Adroit by LASA Ezine

ADROIT Art in the eyes of Austin

NO. 1

Contents Where Science and Art Collide And the supernova it creates

Yippi Ki Yay A fairytale lost between the branches

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Where the paintings become people And what about Austin keeps it werid 2

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A Savior with a Paintbrush How art has become a haven for those in need

The Heart in the Star of Texas

how paint pulls us together

Contents 3

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RS TO K

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CO N

Contributers 5

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he first edition of Adroit Magazine is an experience to create like no other, we as students, designers, photographers, writers, and artists share the pride to share our work and the works of fellow other fellow artists through our magazine. From must-see art in city, to art that helps support a cause, our magazine explores artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; work in Austin, their cause, their importance, and contents a reader will find interest in. We all live in Austin and wanted to share the unique sights and experiences of our home through this magazine, so that people all around the country can have a more informed view of our city. The goal of our magazine was to give insight into the places, experiences and concepts that truly make Austinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art scene what it is. Each one of us was interested in a different type of Austin art and we wanted this magazine to be the synthesis of all of the art that we find fascinating in this city. We wanted to show different perspectives from the artists in Austin. This magazine was meant to describe the creative process from the owners of Art for the People to the Art Scientists who display their work in the Art.Science.Gallery to how Patrick Dougherty makes his wooden masterpieces. We felt that describing these experiences in our magazine would help inform people who want to explore art of the diversity of styles and messages that exists within this city. Thank you for reading our magazine and we hope that this publication can open you to the manifold world of the Austin Art scene.

Enjoy, -Adriot Team

Letter From the Editors

By: Noor Elhagehassan

What they do:

Art From the Streets is a foundation that supports homeless or previousely homeless people, and gives them a place to create art which they sell and take majority profit. AFTS helps people get back up on their feet and start up their new life.

Contact Information:

Location: 304 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701 Phone Number: (512) 610-3559 Website: https://artfromthestreets.org/

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1 Worth-It. Street Art by Austinite Mike Johnston

2 Self-Indulgent; Art piece by Matthew Trujillo. Oil based enamal and spray paint on canvas. Located in Art for the People

Breathtaking Pieces of Art Around Austin

3 Purple Rain. Studio Art by Mike Johnston

4 Drip. Mixed media glass art piece by Janis Fowler. Alchol inks and acrylic mediums on glass with translucent Yupo paper . Located in Art for the People. Breathtaking pieces of Art

Austin Art:

Through the Ages

Interested in learning about what happened in Austin before it became known as the artistic metropolis it is today? This is a must-read for you! Created by: Liaa Kumar

Art Alliance is founded, the program is currently a

1949

program that sponsors and manages a multitude of art programs that all aim to benefit local Austin Art. They’re supported by a large amount of volunteers, all of whom are local Austinites that share a passion for local art.

Laguna Gloria is officially converted into the

Laguna Gloria Art Museum, and then shortly after starts offering art classes. Laguna Gloria is now one of the best places in Austin to go to recieve art classes that are based on a multitude of artistic mediums.

1961

Visit https://www.thecontemporaryaustin.org/ to learn about the kinds of classes you can take!

1983

The Mexic-Arte museum opens in downtown Austin with the goal to showcase Austin’s Latin and Mexican influence. It’s important to recognize all the parts of Austin culture, and this museum does exactly that. Visit www.mexic-artemuseum.org/ to learn about the museum and the exhibits that they are currently showing.

Mural by artist Mike Johnston

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Brown Paper Bag Test: Barack Obama by artist Beth Rubel

Visit info@artallianceaustin.org to learn about current volunteer opportunities.

Art from the Street opens, shows off

Austin’s organic talent and culture and at the same time, provides homeless people with a means to make some money so they can support themselves. Visit https://artfromthestreets.org/ if you’re interested in donating to their cause.

2006 Painting by artist Mike Johnston

HOPE outdoor gallery

2011

officially opens, this gallery is an outdoor mural gallery that rose up from the ruins of an old and abandoned Visit hopecampaign.org/ if you condo project from the want to donate to their noneighties. This gallery profit program beautifully highlights Austin’s belief in new beginnings.

The Austin art scene is unique in the way that it brings people and artists together. One of the best examples of this is SprATX. It opened in 2013, and quickly became a network that currently connects artists throughout all of Austin and further with the aim to produce the best quality art possible.

Street art by artist Mike Johnston

Painting by artist Bella Glasel

2013

If you want to learn more about their goals and their mission visit https://www.spratx. com/about/

Austin ranks ninth for having the most

2016

employed artists, and eighth for selfemployed artists in the US. As Austin maintains its status as the fastest growing city in the country it’s well known artistic atmosphere draws in more and more prospective creative talent from all around the world everyday.

