It’s no secret the creatives among us always respond artistically to the political and social climates of the current day.

And when you’re an artist lying on a beach, scrolling through social media and getting worked up while on vacation, it’s a good sign you need to toss that phone in the ocean or respond in a more positive way. Warren Epstein, co-producer of The Arts Uprise Festival, went with the latter.

“I have friends who can go on news fasts and I just need to know what’s going on,” he said. “I have strong reactions to it. The most positive reactions I’ve had are putting things to writing — short stories, a novel.”

So he and co-producers Kathy Paradise and Melissa Hafter put out a call to visual artists, musicians, poets and actors around the Pikes Peak region, hoping to gather a crowd who would make art reflecting what they thought of the current state of the world. Close to 50 people showed up, and a collective was born.

The Arts Uprise Festival will showcase original short plays by Colorado playwrights, spoken word poetry by Colorado Springs Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius, music by singer songwriter John Spengler and visual art curated by Auric Gallery. It’s Friday through Sunday at Millibo Arts Theatre. The festival also will serve as a fundraiser for the MAT. Epstein intends for The Arts Uprise to continue making and showcasing work at venues around the Springs.

Out of 30 script submissions to the call for entries, five were selected, with topics including climate change, the future of history and Epstein’s “Broken Picket Fence,” based on a true story about a law firm being attacked by the government.

“You look back at the 1960s and the birth of rock ‘n’ roll was all about protest,” he said. “So much of it was against the Vietnam War and the oppression of people and the ideas they had. There’s lot of power in protesting. But there’s also something to adding to the conversation with the creative weaponry we have to bear. My weaponry has no triggers or explosives. It has ideas. I’ve hooked up with a bunch of people with talent and ideas who are willing to put them toward this cause.”

While the MAT usually pays its writers and performers, the collective is forgoing pay as a response to the canceling of National Endowment for the Arts grants for hundreds of arts organizations around the country.

“Another inspiration was this Native American woman on YouTube who said when things are getting torn down, the best reaction is to build something, to create something,” Epstein said. “National and state funding is not a given anymore. We’re doing what we can.”

Contact the writer: 636-0270