Tatara is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington and holds a master’s degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Crafts in New York. Using her undergraduate degree in ceramic and glass and her graduate degree in Fine Art with a concentration in glass, she has not only written, developed, and launched art programs, but she also teaches them, records data, writes reports, applies for grants, and then starts the process all over again. In a nutshell, she develops community outreach programs that change people’s lives.

Photo courtesy of SiNaCa Studios

During a chance meeting at one of their Veteran Days (the studio offers a free day to veterans and their families to come create glass works), she met a veteran who, while in school to become a doctor, was interested in developing art therapy programming at SiNaCa. Together, they had the idea to develop an art therapy glass program to address the needs of veterans with PTSD. During a 12-week course called Identify and Ignite your Creative Voice, six veterans of the United States Armed Forces participated in the program and were transformed just as the elements silicon, sodium, and calcium (the Si, Na, and Ca of the studio’s name) are when they are put through extreme heat to become beautiful works of glass art.

While traditional art therapy has been proven to be successful in treating veterans with PTSD, working with a medium like molten glass can be very cathartic. According to Tatara, this cathartic work is very apparent in those who have moved through the program and found healing. When Tatara speaks of her personal journey as a facilitator, you understand that she is not only driven by this work, she is guided by it. It almost feels divine when you hear her talk about her role and the relationships she has built through this program. These are men and women who sought out a new healing path through art. As well as learning how to create beautiful works of art, they found themselves intertwined with each other, and now their stories of healing have been joined – fused.

Photo courtesy of SiNaCa Studios

A similar program to Identify and Ignite Your Creative Voice was called A Million Tears. Unfortunately, many women in the armed forces are survivors of sexual assault. A Million Tears was a collaborative project to represent the struggles of these women. In an 18-week program in partnership with The Art Station, these women created a visual representation of their struggles as survivors of sexual assault in the military. The glass tears, hanging purely by tension, represent the years of abuse and the weight of these veterans’ tears. The tears are connected to each other with paracord as these women are connected to each other. The few pink strands amongst the dark green strands signify the way women in the military are outnumbered by men. The creation of this haunting work of art allowed the women to connect to other survivors and heal.

Unfortunately, due to the always uncertain and often unjust nature of public and private funding, SiNaCa has been unable to keep these programs going. However, Tatara informed me that when the time comes and Ignite Your Creative Voice can continue, the same men who participated in one of the programs are ready to step up and help the next crew move through the program. A new team, a new community, a growing connection for those who have fought valiantly and bear the scars for our nation will result – it’s just a matter of time and resources.

Fortunately, a program SiNaCa continues to offer is Courage Through Fire. This program is a 10-week (40-hour) course designed for veterans and active-duty members of the armed services, introducing several hot and warm techniques of glass art creation, providing amazing introduction to the work of the studio which fosters a new appreciation of glass as an artistic medium. It’s not an art therapy program, but rather, it’s a place where veterans and active-duty military can meet and learn to create works of art in glass. The members of this program find community through shared experiences, both past and present. The members of the program make the same type of item; the beauty lies in the fact that each member’s work is completely unique, reflecting the artist and their experiences.

Started in 2008 by a group of glass artists and teachers from the University of Texas at Arlington, SiNaCa’s purpose is to be a safe place where people in the community can come and discover a new and exciting art form. While we are fortunate to have SiNaCa in our community, it is difficult to find the funds to keep the studio creating. Private and public funding keep the kilns hot and the lights on. Grants help defray the costs of programs like Ignite Your Creative Voice.

Photo courtesy of SiNaCa Studios

The studio is divided into three parts which correspond to different glass techniques. Classes are offered for people to learn these techniques. Kiln forming is a process which works with glass in its solid state, cutting and layering glass sheets with frit (ground bits of colored glass) and stringers (thin filaments of glass in varying colors) to create designs. Flame working uses a gas torch to form glass into beads and other shapes. Glass blowing is what you most likely thought of when you first started reading this article. Glass blowing is an art form that uses one of our most basic human functions to breathe life into molten glass.

Anyone interested in taking a class can visit their website and sign up. As for Tatara, she is committed to the mission of this nonprofit and is determined to continue with programs that serve Fort Worth. She’s committed to our community, and she’s committed to the lives she has changed and will continue to change. Anyone lucky enough to know her knows her courage and her shameless commitment to making this world a better place, one glass bead and one heart at a time.

