Moxie is so excited to sponsor the re-imagined Austin Studio Tour this year—”A Virtual + Outdoor celebration of Austin artists that introduces the public to new ways of experiencing art.” We couldn’t be prouder of Big Medium and the Austin art and creative community for opening their hearts and minds to a new way of presenting their art when they were unable to open their physical studios.
We hope you will take advantage of the great programming brought to you by the tour. You can see (and possibly purchase!) art from each participating in the tour’s group exhibition. Some artists have put together amazing virtual experiences. Spend some time, check out the artists, and maybe even become a member of Big Medium to get access to great programming year round.
One of Moxie’s favorite things during the studio tours is its curated theme tour—there are five great curated tours this year and we hope you’ll check them all out! This year, because we have been working hard at distancing, we are celebrating outdoor installations. There were so many great outdoor installations to choose from and Big Medium has put together an amazing interactive map. Our eleven choices are:
Chicano Mural, AIPP Martin Pool Mural Restoration
1626 Nash Hernandez Senior Rd
The first stop on Moxie’s curated tour is the Chicano Mural, AIPP Martin Pool Mural Restoration, 1626 Nash Hernandez Senior Rd. Ramon Madonado is leading a group of Arte Texas artists in the restoration of this mural. More info on the work that this group has done here and here. The mission of Arte Texas is to preserve the Culture of our Art Murals throughout the city of Austin giving local artists an opportunity to express their talent and give back to their community. Arte Texas is restoring our existing historical murals as well as creating new collaborative Art Murals that represent our heritage, our history struggle, and street graffiti that have been a part of our culture for decades. Arte Texas is seeking to create youth art programs for our children towards making a difference in their lives towards leaving a legacy. The restoration is funded by the City of Austin’s Art in Public Places program.
Butterfly Mural, Art for the People Gallery
1711 S 1st St
“Home is where the heart is” is a timeless proverb & Art for the People Gallery’s heart is Austin art. Art for the People Gallery’s mission is to provide a space that contributes to the artists’ livelihoods and humanity’s need and love for art! They have 100+ Austin artists that participate in our exhibitions & artisan market. We are featuring the exterior Butterfly Mural, with a bonus piece by Amanda Witucki at 1711 S 1st St.
History of Black Austin Neighborhoods Self-Guided Driving Tour by Ginger Geyer and Jennifer Cumberbatchz.
A tour of West Austin African American history. The tour has been developed in coordination with the collaborative project If These Walls Could Talk, where the Neill-Cochran House Museum has worked to shed light on Austin’s difficult racial history. The tour begins at the Neill-Cochran House Museum and winds through historic sites of Wheatville and Clarksville, two of the original fifteen freedman communities established in Austin after the end of the Civil War. Packets which include links to the videos and background on the project can be ordered online and retrieved at your first stop of the tour, the Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St
Elsewhere, Performance by Jennifer Sherburn
3506 Rogge Ln.
In her own words: “I’m always in cahoots… collaborating with choreographers, composers, designers, riggers, and venue owners to create experiences that expand the notion of stage and staging, calling forth the latent, otherworldly spirit of space. Together we produce fearless, provocative, live performances.” Elsewhere is a self-guided tour of dance installations with performers dancing inside a home on the grounds of East Austin venue the Rogge Ranch House. On a rotating schedule, an audience of 10 voyeurs is invited to surround the house, exploring from the outside and spying through the windows. Audience members enjoy unique perspectives that frame every encounter as they move from window to window, witnessing the different atmospheres being created in each room. Elsewhere can be viewed Nov 13 – 15 and 19 – 22, 6:30 – 8:30 PM by Reservation Only.
Floating, Sculpture by Mary Yznaga
1912 Goodrich Ave.
Mary Yznaga is an Austin-based sculptor working primarily in steel. She attended the Austin Community College welding program with a focus on Art Metals. For ten years she has maintained a studio in Austin, M.Y. Metal and participates annually in Big Medium’s West Austin Studio Tour. You can view Floating Nov 14, 15, 21, and 22 from 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Holey Family, Sculpture by Charley Scarborough
6701 N Park Dr.
As realtors, we rely on handymen and other folks to help us get our listings in order, so it’s natural that we would choose Charley Scarborough. Mr. Scarborough has been tinkering, dreaming and curious about the world and its people from an early age. A self-taught artist and handyman, he combines the two, often with a spiritual insight or two in new and creative representations of life discoveries from for old objects.
Outdoor Installation by Jiri Prihoda
16122 Spring Branch Tr.
We love the architectural elements of Mr. Pirhoda’s sculptures.
Outdoor Installation by Chelsea Amato
1123 Lott Ave.
Kitsch, Cults, and Covid19 Outdoor Display Event is on display Nov 14 – 15, 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM and her Night Gallery is featured Nov 19, 6:00 -10:00 PM. From her statement, “KITSCH, COVID19, AND CULTS. A jungle room of groovy, psychedelic fervor, fear and paranoia. Ladies tormented by disease and the only salvation? Mass revolutionary suicide. Public opinion, set me on fire and burn me alive! Its 2020 and everything’s on FIRE. Prints of course, available for purchase. Ms. Amato will also have several interactive events that you can RSVP to from her artist page.
Art by Brian Phillips
In the world of salvaged wood artist Brian Phillips, dumpsters contain treasure, and gold can be struck in a scrap pile by the side of the road. The reclaimed wood that forms the foundation of his work is often rife with blemishes, knots, and nail holes. Working in a shed (originally built 40 years ago from salvaged materials) that Brian then converted into a studio/workshop, Brian cuts, planes, paints, and reassembles these rejected pieces into something wholly new. A resident of Austin, Texas, Brian’s work embraces the beauty and resilience of his home state. His work is ultimately a celebration of life and everything that makes it worth living – take a look at this video about his studio and process. Brian has even salvaged wood from some of our listings with tear downs and has a great website.
Til Death Do Us Part, Mural by Federico Archuleta
1201 E 7th St.
Big Medium has put together an entire self guided tour out of the many beautiful murals by this artist – a fun and truly Austin experience! We can’t wait to do it ourselves! Moxie is also pleased to have sponsored a limited edition print of this mural for use by the tour!
Lindsay Palmer, Color Squad, Creative Action
It was a no brainer for us to pick the amazing murals of Creative Action/Color Squad – Justine’s daughter is a Color Squad Member! This group is a collective of teen artists that design and implement public and community art. Voted best muralist of 2019 by Austin Chronicle Readers. We couldn’t be prouder of her and hope you will take the tour of their murals.