West FW April 2017

West FW

WestFWLifestyle.com

APRIL 2017

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The Art of the West Side

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Lifestyle Letter

Artists

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f you read my monthly letter, you will already know that I DO NOT have a crafty bone in my body. That being said, I have a true appreciation for artists in all forms: musicians, writers, painters, you name it. I am always in awe of the amazing talents that they have been blessed with. Douglas Matus has been with us for the past 3 years and each month I am overwhelmed by his talent to decipher my often cryptic ideas and turn them into beautiful words on a page. I have come to rely on his brilliant input and would be lost without his even keel personality. I am truly thankful for all that he does.

April is our Art issue and as always, we seek out what Fort Worth has to offer. Our feature this month is The Art Station, which is a group of selfless individuals that offer art therapy for all ages. If the cover looks familiar, it’s because our November cover was this artist’s mural located on El Campo and Montgomery. The MAIN ST Arts Festival is always a staple in April’s issue. Doug Austin, from the local music scene and that little show called The Voice, will be gracing the stage this year. I had the privilege of meeting him at Woody’s Tavern many years ago. Topping my “must see” list are Squonk Opera and Poo Live Crew, both of which will set the tone for an amazing day.

APRIL 2017 PUBLISHER

Christie & Mike Thomas | CThomas@lifestylepubs.com 817-290-2120 EDITOR

Christie Thomas | CThomas@lifestylepubs.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Douglas Matus CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Richard Dalton, Nancy Farrar

CORPORATE TEAM | Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CHIEF SALES OFFICER

When I am around any form of art I think of the Book of Genesis, when God created the Heavens and the Earth, and feel like the Lord shared a little bit of that amongst these special people we call artist!

As always, we hope you enjoy this issue and we’ll see you around town!

Sincerely, Christie Thomas Ephesians 2:10

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P.O. Box 12608 Overland Park, KS 66282-3214 Proverbs 3:5-6 West FW Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of West Fort Worth’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in West FW Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

April 2017

Departments

18

12 Hot for Coffee

Mudsmith takes the artistry of the perfect cup to another level

-- and serves it up in an attractive space.

8

Good Times

10

Around Town

12

Hot Spot

14

Local Limelight

16

Times Past

24

City Scene

28

Back Stage

30

Lifestyle Calendar

34

Parting Thoughts

18 The Healing Station

The Art Station, the only facility of its kind in Texas, offers art

therapy for all ages.

24 Fort Worth’s Art and Soul

The iconic MAIN ST. Arts Festival returns for its 32nd year.

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Good Times

Denim & Diamonds Auction for Hill School of Fort Worth Hill School's annual Denim & Diamonds auction raises funds for the only full-service school in Fort Worth that focuses on children with learning differences. On February 24, Hill School raised more than $35,000 that will be put towards classroom needs, the exterior renovation project and the Hill Foundation.

John Rhadigan- Hill School parent & Fox Sports Emily Palsay, Marcus Paslay- Hill School alum & Betty Whitham- Board Member, Wayne WhitlockNetwork, Gary Whitlock- Hill School grandparent owner of Clay Pigeon & Piatello former Hill School parent

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West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

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Around Town

AROUND TOWN

MARKSMEN FIREARMS & OUTFITTERS OPENS IN BENBROOK, TEXAS A brand new Marksmen Firearms & Outfitters retail store will opened in Benbrook, Texas. This is the third location for Marksmen.

There are two other stores in Mansfield and Killeen, Texas. “We could not be more excited to part of such a welcoming community. Our goal

services on Sunday, April 16 (9:00am, 10:30am and 12:00pm). For more information, you can go to highridgechurch.com.

FORT WORKS ART Fort Works Art is committed to bringing life, vitality and energy to the art scene in Fort Worth, TX. They are a resource for both seasoned collectors and the everyday individual. Existing somewhere between a gallery, a cultural center and a museum, Fort Works Art strives to continually evolve into its' own entity, free from the traditional labels of the art world. They exist to support the arts, to give back to the community and to inspire youth. 2100 MONTGOMERY STREET, FORT WORTH, TX 76107 | 817.759.9475

