11 Places to Check out in Austin for World Art Day

Painting, sculpture, music, literature, dance, and other artistic forms of expression (even makeup artistry!) are often considered to be the repository of a society’s collective state-of-being and memory. Artistic expression not only offers a window into the culture of people, but even has the power to influence by showing us new perspectives, questioning the status quo, and translating experiences across space and time.


Art also has utilitarian influences on society. For example, there is a proven demonstrable correlation between school children’s performance in math and literacy with the learning of music.  The National Endowment for the Arts also points out that the production of arts and cultural goods and services has an economic impact of nearly one trillion dollars annually in the United States alone.


At Renzoe Box, we are Where Beauty Meets Brains, and we believe the artistic world is very much at the center of this junction. Today, for World Art Day, make sure to take some time to appreciate the art of the world around you today. For those of you in the Austin, TX area, we’ve compiled a list of 11 places to check out!

 

Austin Art Garage (@austinartgarage)

2200 S. Lamar Blvd. STE J
Austin, TX 78704
A large, open room with concrete flooring, white walls, and bright lighting. Many colorful paintings hang on the walls. More artworks are displayed along wall shelves that are about two feet above the ground.

Austin Art Garage is a great place to view and purchase art from local artists. Pieces can be viewed online and in person at. All work is made by local artists in Austin of all different backgrounds. Become part of these artists’ story while they are still early in the career. There is something for everyone!

Hours: Wed-Fri 12-6pm, Sat-Sun 12-5pm

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Blanton Museum of Art (@blantonmuseum)

200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Austin, TX 78712

An image of a white, curved roof building with twelve square-shaped, stained glass windows arranged in a circular pattern. Each window is a different color.

The Blanton Museum of Art is the primary art collection for the city of Austin with more than 19,000 pieces in their collection. There is art from across all ages, from ancient greek pottery to abstract expressionism. There are a number of places nearby to park, such as Brazos Parking Garage or Trinity Garage. 

Tickets are required for entry. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors. However, you can get in for $5 with a valid student ID, as well as for free for members, UT students, children under 12, military ID holders, and teachers!

A museum gallery room with white walls and multi-colored wood flooring. There are artworks displayed along the walls and a brown sculpture in the room. There is a black bench in the middle of the room.

*Special Deal: Free Thursdays

Hours: Wed-Sat 10am-1pm and 2-5pm, Sun 2-5pm

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UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum (@umlaufsculpture)

605 Azie Morton Rd.
Austin, TX 78704

A lush, green garden with many different kinds of plants. There is a statue of a woman being held aloft by a man who is kissing her in the foreground. In the background, there is another statue of a woman and a bridge behind her.

The UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum features the work of Charles Umlauf and other visual and performing artists in a museum and a garden type setting. The UMLAUF provides educational, as well as cultural, experiences to encourage the understanding and appreciation of nature, sculpture, and the arts all in one place. The garden is home to over 40 sculptures all within the nature of the garden. Inside the gallery, there are rotating exhibits that hold Umlauf's more obscure pieces of work. There are also a few displays from other artists inside as well. There are everyday activities for children and art-lovers of all ages.

Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students with a valid ID, $1 for those ages 13-17, and free for members, children under 12, and active duty military and veterans.

Hours: Tues-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm

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Mexic-Arte Museum (@mexic_arte)

419 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701

An open gallery room with white walls that have black trim on the borders and dark wood floors. Several black and white artworks adorn the walls.

The Mexic-Arte Museum serves to enrich the community through education programs, exhibits, and the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture. It is great for visitors of all ages. They also offer guided tours to provide visitors with a unique cultural experience. Make sure to check out the event calendar on their website to all of the upcoming events and exhibits!

Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, $1 for children 12 and under, and free for members and active duty military personnel (and up to five family members).

