In a time where physical exhibitions and events have been cancelled and stores closed, local artists are identifying ways they can support artists impacted by loss of income during the COVID-19 crisis. Join Fresh Arts for an online conversation with Carla Lyles and Amber Slaughter to learn about their inspirational efforts and how others can also support the arts community in this time of crisis.

Carla Lyles, the maker behind Carla Sue Cards, fills us in on how she’s turned her social media accounts into a digital home shopping network, the Carla Sue Network, to highlight artist-run business to drive sales. Amber Slaughter will share her work with Artists For Artists in their mission to support artists in times of crisis and update us on the upcoming 3D group art exhibition “Adaptation: A Virtual Exhibition”.

Support their efforts at:

@carlasuehouston www.carlasuehouston.com/

@artistsforartiststx  www.artists4artists.org

MORE LOCAL ARTIST HIGHLIGHTS

The Houston arts community is strong and countless others are supporting each other through various ways. Here are just a few more groups and artists that we’d like to recognize for their efforts:

Stephen Hebert, a local documentary photographer, is using his social media channels as a platform for education to give back to the community that taught him photography skills. His instruction videos and resources are freely available via YouTube to support students who have had their access to resources cut mid-semester. 

Follow Stephen on Youtube at: Atelier Hébert

Laser Cut Co, an East End Houston small business run by a small team of creatives, created a Houston Strong keychain campaign which will give 25% of sales to support local businesses. 

Support their efforts at @lasercutco  https://www.lasercutco.com/

Boss Babes HTX, powered by local creatives Ellyse Espinosa and Gabriella Campos, has made it their mission to support female small businesses and recently hosted Babes Helping Babes, a social media initiative to encourage supporting small businesses on Small Business Saturday.

Follow them at @htxbossbabes

TXRX Labs, another East End artist-run organization, and other local artists are joining together to make medical supplies for local hospitals. 

Find them @txrxlabs  https://www.txrxlabs.org

Colin Hendee with Fifth World Collective is putting their manufacturing equipment to work to produce inexpensive and easily reproducible merchandise that artists can sell online. They plan to work with artists to develop their product, produce it in house for them, and will cover the first round of materials to expedite placing items in artists hands so they can begin their sales efforts. Services include CNC Routing, Laser Cutting, Custom Fabrication and more.

Check out their website for more info: fifthworldcollective.com/

Fresh Arts recognizes that so many others are supporting their fellow creatives by sharing their posts and work online. If you have artists you’d like to see featured or have stories or resources you’d like to share please contact opportunities@fresharts.org or message us through our socials @freshartsorg or fill out this info form and we’ll get back to you.