VAN GROW IS IN ITS 22ND YEAR OF BUSINESS

is to guide and educate our customers to help them find products

Van Grow: Studio of the Arts offers Fine Art instruction for ages 2 through

which best suit their needs. We have some of the most experienced

adult and teaches the basics of art: drawing, painting, and sculpture plus

and knowledgeable staff in the industry and we look forward to serv-

many other creative opportunities like Dollhouse Camp, Animation Camp

ing the people of Benbrook and the surrounding area,” said Joey Dello

or junk art. Van Grow prides itself in offering original art classes to encour-

Russo, Director of Operations.The newest Marksmen Firearms &

age creative thinking and problem solving. The studio, located in Fort

Outfitters is located 9001 Benbrook Boulevard in Benbrook, Texas. In

Worth 's Cultural District, is a festive creative space! Van Grow is owned

addition to a large selection of firearms, accessories and ammunition,

and operated by Maarten and Hanna Vanderstoel. Maarten is a graduate

the store will also provide quality gunsmithing services and handgun

of Dordt College in Iowa with a degree in Fine Arts focusing on graphic

training classes. “The Benbrook Area Chamber of Commerce wel-

design. Hanna is a graduate of Northwestern State University in Louisiana

comes Marksmen Firearms to our community and organization. We

with a degree in Studio Arts, and a minor in clothing and textiles. Maarten

look forward to their active partnership as they’ve displayed in other

and Hanna teach a lot of the weekly classes and create the curriculum for

communities”, said Chamber President, Jamie Presley Barter.For

all the classes and camps taught at Van Grow. You are welcome to visit the

more information, visit www.marksmenfirearms.com/benbrook or fol-

studio for a tour, just give us a call! 817.348.0505

low them on Facebook at Marksmen Benbrook. Marksmen Firearms & Outfitters is a corporate property of AngMar Retail Group. AngMar

WILLIAM CAMPBELL CONTEMPORARY ART

Retail Group will open a third Marksmen location in Granbury on

Bill and Pam Campbell have become an integral part of the Texas

Saturday, April 1, 2017. The retail group also owns and operates Fat

art scene. They have dealt with some of the most important artists of

Daddy’s Sports & Spirits Café, Southern Oaks Golf Club and The

the day, as well as some of the most promising ones that have come

Oaks Event Center, AutoWorx, House of Hotrods and Fireworx.

to their notice. Many of the latter have become the former. The years

STRENGTHENING PEOPLE FOR LIFE

have brought an ever-widening circle of involvements in the art world, as well as a life beyond anything ever expected. "We still get excited

More than a motto, strengthening people for life, is a lifestyle

about seeing a great work of art for the first time and feel tremendous

for the people of HighRidge Church. Birthed out of a desire to see

joy every time our efforts bear fruit on behalf of an artist." The Campbells'

people encouraged and living the life they were designed to live, Jeff

community involvement has included leadership roles and behind-the-

Klingenberg started HighRidge nearly 10 years ago. The church has

scenes support of worthwhile activities. Their deepest satisfaction has

grown to an average attendance of over 1800 people each weekend

been in connecting several generations of artists and collectors with one

with four service times. This year, HighRidge wants to welcome you

another, within the gallery and beyond to the national and international

to their annual Easter Weekend. The weekend will include a photo

level. "Watching and being a part of artists' thriving careers has been

booth for families and friends to have their photo taken by a pro-

exceedingly rewarding!" 4935 Byers Avenue Fort Worth, TX 76107

fessional photographer completely free as their gift to you. For the kids, the weekend will include a massive egg hunt after each service on their beautiful property located down the road from the new Benbrook Middle-High School. If you could use some strength and encouragement this Easter season, then stop by HighRidge for one of their five Easter services. For this special celebration, they will have two services on Saturday, April 15 (4:30pm and 6:00pm) and three 10

West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

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Hot Spot

HOT FOR COFFEE M U D S M I T H TA K E S T H E A R T I S T R Y O F T H E PE R FEC T CU P TO ANOTH E R LE VE L -- AN D S E R V E S I T U P I N A N AT T R A C T I V E S PA C E .

ARTICLE DOUGLAS MATUS | PHOTOGRAPHY NANCY FARRAR

W

hether it’s fatigue, stress, or the mere tediousness of waking life, Mudsmith Coffee offers the libations to cure what ails you. The coffee shop and hangout spot, which first opened in Dallas’s Greenville in 2013, now has a sister location in Fort Worth. To find the place requires either a lucky explorer’s sense or foreknowledge of its existence, as the cozy, attractively decorated shop is tucked away behind the West 7th Chuy’s in Suite 445 at 817 Matisse Drive.

In this out of the way spot, caffeine has found its purest expression, and is offered alongside wine, beer, and choice delectables to fuel your next foray into a workday, weekend, or lazy afternoon of introspection.

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West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

For many customers, Fort Worth’s Mudsmith stands as a pure expression of the coffee shop ideal: comfortable seating for work or relaxation, and a dark interior with lots of wood, books, and curious accents. If you’ve ever wanted to drink coffee inside a David Lynch film – within the Bookhouse, perhaps? – Mudsmith provides a facsimile opportunity. Instead of BOB or Frank Booth, however, you’re treated to the company of a friendly and expert staff, one whose primary drive is to create the perfect cup of whatever you might need.

“The owner, Brooke, traveled all over the United States trying different coffee shops,” says Jesse Carrasco, Mudsmith’s general manager. “She wanted to make an alternative place for people who work from home.

We serve great coffee procured from local roasters in Fort Worth, along with big deli sandwiches. You can come work here, but also enjoy our space anytime of the day.”

The Fort Worth location exists as a spiritual parallel to the Dallas store, with taxidermy accents, old maps, locks, science posters, and other stimulating décor.

