In the Blanton Museum, I witnessed our group of community leaders transform into creative collaborators, our hands crafting wearable art from simple newspaper and tape. This wasn’t a typical professional development session – it was Sabrina Phillips’ Equity Through Art project, revealing how artistic expression could bridge society’s deepest divides.
Our transformative journey began at “The Greenhouse,” a vibrant community space in Austin humming with possibility. Over breakfast tacos and coffee, our diverse cohort strengthened existing bonds while forging new connections. One by one, we shared our stories before the camera, each narrative adding depth to our collective experience. An air of anticipation filled the room – we knew we stood on the threshold of something extraordinary.
As morning interviews concluded, we moved to the Blanton Art Museum, where our growing connections would deepen through shared discovery. For two hours, we immersed ourselves in an intensive artistic dialogue. Moving beyond traditional museum tours, we encountered challenging works that sparked vulnerable conversations about our work and self-compassion. Each discussion proved both challenging and healing, with every artwork serving as a catalyst for examining our experiences and unconscious biases.
The Texas sunshine provided a welcome respite after our profound museum exploration. Gathering for lunch on the Blanton grounds, we processed our morning’s revelations together. The open sky created a natural space for reflection as we shared meals and stories, our community strengthening with each meaningful exchange.
Energized and renewed, we embarked on the day’s most remarkable experience. The museum granted us access to specially curated works from their collection, but what followed truly dissolved our remaining social barriers. Armed with newspaper and tape, we became spontaneous artists, creating wearable pieces ranging from playful to profound. Imagine accomplished professionals – a mayor, professor, attorneys, and nonprofit leaders – embracing childlike creativity, crafting full-body costumes throughout the gallery spaces. Joy and innovation flowed freely, eliminating any lingering hesitation between us.
The power of this experience lies in its masterful integration of diverse perspectives and lived experiences. Our cohort embodied intersectionality and collective strength through our varied backgrounds.
What made this Equity Through Art experience transcendent was the extraordinary weaving together of our stories, each one adding a unique thread to our shared tapestry. Dr. Raphael Travis brought his scholarly wisdom, illuminating how Hip-Hop serves as a powerful vehicle for healing and transformation in communities. Lupita Aguilar’s journey from an undocumented child to a fierce advocate in the legal system reminded us that courage and perseverance can reshape destinies.
In Dr. Larry Wallace Jr., Manor’s first Black Mayor, we witnessed the embodiment of breakthrough leadership and community transformation. His presence reminded us that change is possible when barriers are broken and new paths are forged. Sol Bautista’s deep connection to indigenous communities and passion for cultural education helped us understand the profound importance of honoring our roots while building bridges to the future.
Robert Lilly’s powerful narrative of personal metamorphosis—from the streets of Harlem to becoming a devoted criminal justice advocate—spoke to the possibility of transformation and the critical importance of second chances. His story reminded us that every life holds the potential for meaningful change.
As founder of Saffron Trust Women’s Foundation, my own journey of breaking free from generational poverty added another dimension to our collective understanding of resilience and empowerment. Each of our stories, when shared in this sacred space of creativity and vulnerability, illuminated new possibilities for social change and healing. Together, these varied life paths created a living testament to the power of bringing different perspectives together in service of social change.
As evening approached, we returned to the Greenhouse for integration and reflection. A meditation and sound bath washed over us, creating space for our collective learning to settle deeply. Sharing a home-cooked meal that felt more familial than professional, we recorded final reflections through exit interviews, each person’s words carrying the weight of genuine transformation.
The day’s impact extended far beyond art appreciation. Through Sabrina Phillips’ thoughtful guidance, we experienced art’s power as both mirror and bridge – reflecting individual truths while connecting us across differences. The project demonstrated how artistic expression can catalyze meaningful dialogue and social change, weaving together identity, culture, social justice, and healing into a unified whole.
What began as professional collaboration evolved into a genuine community. While many of us knew each other through our work, this shared experience forged deeper connections. We emerged not just as colleagues, but as a connected community, enriched by our collective perspectives and united in our understanding of art’s transformative power.
This is what intentional education, healing, and community-building look like. Equity Through Art isn’t just changing our perception of art – it’s revolutionizing how we see ourselves, each other, and our potential for collective impact.
