The ribbon is cut, and the space is ours! On August 11, Torch community members gathered to celebrate the first-ever physical location for Torch Literary Arts. In just three weeks, we’ve: welcomed over 250 visitors; hosted our signature events including the Wildfire Reading Series, Carrying the Torch, and Turn Up Open Mic; enjoyed shoppers purchasing from our curated Lit Shop; and spent time being productive with coworking visitors.

“Opening the Torch Center during our 20th anniversary year and birthday month is divine,” executive director of Torch, Amanda Johnston. “The space will be known as the literary hub for Black women writers all over the world located here in Austin, Texas.”

At the grand opening, staff welcomed patrons to browse the free library, co-work, shop our curated bookshop, and enjoy each other in a space dedicated to Black women writers. We also heard from City of Austin leadership, Council member José “Chito” Vela, and Director of the Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (ACME), Angela Means, about the importance of diverse literary arts to Austin’s culture.

Guests were also blessed with words and performances from: 61st Poet Laureate and Torch Executive Director, Amanda Johnston; Austin’s inaugural Poet Laureate, Zell Miller III; Chicago’s inaugural Poet Laureate, avery r. young; and Austin Community College’s Creative Writing Department Chair, C. Prudence Arceneaux. These literary powerhouses and phenomenal poets established the foundational energy needed to open a space.

We are immensely grateful to our community locally and from afar that stopped by to celebrate with us! From community partners like Texas Book Festival, Ireland’s Consulate in Austin, CBS Austin, and Paramount Austin, to those who traveled near and far from Central Texas, Dallas, and San Antonio. We also want to give a special thanks to our past and present board members for their continued support and encouragement!

The space is also an economic force for the nonprofit and creative communities in the Austin area. Local creatives and nonprofit organizations can book the Torch Center at an affordable half and a full-day rate by emailing contact@torchliteraryarts.org. Our affordable rental rate reduces barriers to entry for our Austin creative and nonprofit community while also boosting the local creative arts economy. 

In just two weeks of being open, we’ve hosted two grant writing workshops for local Austin creatives in partnership with The City of Austin and the Museum of Human Achievement (MOHA), welcoming over 45 guests to each workshop. We’ve also hosted local community partners Black Pearl Book’s Put It in a Book writing workshop.

The Torch Center is more than a centrally located space for Black women writers, but also a literary hub fostering community. Outside of recurring events like the Wildfire Reading Series and The Turn Up Open Mic, the Torch Center also offers a curated “LIT” shop with merchandise and diverse books, and small-fee dedicated coworking desks open Tuesday to Thursday from noon to 6pm. 

Outside of our normal business hours, you can visit and celebrate what we’ve been able to accomplish with your support by attending our upcoming events online at torchliteraryarts.org/events. 

You can also be a permanent part of the Torch Center if you become a Community Impact Member (CIM) by December 31! By supporting Torch with just a $10 recurring donation or $100 annually, your name will be displayed on our CIM acknowledgement banner, displayed permanently at the space.

We hope to see you in person soon!