“The idea is that you could just be sitting there, taking a break from work, and look up to see this interesting stuff,” says Jesse. “We aim for a homey, warm, and cozy feel.”

Much of the space is rightfully dominated by the counter, which provides a home for the espresso machine and its expert operators. Unlike certain large, ubiquitous coffee shop chains, Mudsmith prides itself on the careful measurement and calibration of its espresso shots.

“One thing that’s completely different here, as compared to a place like Starbucks, is that we measure all of our espresso shots,” says Jesse.

“Starbucks uses automatic machines, which are consistent, but can produce poor quality coffee. Lots of factors go into how we produce shots each day, including the time of roast, and the temperature and humidity outside.”

The perfect espresso depends on precise formulation, which can vary depending on many changeable factors. At Mudsmith, espresso machines get dialed on a daily basis, which is a necessity for the perfect shot. Baristas get trained to a high level of expertise on the art of espresso, and understand the necessity of temperature formulation, machine pressure, and freshness. The slightest misstep in the process – allowing the espresso to brew a few seconds too long, for example – can result in a burnt flavor or dark foam. Too little brewing time, and you have a weak coffee with a light foam.

In addition to espresso, traditional coffee and pour-overs ensure that you can get a tasty caffeine fix. If you’re hungry, Mudsmith has a selection of breakfast and lunch sandwiches. The Fort Worth location also has its own specialty items.

“In Fort Worth, we have shaved ice, and an Aztec hot chocolate that’s a play on Mexican hot chocolate, with cinnamon and different spices,” says Jesse. “We also do a turmeric latte, which is a no-espresso, super spicy latte.

It’s delicious, but may not be for everybody.”

Mudsmith also has beer and wine available to purchase. Customers can build their own six-packs, and even take bottles to go. This brilliant array of drinks makes Mudsmith an ideal place for all ages. Adults can kick back with a beverage of their choice, and let the children enjoy a shaved ice or hot chocolate on the spacious patio. One more curious feature adds even further to this appeal: Mudsmith’s putt-putt golf course. “ W E A D D E D T H E P U T T- P U T T C O U R S E , ” E X P L A I N S J E S S E . “ W E H AV E S U C H A B I G P L O T F O R T H E P AT I O , W E W A N T E D T O A D D S O ME T HIN G F O R PE O PL E TO D O O U TS ID E .

W E ’ R E A L S O P E T- F R I E N D L Y , S O B R I N G Y O U R D O G A N D K I D S A N D E N J O Y W H AT W E H AV E TO O F F E R . ”

April 2017 | West FW Lifestyle

13

Local Limelight

Million Dollar Quartet

ARTICLE DOUGLAS MATUS | PHOTOGRAPHY CURTIS BROWN

WHOLE NEW CASA

AN UPCOMING SEASON AND E XCITING RENOVATION GIVE NEW REASONS TO VISIT THE STORIED PERFORMANCE THEATER.

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West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

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or almost 60 years, Casa Mañana has brought Broadway shows and artistic excellence to the people of Fort Worth. Over the decades, the arts organization housed within the iconic aluminum-domed theater has grown to become the largest group of its kind in Tarrant County. Renovations in 2003 served as the capstone of a decade-long fundraising project, and elevated the homegrown endeavor into a state-of-the-art performance venue that welcomes the best in live theater and musicals.

If you’ve lived in Fort Worth for any amount of time, chances are you’ve attended a performance at Casa Mañana. If you grew up here, or have children, you’re almost certain to have familiarity with the group’s rich selection of children’s programs and events. This year, another expansion will bring additional space to the august venue. To learn more about this expansion, along with other developments at Casa Mañana, we talked to the theater’s marketing director, Lindsey Rushen.

What makes Casa Mañana unique, and what singular role does it fill in the community?

Lindsey: What makes Casa unique compared to other theaters in the area is that we are the only place in Tarrant County that produces professional children’s theater. We self-produce 11 shows a year, and handle everything from hiring designers to hiring the cast, managing auditions, and hiring directors and choreographers. We have our own shop that builds sets, costumes, and props, and have in-house lighting, sound, and costume designers. This makes us unique in that we are a regional theater that can produce all of that.

We also have a great deal of history, since we’ve been in our current building since 1958. In addition to the children’s theater, we do Broadway shows, educational and outreach programs, and have an attached theater school. We strive to hire local actors, and cultivate the talent here in Dallas-Fort Worth.

What goes into program selection, and what sorts of shows are most popular?

Lindsey: Because we are a regional theater, there are licensing houses that dictate what shows we can get. It depends what’s on Broadway, or what’s currently on tour. If Dallas Theater Center is doing a show, for example, we can’t do that one. Once we see what’s available, we look at what our audience likes and what they want to see.

We also want to give new things that people haven’t seen. For example, we did the Oswald show a few years ago as the regional premier. It is quite a process to come up with the shows, and the same thing happens with the children’s theater. We want to expose people to things they wouldn’t normally see; but we also know our patrons and audience, and try to cater to their tastes.