Hours: Mon-Thurs 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm

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West Chelsea Contemporary (@wcc.art)

1009 W. 6th St. #120
Austin, TX 78703

 

11621 Rock Rose Ave. Suite 116
Austin, TX 78758

With a location in downtown Austin, as well as at the Domain, West Chelsea Contemporary offers works by names such as Banksy, Alex Katz, Damien Hirst, KAWS, Hunt Slonem, Takashi Murakami, and Andy Warhol. Representing emerging and mid-career artists working in a range of mediums, the gallery’s program focuses on 20th century and contemporary art, with a particular specialty in American, Asian and European post-war movements. Today the gallery maintains an exhibition space totaling more than 7,800 square feet.

Downtown Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-6pm
Domain Hours: Mon-Thurs 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 12-8pm, Sun 12-6pm

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The Contemporary Austin (@contemporaryatx)

700 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701

The Contemporary Austin Jones Center is home to a number of exhibitions by acclaimed contemporary artists. They have a full calendar of cultural opportunities in an architecturally significant building. The Moody Rooftop is open to the public during all museum hours. Here visitors can experience Jim Hodges's iconic sculpture With Liberty and Justice for All (A Work in Progress), as well as breathtaking views of Austin's downtown skyline. The Moody Rooftop alo holds many museum programs throughout the year, so make sure to check out their calendar for all of their events!

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and free for members, those under 18, essential workers, and military personnel. Tickets are required in advance and can be purchased online.

 

Hours: Thurs-Sun 12-5pm

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Big Medium (@bigmediumaustin)

916 Springdale Rd. Bldg 2 #101
Austin, TX 78702

Big Medium is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to supporting artists and building community through the arts in Austin and across Texas. Big Medium provides endless opportunities for all artists to create, exhibit, and discuss their work, while being able to connect to an engaged and diverse audience.

Hours: Thurs-Sat 12-6pm (by appointment only)

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Mayfield Park and Nature Reserve (@mayfieldpark)

3505 W. 35th St.
Austin, TX 78703

Mayfield Park is a historic cottage, garden, and nature preserve that is overlooking Lake Austin. The nature reserve has 21 acres of hiking trails, a creek, shaded gardens, lily and koi fish ponds, and peacocks, too! The hiking is beginner level and introduces viewers to a variety of different plants. Whether you are an artist looking for a place full of inspiration or a lover of beauty wanting to enjoy the art of nature itself, this is a great place to check out.

It is free to the public.

Hours: Sun-Sat 5am-10pm

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Canopy (@canopyaustin)

916 SPRINGDALE RD
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78702

Located in East Austin, Canopy is home to a variety of artist studios, creative office spaces, and art galleries, as well as a café. These spaces are linked together with communal courtyards and covered breezeways, that emphasize the connectedness between art, culture, and the public. Art galleries and events can be seen by the public, but individuals or groups can also lease out a workspace or studio themselves or for a group.

Hours: Every artist and gallery has different hours of operations

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Ao5 Gallery (@ao5gallery)

3005 S. Lamar Blvd. Ste C-110B
Austin, TX 78704

Ao5 Gallery is Austin’s largest contemporary art gallery, and is committed to bringing a wide selection of fine art to Austin. The gallery has artists from six of the seven continents and is constantly changing their displays of featured artists to attract new visitors and keep the gallery fresh. They also offer custom framing of pieces purchased. Make sure to check out the calendar on their website to get all the information for all upcoming events!

Hours: Mon Thurs-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm

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Wonderspaces Austin (@wonderspacesaustin)

1205 Sheldon Cove #2-A
Austin, TX 78753


Wonderscapes is a 28,000 square foot location that currently features 12 immersive, interactive, and conversation-provoking works of art. New artworks rotate in every few months, creating an ever-evolving, year-round show.


Tickets are $24 for adults, $20 for seniors, military, teachers, students, and healthcare workers, and $15 for children under the age of 12 must be purchased online before arrival.

Hours: Wed-Thurs 3-10pm, Fri 4-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-8pm

 

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