Frame4Frame celebrates creativity, culture and community

A small group of people began a series of long discussions about the future of entertainment and media. Music was the uniting factor, but the group had a catholic taste for art and ideas. Inclusiveness and reaching for new things were core values. The solution … was an event that would bring the outside world to the city for a close-up view.

While this is excerpted from the SXSW website, history appears to be repeating itself in Arlington, Texas.

Incubating the idea

A couple of years ago, the executive directors of the Arlington Film Society and the Arlington Museum of Art began brainstorming ways the two entities might collaborate. James Hawthorne and Chris Hightower shared their ideas, those ideas became concepts, and concepts eventually took shape as Frame4Frame, a four-day multicultural celebration of art, film and music.

“Frame4Frame is a first of its kind, visual arts forum and music festival dedicated to raising cultural awareness and appreciation for the diverse population in Arlington,” said James Hawthorne of the Arlington Film Society. “Through the contribution of film, art, music, guest speakers and workshops, we hope participants will be motivated to greater civic responsibility and making positive contributions that build bridges for bettering relationships between diverse cultures.”

With the support of the Arlington Cultural Tourism Council and the International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame among others, Frame4Frame is becoming a reality this September.

“Downtown Arlington is proud to be a sponsor of Frame4Frame, especially in its inaugural year,” said Tony Rutigliano, president and CEO of Downtown Arlington Management Corporation. “Creating opportunities for people to come together in celebration of cultural diversity and creativity is central to our vision and mission.”

Film

While most Frame4Frame activities take place in Downtown Arlington, the film festival will be hosted by Studio Movie Grill in the Arlington Highlands. Twenty-three independent films, created by local, national and international talent, will be featured. Members of the local film community have rallied their help and support, including Arlington Film Society members, UT Arlington faculty and countless volunteers.

Presented by the Arlington Film Society, film festival show times are scheduled for release on August 8, and an announcement of film award nominees is anticipated on August 15.

Art

The Arlington Museum of Art will host Frame4Frame’s art exhibition, Ulterior Motifs no. 14. A long-standing Texas tradition, Ulterior Motifs is a contemporary, traveling show that blends music with art. Known for featuring some of the best current artists in Texas, the show has been described as “a fun and exciting exhibit without any pretense.” Regularly ranked by the visual arts journal Glasstire as the #1 art event in Texas, Ulterior Motifs is kicking off its 17^th season and newest show at Frame4Frame.

Music

South Street Patio will provide the main stage for Frame4Frame music. A diverse line-up of twelve bands performing over all four days of the festival, the schedule promises to appeal to a wide spectrum of audiences. Saturday night’s headliner Jeffery Austin is a finalist from Season #9 of NBC’s The Voice. Other genres include R&B, jazz, classic rock, indie and country.

Celebrating cultures

“We truly want people to come together, have a good time and appreciate the diversity of our community,” said Hawthorne. “Cities that truly thrive have very rich cultural arts programs, and Arlington, Texas is no exception.”

Tickets, schedules and more information

Frame4Frame takes place from Thursday, September 15 through Sunday, September 18.

Tickets are available now at frame4frame.org.

Also on the website and Frame4Frame Facebook page, you can follow the continued build-out of the schedule and find travel/hotel accommodations.

Post, tweet and tag

Throughout the festival, be sure to tag @Frame4Frame, #F4FFest16, @dtArlington and #authenticallyArlington as you post and tweet.

About Downtown Arlington

Ranked as one of the top urban districts in the country in 2016 by TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals, Downtown Arlington Texas blends a unique mix of activities, sights, tastes and sounds that attract visitors and locals alike. Within its less than a two-mile radius, Downtown Arlington is home to a top tier public university, prolific cultural arts institutions and live entertainment, exciting NCAA and professional athletics, one-of-a-kind dining and retail, and a supportive business climate. Downtown Arlington brings together a plethora of cultures and inspirations with a character all its own.