The Front Porch Arts Center, a Black woman-owned art space in Austin, announced on Mar. 20 that it will host a storytelling event called “Long Story Short: Women’s Stories” on Tuesday at its storefront at 5851 W. Madison St.
The event is part of the center’s ongoing efforts to celebrate Women’s History Month and highlight culturally significant themes such as protest, local history, and family through storytelling. The series was recently rebranded from its previous name, “West Side Stories.”
Tuesday’s program will feature three Black women storytellers: Zahra Glenda Baker, a Chicago vocalist and performing artist with experience in youth leadership programs; Coco Elysses, a writer and poet who has appeared in television and museum exhibits; and Shanell Oliver, a journalist and founder of the Diaspora News Network who produces the docuseries “Africa The Beautiful.” An open mic segment will also allow attendees to share their own stories.
“Each storyteller has her own history as an artist, creative and woman and who is able to come together and share the deepest part of the human experience, which is being a woman,” said Keli Stewart, founder of the Front Porch Arts Center.
Stewart explained that having a permanent location since 2024 has helped the center become more established in the community. “Being in a permanent space in the neighborhood definitely helps create more of a fixture here, where people can visibly see us and really connect,” she said.
In addition to this series, the arts center offers other events such as monthly readings, mother-centered storytelling sessions, and concerts for Jazz Appreciation Month. Stewart said, “We see storytelling as a way that people can mark their lives and also provide mapping for others. There’s always a bit of humor. There’s testimony, history and an overall peaceful and celebratory experience. We need more of that in our neighborhood. We need to find out how others survived. And that’s what storytelling really does.”
Admission for Tuesday’s event is $10.
