Generous Blog

Generous Art's founder spoke as a panelist at this City of Austin "Getting Connected" Small Business Resource Fair on April 14th, 2012 at the Palmer Events Center.

Jason Neulander, Carlyn Ray and Jennifer Chenoweth spoke about running creative businesses in Austin, and the panel was moderated by Vicky Valdez.

Here is a link to a video of the hour-long panel titled "Putting Your Creative Business in the Profit Margin". Thank you to the City of Austin for making resources continually available. Professional development in the arts is an important part of supporting Austin's creative community.

by Jennifer Chenoweth

I'm lucky to say that Katie Kraemer Pitre of Tecolote Farm is a friend of mine. I've learned much about hard working integrity and community relationships in how she and David Pitre run their organic farming business.  She was featured in the Austin American-Statesman on April 11 in an article about farm CSA subscriptions.  My family frequents the Downtown Farmer's Market, which is run by the Sustainable Food Center, a Generous Art nonprofit.  

I love the transparency and immediacy of buying healthy food from a farmer.  Their business is so tangible that I love to talk shop with her.

The way a farm supports its costs are CSA subscriptions, which are weekly food subscriptions that are paid for by the customers at the beginning of the season. What farmers earn at the Farmer's Market buys shoes for the kids. Whether I subscribe or buy from the market, both are great ways to support the farm.  When I understand the business model, I see how I fit in as a buyer and can feel better about where my money goes.

Even though a booth in the park might not be as fancy as an art gallery, we are pleased to announce that we are hosting a sale of Generous Art to support the Sustainable Food Center at the Downtown Farmer's Market on Saturday, May 5th from 9am - 1pm. The event benefits the Sustainable Food Center. Several artists work will be shown on easels, with a special edition of drawings from Melanie Hickerson.

We've got a lot of fun coming up, and you're invited! Join us for the Brightest Party Ever hosted by Leadership Austin, the Getting Connected Fair, and don't miss your last chance to see our show at Gallery D. Plus read event recaps and find out what is going on with our artists.

Generous Newsletter, Spring 2012

By Megan McIlwain

There are only a few days left to catch Generous Art at Gallery D! Artwork can be purchased in-store until April 16th.

Gallery D owner, Emily Keast, has created a way to combine fashion and art in her multifunctional space in the 2nd Street District. Believing that the two go hand in hand, Emily shows high-end art along side high-end apparel and accessories. Changing shows every month or so, Gallery D always has new and exciting art donning their walls. Generous Art has been a beautiful backdrop for the clothing boutique, showing artists such as Judith Simonds, Andrea Pramuk, and Carolyn Kimball, but will soon have to say goodbye, as the final day of the show is April 16th. If you have not been out to this gorgeous space, make some time to check out Generous Art at Gallery D!

We are thrilled by the recent sale of Jade Walker's sculpture, Figures #5. The sculpture was made from fabric, a weight bench, cotton stuffing, and found objects. What is equally exciting is the donation that we sent to Foundation Communities from the first payment. It is wonderful to see such a unique piece find its home, while at the same time making a substantial difference in our community!

Below is Jade standing next to her piece, Figures #5, at the collector's home in west Austin.

Study shows creative sector added $4.35 billion to Austin's economy in 2010

By Mitzie Stelte from Community Impact Newspaper

The City of Austin announced the results of a study March 12 revealing the creative sector accounted for just over $4.35 billion in Austin's economic activity in 2010—an increase of about one-third from 2005.

City Council ordered the creative economic impact study last fall, and council members were briefed March 8 by Jon Hockenyos, President of TXP, the Austin-based economic analysis firm hired by the city to conduct the study.

Mayor Lee Leffingwell called it a great resource on how best to nurture the creative sector­ in the future.

