A call to action and activation at 1919 Hemphill in Fort Worth.

Guest blogger Lydia Regalado is an arts educator, crafter and blogger who writes about people who gather to make things.

The tenacity and spirit of the DIY movement is alive and well in Fort Worth. This was evident Monday night at the meeting of the independent space 1919 Hemphill. This unassuming building, in the middle of Fort Worth’s poorest neighborhood, is a no-smoking and alcohol-free venue for some of the most progressive punk bands. 1919 has been an alternative performance space and meeting place for the past 7 years because of the time and efforts of a handful of dedicated individuals. 1919 offers a lot more than I expected. The atmosphere is inviting, and I was very impressed with their organization of space. There’s a radical lending library and free store for those in need of clothing and other odds and ends. The heart of 1919 is in the right place, but the organizers want their building to be used more, and so they are looking for new blood to activate 1919 as an independent, DIY space in the community it strives to be.

If you want to lend a hand, there are plenty of renovation projects. Or, if you have a skill you would like to share, but need a space, e-mail the team at 1919 ([email protected]) and propose something. For example, 1919 is a big enough space and open to hosting a yoga class, a cooking class, or a sewing group. Want to get involved? Here’s how you do it:

Go to the Web site and click on the calendar page. At the top of the page is a link to submit a proposal for an event. Get involved and check it out. View photos of the space on the Art&Seek Flickr page. You’ll be surprised at what this group has been able to sustain and what they want to offer the community. I was!