Exploring Art This Summer

Austin is known for its creativity. With good reason. Not only are we home to some world-class museums like the Blanton, with the nation’s largest University-owned collection on exhibit, and the Harry Ransom Center, featuring the First Photograph and Gutenberg Bible, but we’re also home to plenty of artists themselves. You can explore the work of designers, painters, sculptors, writers, photographers, filmmakers, dancers, and musicians here, at any time of year, any day of the week, in a variety of venues.

The following are a few options to consider:

• The Contemporary Austin-Laguna Gloria is a former home an now a museum on the shores of Lake Austin. DON’T MISS: After viewing the works inside the villa, head outside to see the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park and the museum’s gorgeous grounds overlooking Lake Austin. Visit Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve right up the street to see gardens and peacocks roaming the grounds.

• Blanton Museum of Art is one of the largest university art museums in the U.S. Museum admission is always free on Thursdays. On the third Thursday of each month, the museum remains open until 9 pm. DON’T MISS: The “Old Field Girls” painting by Texas artist Jerry Bywaters and the “How to Build Cathedrals” installation by Latin American artist Cildo Meireles, which features more than 600,000 pennies. 

• Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum is a museum and outdoor sculpture garden centered on the artistic works of American sculptor Charles Umlauf. DON’T MISS: The “Spirit of the Flight” statue, a smaller version of the one near the main entrance to Dallas Love Field Airport, and “Lotus” a sculpture of a hippo that happens to be one of Charles Umlauf’s most famous pieces.

• LBJ Presidential Library is the presidential library and museum of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th president of the United States. DON’T MISS: The replica of President Johnson’s Oval Office, including three TV sets he used to watch the news.

• Harry Ransom Center is an archive, library and museum at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in the collection of literary and cultural artifacts. Check their online calendar for special guided tours happening most days this summer. DON’T MISS: The Guttenberg Bible, the first book printed in the West with moveable metal type.

• The Thinkery which is a great place in the Mueller area of town to take your kiddos for an afternoon of interactive adventures. If you have the time to explore, Mueller also offers a fantastic playground, Mueller lake trail, Lick Ice Cream, and the Farmer’s Market on Sundays.

• The Texas Music Museum, the Museum of Ice Cream, Mexic-Arte Museum are other places to consider going to see art just to name a few. If you want to go out and support local artists, the first Saturday of every month Canopy has “Open Canopy” from 1-4 pm. This artist venue located in East Austin showcases a monthly celebration of art and the creative process. 

Summer is a great time to explore all the art in and around our beautiful city.  Not only are the museums and galleries a cool place to see cool art, but they are also wonderful places to cool off!

Happy start of summer and enjoy supporting some local art!