Austin Though the Ages

What’s found between the intricate and finely wound fibers are little secrets. The discovery of a one dollar bill an anonymous patron had left within the structure occured on February 10, 2018--the official opening of “Yippee Ki Yay.”

A Woven Village Patrick Dougherty’s new “stickwork” made its opening at Pease Park. By Elena Mouer

t is like walking through the woods, peering over the trees and finding a fairy’s nest with its woven branches and finesse, or puzzling paths through the wavy corners of the structure. Windows lead eyes to green heaths of grass and the brown mulch within its borders. It is a building like that of a fairytale. Patrick Dougherty, a world famous artist of the over 288 “stickwork” projects around the world, made his own addition to Pease Park’s outdoor gallery in Austin Tx through his “Yippee Ki Yay” stickwork sculpture. Thanks to the funding raised by the Pease Park Conservancy and supporters, which was over $106,000, this work was finally brought to the park. After working with volunteers for three weeks over the end of January, the fiber woven piece officially opened up to the public at February 10, Saturday afternoon.

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Dougherty’s material for his sculptures is one that is not commonly used by artists. “I’ve decided to use saplings,” Dougherty said. “They tend to be plentiful and they tend to be a result of organization.” With the help of over 200 volunteers, Dougherty found his materials locally. He used the saplings of willow and ash trees, as well as utilizing the invasive species such as Ligustrum. He had eventually ended up bringing in 10 tons to use for the piece. According to Dougherty, much of the material comes from land that has already being cleared, such as places where shopping centers are being built, power lines along roadways, and other areas under maintenance or getting ready for development.

Layers, walls of sticks and turning to corners that lead to a circle. According to Dougherty, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yippee Ki Yayâ&#x20AC;? was designed to make corners that turn into each other.

A Woven Villiage

be seen d. and can lv B r a m a t. rth L ark distric ay and No the Pease P een Parkw w in et ek b d re C te l ca Shoa i Yay” is lo at follows “Yippee K ek Trail th re C l a o h S along the

Each of his pieces are unique to itself. “I use the site. The new site has some kind of trigger to start with how big should something be. I say ‘what is the nature of the site’ ‘how many people are going to get here’ and ‘what kind of people,’” said Dougherty.

Though he does not establish any set message for his pieces, he said that he considers the audience’s point of view.

“There’s not really a clear environmental message.” -Patrick Dougherty

The area and environment around it attribute to what can be worked with in the piece, from the limits of the material to the size of the sticks used. Considering the possible damages the piece will experience in the future is an important part of “It reminds them of things outdoors even indigenous tribes or his planning process. just a walk in the woods” said Dougherty. “I have to think about the wind. I have to think about snow load. All of these things add up to what you can make all these backgrounds,” he said. Dougherty’s inspiration of his works and the material he works with is rooted to his past. He said that he had often play in the woods as a child where he did a lot of building with sticks, and considers that his influence for using sticks as a material. Although, he had not decided on a specific meaning behind his works. “It just turns out that people are interested in things, simple shelter and sticks in general,” according to Dougherty. 14

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With the use of sticks, the audience of his artwork see a sort of environmental message, such as conservation or climate change. “Part of the reason is too that it captures the public’s imagination. There’s a lot of differences in the approach to materials, but I think in the finished product, there’s some kind of an even appreciation of it,“ he said. The piece, before being titled “Yippee Ki Yay,” had gone through stages of planning.

Peering through the windows and traveling through the open doors, patrons and children explore the work during the piece’s opening on February.

A closer look to the intricate braids of the structure show fine detail in the thick and thinnest of branches and the materials used.

“‘We really oughta make a big piece of architecture like a spanish church and they’re all square’ then I said ‘Well that’s not possible; we’ll just make the corners of the church’” he said.

a longer lifetime for his typical works. Dougherty estimates that the piece will last a two to three years before being taken down in which, according to the Pease Park Conservancy, it will be reused as mulch for the park’s bedding.

