Cherrywood Urban Landscape and Arts League
CHULA is an East Austin non-profit formed in 2005 to support the arts and artful landscape in the “CHULA Triangle”, an area bounded by Interstate 35, Airport, and MLK Boulevard in central East Austin.
The history of CHULA begins in 2002 with the first-ever Cherrywood Art Fair, created by Kathleen McTee and Priscilla Boston. A dozen artists displayed their work at [location], and a great idea took root. The second Cherrywood Art Fair took place in 2003, and the venue moved to Maplewood Elementary school, at the intersection of 38 1/2 and Maplewood Avenue. The relationship between the Cherrywood Art Fair and Maplewood has continued successfully ever since.
In 2005 it was clear the Art Fair was becoming an “institution” in East Austin, growing in size and scope, and generating a small “nest egg” of proceeds that could be used for the benefit of the community. Attorney Maddie Kadas suggested a non-profit status would be appropriate, and CPA Jane Walton, with the help of organizers Priscilla Boston and Kathy McTee steered the fledgling organization through the application process. In November, 2005, the Cherrywood Urban Landscape and Arts League, better known as CHULA, was created.
The Cherrywood Art Fair grew in popularity until in 2007 the Austin American Statesman declared it the “must-see holiday event” in Austin. In 2009 with over 80 artists and 6,000 visitors, Cherrywood Art Fair continued as a bona-fide east Austin happening! Hundreds of volunteers work to produce the music, food, art, kids activities, and warm community feeling for which Cherrywood Art Fair is known.
With Art Fair growth came opportunity–an opportunity to reach out to more and more artists, more and more neighbors, and to invest the Art Fair proceeds into more and more worthy causes benefitting arts, landscape, and particular the East Austin communities where the Art Fair is located.
CHULA League is a non-profit membership corporation. CHULA League is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, scientific and aesthetic purposes. The CHULA League works to ensure that the arts and public outdoor spaces play a valued role in the educational, economic and cultural well being of Cherrywood Neighborhood in Austin, Texas, (Cherrywood) and adjacent neighborhoods.
The purpose of this corporation is:
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CHULA is obviously an acronym for CHerrywood Urban Landscape and Arts. But did you know…A CHULA is: a fine-looking girl, a girl with attitude, sometimes a lady, but a girl who knows how to make things happen. she can be bold and brassy, or cute and friendly, but don’t underestimate the power of a CHULA!