003-06:00

Lent is literally one of my favorite times of year. I've always enjoyed 'giving something up' for lent. As a child I gave up cheese one year and took it *so* seriously. Most cultures have some sort of fasting practice and I tend to respect and honor deep human traditions like that. You know, like there might be something to it. For me lent is a time to re-evaluate my relationship with things I know can't be good for me physically or spiritually when enjoyed in excess. Lent is an annual way to purify Sarah Jane.

I always go vegan during lent. And give up alcohol. (It makes the beer and cheese so much better on the other side!) Last year I added Facebook. I'm keeping all three again this year. But I'm giving myself Sundays off the hook. 'Specially this upcoming Sunday!

home! (but still no power...)

2010-02-14T10:57:00.007-06:00

Two and half days in New York turned into a week. Thanks snow. Two Rockwalls and a splash of Plano later, I'm totally over being stuck in Brooklyn. Lawd have mercy, what a week.

The highlights? Oh, there were many. Here's what my iphone pics had to say:

Spending lots of time with friends... Teresa, Ben, Alan, Nathan, Kyle, Lara, Cherie and Dan Paul. I'm pretty sure all my worlds collided.

Hearing these two do a rap in latin. (Kyle's students, of course)

Visiting my brother at school. And seeing him so happy.

Seeing my brother teach his after school rock band class at PS126 in Chinatown.

The Tim Burton exhibit at Moma. I literally can't get enough of what this place offers.

Wandering around the East Village in the blizzard with Kyle and my brother Nathan.

Eating with my brother and Kyle. Two of my favorite people.

The most amazing wedding I've ever attended. My dear friend Maurice married the most lovely girl...

A wall of sweets at the wedding! Never seen anything like it.

Our tables at the wedding. Over the top.

Poetry with Cherie and Kyle at the Soft Spot. Many times over.

Haven't had too much to say lately... This is all I got right now.

2010-02-06T21:49:00.007-06:00

Travel preparation: New York next week. Marfa week after that. New York again in April. Istanbul in July.

La Reunion TX: Open House Feb 27. RSVP, s’il vous plaît.

Art Con: Strategic planning and behind-the-scenes shifting.

Family: pure awesomeness.

Friends: 98% awesomeness. Sometimes sad stuff just happens.

Serendipity factor: Sky high, people. Sky high. All fodder for that book I will someday write. Hold on tight!

A tiny comment about Santa

2010-01-15T10:11:00.004-06:00

During our church meeting on Wed, I finally got to crystallize why I don't care for Santa. Paul and I have always said something like "we don't do Santa because we don't lie to our kids" or "we don't do Santa because he represents a perpetuation of reckless and greedy consumerism we simply can't support".

While semi-accurate, neither really communicates my true sentiment.

I don't like Santa because he likes rich kids more than poor kids. There, I said it.

You know who's cute? That Jiri child of mine.

2010-01-05T08:57:00.003-06:00

Paul and Eva had a Girl Scout date so Jiri and I went to dinner. We talked about super powers and which ones we wished we had. I'm a simple girl. I just want to fly. He wanted to be able to throw a napkin and silverware into the air and have them roll up into something suitable for the table. Now THAT's a super power, people. Photo above from our trip to the ranch over Christmas.

Just a couple of New Year's comments

2010-01-04T08:55:00.006-06:00

To my sorely neglected blog....

First up, I've been working with my friends Stacy, Christian, Bob and Jill on creating a new network in the DFW area. A network of emerging "starters of things" with a priority of a social bottom line. As a serial "starter of things" myself I'm always interested in meeting others who "start things". It is of course a different animal to step into an already functioning entity and take up a job with in it than it is to build the entity and all its infrastructure. Different. Animal. THAT my friends takes the entrepreneurial work ethic of 24/7 and the ultimate game of creativity to balance time, money and sustainability.

We call this thing Spark Club because the minds eye visual of ideas sparking. It's a feeling I know I get when I meet someone who has an idea that resonates with something I'm working on and we can mutually benefit. The next meeting of this group is Jan 21 at Reunion Tower. I'll make a presentation about a project I'm working on called La Reunion. Mostly to share what it's been like to literally be building the plane as its flying and what it looks like and functions like from a 360 view as well as share the multiple bottom lines of La Reunion. Financial. Social. Environmental.

