Austin’s wonderful weirdness is due in part to our artists of every hue. Art City Austin festival, the anchor event for Art Alliance Austin, will welcome dozens of artists to Republic Square Park on April 12-14, 2019.
Art Alliance Austin acknowledges “art” is not easy to define. Happily, for us, the organization landed on a more expansive versus restrictive definition, bringing us this “convergence fair.”
Expect to interact with visual artists, musicians, chefs, and many others at Art City Austin, now in its 69th year.
Who Will Be at Art City Austin?
Art Alliance Austin supports the growth, visibility, and sustainability of Austin’s art scene in order to bolster the Austin creative culture we all love. The group works collaboratively with art-related organizations to plan and host several diverse art programs throughout the year.
Around 80 specially selected artists, designers, artisans, and makers will be showing their works at Art City Austin. Featured local artists include:
- David Bjurstrom
- Greg Davis
- Jay Long
- Haley Lebeuf
The event also offers artist talks and walking art tours given by local artists, both new this year. These events look exceptional! One of the art talks is by Hunter Inman, founder of the cool, interactive art installation of light and sound, Hopscotch, who will speak with other panelists on “The Immersive Art Movement.”
The guided walking tours take you in-depth through many of Austin’s art spaces, museums, galleries, and even curated corporate collections. Think Mexic-Arte Museum, Umlauf Sculpture Garden, UT Landmarks, and more.
The event I’m most excited about is a VIP walking tour of Austin street art, given by local muralists Kristin Freeman and Helena Martin. This VIP tour will highlight Austin’s vibrant mural scene and give participants a glimpse into the mural scene in Austin.
Art City Austin will take place at the newly renovated Republic Square downtown, except for walking art tours. General admission tickets are only $15 for Saturday and Sunday access, but preview party and VIP packages are also available for an additional fee.
What to Expect
There’s even more to experience. You’ll see interesting installations from the local neon/metal/light makers of Ion Art. You may know their work from various large-scale signage–neon or otherwise–or for their wondrous annual Surreal Sea party. SpraTX will also be creating live art.
The local musician and band lineup is being curated by Austin Music Foundation. The wildly good talent includes these local favorites:
- Alesia Lani
- Aaron Stephens
- Beth // James
- Jane Ellen Bryant
- KP & the Boom Boom
- Jake Lloyd
- Jeff Lofton
- The Tiarra Girls
Come Hungry
Numerous local food trucks will be on hand to feed attendees. Some participating trucks include Burro Cheese Kitchen, Chilaquil, Odd Pop, Pueblo Viejo, and Shawarma Point. The event also will have talks given by local chefs, sommeliers, and bartenders. These include:
- “The Art of Fusion” by Eric Silverstein of The Peached Tortilla and Bar Peached
- “The Art of Tacos” by Chef Jeff Martinez of the El Chile group
- “The Art of Wine” talks by Sommeliers Rania Zayyat, Paul Ozbirn, and Ali Schmidt
- “The Art of Cocktails” by Caer Maiko Ferguson of The Roosevelt Room and The Eleanor
Preview Party
Friday night is the pre-event party, with a theme of “United in Color.” Guests at this preview event will have the first look at the art on display, enjoy complimentary local bites, cocktails (including drinks with Tito’s), and wine, and will be serenaded by Austin bands.
Preview party tickets start at $80 and include entrance to Art City Austin all weekend. Pricing packages are available, too. Here are some preview party details, for those who want a more exclusive, intimate event.
Shy Beast, Break Austin, Nunamaana Immersive Dance Theatre, Peligrosa, ArtScream, SpraTX, and Erica Nix will all offer performances during the preview party.
Bites will be provided by Darcy’s Donkey, Eddie V’s, El Dorado Cafe, Austin Java, The Backspace, Lake Austin Spa & Resort, La Pera, Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Fluff Meringues, Poke Poke, Fancy Fluff, Fixe Southern House, and Thai Fresh.
Austin is rightfully proud of its collaborative nature. We love lifting each other up in a way rarely seen in other cities. This is true of Art City Austin and Art Alliance Austin, too.
This looks to be a fantastic, fun weekend of art, music, and food. I can’t wait!
422 Guadalupe St. — Website
@theAustinot wants to know:
What is your favorite Art Alliance Austin event of the year?
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