Health Watch

Komen Austin announces over $1 million in funds for breast cancer treatment, education & research

On Tuesday, Komen Austin, the local affiliate of Susan G. Komen, announced its community partner grant recipients for 2013-2014. Despite a decrease in available funds, Komen Austin will grant over $1 million to local and global breast cancer awareness efforts — $713,000 has been allocated to local organizations; $333,000 to global research.

2013-2014 grant applications were reviewed by an anonymous panel and recipients were selected based on service gaps identified by Komen Austin's community profile. The six community partners who received funding will implement breast health services for uninsured and underinsured individuals in Travis, Williamson, Caldwell, Hays and Bastrop counties.

The local nonprofit partners benefiting from 2013 Komen Austin funding are: The Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, The University of Texas at Austin Family Wellness Center, Community Action Inc. of Central Texas, Samaritan Health Ministries, and Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving, Sharing.

While Komen Austin is proud to provide funding to these six local nonprofits, for the first time in its history, Komen Austin was not able to award grants to all qualifying applicants. Even in the face of adversity, the organization has no plans to slow down future funding.

"This year, we are fortunate to have community partners that provide the most necessary breast health care services for so many, but we won’t be satisfied until every qualified grant application can be funded — because that is how we save lives," said Christy Casey-Moore, executive director of Komen Austin.

"Turning grants down means there is potential for women to go without needed care, ultimately putting their lives at risk. Our team is working to ensure funds are raised throughout this year and every year through events like our Perfectly Pink Party in the spring, the annual Race for the Cure in the fall."

Komen Austin's upcoming fundraising events can be found on the organization's website. Whether it's money or time that you can donate, "we need the community’s support to save these women's lives," said Rick Reeder, Komen Austin board president.

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SKIN IN THE GAME

Renowned Hill Country tattoo artist inks new sacred geometry app

Photo courtesy of Dillon Forte

Dillion Forte at his "tattoo ranch" in the Texas Hill Country.

In the world of tattooing, there may seem to be few better rat traps left to build, but Dillon Forte aims to change that. In October, the renowned Wimberley-based tattoo artist and entrepreneur introduced a new iPadOS app to bring ancient symbology into the digital age.

Forte has made a worldwide name for his black dot work (a contemporary take on stick-and-poke techniques) and ambitious undertakings like tattooing underwater and opening a “tattoo ranch.” His ink appears on Usher, Chris Hemsworth, and Kehlani.

Still, he is most recognized for his sacred geometry designs, using patterns to convey various meanings. His interest led him to create the Sacred Geometry Drawing App, a convenient way for novices and experts to develop and export their creations.

The app grew out of his own practice. Over the past decade, he has used tablets and freehand techniques to achieve his highly symmetrical artwork but grew to realize existing tools were not always easy to use.

“The app is an attempt and fulfillment of my desire to make sacred geometry accessible and bring the ability to create into the fingertips of as many people as possible,” Forte tells CultureMap via email, adding a tagline: “symmetry made simply.”

He says he wished the app was available when developing his signature style as a tattoo artist, but it was designed with a broad range of users in mind. He hopes that designers, educators, and artists will find a use for it.

A short intro to the app's capabilities is available on YouTube. It looks like a standard drawing app, starting with a blank canvas and some tools like pens, pencils, colors, and of course, straight line and dot makers.

A "symmetry index" anchors the functionality and expands it to something between 2D art and 3D modeling. In addition to generating shapes like repeating patterns and spirals, the app also creates 3D shapes with grids, so that the artist can map their design in real space or even create sculptures. There is also an index for explaining the spiritual meaning of some standard designs.

“Geometry often prompts an intimidating feeling when it comes to making art,” Forte continues. “The fundamentally complex and often academic nature of math-based art can induce a sense of fear in the potential user instead of creating a sense of awe. The purpose of the sacred geometry app is to cultivate the latter."

Creatives interested in constructing their own geometric masterpieces can download the app at the App Store for free, and in-app purchases are available.

technology apps tattoos arts