Building off of those ideas, Dougherty decided to plan Though Dougherty’s work is expected to make it through the around the idea of building corners because one cannot see next two years, it is a limited experience to see. around them. In the case of “Yippee Ki Yay,” Dougherty said that he had thought about turning them towards one another in a way that prevents them from fitting square. “If there’s kind of a tunnel that has a corner inside it, you’re intrigued; you want to go down there and see what’s going on,” said Dougherty, “like they do on a building, opposing each other but to kind of let them float on the site so that there’s an unexpected quality to the aspirition that you might do there.” However, due to the use of organic material, Dougherty’s artwork is not one that is permanent. “It’s known ahead of time that the work is temporary. So I would say get one great year and one pretty good year and that you count month-by-month to see if it’s still in good shape,” said Dougherty. “In other words, it can look kind of disheveled after a couple of years. You want to take it down while it still looks good; still in good shape.” According to Dougherty, the dry weather in Austin allows

“It’s known ahead of time that the work is temporary.” - Patrick Dougherty

“The installation will remain on display in Pease Park’s Custer’s Meadow for several years, sparking the imagination of old and young park patrons and passersby,” said the Pease Park Conservancy . Photo of Patrick Dougherty was provided by Doroty Juhlin Bank and taken by Brianna Brough/Chapel Hill Magazine. Remaining photos were taken by Elena Mouer, located in Pease Park District, at “Yippee Ki Yay” during the official opening February 10, 2018. A Woven Villiage

“Rosette Nebula” painting done by Eileen Mckeon Butt. Photo taken by Farooq Butt.

A Galaxy On Paper The Art Science movement in Austin Texas By Monica Jones

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tanding in the middle of a museum is the James Webb Space Telescope with its rockets poised to push it out and beyond into the unknown of space. Across the wall, colorful subatomic particles are displayed in an array of energetic splashes. One would guess that this was some natural history Museum, but upon further inspection they will find that they were actually standing in the Art. Science.Museum. This local Austin museum displays artwork from the Sci Art movement. Recently an art movement called SciArt has been gaining momentum in the Austin area. The Art.Science.Gallery was a hub for these artists where they can have exhibitions and take classes on how to merge science with art. Sci Art was a new way to make dialogue with the public on complicated scientific concepts that the public should be aware of according to Sci Artists Jennie Tudor-Gray and Eileen Mckeon Butt. The science art movement took a long look at how people work together to discover new scientific concepts and look at the world in a more creative way.

“It looks abstract, it looks unreal, it’s hard to believe that that actually is a thing” -Elieen Mckeon Butt In the past decade the science and technology fields had exploded, and interest in science and technology had been at an all time high. Humanity was plowing into new frontiers from the largest levels to the smallest scopes of life. This renaissance of exploration had spurred a new movement of creative thinkers and artists who seek to understand this new world that they had been introduced to in their medium of art. After the moon landing there was a big movement to produce art inspired by the huge feat. This came along with a whole slew of media showing the abilities of cooperative

This is a photo of the artist Eileen Mckeon Butt know for her paintings of the “ Rosette Nebula”, “Ring Nebula II” , and “Spiral Galaxy”. Photo taken by Monica Jones.

exporation. Eileen Mckeon Butt, a local Austin artist, said another element that has now become popular in the Sci Art movement is where artists strived to use their creative prowess and the analytical minds of scientists to find new worlds in the future. “Well, honestly I would have to say I grew up watching Star Trek and Cosmos with Carl Sagan who was the coolest person I had heard of at the time and I have to say more in the case of Star Trek, that’s art right those are actors this is Hollywood, you know the script is a little cheesy,” said Butt. Shows like Star Trek displayed qualities and values of cooperation that were attractive to artists interested in Sci Art. “But it was the first time I had kind of had a view of what it might be like to have this kind of society where it’s not just a political federation where you have all these planets involved and have this giant intergalactic government and people are working together to explore something which is like the national space station to the nth degree,” Butt said.

A Galaxy on Paper

Butt noted these influences from her childhood introduced her to the idea of cooperation and exploration in science. However, only recently did she and other artists have an epiphany relating to art science and how according to Butt they could take theoretical concepts and turn them into art. “When you look at subatomic particles there they have to be given colors so you can see them, and that’s all kind of technical, but if you look at these they look like art,” Butt said. “My first impression of this was that looks like abstract art.” These images of science inspired people to join the art science movement and has began organizations like the International Association of Austonominical Arts or IAAA. In these organizations artists and scientists alike strived to make science more accessible to the general public. “I don’t know if it adds to the meaning of the scientific concepts, but it can help convey their meaning to people who have different learning styles,” said Hayley Gillespie, Ph.D. and founder/director Art.Science.Gallery. “ It can engage visual learners; it can help make scientific concepts less abstract.” Gillispie, a biologist who majored in biology, fine arts, and environmental science; wanted to find an institution where works of art that tried to use these scientific concepts could be displayed. That was what convinced her to establish the Art.Science.gallery, a crowd funded gallery in Austin that seeks to make this art available to everyone.

way to do things and I tend to look at things from different perspectives,” said Jennie Tudor-Gray, “I now feel very differently about science as so much of it is about wonder, curiosity, and experimentation which is also how I approach my art and life”.

