Austin, TX
Austin organization launches no-cost studio for creatives of color
AUSTIN, Texas — Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone is the founding father of DAWA, a grassroots group that stands for Range And Wellness in Motion. A motion, Mahone says, is concentrated on supporting and highlighting inventive artists of shade within the Capital Metropolis.
Jonathon “Chaka” Mahone, founding father of DAWA. (Spectrum Information 1/Lakisha Lemons)
“The explanation we wish to do that is due to the obstacles I’ve confronted as a inventive, so the whole lot that I felt that needs to be right here is right here and if it’s not, we’re going to deliver it right here,” mentioned Mahone.
Mahone believes entry is vital for content material creators. With the launch of DAWA, he plans to supply artists with an area to specific themselves freed from cost.
“Anybody who lives within the metropolis who’s like me, who’s inventive and has drive this [studio] goes to take them sooner and faster than they’ll even think about,” defined Mahone.
The donation-based studio is in Downtown Austin. The area includes a podcast room, 3-camera setup and the power to file music and edit video in actual time.
Twenty-three-year-old Antojuan Maurvice Spoons Jr. is an artist who raps and performs the saxophone. Following a two-year hiatus from the studio setting, Spoons says, he’s joyful to be again in a inventive area.
“I didn’t all the time have the funds. I labored two jobs whereas I used to be at school. My dad and mom helped me get via faculty, however I additionally must work a number of jobs to afford studio time. Studio time was typically $60 an hour simply to work with someone respectable,” mentioned Spoons.
BIPOC creatives who’re within the no-cost studio can apply for this system on-line at www.dawaheals.org.
“I really feel like DAWA is drugs, and it’s going to deliver loads of life and loads of vitality, and I really feel that the following technology of artists and creators are going to be popping out of right here. They may deliver a global title to this metropolis and individuals are going to actually see the unimaginable expertise that lives right here, who’re additionally folks of shade,” said Mahone.