Ignite the Night
by Annette V. Cantu
A little old home, built in the early 1900s and now the Annette's Art studio, had it's American made commercial door propped open on a hot U.S. independence day afternoon. Busily, the neighborhood started to settle down after the rush-hour and for the evening's fourth of July festivities at the old Woodlawn Lake park located in the heart of Texas. The electric fans were blowing cool breezes under the shaded areas from the sun while the weather forecast predicted a rainy evening. Refreshments were brought in and set out for arriving guests. Ice was brought in as often as needed and the art scene started to unfold from conversational artistic views to multicolored lights. There is much appreciation to the artists that were capable of participating at the studio for the July 4th event, the creative organization of artists collaborating for art continues the historical social events of the old Woodlawn Lake area, and another inspirational event to encourage more festivities as the future can bring on new ideas for people to successfully proceed.
Many artists continue to work hard and strive to uplift others. Those who continued the celebration of the arts on the 2014 fourth of July day were adding a unique flare within San Antonio, Texas. The artists included SpaceWaster, Infinite Focus, Heavens Rose, Spit,JAHA art, Chandani Patel, Legacy Lives featuring Jason, Eric, & Justin, Ava Muerte, The Blue Caravan, DJ mess, J. Salazar, and Annette V. Cantu. Every artist effortlessly made contributions to promote the arts among the changing community. The event provided another opportunity to have music from Seattle to San Antonio to converge with painters to artists under the traditional display of fireworks as a reminder of a beautiful American Flag to fly partly because of my grandfather and partly because of many others who guaranteed a freedom to call my own. As the sparklers with the fireworks diminished, the neighborhood filled with another passerby every minute and onlookers looked to the music highlighted by colors that lingered in the night. Historical events and current events were related because of the encouraging joys the artists share.
The Woodlawn Lake's historical events have influenced, inspired, and reflects a timeless social space for many generations. It was founded in 1918 and overtime it grew with the changing culture. In 1968 Hemisphere Park held their own World's Fair that reached to the lake by means of the Trolleys to add to the entertainment and urban population grew between 1950 to 1980. The area was a busy neighborhood for neighbors, visiting guests, and city life to embrace the simple calmness from a small body of natural water. Few shops trimmed the streets facing the light house on the lake, and the nearby recreational hall filled with daily activities while another city trolley rode through. As the years passed and despite cultural differences throughout history, events always connected people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The self-sustaining lake, provided by seasonal rainwater, thrives every year and the fireworks set off just like it did in the 1990s despite the weather. Continuation of supporting diverse artists will promote growth with the culture and development of knowledge of the arts in many communities.
This past event was only one more accomplished display of artists celebrating, and expressing artistic freedom. Artists created and continued a lively scene that stimulated the neighborhood to keep joy in their smiles while families further celebrated or went home for a restful sleep. The entertainment brighten neighbors hearts and left unique colorful impressions from a diverse group of artists. This venture included artists that will further develop their creative insights to other places and it will be exciting to continue working with many participatory artists to establish many more various expressions formed within the arts. Always trying to develop more relations across the nation and various guests from around the world that continues to flourish the arts in dynamic ways.
Resources:
David G. McComb, Texas : A modern history, University of Texas Press, 1989
www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/directory_woodlawn_lake.aspx published by city of San Antonio
Ramsdell, Charles, San Antonio: A Historical and Pictorial Guide, University of Texas Press, 1985
McDonald, Archie P., Texas: A Compact History; State House Press McHurry University, Abilene, TX, 2007