The other thing. I was a part of a round table discussion (sans a table) last month at the Texas Theatre. I made a comment in the article and the accompanying film that makes me shudder every time I hear it. I said "Dallas is a wasteland". Don't get me wrong, I still mean it. But let me explain. As a mountain/sky/desert kind of girl, I'm totally screwed here. I'm here because my parents, Paul's parents, random siblings and cousins are here. Not because we actually like it here. Also, Dallas is weird. And new. But really really really old too. Deep, weird roots in relationships that keep things stagnant and status quo. Especially when money and family are involved. All these paradoxes feed into this wasteland of which I speak. That being said, there's ultimate opportunity here! The constraint of status quo makes pretty much anything you do amazing. Still no mountains to be sure, but there is boundless opportunity. Perfect for someone who likes to "start things"! That being said, I love this city!

Now about that bunny suit....

2009-12-18T22:30:00.004-06:00

What is the light? That you have? Shining all around you? Is it chemically derived?

{alarm clock noise}

Because if it's natural. Something glowing from inside. Shining all around you. Its potential has arrived. Look into space. It's around you. Love is the place that you're drawn to. Look into space. It's around you. Love is the place that you're drawn to.

What is the light? That you have? Shining all around you? Is it chemically derived?

I am *so* stoked about some Flaming Lips in March. Clearly. It's all I can play on my ipod in uber geeky anticipation.

2009-12-15T20:15:00.001-06:00

Art Con 5

2009-12-14T17:21:00.004-06:00

(photo by Justin Terveen. Big one here.)

Mostly just speechless. But speaking of speeches, the little one I made on stage Saturday night sums up (most of) the thank you's. Never in a million years did we EVER think Art Conspiracy would turn into what it has. BIG announcement soon on attendance and money raised but until then please cyberstalk the amazing press and let us know if you would like to participate in the future.

THANK YOU:

A huge thank you to the incredible team that make Art Con happen! Oh behalf of the board of directors, I am honored and privileged to share with you all the energy behind Art Conspiracy. Did you seen the stage?! Led by designers Courtney Miles and Edward Ruiz and built by a charming and fabulous construction crew led by Erik Glissmann and supported by his brother Aaron Glissmann, Dave Harrell, Dave Hickmott, Travis Williams, Christian Youngblood, Randy Lisbona, Randall and Mark.

Many thanks to all the musicians and music coordinator Chelsea Callaghan and stage manager Josh McKibben. Many many many thanks to Art Coordinators Vanessa Neil and Kevin Obregon. Many thanks to Frank for painting the amazing mural out front. Many thanks to all the artists who created work on site just yesterday in this very room. And especially to Travis Bush for the chicken and dumplings and Clay Pendergrass for the tunes on installation day!

Of course Art Con cannot happen without the behind the scenes help of designer Angela Faz, Brian Murphy, Robbie Michael and Mike Arreaga - who make the website, the logo and the t-shirts happen! A special thanks to Taylor Hatfield who connected us to the beer tonight, along with many OTHER refreshments yesterday. Bill and Jeff and Shaun and Pete - you do the most boring but important job in the house. Thank you. Thank you to our volunteers who do everything from steer you through the door, handle your art to serve you a drink.

This event is made possible by the following partners: Art and Seek, Architectural Carpentry Materials, Leroy Jordan Lumber, Faire Father, Greenscape Earth Designs, Print Place, Ben E Keith, DME Solutions, Prekindle for helping with advanced ticket sales this year and especially Butch McGregor with West Dallas Investments who has generously let us utilize this warehouse, granting us access to it for weeks on end so we had free reign to build the stage and invite our artists to come in and create artwork.

Last but certainly not least many thanks to volunteer coordinator Ange Fitzgerald and our amazing executive director Cari Weinberg. It is literally their guidance, wisdom and organization that allow this event to happen in the first place.

Thank you for attending. It is the generosity of the organizers, attendees, artists and musicians that allow this incredible form of street level philanthropy happen. To sustain an incredible organization like Resolana in an economy like this. Together we have a loud voice and make a big change. Art for social change.

Map to Art Con 5!

2009-12-10T08:18:00.002-06:00

My new mantra is all about the map. See below. Park on Saturday accordingly!

DJSJ in the House! Special RIP John Lennon edition.

2009-12-09T16:51:00.006-06:00

Was the guest DJ on KNON's SONIC ASSEMBLY with Reid and Allison in advance of Art Con 5. Some songs relate to Art Con and some don't. Mostly just tried to be diverse and authentic.