Results also show the industry— including music, film, gaming and visual arts—generated $71 million in city tax revenues and added almost 49,000 jobs in 2010. READ MORE

by Jennifer Chenoweth

I'm excited to be trusted to raise money for Leadership Austin, who just joined our growing nonprofit list. Starting last fall, I've been a member of the 2012 Essentials Class of Leadership Austin. I've met an amazing group of energized, hard-working peers in other professions. I've learned a lot about the different parts of Austin, and experienced that we all love Austin fiercely. Its a beautiful experience to live in a town that is so loved: we love "home." I've been pushed to grow in some areas that I need to, and I've gotten to add my unique voice and perspective to the mix. For a contribution to the class, we share a quote we've heard that sums up what we've learned. My contribution is one I heard on KUT on Morning Edition, a speech given by United States Vice President Joseph Biden in the context of global politics and our position with China. "We have a stake in each other's success."  Creating: Community: Giving. 

Larry Graeber, Wood Tower

wood, paint, 27"x6"x6", $1000 

by Megan McIlwain

When it comes to Larry Graeber and his abstract sculptures, the possibilities are endless. Using objects found in his studio or found in nature, he ultimately allows the sculptures to create themselves. He works within this “endless possibility” mindset as he constructs and reconstructs an object until a simple and aesthetically intriguing form starts to find a balance. Speaking from experience, a picture of Graeber's work does not do it justice. Luckily for you, you can view his work tonight at Gallery D from 6:30-8:30!

Graeber, as well as other Generous Artists Andrea Pramuk, Judith Simonds, Virginia Fleck, Emily Moores, and Carolyn Kimball will be featured at CharityLadies at Gallery D hosted by Citizen Generation. The event will benefit Con Mi Madre, a nonprofit program striving to increase the representation of Hispanic girls in higher education by offering programs for young girls to plan and apply for college, and maintain a strong mother/daughter relationship. RSVP here to come out and support these young ladies so they, like Graeber, can work within the mindset that the possibilities are endless.

Read about our upcoming screening party, People's Gallery Exhibition, Gallery D event, and other shows. While you are at it, check out our new artists and nonprofits!

Generous Art News

by Megan McIlwain

Virginia Fleck’s circular collages bring certain awareness to consumerism in our everyday lives. She layers recycled plastic bags and tablecloths with transparent tape to resemble mandalas, a visual tool used in meditation practices in Buddhism and Hinduism. As used, one would begin their focus on the outer parts of the diagram and move inward, as Virginia has done with brightly colored spokes of familiar consumer logos, such as Forever21 and H&M bags. She is subtly subversive in her use of flower patterns and nature on bags that, in normal circumstances, kill nature, a humorous reminder of our carbon footprint. As intended with the mandala tradition, Virginia’s work entrances the viewer in a representation of the unconscious self. Come see if you can resist assuming the lotus position before Virginia’s mandalas at the Citizen Generation’s Charity Bash or view her work online here.

Generous Art will be featuring Fleck, along with other Generous Artists including Karen Maness and Wells Mason, during the Citizen Generation’s Charity Bash Masquerade Ball tomorrow night at The Mansion. Support your community and local art in this Winter Wonderland benefiting Capital Area Food Bank of Texas.

by Jennifer Chenoweth

Yesterday in Leadership Austin's Essentials Class the topic was education. The content was pretty impressive. At the end of the day, we heard from 14 high school students about their current experiences at local schools: American Youth Works, KIPP, Austin High, and the Ann Richards School. Two high school students were then part of a more intimate discussion at our table of 7 mid-career professionals. When Gordon Jones, a pastor, asked the students what their motivation was for working so hard to get the best education possible, one young Hispanic woman said that though it may sound weird, she was motivated to be the first woman to attend college in her family because of gender bias in her family. Her grandmother had said to her that she shouldn't bother attending college because she was a girl and was just going to get married and have babies anyway. That inequality motivates her to get great grades and attend college.

I had to respond and say "My Dad forbade me to attend college, and now I have three college degrees and a great education." Sometimes it is just that lack of support that will drive you to succeed. Don't underestimate the underdog. Sometime that will just dare us to do our best work.

