SMALL NONPROFIT GIVES $15,000 TO LOCAL ARTISTS, STUDENTS, AND SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESS FOR #GIVINGTUESDAYNOW

Chula League switches up Giving Tuesday with new initiatives to continue supporting local artists, students, and the community

AUSTIN (May 4, 2020) — Chula League launches Artist Relief Fund to support local artists impacted by COVID-19, with a portion of the funds designated to send Art Kits to Austin ISD students, and will match one small business’s efforts to give free sack lunches to those in need.

For 15 years, Chula League’s mission has been to fuel and sustain the arts in East Austin. During these uncertain times with stay-at-home orders, the producers of the beloved Cherrywood Art Fair are finding new ways to support the local art scene. These programs include direct monetary relief to artists, keeping 5th and 6th-grade students engaged with the arts and partnering with a long time local sponsor, Crema Bakery & Cafe, in an effort to #FeedAustin.

The Chula League Artist Relief Fund will provide local artists with $150 to help recover lost revenue from shows canceled due to COVID-19. Former staff and participants of Cherrywood Art Fair, or the free arts-mentorship program, Little Artist BIG ARTIST are invited to apply for relief starting 9 AM, May 5, 2020, through 5 PM, May 12, 2020, at chulaleague.org/relief

Chula League will work with six East Austin elementary schools: Allison Elementary, Blackshear Elementary, Barbara Jordan Elementary, Govalle Elementary, Oak Springs Elementary, and Maplewood Elementary to supply over 40 Art Kits to students currently enrolled in the 2019-2020 calendar year.

The small nonprofit will also match partner donors’ Crema Bakery & Cafe’s hunger relief initiative dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. This will provide free sack lunches with “no questions asked” to those impacted by COVID-19. With this $5,000 match, Crema Bakery + Chula League can feed up to 1,500 Austinites. Chula League will award Crema Bakery & Cafe with a commemorative check on May 5, 2020, at 10 AM at their Southwest Austin location, 9001 Brodie Ln b3, Austin, TX 78748 and they encourage the public to donate to Crema Bakery’s GoFundMe page, https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-crema-bakery-feed-austin

Many of our artists, Little and BIG, have been affected by the pandemic in ways that we’ve not experienced before. Our grassroots Board of Directors felt it was our duty to provide resources so our community can continue to create and stay safe,” says John Mathew Bernal, Chair of Chula League Board of Directors.

We saw Crema Bakery & Cafe’s selfless efforts to #FeedAustin and were inspired to contribute to their cause and flip the script on what it means for non-profits to celebrate #GivingTuesdayNow.

If the Austin community would like to participate in #GivingTuesdayNow and contribute to our mission in fueling and sustaining the arts in East Austin, we encourage them to donate via our website: chulaleague.org/donate

Social Handles:
@chulaleague
@cremabakerycafe
#FeedAustin
#GivingTuesdayNow

ABOUT CHULA LEAGUE
Chula League is a nonprofit formed in 2005 to support the arts, and art education in East Austin managed by a small, grassroots board of directors. Chula League ensures that the arts play a valued role in the educational, economic, and cultural well being of the neighborhoods in East Austin. Chula produces a variety of projects to achieve its mission and purpose, including its flagship event the Cherrywood Art Fair and the arts-mentoring program Little Artist BIG ARTIST, and their professional development series, Cultivate.

Cherrywood Art Fair is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

MEDIA CONTACT:
John Mathew Bernal / Chair of Chula League Board of Directors
jmat@chulaleague.org / 512.913.1523

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Thank You for an Amazing 2018!

It’s been a whirlwind of a year! Thanks to all of the hard work from our amazing staff, board and volunteers, everything went smoothly, from our 10th Annual Little Artist BIG ARTIST Show to our first ever Cultivate workshop to our 17th Cherrywood Art Fair! We are humbled by all of the supporters who came out to our events and helped us fuel and sustain the arts in East Austin!

 

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We’ll See You at Maplewood this Weekend!

The Most Wonderful Time of Year Has Arrived!

We are thrilled to welcome you all to this year’s Cherrywood Art Fair this weekend, 10:00am – 5:00pm! We hope you’ll join us for two days of handmade gift shopping, live music, family friendly entertainment and delicious local eats! We have something for everyone at our beloved Cherrywood Art Fair, and you can feel great about helping us fuel and sustain the arts in East Austin. Also, this year’s booth map is ready so you can start planning your shopping!

 

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25+ Gifts Under $50

We are less than a week away from our beloved Cherrywood Art Fair. Yes, it’s this weekend, December 8th and 9th! Our jury cherry picked an eclectic array of artists and handmade businesses for this year’s event from a record number of applicants. We are excited about each and every one of them, and we’re sure you will find gifts for pretty much anyone on your holiday list, no matter your budget. In case you need some inspiration for your shopping, here is a list of handmade goodies under $50 that our artists will have for you to choose from. We’ll see you at Maplewood Elementary this weekend!