HERE GOES:

Mr. Blue Sky by ELO – Praying for Blue Skies on Saturday.

Baltic Sea by Chad Stockslager (Art Con auctioneer) – Chad is one of our dearest friends. I have heard him play this song at DADA, the Barley House and in my own living room. Sure, we might all slit our wrists, but it’s still beautiful.

Aguas de Marco by Antonio Carlos Jobim – Paul and I fell in love to this song. He put it on a mixed tape (yes tape) when I went on a solo Spring Break trip in college. Have loved the song ever since. He always would say that the lady laughing at the very end gave him such great hope.

PO Box 7 by Rappin Cowboy – We hosted Chris Sand, The Rappin’ Cowboy, last spring at our home in a fabulous house concert. He’s so cool and when he comes back in March, we’ll have him back!

Always on my Mind by Willie Nelson – I personally encounter Willie Nelson on a daily basis and have a far-fetched wish to have him to our home for dinner. Paul’s a fabulous cook and I think him and Chad should meet. I have a really funny story about him time allowing.

(this one didn't get played) I'd Rather Dance by Kings of Convenience – All the Kings of Convenience albums work in any weather, any mood, and any place. I don’t have the new album yet, but I’m sure it’s delicious. This song feels happy. You can be who you need to be.

Blue Moon by Course of Empire – Paul was in Course of Empire. I like this song because it’s not like all the others by CoE.

Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash – The Art Con beneficiary this year is Resolana. They offer rehabilitative services, including art, the incarcerated women. Johnny got what it means to offer compassion, love and art to even those who have screwed up royally.

Blue Sparks by Paper Bird – I heard this band at the Swiss House a couple years ago. I literally couldn’t stop staring at the three girls who sang this acapella. They totally blew my mind and I wanted to throw myself on the rocks as if they were the Sirens in the Odyssey.

Song? By Strange Boys – Paul and I met Little Ryan as we called him many years ago just as the Strange Boys were forming. All these years later, we’re so happy they’re still at it. Super huge crush. This is off a bootleg copy of the new cd Chad let us borrow.

Lions - first song on cd – Remember when they were called “The Good Looks” or something? Every once in a while they pop through the Double Wide. I LOVE the Lions.

Imagine by John Lennon – He was assassinated on this day in 1980. I think this song sums up his legacy. Honored to play it on this day

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. This is my 8 year old son's favorite song, so it's my inner 8 year old's favorite song too!

Attn: those interested in Spark Club.

2009-12-08T20:13:00.003-06:00

Read all about the last Spark Club meeting at Cohabitat on Art&Seek.
Stay tuned to this space for a national live webcast conference. 12/9 at 10:30am.

Printing our own shirts this year

2009-12-07T20:32:00.002-06:00

Mike Arreaga spearheads a team that will print our own shirts this year. It's more DIY and plus we save some money. And have cool footage. Art Con is extremely rough around the edges. We like it that way. This ain't the Crystal Charity crowd. My parents attend every year and I know they don't feel especially comfortable but it means a lot they show up. Art Con is one of the things that makes me happiest about the wasteland that is Dallas. We all show up, work hard together and make something bigger than ourselves happen to better the community. Artists, musicians, carpenters, spreadsheet builders, graphic designers, you name it. Sometimes egos get inflated and in the way, but somehow we're able to plough through and still pull it off. I'm equal parts excited and about to pass out. Will be until Sunday. See ya Saturday.

In case you're under a rock....

2009-12-06T20:22:00.004-06:00

Art Con IV is Saturday, Dec 12. 150 artists. 4 bands. Aaaaand a couple of surprises. $10 admission. Benefiting Resolana. Parking is slightly down the street (map forthcoming). www.ArtConspiracy.org

Art & Seek is our community partner and have already starting posting some of the behind the scenes info....

Frank's studio.
Jason's studio.
Cari on THINK.

When this was a once-off event 5 years ago I can guarantee you we never thought THIS was going to happen. We're excited and nervous and READY. Bring it on Dec 12 at 7pm. See ya then.

oh the stuff that's brewing!

2009-11-29T18:57:00.002-06:00

This week - Spark Club.

Next week - Art Conspiracy.

Near future? - Pecha Kucha Dallas!

