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Welcome To CAS!
The Creative Arts Society, established in 1999, is an Austin based, non-profit 501(c)(3) thriving arts organization actively promoting the development of the “Artist in Everyone” for the expanding growth and diversity of our community. Our vision is to be a vital presence in the community inspiring: Cultural enrichment, Community participation, and respect for diversity. Our goal is to increase awareness and appreciation for and through the Arts. NEXT MEETING:
May 1, 2019 6:30 pm Networking | 7 pm Meeting LOCATION: Austin Community College District Highland Campus - Veterans Resource Center 6101 Highland Campus Drive, Building 4000 Austin, TX 78752 |
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APRIL FEATURED ARTIST
Alicia Philley Artist Statement Color is pure energy. It has the power to affect our mood, transform our experiences and emotionally connect us. My acrylic paintings are a mix of abstract expressionism and op-art; masking-taped lines that swerve and layer over and under each other. My most recent series are based off the colors, light and feel of local creeks in the early spring and summer. I like looking at things that seem to disappear or change color when no physical change has truly happened. Like branches or grasses bending from sight in the breeze, sticks bobbing under water then popping up again, the color of sky and rocks shifting in hue as the day progresses. I use my materials as well as the shapes of my lines to capture those ethereal moments. I’ve rediscovered wood as an amazing surface to work on. The naturally occurring grain works like a flowing map for my paint lines to follow or cut across. The colors I choose are often bright, like splashes of light, and I'm embracing shimmery metallics and pearlescent additives to amp up the shine. It's hard to pinpoint exactly when I understood that color would be the focus of my art-making. I know that I always loved color and paint, growing up with a grandmother who created landscapes and a dad who painted houses. I chose to study writing and worked as a journalist in New York as my first career. But during that time, I still painted, showed my work, and took art classes in my spare time. I realized after seven years that I really needed to just make art. I went back to school for a BFA in painting at Hunter College and that was where I felt challenged to develop my own voice. And then I took another detour after graduation, having a baby and moving back to Texas. I had planned to paint from home while taking care of my daughter, and that worked for a few years. But after my second child was born and my older one began having serious health issues, I made a choice to take a break and focus on helping her. Eight years later, she was much stronger and my youngest was getting older, so I dove back in. What's been most interesting, looking back on the past 2 1/2 years of working again, is how much my paintings have changed in appearance even though I continue to use the same techniques I mastered in school. I am also more comfortable thinking of myself as a working artist, even when I'm not yet earning a large income. I figure I've got the whole second half of my life to grow that side! This year I've hit the ground running: Through CAS I currently have a show up at Howson Library Branch in Tarrytown, am in a group show at the Bass Concert Hall and will be displaying works at Topaz Salon during the summer. In the fall I'm having a two-person show at Link & Pin Gallery--opening September 27. I also just found out that a group show application I helped submit to the Georgetown Art Center was selected for a show in July and August of 2020! I am also excited to be participating in West Austin Studio Tours from my backyard home studio for the first time. I hope some of you will stop by, even though I'm at the very south end of the map! www.aliciaphilley.com and instagram @alicia_philley
FEATURED EXHIBITSAustin Public Libraries
Carver Branch Library 1161 Angelina St. Twin Oaks Library 1800 S 5th Street Howson Library 2500 Exposition Blvd. See more of our venues. President's Message
It’s a new year and a very special one for the Creative Arts Society. As with most January’s we are starting the year with a new board of directors. I’m excited to be serving with such a dedicated and creative group of volunteers. We recently held our first planning meeting and the ideas just flowed! I promise you 2019 will be an exciting year. Aside from an increasing number of venues where you will have the opportunity to exhibit and hopefully sell your art work, we are planning some great events. For our quarterly member meetings, we are bringing in experts to share their knowledge and manufacturer representatives to show us their products. We are also looking at scheduling some ‘play-dates’ where we all can meet up on a sunny weekend for a day of creating and comradery. Workshops are also being planned where an artist will spend maybe an afternoon sharing the us the intricacies of their preferred media. Being a member run organization, we are always open to your ideas; if there is something you would like from CAS, please let me or one of the other volunteer-board members know. However, the most significant thing about 2019 is it marks CAS’ 20th anniversary! Formed in another century CAS is still here serving artists throughout central Texas. Being our 20th anniversary we are planning a big celebration and show this fall.
Don’t miss any of our shows and activities and renew your membership for 2019 no later than February 15. Last year we reduced the annual fee and eliminated the confusing ‘hanging-fee’, so no excuses! I’m looking forward to seeing you all at our meetings and events. Go create something! Robb McKenzie President WHAT'S HAPPENING
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The Creative Arts Society is an Austin based, non-profit 501(c)(3) thriving arts organization actively promoting the development of the “Artist in Everyone” for the expanding growth and diversity of our community. Our vision is to be a vital presence in the community inspiring: Cultural enrichment, Community participation, and respect for diversity. Our goal is to increase awareness and appreciation for and through the Arts.