What can you tell me about the upcoming season?

Lindsey: In our upcoming season, for our Broadway series, we have an opening with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat September 9-17. We also have Evita, which we haven’t done in awhile, on November 4-12. In March of 2018, we will have Jekyll & Hyde, and we’re going to wrap up June of 2018 with Mamma Mia!, which we finally got the rights for.

When you subscribe and buy season tickets, we also include our apprentice program performances. These are elite performers aged 14 to 19, students who audition from all over the area, and the idea is to give them the experience they would get from a professional production. We bring in Broadway music directors, directors, and choreographers to work with the students.

That show is in August, and will be Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.

You’re going through an expansion. What does that entail?

Lindey: Our current administrative offices are in the original lobby to the theater, and our executive producer has his office inside the old box office. We are going to build new admin offices right next to the current building, and will turn the old lobby into a cabaret theater for all sorts of acts. We’ll bring in singers, and some small combo bands, and even plan to have some small theater shows.

The cabaret theater will seat 60 to 70 people, and will have a bar, tables and booths.

The shows will be programmed around what we’re doing in the main theater, and would generally take place at 9pm or 10pm.

We hope to have this new renovation ready either for this fall or the spring of 2018.

RENT

Les Miserables

The cabaret theater will seat 60 to 70 people, and will have a bar, tables and booths. The shows will be programmed around what we’re doing in the main theater, and would generally take place at 9pm or 10pm. We hope to have this new renovation ready either for this fall or the spring of 2018.

To learn more about Casa’s offerings and upcoming schedule, visit www.casamanana.org.

April 2017 | West FW Lifestyle

15

Times Past

TOWNES VAN ZANDT AND THE FORT WORTH BLUES CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS IN MEMORIAM OF FORT WORTH’S NATIVE SON. A performance of Townes Van Zandt and the Fort Worth Blues.

Remembering Townes ARTICLE DOUGLAS MATUS | PHOTOGRAPHY CASSANDRA LEE

W

hen most people consider the greatest songwriters of all time, several names appear with regularity: Bob Dylan. John Lennon. Joni Mitchell. Neil Young. Bruce Springsteen. Leonard Cohen. One name, often forgotten, deserves a place on this list: Fort Worth’s native son, Townes Van Zandt, a man whose musical accomplishments rival those of anyone.

Townes has never received the recognition that he deserves, least of all here in his home city. The reasons for this neglect are partly mysterious, and partly Townes’s own fault. As an artist and performer, he pursued an idiosyncratic course that excluded practically

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West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

all of the hallmarks of traditional fame. Label troubles did their own part in dampening Townes’s popularity, as his most influential albums went woefully under-distributed at their release.

If you’re not familiar with Townes, the best place to start is, of course, with the music. Deeply resonant, Townes’s catalog contains some of the most emotionally affective, heart wrenching, and precisely descriptive songs ever recorded. Pancho & Lefty, which Townes invariably introduced as “a medley of my hit,” garnered him some recognition thanks to covers by Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson.

The Van Zandt family has deep roots not just in Fort Worth,

but in the very foundations of Texas. Isaac Van Zandt, Towne’s great-great-grandfather, helped draft the Texas Constitution, and served as Sam Houston’s Charge D’Affairs to the United States.

To honor his contributions, the state legislature named Van Zandt County in his honor.

Isaac’s son, Khleber Miller Van Zandt, found broad success in business. After his discharge as major from the Confederate States Army, K.M. Van Zandt settled the family in Fort Worth, where he founded the Fort Worth National Bank. One of K.M.’s houses, known as the Van Zandt Cottage, is now the oldest extant home in Fort Worth.

On his mother’s side, Towne’s grandfather was one of the founders of the University of Texas Law School, and served as the dean for more than 30 years. When John Townes Van Zandt was born on March 7, 1944, expectations for his success were high.

From young adulthood onward, however, Townes rebelled, and firmly pursued his musical vision. A folksinger in the truest sense of the word, Townes lived purely to create music. His talent blossomed after he moved to Houston, where he made lifelong friends in Steve Earle and Guy Clark. This trio spearheaded a southern renaissance of music in the early 1970s, headquartered at venues like La Carafe on Houston’s Market Square. Gracey Tune, founder and director of Arts Fifth Avenue in Fort Worth, worked the bar at La Carafe.

“Townes would come by every afternoon, and he would come upstairs where the windows were wide

open, and he’d sit and stare out over Market Square and start composing music,” says Gracey. “After awhile he’d come order a beer, then go back and sing out the window. It was like a private concert, every day. He was always such a gentleman.”

Over the years, Townes’s artistic output remained steady, despite the desperate substance abuse that would eventually claim his life. Cut down in his prime at the age of 52, Townes’s truncated legacy nevertheless contains some of the greatest music ever written.