On that note, I'd like to welcome Con mi MADRE to our list of nonprofits. We will be partnering with Citizen Generation to have a show of Generous Artists' work at Gallery D to benefit Con mi MADRE on March 21st.

The People's Gallery at Austin City Hall will be hosting the opening reception for their 2012 exhibition Friday, February 24 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Included in the show are Generous Artists Jennifer Chenoweth, Larry Graeber, Renee Nunez, and Sydney Yeager. Sydney will be taking part in the Mona Lisa Project, a special exhibit by photographer Rino Pizzi in collaboration with 16 female artists.

The People's Choice award ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m., and short films from the Faces of Austin collection will screen at 7:00 p.m.

Find out more at: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/peoples-gallery

By Devin Cole

To be an artist in the current economic slump is not unlike a swan, gliding across the water. Its movements appear to be graceful and elegant yet beneath the water, out of sight, its feet are paddling like crazy. Indeed, survival is an art form in itself. In this article I will outline and discuss some local and global trends I have noticed in my day to day life as a Boston based artist who is trying to get to the next level in my career. READ MORE

Do you have a stake in the success of your community? 
We do. Here is how we sustain community. Our annual report is to you.

• In February 2011, GenerousArt.org launched in Austin, Texas with 2 artists and 4 nonprofits.
• We hosted our first Artist's Studio Sale of Jennifer Chenoweth's artwork at Fisterra Studio in June.
• Our first Group Show was hosted by Gensler in September.
• We brought artwork on easels to 5 nonprofit fundraising events from September through December.
• By December 2011, we grew to represent 23 artists and 30 nonprofits in Austin.
• We sold 46 pieces of art between June and December, and sent $4,166 to 18 different Austin nonprofits, and one out-of-state nonprofit.

Thank you, Austin, for this opportunity to serve you!

Amigos de las Américas

Citizen Generation

GENaustin

Theatre Action Project

Wondering how Generous Art made a difference last year? Let us count the ways! In our recent newsletter, we provide our year in review for you. Find out about upcoming shows, artists' news, and past event highlights.

Stakeholders' Report

See and purchase Generous Art at this upcoming event!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2012
8p-12a

Generous Art is hosting a studio sale on February 5, 2012 to present the work of Emily Moores. Emily is a graduate from the Cleveland Institute of Art where she majored in Painting with an emphasis in Visual Culture and Theory. Emily has exhibited her works at the Dougherty Art Center, Pump Project Art Gallery, Morgan Conservatory, Zygote Press, and The Cleveland Foundation.  She lives in Austin, works at Whole Foods, and is a member of the Women Printmakers’ Association.

The studio sale will help Emily raise money to attend a residency at the Vermont Studio Center in March. Keeping in line with Generous Art’s mission, 40 percent of the proceeds from the sale will also benefit a charity of the buyer’s choice.

Emily’s artwork is abstract and esoteric, with graceful consideration of space. Her drawings and prints can be viewed at GenerousArt.org from January 21 through February 12. Guests may purchase art online before the event or wait to see the art live on February 5. All of the artwork presented at the show will be on paper between 5"-24" on paper, $60 - $350, and framed and unframed.

When:  Online: January 21-February 12, 2012

Live Event:  Sunday, February 5, 2012 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Where:  Texas French Bread

2900 Rio Grande St

Austin, TX 78705

Entry:  The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided at the event.

Facebook Event 

Generous Art takes artwork to nonprofit fundraising events to show and sell art to guests who are ready to support the mission of the nonprofit. We are happy to sponsor the Holiday Party of the Austin Concierge and Guest Services Association who so kindly help us with these events at hotels.

For this event, we've created a PDF of the artworks for the show so you and the stylemakers of the hospitality industry of Austin can see what all the buzz is about.

