Page Two: Lost Diamond

I

Last week, Robin Shivers died, and Austin lost an important talent, a driving force in the creative community, and a great friend to so many of us. Her energy and commitment were so unlimited that she often left one behind in the dust as she moved forward, much more interested in achieving goals than in whining, far more focused on accomplishment than in getting any credit for herself. Robin Shivers' extraordinary charisma often made her consistent generosity seem surprising. Why would this dynamo help me out with a relatively minor request? Well, because she was always willing to help. Her life explicitly defined what makes Austin the kind of community it is – especially in that individuals not only work together but in some cases embrace new ideas while inspiring others as well. Certainly this was true of Robin.

If so describing her seems overly pedestrian to some, if in any way it comes across as restrictive and hackneyed, I apologize profoundly. In this instance, words seem the most meager and inadequate of tools by which to honor her while conveying awe at what she did and the deepest respect for her integrity, intelligence, and abilities.

II

In a number of ways, it seems fairly plain that Austin is a state of mind and an attitude toward life almost as much as it is a geographic entity. Regardless of whether you approach this town from the abstract or the concrete, it is easy to brag about. In many communities there are ongoing topics of discussion on how to improve or stimulate the creative environment. Direct government funding of artists usually finds those funds getting split between the truly talented and the most politically skilled, with the latter getting the larger share. The kinds of qualitative distinctions so crucial to creativity prove very hard to articulate clearly and distinguish in legislative language, especially when it is supposed to be unbiased. Therefore an obvious tangent to civic dialogues on creative communities is a conversation about how to support the members of that group.

Now, in Austin the creatively frustrated are usually taken less than seriously. You know who these folks are. They are the ones who go on and on about the movies they are going to make, the novels they dream of writing, and the band that they imagine forming (that will blow away all the other half-assed, overrated Austin groups): If only _____________ wasn't holding them back, they would begin their great works today. The sad comedy of those making these excuses is not just that they are hollow, but they don't hold water in the face of this city's realities.

III

In Austin there are an extraordinary number of creative talents, involved in all kinds of different pursuits, who manage to navigate quite skillfully through life. Many have had to overcome almost overwhelming odds to achieve what they have, while to others it came much more easily and naturally.

This is not to say that all these talents have achieved some kind of financial success and/or critical recognition, although that kind of success is not uncommon. Rather, it is that they work at what they care about, following aesthetic visions more than the marketplace or cultural fads. It's about keeping at it, even if graced by neither money nor acknowledgment.

If one is working for recognition – financial, critical, from peers – well, that's just fine, and more power to you. This community is lucky in that it is far more common to find talents who never take their eyes off the prize: the work itself and the quality they strive to bring to it. Rarely content no matter what is achieved, they get their personal rewards from tackling new challenges.

In the broader civic/nonprofit vein of working for the good of the community, there is the same dedication. If the community has an acknowledged need, it is accepted as a challenge to be met, not simply as a topic for endless discussion.

The strength here is that there is a cooperative community of hundreds, if not thousands, who regard personal interaction and civic responsibility as crucial elements of creative life. When there is a problem, people work together to solve it. There is a remarkable cooperative spirit in this community. Robin Shivers epitomized these qualities.

Sure, Austin is not nirvana. Yes, of course, there are jealousies and incidents of petty backstabbing, but more often than not, the mindset is that any talent's achievement of any kind of success is good for and of value to the whole community.

IV

This is also true to the extent that when we lose a member of that community, there is a gaping hole and an unending aching in our hearts. A letter from the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians about the death of Robin Shivers, excerpted below, captures our shared loss:

"We are devastated by her passing. Robin made a tremendous impact on so many organizations and people in Austin, in Texas and beyond. She was the driving force and founder of Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.

"It was Robin's dream to find affordable healthcare services for Austin's low-income, uninsured working musicians, and she did just that. In forming HAAM, she created a first-of-its-kind model for bringing community resources together to support musicians, who are such an integral part of Austin's economy and culture."

V

In Austin, most folks don't just do their work in some hermitage or as some ascetic, isolated, curmudgeonly activity. Art and creative works here are focused on life and human interactions, even if this is done almost nonchalantly. Often they are inherently political, because by necessity they observe, depict, comment, and consider the world around them. "Political" here is used in the broadest and most inclusive sense, not in any way defined or limited by simple partisan divisions or dogma. Stepping outside a very myopic Ayn Rand paradigm, community involvement informs and fuels creative work.

If someone even marginally in the public eye here is in financial trouble for almost any reason, you can practically gauge the passage of time by the sure-to-come announcements of a benefit. This support of individuals is admirable and an aspect of this city that I cherish.

Still, the most difficult issues to tackle are the much less easily defined problems that have an adverse impact on the community, such as of lack of health care, access to resources, career guidance, and support systems. What makes Austin extraordinary is that, proactively, so many of these problems have been addressed not by the city government but by individuals working together to create nonprofit organizations. Many of these organizations, institutions, and outreach programs are practically unique to this town.

In so many different creative fields, Austin is ahead of the curve on not only caring but doing something about it. When it comes to film and other media, there are a number of outstanding nonprofits geared toward providing support, as well as any number of festivals where creative work is highlighted. When it comes to Austin's famed music scene, there is a lot more than just a tip of the civic hat to the scene. The SIMS Foundation was established to provide emotional and psychological support, while HAAM is an equally unique safety net program for musicians' physical health and well-being.

VI

Robin Shivers was crucial to the forming of HAAM, working tirelessly to make it happen. A pivotal player in so many enterprises, she was instrumental in getting disparate groups to work together. There was probably no one else who could have gotten them all connected, as few other individuals interacted with as many different people and communities as did Robin on a regular basis. Comfortable with anyone, she traveled in a surprising number of different political, social, and creative circles. The extent of her friendships and acquaintances seemed unlimited; she knew and worked with everyone. Unique unto herself, she followed her vision, always working cooperatively and with the community but still always her own person.

Robin not only created and aided organizations, but as a manager, benefactor, and adviser, she worked with bands and individual musicians for most of the time I knew her. I can't imagine the hollowness that they must be feeling.

Given my notorious social awkwardness and Robin's inherent class, style, and grace, it should have been difficult for me to work with her. It wasn't. Every time I ever asked Robin for any kind of favor or help, she immediately came through without demanding ego strokes or credit. Everyone I've ever spoken to about Robin had the same experience.

On occasion, what I asked was that she meet with someone to hear them out and to give them advice and the benefit of her knowledge about this city and how things work here. She always would say, "Of course." Later, I'd be thanked by whomever I'd introduced to Robin, though I really didn't do anything more than send an e-mail.

When talking about Robin, one is by necessity including her husband, Bud. More often than not, they were together – and not just as a team in creative activities: I'd regularly run into them dining together, just enjoying each other. Admittedly, Bud sometimes seemed as bemused as any of us at this never-stopping, perpetual-motion woman to whom he was married.

Robin Shivers lived life to the fullest, giving freely of herself, her intelligence, and talent to make more things happen in Austin than could be considered reasonable by any stretch. Personally, I find it hard to even consider how much I will miss her, even though I was certainly not among her closest friends.

I can only echo the final thoughts in the letter from HAAM on her passing:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Bud and Robin's family and friends. We will miss her dearly.

"With Much Sadness,

"The Board and Staff of Health Alliance of Austin Musicans"

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Funeral services for Robin Shivers will take place at 2pm Thursday, Nov. 5, at St. Mary Cathedral, 203 E. 10th.