The post Shameless Courage: Tatara Siegel and SiNaCa Studios first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

During ArtsGoggle last year, Crofford engaged passersby with questions about what they look for in public art, gathering the various perspectives festival attendants had about Magnolia. His open and inquisitive personality is well-suited for soliciting interest and input.

His timeline with the area stretches back to the teenage angst of digging bands at Mad Hatter’s, currently King Tut’s Egyptian Restaurant. Just as the same tin lines that structure’s ceilings, Crofford can still recall what he saw back then as an environment indicative of the Southside’s inherent possibility.

“It was ’93, I was going to see Dead King’s Pillow,” after a drunk friend got booted, teenage Crofford and his friends emptied onto Magnolia. “It was Friday night, and I saw people from all walks of life.” It would forever spark a deep attraction to the area for him. He eventually landed at a former gas station right smack dab in the middle of it. So it only makes sense that he would one day make a piece of art that honors the street and its surrounding community.

Keeping up with the constant demands of a hands-on institution like SiNaCa, Crofford set his creative pursuits to the side for much of the past ten years. “My work has been about building a community around this place.”

His energy and his commitment to sharing the techniques and principles of glass work are inspiring to be around. Earnest and enthusiastic, he connects with everyone he meets, remaining a curious and supportive leader of the community.

His curiosity led him to investigate the allocation of funding for public arts, particularly those monies intended, as part of bond packages, to be used within the communities they serve. Eventually, Arts Council of Fort Worth would conduct a search process inviting submissions from artists for public artwork that would be incorporated somewhere in the Magnolia Urban Village.

The project has guidance from a core team including Near South Inc., homeowner associations, local artist Cho Ke and business folks like Ken Schaefer. Alida Labbe oversees it at the Arts Council to guide the logistics behind the more substantial scale of the work. Labbe acts as a translator between all of the engineers, artists, and political entities involved, as she explains, “As with any building, a lot of work goes into a project before it goes vertical. We walk the line between critical acclaim and public acceptance, but progress doesn’t wait for a consensus.”

As Crofford moves through the stages of design and development, he has looked to the natural world for inspiration, building on themes of growth and resiliency. A visit to his studio showcases a range of glass concepts on which he has been working. He is deeply engaged not only with the project but with the neighborhood that has allowed him and SiNaCa to flourish. “Growth is all about hope for the community we make when we are more local in our thought.”

With budgetary concerns and community discussion central to the project, Crofford continues to perfect his concept, investigating fabrication and the ideal materials for an outdoor piece of art. “You can’t do a project like this on your own; you have to outsource a good chunk of it.”

photo credit: Lyle Brooks

Culture is passed down by hand just as each generation builds on the last; this sort of inspiration and influence can surround us if we allow for it. Alida Labbe explains the principles behind art of this kind, “We started as a program to bring art into the neighborhoods around the city. There’s a large population of people who will never see art in any of our world-renown museums.”

SiNaCa Studios hosts an annual fundraiser in the form of a fashion show with a Runway Exhibition and art auction known as Vitro Moda 12. Originally planned for The Ostreum, due to the Coronavirus, the event has been moved online, where it can be enjoyed virtually from anywhere at www.vitro.moda. There will be a live stream of the event tomorrow evening, as well as a silent auction which will run from tonight at 9 pm through Sunday at 9 pm. In addition, the featured artist Mark Leputa will give a live glass blowing demonstration. 

An Austin native, Lyle Brooks relocated to Fort Worth in order to immerse himself in the burgeoning music scene and the city’s rich cultural history, which has allowed him to cover everything from Free Jazz to folk singers. He’s collaborated as a ghostwriter on projects focusing on Health Optimization, Roman Lawyers, and an assortment of intriguing subjects requiring his research.

The post Bringing Art Into Neighborhoods first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

A master storyteller, his tangents of glass arts, homebrew, and his community unite in the form of the Pride of Southside Homebrew Invitational, aka POSHI, coming up Saturday, October 28th at SiNaCa School of Glass and Gallery. Brewing and the glass arts still function to some degree within the hierarchical strata dating back to their origins thousands of years ago, from the water boy to the apprentice until finally masters share techniques. And those masters take those lessons back to their students who eventually become masters.

