Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Abrams Smith.
Hi Emily Abrams, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always enjoyed creating art but my creativity really kicked into higher gear during the Covid era where I began painting murals and exploring mosaic projects. In 2024 I applied for and was awarded a Nexus Grant with the City of Austin where I used those funds to put on an intentionally inclusive and accessible community art event at Skyline Park here in Easton Park. The focus was more than art, but intentional inclusion – I made sure to have all signs in spanish first and then English as well as welcomed folks to the event with friendship bracelets in English and Spanish. I also had volunteers of all ages as a part of the “Kindness Crew” where kids wore superhero capes that said “Kindness Matters” and handed out stickers and encouragement to attendees trying new types of art.
The success of Art in the Park inspired me to leave a 15 year career in the insurance industry to focus on creativity and community centered projects. I recently began leading an afterschool art program at the neighborhood elementary school and have found such joy and fulfillment working with the bright little minds who will one day be leading our community. I have also been working to create a studio space where I plan to lead art classes and clubs focused on creative confidence using art therapy strategies to provide a safe and inclusive space for my community to practice art and connect with one another.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Leaving a stable and steady career to work part time for the school district was a bit nerve wracking. Thankfully I have a supportive partner who is holding down the family with health insurance! Although the change in income was scary at first, I’ve never felt more sure that I’m on the right path. Plus the fulfillment of connecting with kids and sharing creative confidence, as well as the freedom to connect in new ways with my community (as well as the schedule flexibility to complete more community art projects to add some razzle dazzle and joy to the neighborhood) has been incredible.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My personal art includes mosaic works, paintings, and mixed media pieces. I have a personal collection of art specifically tied to the current state of our world and country – this has been my own sanity-savior when times are stressful. In addition, color just makes me happy and I enjoy pouring my emotions and joy into jovial paintings and pieces – including a few murals at my home.
When it comes to sharing in creativity, I believe that we are lacking creative confidence as a society right now. Perfectionism and fear of judgement have paralyzed so many of us into not even trying new things for fear we won’t immediately be successful. Being brave enough to make the first mark or to do something wrong is imperative to our strength and success as people. Supporting that creative confidence not only empowers us to try new things or start something, but also to realize that there are different ways to see the world and to imagine solutions that aren’t prescribed by our current understanding and systems.
I am an incredibly sensitive and empathetic person, which can be quite a drag when the world feels heavy and sad. On the flip side though, where feeling the pain or sadness of others can be heavy – I also am able to feel joy and excitement for others just as intensely as if it were my own. That connection is what powers me and what inspires me to put more joy and creativity into the world and to create safe spaces where they didn’t exist before.
What are your plans for the future?
Once the dust settles with the city of Austin’s economic development council and cultural funding programs continue, I am looking forward to applying for more grant money to continue the annual Art in the Park event at Skyline. Creating a safe and inclusive space where our community isn’t bound by admission prices or barred by inaccessible setups is imperative to me. We all are stressed and working hard and weighed down by the world…so more than ever we need places and events where we can show up to just be and find joy. I think folks are tired of being sold things or marketed to – whatever happened to joy for the sake of joy and connection without consumerism? In preparing for the Cultural Funding Programs, I formed a 501c3 nonprofit organization for Art in the Park – specifically for creating more accessible and inclusive art events here in Southeast Austin and Skyline Park. I did that in hopes of navigating the previous iteration of Cultural Funding Programs to be eligible for larger grants. However, the City of Austin has since re-imagined their Cultural Funding Programs and I’m anxiously waiting to see how the dust settles there as I know they received feedback that the program I enjoyed was a little too focused on welcoming in new artists and organizations. So many “Austin” events that used to be centered around the creative “weird” vibes we all love have become so corporate and consumer focused with corporate sponsors dictating more of the creative approaches and growing to be such large money-making events that regular folks can’t afford to take part in them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eas-creative.com
- Instagram: @eas_creative
- Other: @eas_creative TikTok