Stay tuned. Stay freakin' tuned.

It's fun to be tall

2009-11-24T08:50:00.001-06:00

Me and my daughter's girl scout troop back in the day.

CorinthPark

2009-11-20T22:11:00.002-06:00

Success to me is watching Scott and Nicole pulling this thing off better than I ever could. Hope you all can make it. CorinthPark.org

Imogen Heap!

2009-11-17T22:56:00.002-06:00

What a great show... Imogen Heap was spectacular at the Granada last night. Many thanks to @AjayWaghray for the ticket!

Confessions of a Grump

2009-11-12T17:48:00.006-06:00

(photo courtesy of Hal Samples at the Willie Baronet show at Hal Samples Gallery called Home? - all the pics here)

This pic is awfully timely. Foul doesn't even begin to describe how I've been acting lately. Troubled stuff comes out of my mouth and I don't know where it's coming from. Uncharacteristic meanness and tacky behavior from a normally fairly generous and kind person. If I'm ignoring you, please don't take it personal. I have a witch on my back apparently. Give me a few more days.

Today is the greatest. Day I've ever known.

2009-11-07T18:14:00.003-06:00

cutting through the crap since 1975.
+
step aside.
+
moving on.
=
words I live by.

(when I'm plowing through and gettin' it done, that is)

Today was magic. Third annual art chicas unidas. On site and outdoors and totally amazing. I am honored to get to do what I do. Nope, NCC (not curing cancer), but you know what? Doling out joy to high school girls is pure gold. Cultivating the professional artist community to generate new work? Worth it. Totally worth it. I'm bone tired and happy beyond all comprehension.

Art Con 5 Press Release!

2009-11-03T15:47:00.001-06:00

From Art & Seek:

Art Conspiracy is a grassroots fund-raiser, art auction, concert and all-around heck of a party. The venue and the beneficiary change every year, and today details were announced for ArtCon 5.

Here's the skinny:

Date: 7 p.m., Dec. 12

Location: A warehouse at 511 West Commerce, Dallas. It will be transformed into a performance space and gallery for the evening.

The Art: 150 artists contribute their work, all created on Dec. 11, just for the event.

The bands: Telegraph Canyon, The Crash that Took Me, The Boom Boom Box and RTB2

Your host: The fabulous Paul Slavens, of 90.1 at Night, now on KERA radio, soon to be on KXT.

Admission: $10

The beneficiary: Resolana. The group provides rehabilitative arts programming to women in jail in Dallas.

If you are an artist, and want to participate, you need to take action at noon today.

You'll hear a lot more about Art Con here in the coming weeks, because Art&Seek is partnering with the group on this year's event. So stay tuned for more.

Press release after the jump

Art Conspiracy is Turning Five

December 12^th event is equal parts off-the-grid art show, concert and fundraiser

November 3, 2009 – DALLAS, TX – What started off as a “one time only” fundraiser has become one of the most anticipated annual art events in Dallas. On Saturday, December 12, starting at 7:00 p.m., Art Conspiracy will mark its fifth year of bringing artists and musicians together to “conspire” for good causes.

This year’s Art Conspiracy will be held at 511 West Commerce in Dallas. Once again the Art Conspiracy crew will transform an empty warehouse into a one-night-only art gallery and performance space. The event will feature music from Telegraph Canyon, The Crash That Took Me, The Boom Boom Box and RTB2, video installations from Edward Ruiz, art from 150 Dallas area artists and emcee, Paul Slavens, host of KERA-FM’s 90.1 at Night.

Art Conspiracy differs from other arts fundraisers because the artists do their work on site the day before the event. On the eve of Art Conspiracy, artists work in shifts to fill 150 18 x 18 plywood canvasses. During the actual event on Saturday, December 12, all pieces will be sold in rapid-fire live auctions. Starting bids for all pieces is $20.

This year Art Conspiracy has formed a partnership with KERA’s Art & Seek, an online community at artandseek.org where creative people can come together to find, discuss, create and react to art.

“We’ve worked to make Art Conspiracy unique, it’s an event built on creativity but the end game is doing good,” says Cari Weinberg, Executive Director, Art Conspiracy. “Art Conspiracy is fun, fast-paced and accessible to everyone. Over the last five years thousands of people have given us their time, talent and support. The result is a collaborative night showcasing the best of the creative community in Dallas while raising money.”