“It can engage visual learners; it can help make scientific concepts less abstract” -Haley Gillespie According to Butt, the thriving arts community in Austin made it the perfect place for this movement to take off. This atmosphere was what has drawn a lot of these science artists together. “I’m tripping over people all day long in this city who are inherently cool and are changing the world in some way. So I think to be doing anything new and different in a town like this you just pinch yourself at the point,” said Butt. The Art.Science.Gallery in Austin was the only crowdfunded gallery that displays Sci Art in the country when it opened in 2015. Gillispie started crowdfunding in 2013 and worked hard to get a brick and mortar location.

“I also realized that there were very few places to exhibit science-inspired artwork and I’m really into science communication so I wanted to create a space where science art can be showcased as well as do public outreach by engaging the public in the sciences through visual arts projects,” said Gillespie. Some of these scientist artists, like Jennie Tudor-Gray, local Austin Artist and educator, had a hard time understanding science when they were growing up and have realized that art allows them to look at the world with wonder and approach it differently in a way that was easier to engage. “I actually struggled in my science classes growing up since it seemed like there was only one right answer or one right 18

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Top picture: This is a watercolor painting called “Nebula” by Jennie Tudor-Gray for her astronomy inspired series “We are Made of Star Stuff”. Photo by Jennie Tudor-Gray. Bottom picture: “Ring Nebula II” painting done by Eileen Mckeon Butt. Photo taken by Farooq Butt. Middle picture: “Spiral Galaxy” painting done by Eileen Mckeon Butt. Photo taken by Farooq Butt.

A Galaxy on Paper

“People can come visit the gallery and simply enjoy the work for its aesthetics, or engage in reading the labels, which include some background of the science in the piece, or a lot of times I see people having a conversation that a piece of art invokes — and they’ll email me later saying they were inspired to read more about it after they left. That always makes me feel good!” said Gillispie.

“And I just really wanted to do the best job I possibly could and it is a thrill to be able to show this art because I was doing research on along the way I didn’t want to just paint pretty pictures, though I certainly did want to do that, but I wanted to understand to the greatest extent possible what I was doing,” said Butt, “ what was the science behind it, who were the people investigating this, why is this important? So

The Art.Science.Gallery was a way for this movement to be accessed by the public. Having a brick and mortar location invited other people into the world of art science.

I wanted to get as much of a 360 understanding of this as possible because curiosity felt as though it had led me to it in the first place.”

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Canopy Austin, a group of studio’s many artists use to show their work. Canopy used to be the home of the Art.Science. Museum however the museum is moving to a to be decided location next year. However Eileen Mckeon Butt and Jennie Tudor-Gray as well as other science artists show their work at this location in events like EAST (East Austin Studio Tour). Photo by Monica Jones.

Just like the cooperation between space programs during the moon landing and the cooperation in the federation on star trek that inspiredSci Artists the science art movement was centered around cooperation between the artistic and analytic point of view on science making a new way to investigate the world.

the business or not science we can at least reach out and try to understand,” said Butt, “Hopefully we can create some dialogue along the way whether they are true or not in art part of it is just the process and the end product isn’t something needed to evaluate”.

“I think that that is an attempt in the right direction of course in the end we are going to get the most information from science because these are facts that you need to consciously understand these things to really figure it out for real but

A Galaxy on Paper

Finance of Fine Arts

: Take a look into the fine artist’s financial reality. Need help or need expectations as an upcoming artist? Just peer over to see an artists guide to entering the real world. By Elena Mouer

You’re putting yourself into a world without success.

How are you going to make money?

----

Your parents must be disappointed.

------You’ll end up a

“Starving artist” That’s what we’re told... But here’s what it really looks like: Artists with 1-2 years of experience

$47,000

Artists with 6+ years of experience

$68,000

Highest: 1,500,000

Salaries for artists has gone up by an average of

21.91% since 2004

There are

2.1 million artists

in the United States

In Fine Artists (Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators)...

Average Artist Salary -

$40,000 - $60,000 and in comparison... US Minimum Salary - $15,000 US Average Salary - $40,000

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Luck is a major factor in get-

What’s most important is building up your...

ting any job, and should also be carefully considered.

Portfolio: The work you’ve made and the work you’re proud of; something that reflects your capabilities; evidence that you have the talent, skill, and qualifications for the job you want to be in.

What artists pay for to be an artist...

Money tends to come much later. Whether interning or still looking for a job, many artists can’t achieve financial stability in the beginning, and it’s a reality to be expected.