A tribute to his legacy, Townes Van Zandt and the Fort Worth Blues, has been performed for the past five years at Arts Fifth Avenue. Written and directed by Bruce Payne, the show served to memorialize Townes and expose his talents to a new generation. Bruce credits the idea for the event to Rex Bell, Townes’s former bass player and owner of the Old Quarter.

“I got the idea to start doing this from a wake that Rex holds in Galveston every year on January 1st, the day Townes died,” says Bruce. “It was an open mic night, with 150 to 200 people sitting in rapt attention while people sang Townes tunes. I wondered why no one was doing something like that in Fort Worth.”

The show’s fifth and final performance occurred recently on March 11th. Townes’s immortal music will live on forever, while his spirit, as ephemeral as the love and loss recorded in his songs, suffuses the city of his birth. Townes had a deep and abiding love for Fort Worth, and often returned here in-between tours.

“One time I was at the Old Quarter in Galveston,” says Bruce. “And Rex Bell says, ‘Every time we came in off the road, Townes would cackle and say ‘There’s Fort Worth, bigger than Dallas.’”

Dorothy Barra, Jack Bullett Harris, Bruce Payne, Preston Dunlap, Peggy Bott Kirby, and Gary Payne

“One time I was at the Old Quarter in Galveston,” says Bruce. “And Rex Bell says, ‘Every time we came in off the road, Townes would cackle and say ‘There’s Fort Worth, bigger than Dallas.’”

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The Healing Station 18

West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

ARTICLE DOUGLAS MATUS | PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD DALTON

THE ART STATION, THE ONLY FACILITY OF ITS KIND IN TEXAS, OFFERS ART THERAPY FOR ALL AGES.

H

ospitals have historically been considered drab, depressing places, full of empty, sterile corridors and the sights and sounds of illness. Many healing facilities have sought to change this impression, with artist -in-residence employed to enliven barren spaces and distract the senses from depressing environs. In addition to ornamentation, hospitals have come to view art as supplementary to the healing process, a view backed by both science and observation.

Recreational art can lure patients out of their rooms, and take the mind off pain and dilute stress. The impact of the visual arts on the mind has been well documented, with clear benefits. According to a study conducted in 2011 by the University of London, blood flow to the joy centers increased by around 10 percent when observers saw an attractive painting. Thanks to these benefits, it makes sense that, as of 2007, around 40 percent of hospitals had arts programs. The CONTINUED >

April 2017 | West FW Lifestyle

19

THE HEALING STATION (CON TI N U ED)

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West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

prevalence grows year after year, and today a stroll through many hospital concourses will feel like a walk through a gallery.

The spread of art in hospitals aside, the positive effects of painting, drawing, and sculpture have long been recognized as aids in psychological therapy. Art therapy, a type of psychotherapy in which free self-expression gets encouraged through artistic production, is a recognized mental health profession. Facilitated by trained experts to treat a range of disorders, resolve conflicts, foster greater awareness, or treat addiction, art therapy appears as a godsend for many clients, a treatment that garners results where other therapies or even medications have failed.

“Art therapy can break through when traditional therapy can’t, because a lot of times finding the right words is too painful, difficult, or inaccessible,” says Peggy Marshall, CEO of Fort Worth’s The Art Station. “We serve a very broad range of needs, and treat things such as depression, mental health issues, anxiety, the effects of trauma, behavioral issues, substance abuse, chronic illness, and developmental delays.”

Despite art therapy’s benefits, public support for art therapy programs has been sorely lacking. In fact, across the entire United States, there exist only five art therapy centers that provide access to services regardless of income or ability to pay. One of these non-profit centers for healing exists right here in Fort Worth, in a non-descript bungalow at 1616 Park Place Avenue. Since 2004, The Art Station has charted breakthroughs and promoted healing for children, adults, and seniors alike.

“We have five full-time and one part-time therapist, and a clinical supervisor and director of operations and programming who are also therapists,” says Marshall. “What we do is provide art therapy to children, teens, and adults who deal with all kinds of challenges.”

Today, The Art Station serves clients with a broad range of programs and services.

Though the center promotes healing of both the body and mind, its foundation, like all healing processes, began through pain.

After founder Jane Avila tragically lost her son, she found a pathway to healing through art therapy classes offered at the now closed Art Therapy Institute in Dallas.

The classes brought closure in a way that no medication or traditional counseling could, and Jane sought a way to share her experience with others. The Art Station’s home, a historic fire station, went through its own rehabilitation, a process spearheaded

by Jane’s husband, John, which won the 2005 Preservation Texas Rehabilitation Award.

The space now radiates warmth and healing, a testament not only to the restorative efforts, but also to the energy of its expert staffers.

“Our staff knows how to use the properties of art to unlock and work through the situations and challenges that people deal with,” says Marshall. “They combine art with counseling and psychology, and are mental health professionals with dual education and licensing.”

The licensing and education process for The Art Station’s therapists showcases the high levels of training and dedication necessitated for the profession. Before they can begin the dual-track postgraduate work towards art therapy credentials, future art therapists must first receive either a master’s degree in art therapy, or a master’s degree in counseling.

