By Kim Hilsenbeck
If you stroll past The Tavern on Main in Buda this winter season, be sure to catch a glimpse of the artwork on the windows.
It’s hard to miss the ice blue musical instruments, holiday ornaments and the names of bands and musicians who play at the establishment in a swirling design across the four front windows of the building.
Tavern owner Julie Renfro said she wanted a way to provide local artwork on her business front that would also give credit to local musicians and highlight artists from Buda.
The effort is a collaboration between local artist Mark Hufford, Kay Bailey, the founder of Chrysalis Art Foundation, and Renfro. Bailey said Hufford is one of the first members of Chrysalis.
The trio met to discuss the artwork and what Renfro wanted.
“We came up with this very recently…of Chrysalis doing the windows,” Renfro said.
Hufford came up with the swirls of ice-colored instruments and ornaments. Renfro wanted to add in the musicians’ names.
A team of about six local artists met on Sunday to paint the design.
In addition to providing a local business with artwork, Bailey said she wanted to give Chrysalis artists a chance to shine.
“It’s about getting recognized in the community,” Bailey said. “People know about Chrysalis but they don’t know where to see us and see what we do.”
Without a permanent home, Bailey said being active in this kind of art project offers more exposure and visibility for the foundation.
Bailey said there are nearly 40 member of Chrysalis Art Foundation today. She founded the organization about three years ago.
She was involved with the art league in Wimberley where she moved after she retired. Bailey moved to Buda several months ago.
Her art is jewelry design using symatics — sound waves on water — but the foundation is for artists of all mediums.
“The primary purpose [of Chrysalis] is to help emerging artists be successful in their art careers,” she said.
She said artists are a group of people who don’t have an opportunity for mentoring after they learn a trade.
“Probably 90 percent never make a career out of their chosen field,” she said.
Artists also settle, for example, by taking positions in graphic design and other jobs.
“There’s no one out there helping them,” Bailey said. “They give so much of themselves and the more they hear ‘no’ the more discouraged they get.”
She met a young man who got a degree in photography but was selling cars for a living. She took a test drive and found out he was an artist.
Bailey asked him where he was going to get people to buy his artwork, which she described as amazing.
An idea took root in her brain.
She said he needed to determine his market by figuring out: who is your buyer?
“You need to find out where they shop — such as a gallery or festivals — and learn how to advertise to them,” she recalls telling the young man.
While she doesn’t consider herself a career coach, Bailey said she sees herself as more of a mentor. Plus, artists who make a living will begin to mentor others. She doesn’t charge artists for the help because, she said, they’re already not making any money. But she wants them to learn how to be successful.
What makes a successful artist?
“It’s identifying your buyer,” she said.
Galleries offer a potential venue, but you have to go where your buyers are.
“It’s self promotion,” Bailey said.
She said it took two years for the organization to secure its status as a nonprofit 501(c)3. The foundation accepts donations, which are tax-deductible. Chrysalis also provides art classes. She would like to have a permanent home in Buda and said the organization is fundraising for that goal.
As for the art in downtown Buda, Bailey said it’s important for the community to see Chrysalis artists and their work.
“We are here and we’re not leaving,” she said.
Renfro agreed.
“Art is a big part…of this current version of Buda,” she said. “Part of the real joy in this [window art project] is not just having beautiful windows, but I love that we’re across from (Buda) city hall. I’d love for someone at the city to take up the cause of art.”