==Artist Financial Cheats==

Studio space Materials Time

Utilize free/cheap resources (school

And of course, human necesities.

Time and patience gives the way to a

studios, computer labs & other facilities)

Plan projects before investment (be

certain before purchases of materials) managable balance

Salaries vary greatly, depending on the...

Company, Location, Industry, as well as the experience and qualifications of the artist and/or partners they work with.

It’s important for beginning artists in the real world to...

Watch personal finances

Financial Reality

Content from: NEA research October 28, 2011 on Research Note on artists, Knoji careers’s Visual Artist Salary & Job Requirements The Recruiter’s Fine Artist, Including a Painter, Sculptor, or Illustrator Salary study

Finance of Fine Arts

Which Austin

Music

Festival Are You? By Lilli Gordan

A on devices

How do you prefer listening to music ?

on vinyl

FROM ALL OVER!

Night Time

Do you prefer Local or music from all over?

Night time or afternoon?

LOCAL! B

Afternoon

If you got more A’s you should attend JMBLYA. If you got more B’s you should attend ACL. 24

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SYM BIOSIS Symbiosis ulture and Art

SYMBIOSIS Culture

AND Art

Taking a closer look at Austin culture and its influence on local art

Written by: Liaa Kumar

Overtime, Austin has developed a reputation for being a culturally vibrant city. After all it has had the honor of carrying the title of “live music capital” of the world since 1991, and as it continues to grow, its art scene has flourished and taken on a life of its own. Local art can be seen almost everywhere in Austin. From public murals, or exhibits in parks that are meant to showcase local talent, to more iconic signs like “Greetings from Austin”, we usually enjoy local art every day without realizing it. Art serves different purposes depending on the perspective it is viewed in. Some art is created to be seen by everyone, other art is more personal usually tied to a cultural part of Austin’s history or relating to a personal history. Each creation of art is a piece of a larger story that contributes to Austin’s culture, and each artist personally crafts their own piece. They all have different stories and different approaches, but they all have the same goal: to create something beautiful.

This camaraderie between communities throughout Austin gives it a unique quality that one might not be able to find in larger cities, and the fact that Austin is a growing city with a largely young demographic means that one can experience the best of both worlds social wise. “Austin artists seem to have great mutual respect for one another. We all seem to value the hustle and know that it is a struggle to do get our stuff out there. This leads to many opportunities for group shows and pop-ups on the regular.” “Living and working in Austin has allowed me the opportunity to start slow, with small group shows and first Thursdays and the like. There is a real diy attitude that exudes through the many artists, musicians and writers here. “ “Austin has a good blend of big city feel and small town charm with a lake running through it and it is surrounded by nature. You can lose yourself in the Greenbelt all day and then hit up a great show or fancy party downtown at night. This flexibility allows me to stay in touch with both sides of myself, the city socialite and the more introspective nature lover.” said Fine Art Painter Jonathan Biehl.

For a long time Austin was known as a small town, especially when compared to its much larger neighbors like Dallas and Houston. In the last few years, Austin has been With such variety in Austin culture, there is no shortage of slowly shedding it’s small town persona in favor of a more inspiration. ASome artists like Glasel get inspiration from modern, young, growing metropolis. the environment and the color around them, she said, “I like going to other galleries, and seeing other artist’s work:. But it has notn’t lost all of it’s small town charm, “I think Texas skies, especially in the spring and the summer, all thethat Austin is just in general, an easier place for smaller the clouds and the colors.” groups of people to find each other and help bolster each other up. Austin is a, obviously, is a smaller place, but Other artists draw inspiration from more personal places, actually that makes it much more inclusive. E, everybody’s like Artist Beth Rubel. “I draw inspiration from my very supportive of everybody else here. It doesn’t feel ancestors, African American folklore, storytelling, pop competitive, it feels collaborative,.” said Artist Bella Glasel. culture, and some of my favorite artists such as: Deborah Roberts [and] Joyce Scott” she said.

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Barack Obama drawn by Beth Rubel. Photograph by Beth Rubel.