Either of these requires between two to three years at a school with curriculum approved by the American Art Therapy Association.

Typically, students in these 60 academic hour programs complete 18 hours of studio art and 12 hours of psychology courses before enrollment. From there, art therapy credentials necessitate 2,000 practicum hours with 1,000 hours of direct supervised client contact, along with successful completion of the board-certified ATCBE exam.

Afterwards, the future therapists must still complete the Texas License Process, which includes the National Counseling Exam and 3000 post-graduate counseling hours completed over a minimum of 18 months.

To say that this process requires a high degree of dedication is a gross understatement. The therapists at The Art Station CONTINUED >

April 2017 | West FW Lifestyle

21

THE HEALING STATION (CON TI N U ED)

are not only highly trained – they have an unparalleled passion for their work, a fact exemplified through the intensely long hours of study and work necessitated for their practice. The benefits to clients are clear, and proven through the many successes that The Art Station can share.

Though it’s impossible to sum up the broad range of work accomplished at The Art Station, one story can give an idea of the center’s impact.

The Art Station serves many young clients who struggle with behavioral issues such as anger or depression. A 17-year-old boy had withdrawn at home and in school, and struggled to communicate the source of his malaise.

Worried that her son might fail to finish high school, and discouraged over traditional treatment, his mother turned to The Art Station. Though the boy initially struggled to express himself, his therapist soon generated a breakthrough activity: the collaborative painting of circles on a large sheet of paper.

This repetitive action, in which the therapist also participated, lowered the walls in the young man’s mind, and gradually allowed him to open up. Self-expression blossomed, and the client was able to share finally his

hopes and dreams, a salutary accomplishment that led to growth and personal healing.

“When you work with a skilled art therapist, you’re able to go through the side door, so to speak,” says Marshall. “One thing I’ve learned is that trauma often does not get stored in the frontal lobe, but appears as snapshots in other parts of the brain. The process of making art can engage these parts of the brain, and give clarity to the pain by getting it out.”

All work at The Art Station is customized to the individual needs of clients, which get explored through an initial session with a therapist. The Art Station accepts insurance, and provides financial assistance dependent on family size and income. As a non-profit with a mission of healing, The Art Station also depends on the generosity of its community.

“We would not be able to keep our doors open without support, as we do not receive large governmental grants,” says Marshall.

“About half our funding comes from private and corporate donations.”

To learn more about The Art Station and its services, or to donate money to support their laudable mission, visit www.theartstation.org.

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West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

Art & Soul

THE ICONIC MAIN ST. ARTS FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR ITS 32ND YEAR.

ARTICLE DOUGLAS MATUS

O

n April 20th through the 23rd, Fort Worth’s historic downtown will once again fill with the sights and sounds of the MAIN ST. Arts Festival.

Though every year has stood as an exemplary celebration of the art and soul of Fort Worth, this 32nd iteration promises to exceed itself in every possible way.

As the largest art show in Texas, MAIN ST. Arts Festival has grown to become one of the state’s premier cultural events. The hundreds of artists, food vendors, musicians, and performers who come together for this celebration contribute to a lively mosaic of our city, and treat visitors to a true feast of the senses.

This year’s festival builds upon the success of the 2016 event, which overcame dour weather forecasts to become a ringing success.

“The art festival was very successful last year, even though the forecasters were predicting rain,” says Becky Renfro Borbolla, chairman of the Festivals and Events Committee for Downtown Fort Worth Inc., which produces MAIN ST. “We had a great crowd come out on Saturday night, and the rain skipped over us. The entertainment and artists were stellar, and even with the bad weather forecasts, our artists had a great year for sales.”

That a large, outdoor festival can succeed through adverse weather stands as a testament to its health

and popularity among regular attendees. The 2016 MAIN ST. Arts Festival actually thrived, and garnered an improved ranking from an industry leading survey on art sales. The Art Fair SourceBook, which compiles information and rankings for art fairs and craft shows, honored MAIN ST. Arts Festival as a top four event among all fine art festivals in the country.

The 2016 festival also received the “Zenith” award from the International Festivals and Events Association, an honor which stands alongside its 2015 recognition as one of USA Today’s top 10 U.S. arts festivals. In addition to this praise, In Style described MAIN ST. as one of the “under-the-radar festivals you need to start planning for now.”

To plot your ideal festival experience, you’ll first need an understanding of all that it has to offer. Tens of thousands of visitors will descend across 27 blocks of downtown Fort Worth to browse the wares of 213 hand-picked artists. Four event stages will host hundreds of performers across four days, while vendors will offer delectable gourmet hamburgers, crawfish, bratwurst, turkey legs, craft beer, wine, and much, much more. Truly an event that caters to everyone, the festival offers family-friendly arts and crafts activities, and presents top-tier musical acts to keep the fun going after sundown. CONTINUED > April 2017 | West FW Lifestyle

25

City Scene

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West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

(CON TI N UED)

“Our entertainment committee does a great job choosing the performers,” says Becky Renfro Borbolla. “We have a mix of country, blues, jazz, and rock-and-roll, and try to hit it so that everyone who visits can find something they want to see.”

