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Amplify Austin Launches Art Initiative

Filipa Rodrigues/KUT
Double Trouble, the American blues/rock band fronted by Stevie Ray Vaughan, will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 18, 2015.

Austin's annual day of giving, Amplify Austin, announced today a new "Art by Amplify" initiative that organizers hope will increase participation in this year's event.

The online initiative allows Austinites to help local non-profits by purchasing art, such as a limited edition piece by Tim Wakefield, the Austin-based artist who takes the digital sound waves from a song and manipulates them digitally based on his interpretation of the song's meaning, tempo and emotion.

“I wanted to create a piece that all of Austin's music lovers could own while raising money for an incredible cause,” says Wakefield. Tim Wakefield worked with a recording of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's hit song, “Texas Flood,” for his art piece. All the prints will be signed by Wakefield and the band.

Also this year, St. David’s Foundation will donate one million dollars to the non-profit fundraising event. More than 500 organizations will be joining Amplify Austin.

Credit Filipa Rodrigues/KUT News
"I chose Texas Flood because it was the title track on their debut album, recorded in Austin and performed at the legendary Continental Club many times." says Tim Wakefield.

“Many organizations are stopping expensive galas and fundraising techniques and are focusing on Amplify Austin,” says Tom Spencer, Executive Director of I Live Here, I Give Here. “It really streamlines the efficiency of the nonprofits, allowing more money to go to the causes that they serve.”

Amplify Austin, which launched in 2013, is a one-day fundraising event for hundreds of non-profit organizations across Central Texas. This year the event will run from 6 p.m. on March 5th to 6 p.m. on March 6th.

Disclosure: KUT is a partner of Amplify Austin.