Gifts for $50 and Under (photos above)

  1. Bearded Savage: Handcrafted Wooden Comb – $50.00
  2. MC Shave Gear: Privateer Beard Care Kit – $46.00
  3. Hatton Henry: Leather Sunglasses Case – $45.00
  4. Jamie Spinello: Bronze Double Fern Ring – $45.00
  5. Savvie Studio: Macrame Plant Hanger – $44.00
  6. Brasscopper Art: Long Silver Earrings – $42.00
  7. CBA Illustration: Vintage Homes Print Set – $40.00
  8. ChetArt: Austin Fantasy Travel Poster Signed Print – $40.00
  9. ashdel: Woven Stud Earrings – $38.00
  10. Polka Dot Secrets: Holiday Overall Dress – $38.00
  11. Chiki Buttah: All Natural Chiki Chill Balm – $36.00
  12. Rebekah Vinyard: Circle Back Jacket Earrings – $36.00
  13. Abby Rose Mandel: Hand Painted Porcelain Cup – $35.00
  14. Robots in Rowboats: “Tug Bot” Woodblock Print – $35.00
  15. Stones Throw Studio: Sterling Silver Feather Ring – $35.00
  16. Lucy+Lester: Organic Zebra Joggers – $34.00
  17. Kristen Van Patten: Gray Porcelain Mug – $30.00
  18. Linda Wandt: Fine Art Bee Prints – $30.00
  19. Kate Winternitz: Silk Cord Necklace – $28.00
  20. Knot Sew Mod: Macrame Holiday Terrarium – $28.00

Stocking Stuffers for $25 and Under

  1. Floating Fox Studio: Eclipsa Earrings – $25.00
  2. Slow Fuse Photography: Austin Roadside Collection – $25.00
  3. Pigsey Art: Wonderland Wood Pins – $24.00
  4. flat flower design: Pressed Fern Notecards – $20.00
  5. Melissa Mencini: Patterned Ceramic Coasters – $20.00
  6. Carly Weaver: Bike Print on Wood – $20.00
  7. Tisa’s Creations: Colorful Round Clipboards – $16.00
  8. Deadly Creative: Hand Decorated Coffin Boxes – $15.00
  9. Squidrabbit: Digital Art Prints – $15.00
  10. Three Hearts Apparel: Maya Paci & Teething Clip – $15.00
  11. Lunita Handmade: Handmade Cotton Eye Pillow – $12.00
  12. Herland Home: Dusk 4oz Coconut Wax Candle – $11.00
  13. Billie Claire Handmade: Hand Drawn Temporary Tattoos – $10.00
  14. Jean Synodinos: Hand Cast & Painted Concrete Bowl – $10.00
  15. Fisk & Fern: Funny Food Magnets – $6.00

Your Passport to Austin Art!

Austin is one great city with three amazing end of year art shows, and we want to thank all of you who attend! That’s why we’ve partnered with Blue Genie Art Bazaar and Armadillo Christmas Bazaar to reward our loyal art supporters with the chance to win some great local art. All you have to do is pick up a Passport to Art and get the three stamps when you attend each of these events. We’ll draw one winner at random from all of the submitted Passports to take home a grand prize gift basket (over $400 retail value). Thank you for supporting local artists!

Included: Garzig Design Jacket, Fisk and Fern Dish Towels,
Rory Skagen Large Art Print, Luna Tigre Candles & Iona Handcrafted Notebook

How to Enter:

  1. Pick up your Passport to Art. They are available at all three shows and from many of the participating artists.
  2. Attend all three events, and get your stamps.
  3. Turn in your Passport to Art at Armadillo Christmas Bazaar or Blue Genie Art Bazaar.
  4. One lucky winner will be drawn from the Passports with all three stamps.

 

Event Details:

Blue Genie Art Bazaar
When: November 23rd – December 24th | 10:00am – 10:00pm
Where: 6100 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78752

Cherrywood Art Fair
When: December 8th & 9th | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Where: Maplewood Elementary | 3808 Maplewood Ave, 78722

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
When: December 13th-24th | 11:00am – 10:00pm
Where: Palmer Events Center | 900 Barton Springs, 78704

We Want to Entertain You!

Announcing this Year’s Main Stage Lineup!

Our beloved Cherrywood Art Fair is just a few weeks away and we are so excited to share this year’s amazing live entertainment. We’ve planned two full days of local music and family fun activities to entertain attendees of all ages. We’ll kick off the weekend with an all-female musical lineup on Saturday and then magic, storytelling and dance on Sunday. You can shop, eat, enjoy music and so much more with your whole gang at this year’s Cherrywood Art Fair!

