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Niz incorporates images from nature into her art, like this piece with owl wings and fox head and tail
Austin’s mural art covers the city’s walls, inside and outside bars, restaurants, schools, and museums. If you’ve spent any time in Austin, then you’ve seen the colorful creations of the following three artists. [Read more…]
‘Til Death Do Us Part by Federico Archuleta, located at East 7th Street and Waller Street
It feels like nearly every block of Austin has some giant expression of creativity blasted against its walls for the world to see.
Most murals appear suddenly, in places you wouldn’t expect: on a downtown high-rise, against the back side of a coffee shop, in an abandoned alleyway behind a dumpster.
It’s part of Austin’s murals’ mystique and glory. No descriptions, no special lighting, no rules against touching. Which makes me wonder… [Read more…]
Experience Shadowing through March 18, 2018 (Credit: Chomko and Rosier)
Austin is a unique city, with a vibrant culture that can be directly attributed to our embrace of the arts. So it should come as no surprise that an interactive art exhibit has chosen Austin as home for the next five weeks. In the tradition of keeping it weird, Austin Cultural Arts Division is hosting “Shadowing,” an interactive art installation, through March 18, 2018.
This fun art exhibit will be incorporated into several locations across the city. Shadowing is sure to be a crowd pleaser and conversation starter for residents and attendees of SXSW this year. [Read more…]
Mila Sketch’s Austin Music mural speaks to the heart of our city (Credit: Mila Sketch)
Austin’s artists impress us with their creativity and love for our city. Week after week, month after month, they’re out there, combining designs and colors that make us do a double-take.
Whether to express their own creative vision or fulfill a commission, Austin artists take to the streets to paint something that speaks to someone. To connect, perhaps. To inspire, surely, even if unintentionally. Or because they are unable not to paint, sketch, put their ideas out into the world. [Read more…]
José Parlá in residence at Landmarks, the public art program of The University of Texas at Austin, 2017 (Credit: Rey Parlá)
When I think of The University of Texas at Austin, images of football, Burnt Orange, and passionate fans come to mind. After this week, I’ll have another image in my mind whenever UT is mentioned: José Parlá’s gorgeous and inspiring mural, “Amistad América,” created for the newest building on campus. [Read more…]
Artist Mez Data painted this scene from the iconic “Dazed and Confused” film with Austin’s sweetheart, Matthew McConaughey, aka Wooderson
Austin’s colorful, painted walls, with their murals, signatures, and sayings, can’t be missed during any exploration of our city. You can see these large pieces downtown, on the east side and south side, and even at The Domain. Whether with beautiful murals, cheerful street art, or classic graffiti, Austin treats the casual spectator to the urban art of their dreams. [Read more…]
The playground at Pease Park occupies a small part of the total 84 acres (Credit: Jim Allen via Flickr CC)
One of the city’s oldest and most iconic green spaces lies in the heart of Austin: Pease Park. It’s spread out over an astounding 84 acres between West 15th and West 31st Streets, along Lamar Boulevard. You may recognize the park as the location of the extremely fun and exciting Eeyore’s Birthday Party every spring.
If you haven’t been to the park on any other occasion, then you’re missing out. Pease Park is a perfect place to enjoy nature with happy picnics, birthday parties, peaceful nature walks, and other recreational activities. And Pease Park Conservancy promises even more with “Art at the Park” and development plans. [Read more…]
Women & Their Work art gallery has been creating space for female artists since the 1970’s
There’s been a rise in female-owned businesses over the past couple of years–not only in Austin, but everywhere, it seems. Locally, annual events such as EAST (East Austin Studio Tour) and West Austin Studio Tour create space for female artists. But art gallery Women & Their Work has been around since 1978 with an explicit mission to cultivate recognition of female-created art in Austin. [Read more…]
Kathy Valentine’s creative energy won’t quit (Credit: Christopher Durst)
Kathy Valentine, accomplished musician, writer, original member of iconic female band the Go-Go’s, and current member of The Bluebonnets, is spearheading She Factory, a series of programs that showcase Austin’s female creative pool. [Read more…]
Under the star at Bullock Texas State History Museum (Credit: Van Sutherland via Flickr CC)
The perfect way to beat the summer heat or enjoy a rainy day in Austin is to visit one of our city’s fine museums. And if you’re looking for an opportunity to brush up on your Texas history, look no further than Bullock Texas State History Museum, located just south of The University of Texas.
Having grown up in Texas and taken the obligatory two years of Texas history, going to the Bullock was a refresher course. The visit reminded me of all the crazy stories from the Lone Star State’s past that I’d forgotten, and introduced me to many I hadn’t heard before.
It was also fun to take my New Jersey-bred husband with me. He was able to trace the history of his newly adopted homeland from its prehistoric inhabitants, through the frontier years, and into modern times. I think he was at least mildly impressed by my ability to recall random characters from the fabric of history, like Erastus “Deaf” Smith.
If you haven’t been to Bullock Texas State History Museum yet, here are a few of the highlights waiting for you. [Read more…]