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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…]
Images from the newly remodeled Blanton Museum of Art in Austin (Credit: Sam Zavieh)
If you’re an art fan in Austin, you’ve probably visited Blanton Museum of Art. But have you been there lately? If not, you’ll find there have been changes far beyond the rotating exhibits. In fact, the museum did a revamp of its permanent galleries that just opened this spring. In addition to the new design of the upstairs galleries, there are more than twice as many pieces on display. It’s definitely worthy of a second look. [Read more…]
Tiny dancers form a circle in Akinori Goto’s piece
This year, SXSW extends its reach into the art world with the new, expansive SXSW Art Program. By highlighting documentaries focusing on art (like “The Secret Life of Lance Letscher,” based on an Austin artist), art happenings (like the walls of HOPE Outdoor Gallery represented on the Trade Show floor in the Convention Center) and sessions (like a panel on Museums of the Future), SXSW aims to showcase creative freedom across disciplines.
The SXSW Art Program has also curated an incredible lineup of art installations. Here’s a look at five of the most immersive, exciting and innovative installations of 2017. [Read more…]
Hotel Ella is the home of a monthly artistic salon series (Credit: Jake Holt)
Austin has a reputation for being Texas’ city of art and creators. We are the Live Music Capital of the World, right? Throw a rock in any direction and you have a good chance of hitting some type of self-expression. Music everywhere, indie filmmakers, glassblowers, painters. Nearly any and all kinds of art can be found within Austin city limits. We are a city of art makers.
But are we a city of art appreciators? One group at Hotel Ella is doing its best to make sure we are. The Hotel Ella Salon Series is a monthly gathering of art aficionados and regular folks who care deeply about supporting Austin’s unique artistic community. At their regularly hosted artistic salon, Austinites can get to know both the art and the artists who keep our city weird. [Read more…]
Norma Jeanne Maloney works on a piece for long time client, Hotel San Jose
Norma Jeanne Maloney’s work is seen everywhere in town and you probably don’t even know it. Once you do start noticing, you’ll be overwhelmed with the abundance of local Austin businesses that take advantage of her skills in sign artistry. Her long list of clients include the likes of Stubb’s BBQ, Hotel San Jose, Caffe Medici and many others. [Read more…]
Scene from Austin Opera’s “The Flying Dutchman” (Credit: “The Flying Dutchman”/Erich Schlegel)
From huge festivals with famous headliners to as-of-yet-undiscovered bands playing neighborhood bars on a Monday night, Austin is known for its phenomenal music scene. But there’s one kind of musical performance that doesn’t always get the same recognition: Austin’s stellar opera scene.
Austin Opera (formerly known as Austin Lyric Opera) is celebrating its 30th anniversary season this year. That’s 30 years of putting on thrilling live musical experiences ranging from Italian classics to hip, modern creations. Austin Opera seeks to thrill diehard opera fans and newbies alike with an “art form as spirited and adventurous as Austin itself.” [Read more…]
Credit: Rebecca Belcher Photography
Near Zilker Park sits the iconic Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, a tranquil space dedicated to exhibiting Charles Umlauf’s dramatic bronze and stone pieces that combine themes of family, religion, beauty and Austin itself. While this charming piece of the city maintains a sense of old, historical Austin, Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum also embraces contemporary art.
The Umlauf Prize is one of the ways this local institution fosters the creation of artwork that is reminiscent of the thoughtfulness and skill that Umlauf employed. The idea for the prize originated in 2005 when former Umlauf Board Member Damian Priour and his wife, Paula, wanted to develop a way for the nonprofit organization to encourage new artists.
As Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum Executive Director Nina Seely explained in a press release, “The Umlauf Prize represents the future of emerging artists in our community and their work honors the legacy of Charles Umlauf.” [Read more…]
Anyone who has ever been to Blanton Museum of Art, explored East Austin Studio Tour, or visited any of Austin’s other amazing museums or festivals knows this city has an artistic side. And you don’t even have to darken the door of a museum or gallery to appreciate art in Austin. The city has its fair share of public art pieces melded into the cityscape. Some are sculptures and statues memorializing important people in Austin’s history, others are functional as well as sculptural, and some are purely aesthetic.
The city of Austin participates in the Art in Public Places (AIPP) program that collaborates with locally- and nationally-renowned artists to bring new cultural landmarks to Austin. There are now hundreds of pieces in the collection. Join me on an art walk (or drive, really) to some of my favorite Austin public art pieces. [Read more…]
These jewelry pieces have been 3D printed! The front row features surprisingly lightweight rings.
If you’ve seen someone wearing imaginative jewelry that made you wonder, How was that made? you may have spotted one of Melissa Borrell’s creations. Through jewelry design, installation commissions, public art projects and home goods, Borrell has curated a world of carefully-placed, intricate artwork lines.
I met with Borrell to learn how she has developed such a large body of visually-eloquent work. [Read more…]