The Bloom House is an art community with artists-in-residence and a studio/gallery space in Austin, Texas. We host creative community events, art openings, workshops, and provide residences and studio space for artists.
When Derek and Amy Chapman first moved to Austin, they looked for a space outside their home that would double as both a writing/art studio and guest room for some of their international artist friends. We looked at old warehouses and unused commercial spaces in every part of town, but kept being drawn to the rustic old house across the street from them. For the next few years the house was a rotating duplex for college students and eventually we were able to rent both sections of the house, keeping the upstairs as residence and guest rooms, and the downstairs as studio-only space.
Our mission is to provide working space and facilitate events that encourage creative talent and help artists refine or develop their projects. Even more than that, what makes us unique is that we want to help artists integrate their lives outside and inside the “studio”. By providing a community space and residences, they have a chance to bring together parts of their life that are normally in distinct boxes.
Artists of all mediums often struggle with a sense of isolation or perfectionism in their work; we desire to provide a holistic atmosphere, through friendship and community, that helps them break through these barriers in their lives and art. That is part of our core vision-to provide a larger context in which artists can bring all the aspects of their lives “under one roof”–a big top of Being.
The Bloom House is a project of Big Top Productions, a 501(c)3 non-profit public charity devoted to the arts and cultural exchange. Our related projects include: Mangola, an performance art project devoted to understanding cities and making art from their identities, and Bread and Tongue Press, a small press for books and zines.
We value contributions and donations, in both resources and finances, to The Bloom House. If you are interested in donating please contact us here if you have questions. Or take a look at a list of our current needs.
