10 minute read
Arts & Culture
The Art on Ayers Experience
BREATHING LIFE INTO FORGOTTEN NEIGHBORHOODS WITH PUBLIC CREATIVITY
BY: JACQUELINE GONZALEZ PHOTOS BY: TYLER SCHULTZ
After his recent trip to Florida for the annual Art Basel event, local artist Jeremy Flores felt inspired. A developer with an artistic vision had poured energy and resources into Wynwood, a historic neighborhood in Miami, transforming it with public art. The results compelled Flores to bring that same energy back home, and he knew just the area to begin.
The city has been focused on the Downtown Revitalization project, which includes the addition of colorful art by talented artists and more art-themed events. Bringing art to the forefront of the city’s culture has long been Flores’ dream. However, he noticed that since growth has been focused heavily on the downtown area, some lower-income communities aren’t receiving as much attention. This sentiment is what inspired Flores to start his latest project, Art on Ayers.
“I’ve seen art transform communities all over the country, and now I want to use that energy to help lower-income communities in my city,” he said about his mission. He explained that “the main goal is to use the power of art to uplift our underserved communities, while also providing support to them in a very real way.”
The Art on Ayers project will involve painting murals up and down Ayers Street to breathe color and life back into the area, and to remind people of how beautiful the part of town was — and could be again.
Art on Ayers’ next event, Cleaning Up the Corner, will take place Jan. 13-15 and will focus on freshening up a street corner in preparation for a new mural. For more information or to get involved, visit the website.
Much like the revitalization of the Wynwood neighborhood in Miami, Art on Ayers will focus on bringing color and vibrant designs to the sides of buildings, but it is also intended to give youth in the area a different type of goal or perspective on life.
By growing up in La Armada, an affordable housing community on Ayers Street, Flores has firsthand knowledge of the stigma surrounding the neighborhood, and how these reputations can negatively influence young minds. He hopes that the addition of colorful murals in the neighborhood will bring the positive attention this area needs, and in turn, inspire the kids who live in the surrounding neighborhoods to pursue their dreams, work toward positive goals and stay out of trouble.
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In addition to painting a variety of murals in the area, the Art on Ayers project will also focus on restoring old signage and buildings in need of a healthy dose of TLC. Art on Ayers also hosts community events, such as its Back to School Backpack Giveaway.
Flores is also working to re-open a creative development center in the area after having to shut down his former downtown location due to the pandemic. This center is intended to give kids an opportunity to thrive in the arts, and a safe space in the neighborhood to do so.
The local artist and community advocate is thrilled to be at the forefront of Art on Ayers. His goal is to bring a new energy to the area, as well as new opportunities for growth to those who inhabit it. Three to four years down the road, Flores envisions a neighborhood known for its art, rooted in its vibrant culture and celebrated because of it.
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12 Days of Christmas
A dozen lovely local shops provide a gift-giving guide for this holiday season
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1. TRANQUIL GARDEN FANTASY BY STEFAN JANS Bring the great outdoors in with the Tranquil Garden Fantasy artwork. This oversized chinoiserie style framed print hosts an array of beautiful colors from sage green to deep magenta. Chic to Chic Furniture, $919 2. LA SCOLCA WHITE WINE A bottle of Gavi di Gavi DOCG, Alessandria, Piedmont – La Scolca (Black Label) from Italian Cowboy Food & Provisions is the perfect holiday hostess gift. This choice pairs wonderfully with fish and white meats, and is ideal as an aperitif or after dinner glass. Italian Cowboy, Bottles Vary in Price 3. ZO SKIN HEALTH One of our most popular skin regimens! These products are going to help you preserve a more youthful looking complexion, hydrate the skin, and improve the appearance of fine lines + wrinkles. Halcyon Medspa, Exfoliating Polish $68, Complexion Renewal Pads $53, Exfoliating Cleanser $47, Daily Power Defense $150 4. KANTHA QUILTS Kantha is a traditional type of stitch and embroidered quilt or blanket. Using repurposed cloth makes this a One Of A Kind gorgeous gift. Shop the She Shed for everything Kantha! The She Shed, Pricing Varies 5. FRESH FLORAL HAT BOXES Luxurious fresh floral hat boxes style arrangements available for pick up or delivery in the Coastal Bend. Join our toujours flower subscription to have fresh blooms for months to come! Rose Soiree, Starting at $45 6. MIXED MEDIA ART Representing 200+ member artists, the Port Aransas Art Center is the premiere gallery in the Coastal Bend; offering unique coastal art, such as the pictured sanddollar mixed media piece, and a vast array of original paintings, pottery, photography, glass art, hand-crafted jewelry, gifts for every budget, and much more! Rockport Art Center, $5 to $5,000+
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7. BIG GREEN EGG This holiday season, give you or someone you love the ultimate cooking experience! Whether you are grilling, baking, roasting and smoking....no other outdoor cooker can match the quality, ease of use and versatility of a Big Green Egg! 361 Cabinets & More, Holiday bundle specials up to $650 off, while supplies last. 8. ESTELLE COLORED GLASSWAREWith so many gorgeous colors and styles available, Estelle Colored Glass is the perfect gift for anyone on your list! This hand-blown glass is a timeless gift with a modern twist. Cheers! Park Seven, $48 per flute 9. ONCLOUD GO From your first run to your 50th, the Cloudgo offers next-level comfort through every stride. These lightweight shoes are made to keep you on your game while helping you reach the next level. Fleet Feet, $140 10. BAMBINO FIDDLE LEAF FIG TREE IN HOURGLASS PLANTER We’ve got a plant for every type of plant parent. A one-stop shop this season for everything houseplants and gifts. Create a cozy space with fresh plants this holiday season at Planted. Planted CCTX, $20 to $150 11. PURA SMART DIFFUSER The Pura Smart Fragrance Diffuser empowers you to personalize every detail of your home fragrance experience —all from your phone. Simply plug in, program, and let premium, clean fragrance enhance your every mood. Holiday scents available now! Jewels Clothing and Accessories, Pura System $85; Refills $18 12. GARDNER’S SOAP Gardner’s soap, nail brush and dish by local potter Nathaneal Huffman Wildflowers, $26
