Dear Friends:
October is a big month of celebration for all of us in the Art House America family. For starters, this month marks one year since we launched Art House Dallas. As I look back on the last year, I echo David’s sentiments from Psalm 143:5: “I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done.”
I can attest to the fact that God has certainly done a lot through the passionate hearts and willing hands of our programs director, Marissa Miller, our hard-working interns, the Creative Council and numerous volunteers. I’ve been so grateful to have their help over the last 12 months as we have hosted more than 1,000 attendees across 21 events, launched a new website, and taken huge steps towards the creation of the new 6,500 square foot Art House in East Dallas.
While I’ve watched in amazement as the Art House Dallas community grows without a space of its own, I can barely contain myself to think of its future at the new Munger Place location. We are still in the early stages, but I was thrilled to view a 3-D model of the space last Friday. In the near future I’ll release a preview of the projected floor plan so you can share in our excitement about the potential of this place, one that will allow creativity to shape a community, and ultimately a city, for years to come.
The original Art House in Nashville, Tennessee is one of the best examples I have seen of a physical place shaping the creative spirit of a community. Later this month, our team will return to headquarters and Sara Groves, Matthew Perryman Jones and others will lend their voices as we look back at the amazing ways God has used Charlie and Andi’s home and service over the last 20 years. Read Charlie’s blog post to learn a little more of Art House America’s history and consider joining us for the 20th anniversary festivities! Here’s your chance to tour the original Art House and hear from co-founders Charlie and Andi Ashworth, as well as Art House North co-founders Troy and Sara Groves.
As I “ponder all [His] great works and think about what [He has] done” in the last 20 years of Art House America, much less the last year of Art House Dallas, I can’t help but be full of hope and expectation for what is to come. Thanks for being a part of the community and making this last year such a good one.
Here’s to another year of artful living and creativity for the common good.
Jenny