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Become a 2019 BIG ARTIST

We are officially recruiting for 2019 Little Artist BIG ARTIST! If you are an artist living in Austin and available to meet with aspiring young artists on weekday afternoons, this opportunity is for you. Launched in 2007, Little Artist BIG ARTIST is a unique mentoring experience that pairs professional artists with fifth and sixth graders from East Austin elementary schools. BIG ARTISTS provide their time and professional experience as working artists to guide their Little Artists in planning and creating two pieces of artwork during their 10 week one-on-one collaboration.

Become a BIG ARTIST

 

We’re really proud of what this program has become and the artists, BIG and Little, that we’ve been able to reach. Here are some inside perspectives from past BIG ARTISTS to show you more about this opportunity.

BIG ARTIST: Caitlin B. Alexander, Blackshear Elementary
I feel lucky to have been paired with Madison for my Little Artist BIG ARTIST experience. She is talented beyond her years and has a heartfelt passion for her art. I know this girl will go places if she keeps up the momentum and love that she fosters for drawing. Our sessions were always filled with laughter and I have cherished getting to know her on both a creative and personal level. Thank you, Chula League, for pairing us perfectly!

BIG ARTIST: Amanda Demock, Govalle Elementary
This experience has been quite rewarding. Watching Anthony grow in his curiosity and passion for learning new techniques in design has been awesome. He has so much talent and potential – I can’t wait to see what he does with his art in the future.

BIG ARTIST: Hannah Prince, Barbara Jordan Elementary
Working with my Little Artist has completely surpassed any expectations. The first time we met it was clear that we were a good match in our energy level. Evelyn is goofy, smart, and talented. Watching her grow as an artist has simply been a blessing. We would work in bursts with multiple pieces going at once and she was so driven and focused. We would hop up, shake out our wiggles and tell goofy stories too! She is a bright and funny girl.

BIG ARTIST: Alisha Baker, Blackshear Elementary
Having Jeralyn as my Little Artist was nothing short of inspiring. Her energy is contagious and her passion for the art of making is so exciting to witness in a young person. Jeralyn was quick to learn sewing. She was a total natural and needed little guidance after taking in the basics! She is confident in her creative decision-making and was consistently enthusiastic with each process of printmaking introduced. With an attitude like Jeralyn’s, anything in this world is possible.

 

We invite to you to join us in fueling and sustaining the arts in East Austin, one Little Artist at a time.

Become a BIG ARTIST

EAST Austin Studio Tour

Can you believe it’s already November?! That means our beloved Cherrywood Art Fair is just a few weeks away, and we couldn’t be more excited! Our artists are getting ready to share all kinds of unique, handmade art with you, just in time for holiday gift giving. Of course, if you’re anxious to get a sneak preview of their work, you can see quite a few of our cherry picked vendors during EAST Austin Studio Tour. This uniquely Austin studio tour takes place the 2nd and 3rd weekend of November, and it’s free to attend. All you have to do is pick the artists you’d like to visit, either on the website or in the printed map which you can pick up at any Austin public libraries.

As you make your plan to get out and see some of the participants, we thought we’d offer this list of Chula League artists to help guide you. We’ve compiled Cherrywood Art Fair Artists, BIG ARTISTS and Board Members that we are lucky to have a relationship with. While you can’t go wrong showing your support to any artists, we hope you’ll stop by and say hello to these who are helping fuel and sustain the arts in East Austin with Chula League.

13. Polina Novozhenets
57. Haley Lebeuf Jewelry
58. Abby Ruston
114. CBA Illustration
119. David Carrales
164. Jeffery Miles
192. Avel Glaz
218. Jessica Fontenot Art Prints
287. Claire Sommers Buck Jewelry
296. Jess Butler
324. Samara Barks
325. Nailivic Studios
344. Art by Brian Phillips
386. Brian David Johnson
387. Bee Amour Jewelry
393. Allison Swarr
396. Abby Rose Mandel
445. Eya Claire
511. Carly Weaver
512. Squidrabbit Artz
514. El Federico
559. Linda Wandt Fine Art

Have you RSVP’ed to Cultivate?

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Learn from these Amazing Local Art Experts!

Chula League wants to see you this Wednesday. We are excited to host our first in a new series of workshops specially designed for artists and makers! Cultivate by Chula League is where local creatives can come together to connect with content experts across various fields in the arts. Participants will gain new knowledge and tips about their fields and others to integrate into their own creative practice.

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Join Us for Cultivate October 17th

Get Ready for Holiday Season Success with 3 Local Experts!

Cultivate by Chula League is a new workshop series where local creatives can come together to connect with content experts across various fields in the arts. Workshops are structured to provide networking and short presentations lead by local creative leaders. Participants will gain new knowledge and tips about their fields and others to integrate into their own creative practice.

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