In 2009, Art Conspiracy will donate the proceeds of our event to Resolana, an organization that provides rehabilitative arts programming for women in the Dallas County Jail and Dawson State Jail in Dallas.

“In an uncertain economy, being the beneficiary of the Art Conspiracy is a tremendous gift . . . a real godsend,” says Bette Buschow, Executive Director, Resolana. “Resolana has recently been assigned its own classroom space in the new addition to Dallas County Jail and over the last six months, our programming has grown from six hours of classes per week to 16-20 hours per week. The funding from Art Conspiracy will make a HUGE difference in our ability to support and sustain this growth and in our ability to serve the women at Dallas County Jail.”

Since 2005, Art Conspiracy has raised over $50,000 for groups including

Preservation LINK, an organization that teaches audio and visual media to students in South Dallas and Fair Park
La Reunion TX, an arts residency in the making on a 35 acre urban forest engaged as outdoor studio space and gallery.
St. Anthony Community Center, a center that offers visual art, music and dance to more than 800 children in South Dallas.

Art Conspiracy is street level philanthropy. Members of the creative community in North Texas pool their talents to create bi-annual fundraising events that support other nonprofit arts programs. Art Conspiracy events are designed to be affordable and offer everyone a chance to purchase original artwork at a reasonable level. Art Conspiracy is a 501c3 organization with IRS nonprofit status (so your donations are tax deductible!) More information is available at www.artconspiracy.org

Media Info:

Art Conspiracy organizers, musicians, and artists are available for interviews. For more

information and/or Art Conspiracy artwork, please contact Cari Weinberg at

cari@artconspiracy.org or call 214-794-3510.

Art Conspiracy Details:

Date: 7:00 p.m., Saturday, December 12

Location: 511 W. Commerce, Dallas, TX 75208

Participants: 150 Dallas Artists, 4 Bands

Admission: $10

Benefiting: Resolana

mmm, how fun. First Spark Club meeting a success!

2009-10-30T09:08:00.001-05:00

About 40-60 (I'm a terrible judge of crowds) attended the first ever Spark Club! And it was fun!

a few of my favorite portraits from the last few years...

2009-10-27T16:52:00.003-05:00

Cristina Henriquez

Kahki and Tarek

Roy and The Strange Boys

Therese

Trish and Tim

I can't get enough of this shot...

2009-10-20T22:04:00.001-05:00

Home from West Texas. See ya in the Spring.

Call for Artists : Portfolio Review

2009-10-14T08:05:00.003-05:00

CALL FOR ARTISTS :: PORTFOLIO REVIEW

What: Kettle Art Gallery announces a juried art show open to all emerging artists in the North Texas area. The purpose is to give constructive feedback on submitted portfolios and present to the community a body of work by various artists that's representative of the emerging Dallas art scene in 2009. The theme is open and all media will be considered.

How: Interested artists should submit a cd with up to 5 available images sized no longer than 1000 pixels in any direction. Artists should also submit a brief bio and artist statement about his/her work and fill out the attached application by Friday, October 16 at 5pm. An application fee of $10 to submit.

Application proceeds go towards the production of the reception. Artwork must be available for sale and there is a 50/50 split with Kettle on sold artwork. Mail or deliver to Kettle Art Gallery located at 2714 Elm St. Dallas TX. 75226 in Deep Ellum. Send a SASE if you want these materials returned.

When: Artists will be notified of their acceptance by Friday, October 23 and works must be delivered wired and ready for installation by Friday, October 30 at 5pm. A reception will be held on November 7.

Jury: The jury for this exhibit is
Anne Bothwell - Director, KERA's Art & Seek
Jason Janik - Photographer
Sarah Jane Semrad - Executive Director, La Reunion TX and President, Art Conspiracy
Lucia Simek - co-founder and critic with Dallas' arts and culture blog, Renegade Bus
Charles Dee Mitchell - Morning News Art Critic

Each artist should expect to receive a series of constructive comments from the jurors about their work. The jury will deem a set of artists as 'Best in Show' and those artists will be acknowledged at the reception on November 7.

Download your Application Here

Contact: Please contact Frank at Kettle if you have any questions. 214-573-7622 or e-mail info@kettleart.com

I'll be in West Texas but...