Symbiosis Culture and Art

Some artists lean more towards drawing inspiration from life around them, “All kinds of places/things [inspire me]. Other people-strangers/friends/family, other artists, nature, my own experiences and thoughts and fears, and basically any image I have ever seen. It all inspires me.” said Biehl. Paintings, like any form of art can convey an infinite number of things. Art is personal for each person and each creator. Artists have different motivations and messages that they want to send through their art, and in Austin where creativity is part of the culture, there is’s no shortage of diversity. Glasel says, that “I think that art elevates life. My intention always is to bring joy, light, brightness, energy into the world to make people smile.” Other artists have a more specific motivation behind creating the art they create. Rubel said “I try to send messages that combat stereotypes in mainstream media through my art. The rapid decline of Austin’s African American population combined with gentrification at an all time high has affected the art I create.” “I felt compelled to create portraits of local black influencers in the creative community to highlight their unique talents and show how although the community is very small, we are all ambitious and trying to make it work.! The mainstream media often portrays these African American victims negatively, and it is my goal to combat that by portraying these individuals humanely and with empathy. “ “I aim to illuminate that shadow side so that we may evaluate for ourselves how the past informs the present, and how personal biases shape our perspective. I still hope for a day where skin color won’t matter.” Austin art is one of the largest parts of Austin culture and is an example of the influence local talent can have when it is bolstered in the right conditions. Each day brings new people to Austin, and with them each day brings more potential creative talent and stories.

“Austin has a good blend of big city feel and small town charm” - Jonathon Viehl

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Untitled work by Jonathan Biehl. Photograph by Jonathan Biehl

Symbiosis Culture and Art

Picture Perfect

There’s so many places to take spot on “Instagrammable” pictures in Austin. This is a guide to the must stop places to get those perfect pictures, that will hold fun, long lasting memories forever. By: Noor Elhagehassan

“Greetings From Austin” is the perfect way to feel welcomed to the great city of Austin. Located on 1720 S 1st St., the Austin mural is a classic.

The “You’re My Butter Half” mural is located in Austin Texas, on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. A great scenery for great, adorable pictures!

The “i love you so much” is located on 1300 S Congress Ave, is a cute spot that has a lot of history with other’s special someone.

The “Austinite” collage mural is at the corner of sixth street and is the best way to get a taste of Austin is one breathtaking view. 30

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The “Texas” mural is such a colorful, fun background for the most fun and w“peppy’ pictures you could want!

“Before I die..” is a tradition for all Austinites to write their dream goal onto this memorable chalkboard and is located on 206 E Elizabeth St.

The “Love From Austin” mural

is a great way to get into the Austin culture and is located on South Congress.

“Hi, How Are You” is a quircky, silly way to bond with your friends over small little photoshoots- and is located at Guadalupe and 21st street.

The mural of the lions is located directly across Magnolia’s Cafe on 1920 S Congress Ave. and is a fun, pretty and “wild” background.

The graffitti park is located at 1008 Baylor St, and is one of the most cultured areas in Austin, especially for backgrounds of photos. Picture Perfect

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Art in the Heart of Texas Austin culture portrayed by art Photos and Story By: Lilli Gordon

right, invigorating colors spray from the can onto the brick wall. In the sweltering heat of Austin, Texas, the “Greetings from Austin” mural is born. A mural that will be gazed upon by the 947,890 residents.

Austin is a vibrant quick-growing city ,with around 151 people moving there each day. From murals to music, it is also one of the most art-infatuated cities. The wide variety of mediums draw huge crowds of up to 19.8 million every year. Austin has its own unique atmosphere that is created by the vastly different kinds of art that affects every Austinites life. From a simple post on Instagram of the famous “Greetings from Austin” mural made by Todd Sanders, to ACL fest in Zilker park, local art is inescapable for native Austinites and tourists alike.

“We have immense talent in Austin and it seems to be limitless supply of artists of many different mediums” -Lynnie Goodman Art in the Heart of Texas

Art for the People, located on 1711 S 1st street, Austin, Texas

“Part of what people like about Austin is the character, and I think the art world is highly involved in that character,” Hallie Rae Ward, the business director at Art for the People, says.

Business’ often hire spray paint artists or painters to paint murals on the sides of their building seeing as it brings in more tourists and native Austinites.

Art for the People is a fun store that features art of all mediums from Austin artists. It has exhibitions featuring almost 150, featuring art ranging from lip balms to oil paintings.

Examples of this are the “Hi how are you?” mural on the side of the “Thai, How Are You?” restaurant. With the expansion of these murals comes more art of all types. Things like painted fiberglass cows from the CowParade and Hope Outdoor Gallery.

“We have immense talent in Austin and it seems to be limitless supply of artists of many different mediums,” Lynnie Goodman, the creative director and Artisan Market Maven at Art for the People, says. According to Goodman, Austin has always been a art driven city but as of late it seems as if a now mural pops up every hour, each one more beautiful than the last.

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“Though I think there still is more meshing of the different communities here in Austin especially in the art world,but as you can see with the murals, they have and are sort of everywhere now and I think that’s a great sign of Austin promoting art and local artist culture” Ward says.

