Sarah Jane Semrad is Executive Director of La Reunion TX.

The mission of La Reunion TX is, of course, to create an arts residency in Dallas on a lovely 35-acre tract that inspires, sustains, and renews artists and community through education and outreach. So why are we putting on a workshop about energy efficient homes on May 3? Well, I don’t know anything about zero-energy construction, do you? Part of educating ourselves and others about what we’re all about is through the work of talented folks who are national resources in all areas we touch through our mission. Jim Sargent is one such local resource and is an advisor to our project.

Jim has been honored by the US Department of Energy with the prestigious Gold Award and colleagues in the National Homebuilders Association have named him builder of the year. He is the definitive resource on retrofitting or building a home to be energy efficient. He is generously donating his time to our organization and will share his wealth of knowledge on a May 3 workshop at Medical City Hospital. Go to www.LaReunionTX.org to register.

Ok, Sarah Jane, this is really sweet, but make this relevant to the KERA Arts + Culture blog. Ok, I’ll argue my case:

1. Saving energy (and money) is important. For artists and real people alike.
2. La Reunion TX will be as zero energy as possible. We hope to model to the world what a cultural space can look and function like that is truly green.
3. We’re educating ourselves and the community on a new way of looking at our living spaces – and in La Reunion’s case, future artist studio spaces too.
4. Sustainability is such a buzz word. But seriously, an arts org that’s built from the ground up with an eye on what’s sustainable – from the business plan to the building. Hey, that’s pretty cool!
5. Proceeds from the workshop benefit an arts organization, La Reunion!

The class is 65 bucks in advance or $70 at the door – money easily saved this summer on your soon-to-be-super-high electric bills. No pressure ya’ll.