SEE PDF

By Tom Service

Last night I gave this speech at the Paul Hamlyn Foundation's Awards for the Arts (later this week you'll also be able to see a video of the event on the PHF website). Have a look at the list of the composers and artists who won this year's Awards - as I say in my speech, the most enlightened in the country, with £15,000 a year given to each recipient for three years. I was fortunate enough to be part of the music jury. Headlines from my talk include: the fact that there isn't a direct link between government or Arts Council cash and creativity, the question of how we support individuals as well institutions, the catalysing effect that giving relatively small amounts of money to individual composers and artists can have, the shocking precariousness of the personal financial situations of so many of our most brilliant creative artists who are the real front lines of the arts today, and the miraculous richness of the landscape of contemporary creativity, which we need to recognise, celebrate, and nurture. Have a read, and let me know what you think. READ MORE

Come out to these great events and see Generous Art!

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2011
The SIMS Foundation Benefit Bash, Featuring Grupo Fantasma, with special guest. Special Early performances by Will Taylor + String Attached.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17th, 2011
The Wine and Food Foudation of Texas Ninth Annual Big Reds & Bubbles : A holiday celebration of big reds, Champagne and cuisine.

By Shelley Seale

In spite of the recession, more Americans became entrepreneurs in 2010 than any other time in the last 15 years. The best climates for business start-ups now, however, aren't the same as they were a decade or two ago. The top American cities for today's entrepreneurs have robust economies, expanding populations, access to an educated and talented workforce, and strong technology. They also tend to be filled with highly creative innovators who are not necessarily conformists.

Sound familiar, Austinites? Our city's perfect cocktail of factors that foster entrepreneurial success has placed it in the number-one spot for starting a small business in the United States today. READ MORE

Grand Opening of Generous Art

Selected work, September 8 – October 26, 2011, by appointment
Public event, Thursday, September 29, 2011, 5:30-8:30 pm

Felice House, Sarah

WHAT: The grand opening of GenerousArt.org will raise money for Amala Foundation, Art Alliance Austin, Austin Child Guidance Center, Austin Creative Alliance, Austin School of Film, Big Medium, Cancer Connection, Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, Communities in Schools of Central Texas, Emancipet, Foundation Communities, I Live Here I Give Here, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Meals on Wheels and More, Mental Health America of Texas, Mobile Art Program, Open Door Preschools, SafePlace, SIMS Foundation, Sustainable Food Center, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Read More...

Generous Art is excited to bring artwork for show and sale to I Live Here, I Give Here’s largest nonprofit fundraising event of the year: The Big Give, Sunday September 25th at 7:00 pm at the W Hotel. Read More...

Stumbling for Good Works With Organizations to Expand Awareness

By: Karen Egolf Published: August 10, 2011

StumbleUpon is officially launching Stumbling for Good, a new advertising program to help nonprofits increase awareness and site traffic. The San Francisco-based company started the program earlier this summer, initially running a campaign for the World Food Programme, and is now opening up the effort to include more organizations. READ MORE

Something extraordinary is happening in global development circles. For the first time since the 19th century, progressive activists are embracing trade as positive tool for change. The global NGO Oxfam is the latest progressive interest group to change its tune. It has launched a campaign to end agricultural subsidies in the developed world.

By Michael Strong

The Big Idea: Creating Shared Value

By Michael E. Porter and Mark R. Kramer
The capitalist system is under siege. In recent years business increasingly has been viewed as a major cause of social, environmental, and economic problems. Companies are widely perceived to be prospering at the expense of the broader community. Read More...

It is hard to overstate the role and impact of business today. As an area of human endeavor, Business — with a capital B — is clearly the most powerful force in the world. It can boast the greatest concentration of talent, resources, and fresh thinking. READ MORE

Posted on the Harvard Business Review Blog Network

Buying Experiences, Not Possessions, Leads To Greater Happiness

ScienceDaily (Feb. 17, 2009) —
Can money make us happy if we spend it on the right purchases? A new psychology study suggests that buying life experiences rather than material possessions leads to greater happiness for both the consumer and those around them. READ MORE

San Francisco State University. “Buying Experiences, Not Possessions, Leads To Greater Happiness.” ScienceDaily, 17 Feb. 2009. Web. 21 Jul. 2011.

