Creative Action brings back Community Art Saturday for a day of family fun

Families across Austin are invited to a day full of creativity, music, and community as Creative Action hosts its annual Community Art Saturday — a free, all-ages event designed to celebrate art, imagination, and connection.

Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott spoke with Noel Gaulin, also known as “Curly Fries,” Senior Director of Family Programs and Community Engagement at Creative Action, about what’s ahead for this year’s event!

Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott spoke with Noel Gaulin, also known as “Curly Fries,” Senior Director of Family Programs and Community Engagement at Creative Action, about what’s ahead for this year’s event!

Curly Fries said Creative Action is “a local nonprofit arts education organization,” adding that “we serve over 18,000 young people a year” through programming in “school, in the park, after school, at camp and at community event[s] for the greater Austin area.”

Curly Fries said, “Community Art Saturday is Creative Action’s biggest party of the year. It’s free. It’s for the whole family.” He added that attendees can “come get your snacks and drinks.”

This year’s Community Art Saturday takes place Saturday, May 16th from 2 to 5 p.m. at Branch Park Pavilion in Mueller. The event is free and open to the public, with support from partners including Austin Parks Foundation and H-E-B.

Creative Action brings back Community Art Saturday for a day of family fun

Curly Fries said, “Community Art Saturday is Creative Action’s biggest party of the year. It’s free. It’s for the whole family.” He added that attendees can “come get your snacks and drinks.”

Students and campuses are taking an active role in the programming this year. Curly Fries said, “We are inviting all the school communities we serve to make visual art [and] film,” and shared that “eight campuses are building giant puppets… to represent their community.” The celebration will end with a “giant puppet parade” led by the 40-piece brass band Blow Commotion.

This year’s celebration looks a little different than in years past. Curly Fries explained, “Usually we have Community Art Saturday at our building. This year we’re at the Branch Park Pavilion because Creative Action is breaking ground on a new building. We are moving to Mueller.” He added that “the Community Arts Collaborative is breaking ground,” making this year’s event feel like a milestone moment.

Students and campuses are taking an active role in the programming this year. Curly Fries said, “We are inviting all the school communities we serve to make visual art [and] film,” and shared that “eight campuses are building giant puppets… to represent their community.” The celebration will end with a “giant puppet parade” led by the 40-piece brass band Blow Commotion.

He also noted that it’s a time of transition for the community Creative Action serves, saying the event “is a year of transition for all the school communities we serve,” and that this year “is going to look different also and feel like a youth arts festival.”

Curly Fries said, “Community Art Saturday is Creative Action’s biggest party of the year. It’s free. It’s for the whole family.” He added that attendees can “come get your snacks and drinks.”

Students and campuses are taking an active role in the programming this year. Curly Fries said, “We are inviting all the school communities we serve to make visual art [and] film,” and shared that “eight campuses are building giant puppets to represent their community.” The celebration will end with a “giant puppet parade” led by the 40-piece brass band Blow Commotion.

Students and campuses are taking an active role in the programming this year. Curly Fries said, “We are inviting all the school communities we serve to make visual art [and] film,” and shared that “eight campuses are building giant puppets… to represent their community.” The celebration will end with a “giant puppet parade” led by the 40-piece brass band Blow Commotion.

The event will also highlight partner organizations and student performances across Austin. Curly Fries encouraged families to “come make art with all of our other organizations,” noting that Creative Action’s future space will also house local partners. He added, “Come on Saturday to see Austin Bat Cave’s Batmobile and Studio A has their students performing piano this weekend as well, as well as students from Campbell Elementary and Maplewood.”

This year’s Community Art Saturday takes place Saturday, May 16th from 2 to 5 p.m. at Branch Park Pavilion in Mueller. The event is free and open to the public, with support from partners including Austin Parks Foundation and H-E-B.

Community Art Saturday takes place this Saturday, May 16th from 2 to 5 p.m. at Branch Park Pavilion in Mueller. More information is available at Creative Action‘s website!

Community Art Saturday takes place this Saturday, May 16th from 2 to 5 p.m. at Branch Park Pavilion in Mueller. More information is available at Creative Action’s website!