Murals especially are a huge part of Austin culture. They convey ideas from all around Austin and represent the individuality of each Austinite. “We basically live in art, for example over here you have a piece that’s done, its very contemporary, and then we have these pieces these very sculptural ceramic pieces that enhance that piece of art but are a totally different thing. And then you have a photograph hanging over it. So I think it all enhances and ties together with each other” Deanna Serra,the owner and founder of Art for the People, says. In Austin the art around the city compliments each other, and even though a lot of the pieces are wildly different from each other, they came together to make the art that Austin people know and love, according to Serra.

“There is something that touches every single person when it comes to art.” - Deanna Serra

(From left) Hallie Rae Ward, Deanna Serra, and Lynnie Goodman.

Art in the Heart of Texas

Art for the People Storefront

“It affects everything. Everything is art. When people come in this building and they experience this they go out and it goes out to the community. I think that there is something that touches every single person when it comes to art,” Serra says. No matter where people come from or where they are going, every single person can find some form of art in Austin that touches them and is meaningful.

“It affects everything. Everything is art.” - Deanna Serra

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Art for a greater cause

Photo By: Arte From the Streets Displayed photos at Art Frm the Streets Foundation in Austin,Texas

Art Beyond the Canvas

Art Beyond the Canvas Art for a greater cause By: Noor Elhagehassan

s of 2016, there were 2,138 homeless people in Austin, Texas, and as of 2017, 91% of plastic was not being recycled. Art in Austin has continuously grown, and has become much more than just pen on paper. Austin is home to many traditional festivals, including South by Southwest, Austin City Limits and many more where growing artists have displayed their work, whether acoustic or physical. Artists have also started making art for a cause greater than the public’s pleasure; sometimes for the benefit of others and sometimes for the whole world’s convenience.

“I am outwardly critiquing the superficial society we have created” -Virginia Fleck The foundation Art From the Streets and artist Virginia Fleck are examples of two ideas that have grown to benefit more than themselves. Through eco-friendly art, and art that helps individuals get back up on their feet, the two have given back to their communities . Kelly Worden, Art From the Streets executive director, and Virginia Fleck, environment friendly artist, two local Austinites, both had a dream to help the community around them, and they succeeded. The story of these two is inspirational to all, and is one that should be heard. Virginia Fleck, born and raised in Austin, makes ironic mandalas out of plastic bags, that have been displayed all over the world. She said, “I make mandalas, ironic mandalas, that incorporate my concerns with society, and quite frankly, I am outwardly critiquing the superficial society we have created.” 38

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Photo By: Virginia Fleck. Flecks Wish House, Dream House installation at the Dolby Art Center.

Fleck has spent more than twelve years creating these sardonic mandalas that are “offending” society. She said, “I am critiquing society when I make these, they are ironic mandalas but it’s in a way that is less threatening and you can kinda laugh at it when you realize this is the opposite of real mandalas.” Fleck believes that society is commercialized, and plastic bags help convey the negative message. She said, “one of my main concerns when I started making these was the consumerism angle and how especially young women were being targeted. Commercializing makes girls constantly trying to reach an ideal-which usually isn’t the one they are born with. Just being the mother of a young woman’s part of why I started this.” She started making these mandalas when her daughter was a young girl, and she added, “I make many pieces that are difficult for people to wrap their head around the irony, so I just keep them for my own amusement.” “I started doing this right when the whole world started to say ‘we’ve got to upcycle and recycle!’” said Fleck. She

hopes to convey a message about how anyone can upcycle and recycle.

Four years back, she did a project at the Dolby Art Center, using bottle caps and safety pins.“I strung like 16,000 of Fleck’s collection of her “zillions” of bags is impressive to those into a chain and created the shape of a house and any ordinary person. “I just think that artists led the way strung it with some wire and it was put up at the dolby art with the whole upcycling recycling, or made it beautiful and center years ago. And the thing about them is that they’re made people notice the things,” she said. just hanging in space and you approach them from a distance and you just think it’s sparkling glass, and then as Her love for art started when she was two years old, and she you get closer you realize like “oh, those are my cat food is glad that it has continuously grown. She said, “usually, cans and my water, beer, soda, whatever cans””, said Fleck. hospitals have art consultants who google eco-friendly artists and, in hospitals the art needs to be sealed so they can She is currently taking a tech class at UT that teaches her be long lasting and be there for the patients amusements how to use LED lights and how to make all the components forever”. of her art move. “It’s like we have these things in our house and we see them all our lives and pass them through our Fleck has had one of her murals hung up in a children’s hands, and they are like the throwaways we don’t think hospital in New York city. She said, “one of the things about. So I’m like, “well, I’m gonna turn them into beauty so I’m really attracted to as an artist is the simplicity.”In her that we have a new appreciation of the ordinary””, she said. mandalas, Fleck likes to show the crinkles and tape because she likes showing the beauty of the original. She said “I like To collect her bags, Fleck asks her friends and family using plastic bags, as well as another form of art with bottle members for contributions, and occasionally goes into local caps and rings.”