How should nonprofits position themselves in this ever changing world of technology? How important is it for them to understand and keep up with the new trends in technology? READ MORE

By Tonia Zampieri, Sales & Marketing Manager, LoyaltyClicks at Smart Online

By Virginia Fleck, via Facebook

Let me start this lengthy comment by saying that I do donate artwork to AMOA, ARTHOUSE and Women and Their Work and Mexicarte. These sales/auctions are attended by the art savvy collecting citizens of Austin and although my work has never sold for it’s retail value at an auction, these events do bring in a good amount of money for the organizations that are the backbone of our art community. There is symbiotic support in our relationships to these organizations and I will continue to donate art to art organizations. Read More...

Thanks, Don Mason, for posting these great pictures of our favorite little drummer girl at the Generous Art launch party. Rock on! Your mama rocks SIMS!

Join us for a celebration and launch of GenerousArt.org

Sunday, June 26, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fisterra Studio: 1200 E 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78702 Read More...

The Career Benefits of Boycotting Charity Art Auctions

There is a tradition of auctioning original works of art donated by artists to raise money for charitable causes. There are many good causes that hold such events. No matter how good the causes, though, I have come to the conclusion that artists must stop donating to every single one of them.  (READ MORE)

By Mat Gleason

Giveasyouget.com was created to use the power of the internet to bring together the wants of donors and the needs of non-profits. We want you to feel good about making a difference with every purchase you make through our site. Read More...

The boundaries between the Public, Private and Social sectors are blurring… A Fourth Sector is emerging

Over the past few decades, the boundaries between the public (government), private (business), and social (non-profit/ non-governmental) sectors have been blurring, while a Fourth Sector of organization has been emerging. Read More...

Brazen Careerist: 3 Predictions on the Future of Nonprofits

The number of college graduates going to work in the nonprofit sector continues to rise, and will likely remain a preferred job sector for entry-level workers in 2011, according to a recent study by the New York Times. Nonprofits are also growing in terms of economic impact around the globe, adding more than 5 percent to the GDP of countries on average… (READ MORE)

Trend Central: A wave of Internet art reflects the Web’s impact on our culture

Internet-based art isn’t new but, as digital media pervades the human experience (at least for most 9-5ers), the online realm has become an increasingly important source of the conceptualization, construction and presentation of artwork. Read More...

The BiG Austin Big Idea Day went really well, other than that I didn’t take home the cash prize. I met lots of amazing business people, pitched the idea to a full house, and had a great time. I’m honored to have been a finalist for this event and competition. I got to meet the amazing board members of BiG Austin, I got to meet Gay Gaddis of T3 who was the keynote speaker for the luncheon. Read More...

TrendCentral: Art Access - Online tools and apps are revolutionizing the art world

With Art Basel Miami Beach wrapping just over a week ago, a new set of art-driven apps and online destinations did not go unnoticed by those of us who were unable to head south for the annual bacchanalia. In case some of you missed these while recovering from a champagne-induced coma and the relentless hours of elbow rubbing, take note… (READ MORE)

The group Independent Sector released information that there is legislation being drafted that could eliminate donations to charities as a tax deduction.

Read more here: IndependentSector.org

Meet the finalists for the BiG Austin Big Idea Business plan competition, April 29, 2011

Attend the event and vote for the winner of $10,000 in cash and prizes. Read More...

Generous Art is proud to be a finalist for Big Austin’s business plan contest Big Idea! Competing against two other finalists for $10,000 in cash and prizes, Generous Art will go head-to-head in front of a live audience and a panel of judges to prove its WIN WIN mission. Buy tickets for this event on April 29th.