The name of the studio which Crofford founded, and, for whom he acts as the Executive Director, implies this lineage: the elements silica (Si), sodium (Na), and calcium (Ca) represent the original formula for soda-lime glass dating back over 5000 years. “It really ignites people’s interest in science. The cultural anthropology involved is fascinating on its own. Glass gets taken for granted, it’s one of those things that’s part of every second of your life. And it’s transformed humanity several times, most recently with fiber optics and interactive displays. All this information is moving through glass, and it connects us.”

POSHI, now in its third year, embodies the collaborative spirit required of community building, whether those communities are developed around glass, beer, or urban planning. Partnering with South Main compatriots HopFusion, the event consists of two different homebrew contests: A BJCP-certified competition between 8 brewers, which will be judged prior to the event; and the home brewer’s Best in Show, consisting of 12 competitors, on the day of the event. The Loop Artist Rehearsal Complex will provide live music, which will accompany live glassblowing demonstrations. To participate in voting, it costs $10 to become a member of the Order of the Unicorn; for $50, this includes a t-shirt and hand-blown beer glass. “They are all different, and you just pick one. Some look like faces and others like pumpkins. But there will also be pilsners and snifters as well.” Local breweries will provide their wares, and all proceeds go back into the outstanding operations of SiNaCa Studios, which functions as a non-profit school and gallery.

Twenty years after chancing upon glass as a curious UTA architecture student in need of an art credit, Clifton Crofford continues developing not only his own skills but also those of a growing community of artists, craftsman, and enthusiasts in and around Fort Worth. By 2008, Crofford was selling his wares. “Eventually, folks were asking how they could get involved, whether we had classes or a brick and mortar place.” After scouting various locations throughout 2010, that summer they finally discovered a derelict gas station from the 1920s 1st, 2011, and in the years since, they have hosted over twenty thousand people to do hands-on glass work, while more than fifty thousand have watched demonstrations or bought pieces from the gallery.

As a school, they offer open-enrollment curriculum for anybody and everybody. The three principle disciplines include Glassblowing Studio, Kiln Forming, and Flame, or torch work. As a public access studio, once you have the skills, you can rent time to use the equipment. The gallery hosts 50 artists in addition to their Visiting Artist series every quarter. As an artist, Clifton Crofford is a glassblower, and to hear him speak of the practice is a great joy. “It’s the moth to the flame. Working with glass at 2100 degrees, it moves like honey, it’s magical, and anything can happen. It demands absolute focus and discipline, but at the same time, it is very team oriented; it’s all about a group of people working together.”

From his first interaction fulfilling an art credit, his attention quickly turned towards glass. He took a job in the art department as they were planning a 3D Art Annex – for painting, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry, and glass. “I learned, on the fly, everything about building a glassblowing studio and all the equipment necessary. It was a great opportunity, and I have since built three.” Building on opportunities is baked into Clifton Crofford’s DNA and is central to the Studio’s community outreach. He hopes to expand after school programs they have been offering to Tremble Tech students to schools throughout the district. In addition, they participate in Teach the Teachers, showing teachers with kilns and other equipment how to use them. Proudly, he adds, “There are now nine teachers currently teaching glass art in FWISD.”

Other remarkable partnerships include One Safe Place, Catholic Charities, and Project Success, a program that shares SiNaCa Studios with homeless children from the Presbyterian Night Shelter. “We bring them in to have dinner and for this opportunity they wouldn’t otherwise have. These kids are awesome. They are great students, who just happen not to have a home. There’s a huge benefit to engaging people experientially.” Above the furnaces, he indicates the Periodic Table of Support, demonstrating those who have been elemental to the mission of SiNaCa Glass Studio and Gallery. There are the Founding Artists, the Charter Members, and corporate and foundational support including Texas Commission on the Arts, Rhodes Charitable Trust, and Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass. But even with planning for another POSHI coming together, the culture of outreach remains an unending pursuit for Clifton Crofford. His next mission is to enhance the cultural landscape of Fort Worth by bringing glass arts to Fort Worth’s fabulous museums.

To tickets to the Pride of Southside Homebrew Invitational, click here.