Photo By: Virginia Fleck One of Flecks many mandalas, “Pink Paris Mandalas” created in 2011.

Art Beyond the Canvas

grocery stores and asks for bags. She said “I think it just makes you feel better about yourself because we really are taken over by the consumer messages to be better, and if it’s not about our own body, then it is about our house, or our car, or our dog”.

income and friendships. We create a community with our volunteers and the homeless” said Kelly Worden. Kelly Worden said that “95% of all art sales for shows go directly to the artist’s”, to allow them to get back up on their feet. The artists do all of their own work, with assistance from each other. Worden said “each artist enjoys the community and work with each other. They help teach each other” said Kelly Worden The hope for the future is that AFTS will have their own large space, to be able to help more people. “We would love to have our own space to create art each day. Offer opportunities to give instruction, ceramics and sculpture,” said Worden. Worden is really proud of how far AFTS has come, and believes that all of their hard work has not gone unappreciated. She said “we are excited about each of our artists! Many have gotten off the streets, for good and some only temporarily. We celebrate all accomplishments. We want them to be safe, happy and creating.

Photo by: Virginia Fleck The structure of Flecks “Wsih House, Dream House”, shown at the Dolby Art Center

According to the EPA, in the United States, citizens use over 380 billion plastic bags and wraps a year. Fleck said she “would like to stop the consumption of plastic bags, and I am trying to limit the commercialization in young societies” The message that Fleck wishes to convey, is this. “We are constantly getting the message that we are not enough, and you’re in this constant state of looking, trying to fill the ideal picture. but you don’t need to do that.” One of the growing organizations in Austin, is Art From the Streets. Kelly Worden is the executive director at Art From the Streets. Worden said that “the mission of Art From the Streets is to provide a safe and encouraging environment in which the positive spirit and creativity of homeless and formerly homeless people is nurtured through artistic expression, and to provide them with a source of pride and income through the sale of their work.” Art from the streets was founded after homelessness became a major problem in Austin’s community. The goal of AFTS is to “give them a safe place to create. We treat them with humanity, care and love. They gain self esteem, a little 40

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Photo From: ARt From The Streets Foundation Artist Jeremiah Hurta’s painting “Continuity”.

Photo By: Noor Elhagehassan One of Fleckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many mandalas placed in her studio.

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Must See Austin Planning a trip to Austin? Want to look at the art scene? These artists from the earilier stories are essential to the Austin experience and really show what makes Austin werid! By Monica Jones Patrick Dougherty This southern artist is a special type of builder. His love for nature inspired him to start using more traditional building techniques and materials. Now he uses sticks and twigs to make beautiful twisting and turning houses. He has built over 250 of these statues and is a must see artist in Austin.

Bella Glasel An Austin artist enthralled by music. She uses her art to compose what she hears in songs as pieces of art and as a way of transcribing the beauty of the world. This is truly a unique must see artist in Austin.

Eileen McKeon Butt An artist who fell in love with the stars when she was young is a perfect example of the Art Science movement in Austin. From the time she saw the first moon landing Butt has been trying to capture the stars in her paintings. Her work is shown in the Art Science Gallery.

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Jennie Tudor Gray A local artist teacher and artist who likes to put a flare of science into her artistic style. Famous for her Astronomy series where she used an old astronomy book and painted galaxies on top of it. This Austin arstis is a must see and you can check her work out at the recent Art Science Gallery exhibit, Solar. Photo by TOP editor Todd Ross Nienkerk.

Rory Skagen This artist is truly iconic as he embodies all that’s great about Photo by Jennie Tudor-Gray the Austin art community. Skagen makes pop art postcards though he is most famous for his murals such as the “Greetings from Austin” mural. He is a must see artist that works to paint Austin all with all of its beautiful colors.

Photo by Lorie Shaull

Vince Hannemann An artist who built a quite unique Austin attraction, a sculpture that contains over 60 pieces of junk, the The Cathedral of Junk. This monolith is made of the castaways of mass production and other electronic devices. This monumental sculpture lays in Hannemann’s unassuming backyard at 4422 Lareina Dr., Austin, TX.

Must See Austin

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