ARLINGTON, Texas—The elevator doors beep, ushering the last few members onto the third floor of the Create Arlington art gallery.
The floor acts as one open space, with a lamp at either side, dimly lighting a loose circle of throw pillows and beanbags arranged in the middle. As the elevator doors close, the entering members approach a table, get handed a name tag and are told to go join the rest of the group.
They jot down their names, file past the table and sit shoulder-to-shoulder on shagged carpet in the circle. At their center stands 20-year-old Maggie Clark, turning slowly to address her cross-legged audience with all the intensity and engagement of a high school PE teacher.
Clark is the president of Football Team Creative, a University of Texas at Arlington affiliated non-profit collective of college students and local artists who meet every Monday to help plan and promote concerts, galleries, art showcases and raves around the city.
“The mission of Football Team is to connect UTA students to fine arts,” Clark said. “So, whether that’s live music or an art gallery. I did a drag show. Like, it’s all over the place, right? We do a lot of different things, but a big focus is arts and Arlington.”
In addition to leading weekly meetings, Clark can be seen handing out flyers, tabling on the UTA campus or meeting with local businesses to arrange upcoming Football Team events. With only a small group of leadership by her side, she oversees functions ranging from intimate student-led craft nights to venue-sized DJ sets with last minute technical difficulties.
“It’s a lot to handle for one person, so we kind of all contribute,” Clark said. “I definitely use my Google Calendar a lot more now. It’s a lot of, like, ‘Oh, I’ve had this plan for one month and then everything just changed. So cool, we’re going to figure out where that goes.’ So, it’s just a lot of on the fly, but also a lot of planning.”
When she’s not scouring the city in search of possible rave venues, Clark spends time researching for her political science major at UTA and volunteering in local government. Earlier this year, she worked on Rep. Chris Turner’s unsuccessful reelection campaign for the 101st District, building upon the organizing experience and personal outreach she grew to love from Football Team.
“I think that political science will be useful no matter what I do,” Clark said. “But I also enjoy the creative organizing aspect of Football Team. Like, I’m not an artist. I do not paint. I’m not a singer, you know? So, for me, what I enjoy is the organizing aspects and the community relationships.”
Clark’s events draw in crowds of diverse college kids, aspiring artists and local music fans, with an informal membership policy that breeds community engagement through open invitations and feedback. Members suggest and vote on themes, wear quirky costumes, create vibrant decorations that elevate the atmosphere of concerts and, most importantly, party.
“I’ve seen other shows and people are not dancing,” Clark said. “They’re not up at the front. They’re not having a good time. They just look kind of miserable. And that’s what makes Football Team different, I think. We’re very comfortable. So, when it comes to events, it’s like everyone’s dancing, everyone’s taking pictures together, everyone’s listening to the music, engaging with the artist.”
Football Team Creative’s next scheduled event is a benefit for F6 Art Gallery slated for 6 p.m. March 20.