An Austin native, Lyle Brooks relocated to Fort Worth in order to immerse himself in the burgeoning music scene and the city’s rich cultural history, which has allowed him to cover everything from Free Jazz to folk singers. He’s collaborated as a ghostwriter on projects focusing on Health Optimization, Roman Lawyers, and an assortment of intriguing subjects requiring his research.

The post SiNaCa and the Pride of Southside first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Let’s begin with an Urban Adventure Quest scavenger hunt.  I have mentioned this option before in one of my Fun in the Fort articles; however, Spring Break is the perfect opportunity to go.  Children of all ages will enjoy taking part in this exciting and educational activity.  Learn the history of our great city, and have fun at the same time.  You can complete the scavenger hunt at your own pace, so feel free to stop and grab a cup of coffee, dinner, or lunch. Take as long or short as you want.  Urban Adventure Quest is offering our readers a 20% off discount!  Use the promotion code TANGLEWOOD at checkout.  Here is the link to learn more and get started.

If you prefer to roll around town to running, the Cowtown Segway tour is for you!  I’ve never been on a Segway before but have been told that almost anyone can be taught to ride.  On Saturday and Sunday nights, you can book the downtown sunset cruise.  The only downside to this option is that they require the participants to be 14 or older!  Here you can find times and make reservations.

In my Spring Break Guide from last year (linked here), I focused on exploring different parts of the world from right here in North Texas.  If you didn’t get a chance to try some of these, maybe this will be your chance.  I’d like to suggest an addition to exploring worldly culture and share with you a chance to experience a touch of Thailand.  Visit and tour Wat Buddharatanaram.  This is a beautiful monastery that is so interesting and unique to our area.  Everyone is welcome.  I must ask that if you go, please be respectful and follow the etiquette guidelines while visiting.  Here is the website for more information and directions.

You may want to visit the Stockyards like never before and ride the Chisholm Trail just as the cowboys did back in the day!  The stockyards have a stable where you can book trail rides, arena rides, or a ride in a horse-drawn 1800’s Concordia stagecoach.  Riders must be at least 11 years old to go on the trail ride, but the younger horse lovers are in luck, as 3-year-olds and older are able to ride in the arena.  The Stagecoach is open to all ages, and 4 and under are free! Here you will find more information.

While you are down in the Stockyards, don’t forget you can tour the biggest Honky Tonk in the world.  Billy Bob’s opens at 11am and is fun to do during the day. You can eat lunch, view the celebrity handprints in the cement, try bull riding, and play some video games.  Kids are welcome, and the Bloody Marys are delicious.  I’ve wanted to try chef Grady Spears newest restaurant too, which is located down in the Stockyards.  It’s called Horseshoe Hill, and I’ve heard they serve up the best chicken fried steak in town, so check it out.

Finally, if you need to leave the city limits and the stress behind, I’d recommend a canoe trip down the Brazos River.  Rochelle’s Canoe Rental in Graford, Texas is the place to start because they will drop you in at point A and pick you up at point B.  No need to lug a boat around yourself and worry how you will get back.  They will set you up.  Visit their website here to read more about the different options.  They have a 1-day, 2-day and even a 4-day canoe trip option.

Spring Break Ideas Just for Kids (No Parents Allowed!)

Benbrook Stables Spring Break Camp is fun for all ages, boys and girls.  You can sign up for one day’s riding or the whole week. Van Grow Art Studio always puts together some fun camps, as well.  Older children ages 8-16 might want to try out the SiNiCa glass studio camp.  It’s only on March 11 and 12^th and the classes are small.  They will create some pretty amazing pieces! March 14^th -17^th the Amon Carter Museum of American Art has planned a spring break camp.  It is geared toward kids ages 10 and up.  From 1pm-3pm, they will participate in gallery games, creative challenges, and create some art projects.  Children under the age of 10 can come; they just need to be accompanied by an adult! All of these options will be a chance to get your kids away from all electronic devices at home at least for part of the time!

It’s springtime in Texas! If you are having a Spring Break staycation, take this week to get exploring and enjoy all that Fort Worth has to offer.  Have fun and stay safe everybody!

Tricia Schniederjan is a Fort Worth girl born and raised. Tricia is a runner, scuba diver, snow and water skier, hiker, and kayaker.  Her love of exploring has taken her on many adventures with her 5 children which has led to her becoming an expert at traveling with children. She is a UT Austin graduate, an optimist, a peace keeper, and an enjoyer of life.

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