2009-10-14T07:54:00.007-05:00

I'd suggest a look-see at Tyler's new body of work. He's one of the LRTX artists and is a brilliant photographer. I even bought one! Closing reception on the 17th. More info on his site: www.tylersharpphotography.com

Post TEDx commentary

2009-10-13T08:38:00.003-05:00

(illegal photo of confetti comin' at us courtesy my iPhone)

After weeks of anticipation, my pal Stacy and I took the train from Oak Cliff to Mockingbird Station to experience the first ever TEDxSMU. It was a well-attended affair boasting a who’s who of whoville Dallas. Of the 500 or so attendees I knew probably a third and had heard of another third. (Was that really Lucy Billingsley sitting on the floor near us at lunch…) That left roughly a third that was free game to meet! And that, friends, is what made TEDxSMU the uber networking event.

First the venue. The Caruth Auditorium was comfortable with equal indoor and outdoor spaces to eat, mingle and relish the cool October day. The auditorium was packed to the hilt with not one seat left empty. The backdrop of a giant pipe organ was oddly inspiring and after a few minor technical difficulties, the day was mostly glitch free. A personal frustration and major opportunity for improvement was the lack of recycling for all the plastic they were giving us – from the Central Market boxed lunches to the plastic yogurt containers at breakfast. It was awkward to say the least to listen to speakers sharing insight on poverty, lack of clean water, our oil addiction and not be able to recycle the dang water bottles. (ahem, we packed ours out.)

Next, the content. It’s hard to say who was my personal favorite. Was it Dr. William J. Abraham sharing his quest to unify sub atomic particles with theology and philosophy? Or was it Dr. Arthur Benjamin’s contagious and exuberant LOVE (and I don’t use the word lightly, people) of mathematics? Perhaps it was Rogers Hartmann and her demand that we think beyond the limits of our bodies? Wait wait, I think maybe I’m leaving out 13-year-old home-schooled piano prodigy Lewis Warren. No, it might have been William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer’s presentation about scrap yard windmills. Egads. Too hard to choose. All the presenters wowed. Even the old fella who encouraged us to ‘think more positively about gangbangin’, I mean, whales do it!’ (Don’t ask – and yes it was incredibly awkward.)

The real highlight? Witnessing The Polyphonic Spree rocking this intellectually diverse crowd. Some of us have been to Spree shows and knew to expect a confetti cannon and Tim DeLaughter’s freakishly charismatic antics with the 20+ robe-laden musicians. Others? Apparently not! You should have seen the fellow in the business pink button down shirt go completely unreactive, catatonic even, when Tim climbed up 15 or so auditorium rows to sit by him. Mid-song. Reliving that at the Reel FX after-party with fellow TEDx’ers and members of the band was good times indeed.

Kudos to SMU and especially Sharon Lyle, director of the first annual TEDxSMU. I can imagine what it must have been like to orchestrate and execute an event of this magnitude. I’m even inspired to pursue that MLS degree from SMU I’ve had my eye on. How brilliantly simple (and fun) to have downloaded the free TEDxSMU iPhone app to track twitter conversations that day and meet new people via my cell phone. I’m positively over-joyed to have attended and be able to share with Art& Seek readers. I’ll await next year with baited breath. (originally posted here)

PAC-WE - Save the date for Oct 25

2009-10-08T08:46:00.004-05:00

Friend Greg Metz asked my help on something and I won't say no. I'm uninsured. The husband and kids are uninsured. See, our 'health care' revolves around being vegetarian, maintaining a rigorous yoga practice and if worse came to worse, we'd apply to medicaid. That's our 'health care'. Totally unacceptable for a family of four. And this is the case for MANY of my friends. Even if they access to insurance through an employer, their monthly portion is astronomically high with ridiculous deductibles and catastrophic coverage only.

We're not handout people. My gosh, we're so independent we're practically republicans. (I said *practically* people.) We're doing important stuff. And making the world a better place. But we have exactly ZERO options for insurance. Sure, I fantasize sometimes about getting a real job and throwing all this non-profit stuff I do to the wind. And ask Paul to stop schooling our kids. But we're picky about boring stuff like our kids' education. And well, truly not motivated by money. Cash simply can't make us sing.

So what's a girl to do? Join with others in the same boat. October 25. 11am. Here's the FB page. Keep watching www.Pac-We.net for maps, parking, misc logistics. It goes live Oct. 10.

And finally, a great sermon from First UMC Dallas.... Sent by pal Rob. Thanks man.