Generous Blog

by Jennifer Chenoweth

On Friday, I got to experience the true joy of giving. At the Beautiful Giving event at PageSoutherlandPage, a couple who are Generous Art supporters (and parents of twin boys) bought Virginia Fleck's artwork Double Vine. Double Vine is one of Virginia's new pieces in her popup print series, so there is a print layered in-between acrylic cutout shapes. This piece also happens to be monozygotic - a perfect twin of itself.

The collector, the artist and I got the lovely experience of going to Safeplace and presenting them a check for 40% of the piece: $1,000. It felt so good to all of us to give in this collective, joyful way. One family to celebrated their uniqueness through buying an original work of art, and supported Safeplace that helps make Austin families possible.

Safeplace is my favorite cause. I grew up as an at-risk child and my community had nothing of this kind of help. I am so grateful I live in a city that does. Had I had the safety, resources and encouragement that support provides, I would have had a very different journey.  Thank you Safeplace, for providing refuge, education, and homes for so many in need.

I am very proud to say that so far, Safeplace has received the most donations through Generous Art: $1,640!  Thank you art collectors! Thank you artists!

Generosity is like a magic wand, waving away grief, healing, creating hope. We had three artworks purchased from artists Judith Simonds, Emily Moores, and Eleanor Droll to benefit HAAM: The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. Judith presented the Generous Art check:

"Last February my brother-in-law, Richard LaValliere, passed away at the young age of 59. Richard was a devoted and passionate musician for most of his life. So when I was told that someone had bought one of my sculptures through GenerousArt, and that 40% of the sale went to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), I was ecstatic! It was truly a healing moment to give Carolyn Schwartz the donation check today. I feel honored to be a part of GenerousArt, it really feels fantastic to be a part of this giving community of artists!"  - Judith Simonds

P.S. Can we please have some kind of Health Alliance for aritsts in Austin too?

Get your costumes ready for Goodwill's 2012 Ghoulwill Ball! This year the event will take place at the W Hotel, and Generous Art will be in attendance. Join us for live music by Blue Finger Disco, food and refreshments, a costume contest, frights and thrills, and an exhibition by yours truly, Generous Art. All art sales will benefit Goodwill with 40% going to their mission. Check out details about the event on our events page.

by Megan McIlwain

HAAM Benefit Day is city-wide October 2nd and Generous Art is thrilled to be supporting this essential organization at PeopleFund on October 2nd from 11am to 2pm. Tuesday, when you purchase a work of art through Generous Art, you will be funding both HAMM and the artist of your selection at the same time, with 40% going to each.

HAAM offers access to affordable health care for Austin musicians with low income or no insurance. HAAM, Generous Art, and PeopleFund believe that creative types in Austin are an important cultural and economic resource for the city. We also believe that “we” as a community are all in this together.

While hanging the art at Center61, Brooke Gassiot’s One Step at a Time resonated with my thoughts about these three organization’s mission to give back. HAAM assists musicians in retaining their health, Generous Art is here to benefit nonprofits like HAAM, and fantastic local artists are able to circulate and sell their work. This is all done in one process; each groups moderately helping the other climb Gassiot’s narrow pink staircase. And, of course, there is PeopleFund who is there to help us all by offering education, capital, and resources to build small businesses. This rewarding chain of giving is one of the main reason I love working with Generous Art. When we can all help each other do good, each organization moves closer to making their mission a reality, one step at a time. Come out to PeopleFund to help HAAM and Generous Art take a small but meaningful step in its direction to sustain creativity and community.