This year’s performers include headliners such as esteemed guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, folk group Elephant Revival, singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, “The Voice” finalist Austin Allsup, and Jamaican reggae band Chaka Demus & Pliers.

These stellar offerings aside, MAIN ST. Arts Festival remains first and foremost an arts festival, with a diverse mixture of international, national, and local talent on exhibit.

“While music has taken a higher priority role, the art component is still what drives us,” says Jay Downie, director of Downtown Fort Worth Inc. “The music complements the art scene, and provides a different layer to the artistic scope of the festival.”

The 213 artists featured for 2017 were chosen from among 1,343 applicants. Mediums include everything you could imagine to decorate your home or supplement a collection, and include jewelry, ceramics, prints, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworks, photography, and metalwork. To learn more about the featured artists and events schedule, visit www.mainstreetartsfest.org.

Of course, an event of this scope only becomes possible through the hard work of sponsors and volunteers. This year’s presenting sponsor, Blue Moon Brewing Company, is joined by official sponsors Sundance Square, Tarrant County College, Wells Fargo, and The University of Texas at Arlington. Indispensable support from the event comes from the hundreds of volunteers whose efforts benefit the economic health of our city. Aside from the sales the event provides for artists, it also injects around $20 million into the economy of downtown Fort Worth. As a way to support both artists and the city, you can’t do better than a visit to MAIN ST. Arts Festival.

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L A V I T S FE E FORT H T IN Back Stage

Purity Ring photographed by Renata Raksha

FORTRESS FESTIVAL, NORTH TEXAS'S NEWEST PREMIER MUSIC EVENT, OCCURS APRIL 29-30 IN FORT WORTH. ARTICLE DOUGLAS MATUS

28

West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

O

ver the last decade, music festivals have exploded in popularity. Though Fort Worth has had events in the past, such as the Fort Worth Music Fest and Dia De Los Toadies, the city has hitherto lacked competition for tastemaker events such as Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Fest or the Bay Area’s Noise Pop Festival. Fortress Festival, which debuts this April 29th and 30th, aims to change all that. The annual festival plans to hold its first event on two outdoor stages in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District.

A partnership between Fortress Presents and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Fortress Festival will feature internationally acclaimed headliners alongside up-and-comers and local performers. As for pedigrees, Margin Walker, the team responsible for Fun Fun Fun Fest and it’s successor, Sound on Sound Festival, has handled artist booking.

For a certain demographic of young and hip music lovers, Margin Walker has knocked it out of the park, and put together a line-up to rival any festival of comparable size. To say that Fortress Festival is eagerly anticipated has become an understatement. The hype is real, and evidenced by the sell-out of presale tickets – which were offered before the announcement of lineups -- in less than six hours.

“We wanted to do a general lineup, not niche, and touch on a lot of different kinds of music to reflect the listening habits and tastes that are underrepresented here,” says Ramtin Nikzad, who co-founded the festival alongside Alec Jhangiani. “A big part of this was approaching our partners Margin Walker, and booking the artists became a very collaborative process.”

This collaboration yielded success, as shown through the fantastic lineup. On Saturday, April 29th, headliners Run the Jewels will bring their progressive hip-hop to Fort Worth.

A partnership between rapper Killer Mike and rapper/producer El-P, Run the Jewels has established a reputation as critical darlings across three acclaimed albums.

Flying Lotus, the Los Angeles-based multi-genre producer, DJ, and rapper, also performs the first night. Each of Flying Lotus five albums has garnered higher accolades than the previous, and his dark vision of electronic music makes for an excellent live experience. Additional performers the first day include Houndmouth, Wolf Parade, S U R V I V E, local favorites Burning Hotels, and several more.

T

The second night explodes with the one-two punch of Purity Ring and Slowdive. The former is an electronic music duo from Alberta, Canada, whose debut album, Shrines, garnered an esteemed “Best New Music” rating from tastemaker website Pitchfork.

Slowdive is a hugely influential English rock band that formed in 1989. Their appearance at Fortress Festival is one of just a handful of dates announced for the

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acclaimed band’s hugely anticipated reunion tour. Also performing on the second day are the energetic Nathanial Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Peter Hook & The Light, Alvvays, Whitney, and many more.

For this bountiful offering of musical talent, festivalgoers can thank Alec and Ramtin. The two Fortress Festival founders see the event as representative of Fort Worth’s changing character and evolving cultural dynamic.

“We see Fort Worth as being in a really interesting formative period,” says Alec. “It’s changing quickly and developing new aspects of its character. We saw an opportunity here to develop a new dimension in cultural offerings, and saw an ideal alignment with the Modern.”

The two founders have worked with the Modern before through their experience in the Lone Star Film Festival.

