::Austin Friends Of Folk Art::

Sat., May 1, The Big Squeeze Accordion Semi-finals, 2-6pm.
Texas Folklife took the 4th annual Big Squeeze accordion contest on the road, holding live auditions all around the state for accordion players age 21 or younger. Hear the semi-finalists with AFFA at a free public concert at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. Finalists will be selected to compete at Texas Folklife's wildly popular Accordion Kings & Queens festival in Houston. RSVP to Deborah at orahdeborah@gmail.com by April 28.

Sun. Feb. 14, Membership Party & Mexic-Arte’s exhibit: Imaging Mexico: Folk Art from Austin Collections. Music, dancing, food, spirits, good company, plus an exhibit of Mexican folk art! All for the price of your food contribution (A-G= appetizer; H-M= Dessert; N-Z=Salad). Help AFFA stay vital: renew your membership and bring your friends to share the wonder of folk art!

Sun. Dec. 6. Holiday Party & Auction, 4-7pm. Enjoy the season with friends in a beautiful Central Austin home. Spirits will run high with good food, friends and music, plus a silent auction with treasures you can take home.

Austin Friends of Folk Art Holiday Party
and Silent Auction to Benefit our Grants Program
Sunday, December 6, 2009, 4 to 7 p.m.
At the home of Nilda de la Llata
1491 Inglewood
Music with American roots and Latin soul
by Grammy-nominated Sister Sister y los Misters
— Wear your dance shoes! —
$25 per person – Reservations limited to 110
R.S.V.P. with check by Monday, November 30th

With a keystroke “party” becomes “para tí,” (which in Spanish means “for you”) to remind you that AFFA works hard to give you memorable programs. The holiday party is AFFA’s fundraiser, and your generosity last year enabled us to give $3,400 this year to well-deserving artists and art entities. The annual holiday party is warmly “para tí.” Your generosity is “para ellos”—for them”—the artists and champions whose work keeps folk art alive.

SAN ANTONIO RIVER OUTING - COLORS ON CLAY

Sunday - September 20

9:45 - 11:45 Guided river cruise of the art works in the Museum Reach. Remember that AFFA donated $1,500 toward the installation of the Maverick Tile Mural at the Hugman Dam? Well, we're going to go see it via a private cruise-just for AFFA and some friends we've invited from Los Amigos del Arte Popular in Houston. Susan Frost, who rescued the tile mural from a home about to be razed, will be on board to celebrate with us. And we'll have a knowledgeable guide from the San Antonio River Foundation, which was responsible for the art works along the River Walk's new extension, which now reaches the San Antonio Museum of Art. We will also see some WPA art works along the river.

12:15 Brunch buffet at La Fonda. (the original one on Main Street) as a group & continued sightings of art work.

2:00 - 3:00 Colors on Clay Exhibition, Talk by Susan Frost, and Book Signing at the Witte Museum. The Witte's exhibition features a selection of brightly colored tiles decorated to reflect the popular imagery of Mexico and South Texas, from the outstanding private collection of Susan Toomey Frost, who literally WROTE THE BOOK ON THESE TILES. In her talk, Susan will share stories that are not in the recent book. Then she'll sign copies of this gorgeous publication.

On September 20 members of AFFA carpooled to San Antonio, where they were met by members of LADAP of Houston and by Susan Frost. It was good to be sharing an event with the Houston folk art people.

We went on a barge trip up the new section of the San Antonio River. Susan had arranged for speakers to explain the art found under the bridges and along the river walk.

This is the San Jose tile mural rescued from demolition by Susan Frost. AFFA helped the relocation and mounting of the mural with a grant. It is close to the location of the old San Jose pottery.

Susan Frost gave a talk and slide show presentation at the Witte Museum. Afterward she signed copies of her book on San Jose tiles entitled "Colors on Clay."