Fight For Your Right: James Moody Talks About Arthouse's 5x7

Arthouse's annual 5x7 art show and sale is right around the corner so we decided to ask this year's Guy In Charge to fill us in on the details. You may recognize James Moody from the Mohawk, or Transmission Entertainment, or Fun Fun Fun Fest, or Austin Monthly's Bachelor Issue, or well, he's just about everywhere these days. Moody is also the chair of the 5x7 committee and the mastermind behind this year's happenings. On Thursday, join Moody for the 5x7 Art Splurge - this swanky, catered affair will be the first opportunity to purchase art from over 900 participating artists. On Friday, the Art Social will feature music by Balmorhea and snacks from Frank. Due to construction at Arthouse, this year's 5x7 will be held at the Whitley Printing Building (at 301 Brazos) and the exhibit will only be on display in Austin Thursday through Sunday. Tickets to Thursday and Friday night's happenings can be purchased online and admission to the show on Saturday and Sunday is free. Proceeds from the sale of art (all pieces cost $100) go directly to the Arthouse's programs, exhibits, and education events which are always free to attend.

How did you get involved with FIVE x SEVEN?

The 5x7 Committee invited me to participate this year to help connect the event with new and different folks. They had created a great event, and they wanted more people to experience it. So we all sat down and discussed new and fun ways to make that happen.

Since the Arthouse is in the middle of an extensive renovation, this year's 5x7 is going to be very different from year's past. What should we expect?

Well...expect plenty of interesting changes. A new urban space (Whitley Paper), a custom installation of art pods that will display the art, more food purveyors, (Frank, Cedar Door, Ranch 616, etc), the addition of live music (the one and only Balmorhea), rad DJs, tasty beverages, and a new and improved pricing menu that gets all folks all the access that they want...leaving enough dough in the pocket to purchase original works of art in 5x7 format!

You are well known in town as a music mogul, but what are your impressions of the art scene in Austin?

I think its both strong and delicate -- full of talent, ideas, and support -- but often under-appreciated and experienced. It feels like there is plenty of room for growth in the Austin art scene and people are investing in that idea. The new Arthouse building is a great example of that. Groups like the Arthouse (and Artpace for that matter) are really trying to drive more eyes to smart exhibitions and contemporary works in Texas. It feels like they are looking to set the tone that Austin is a central hub of creativity, which sets it up perfectly for presenting new ideas in Art to the rest of the world. I love what the The East Austin Studio Tour is doing as well. I think folks are really beginning to look to Austin for leadership in the creative space, including music AND art. It all works together. The creative class here (art/music/film/food/interactive/etc) is like none other, so I don't see things slowing down anytime soon.

Follow this post after the jump for Moody's advice on getting free drinks and fighting for what you want.