“Alec and I took over leadership of the film festival, and always had an idea to do music. We’re both from nearby and grew up around the area, and had formed really strong relationships with the cultural community within Fort Worth,” says Alec. “We found the right space and time, and decided to take the leap.”

Fortress Festival promises to not only reinvent Fort Worth’s music scene, but also expose the city to a whole new audience.

“Fort Worth is an anomaly,” says Alec. “It’s grown big, but it still has that small town feel. We’re hoping for a lot of discovery of Fort Worth, for people to come over and realize everything that the city has to offer. Fort Worth is all the things that people think it is, in terms of heritage and history, but it’s lots of other things as well.”

If you’re interested in attending North Texas’s newest premier music festival, buy your tickets now. One day tickets and two day passes are available through the festival’s website, www.fortressfestival.com.

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Lifestyle Calendar

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JERUSALEM @ THE OMNI IMAX FORT WORTH MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY Jerusalem, sacred to half the people on earth; fought over more than any other place in history; conquered and destroyed, rebuilt and reinvented repeatedly over 5,000 years. Now, for the first-time ever, a new giant screen film adventure immerses audiences in a spectacular cinematic journey—soaring high above the Holy Land and plunging deep into the vibrant Old City

APRIL 15 FORT WORTH OPERA FESTIVAL PRESENTS GRAND OPENING NIGHT GALA CONCERT BASS PERFORMANCE HALL-MADDOX-MUSE COMPLEX Fort Worth Opera is going bigger and bolder in 2017! Next year’s Festival commences with a star-studded Grand Opening Night Concert, featuring Fort Worth native Ava Pine (The Daughter of the Regiment, Lysistrata, Silent Night), baritone Michael Mayes(Lysistra-

APRIL 1 & 2 FORT WORTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - 007: THE MUSIC OF JAMES BOND

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West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

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West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

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Parting Thoughts

F O R C A LE E WI L SO N , A R T B E CO M E S A M E A NS F O R TO GE T H E R N E S S .

ARTICLE DOUGLAS MATUS | PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD DALTON

A

rt becomes the shared property of all who experience it. The impressions that a piece inspires, which can span the range of human emotions, can uplift or drive to introspection, entertain and embolden, and represent a moment shared between artist and observer.

Public art, especially murals, quickly becomes landmarks for this very reason. Some examples, such as San Francisco’s Mission District murals, or Berlin’s East Side Gallery, have become world famous, and synonymous with their cities. Practically all cities have public art pieces that exemplify their zest, character, and cultural soul, however, from large to small, colorful to staid, and everything in between.

Murals abound in Fort Worth. Simply take a drive through downtown, near southside, or westside Fort Worth, and you’ll find dozens of examples. One piece in particular, of a colorful, whimsical cow, has appeared to delight viewers and provide opportunities for photo-ops.

Located at Clarity Homes at 3605 El Campo Avenue, the cow has also graced the cover of this magazine. Be Bold, the cow tells us, and inspires viewers through its striking color and profound, dreamy expression.

The creation of local artist Calee Wilson, the cow stands as just one example of her talent and dynamic vision. Calee, whose art, prints, and designs are available to view and purchase at www.caleewilsondesign. com, got an early start on her artistic journey. Despite this, she did not plan on becoming a career artist, and instead went into education.

“My mom was an art teacher, so I grew up always doing artsy things at home,” says Calee. “I wound up majoring in education, though, and taught high school English. Later on, I taught art at Southwest High School here in Fort Worth.”

This taste of art as a career left a deep impression on Calee. After the birth of her child, she began to create art out of her home. The lessons 34

West FW Lifestyle | April 2017

from her mother, along with an ample portion of self-taught experimentation, inspired a style that’s equal parts abstract and true to life.

“I work mainly in acrylics, with lots of heavy texture,” says Calee.

“Though it’s drawn from life, with lots of animals, my art does not look like still life. It’s colorful and abstract, and every piece has its own personality.”

Calee’s art also bridges the gap between public and private, as she has made her services available for in-home décor. A new collection, called Piper’s Pals after Calee’s daughter, features animals and designs intended for children’s playrooms and nurseries.

“Piper’s Pals will be available as both originals and prints,” says Calee. “I also do a lot of custom pieces for people’s homes, and can do murals on walls, or designs on wood signs, canvas; I pretty much will paint on anything.”

The popularity of Calee’s cow mural comes not just from its artistry and playfulness – it also captures something important about Fort Worth. While many public art pieces serve to broadcast an individual vision to a wider audience, Calee’s mural instead showcases something of the city itself.

“I grew up in Fort Worth, and I feel that it’s a very relational place,” says Calee. “You feel like you’re in a small town, and that you really know people. I love doing art for people, and want to create pieces that make people happy and that bring people together. I feel like togetherness is what Fort Worth is all about, and the people here are what inspire me.”

What began as an eyesore – an empty wall, devoid of character and appeal – has become a “relational object,” a bold artistic statement that brings people together and inspires joy. That’s a big accomplishment for a colorful cow, and testament to the talent of her creator.

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