Art City Sneak Peek

Austin's biggest art festival returns with some colorful surprises for 2016

Art City Austin has new additions in store for 2016.

Art City Austin is back and bigger than ever with a new location, a new concept, and some of the art world's most promising creators. The festival, April 29 through May 1, is the culmination of a national jury selection process that chooses the best artists from across the country to exhibit and sell their work in the Capital City.

For its 66th anniversary, Art City Austin relocates to the Palmer Events Center, the former site of the City Coliseum, where the festival began as Art Mart in 1950.

"We're very excited about this move," says Asa Hursh, executive director of Art Alliance Austin, which organizes the festival. "The Palmer is going to be a greatly improved location with ample parking, more shade, indoor and outdoor exhibitions, indoor restrooms, and other enhancements ... while still providing what our patrons expect — the best and biggest art marketplace in Central Texas, complete with music, food, and kids activities."

The new location allows for even more talent and spectacular art. A new indoor gallery will display contemporary work from galleries across Texas and self-represented artists, similar to national art fairs. And, once again, the festival will feature the Black Fret Music Stage, presented by KGSR. The lineup will include a number of Black Fret grant recipients and other Austin artists.

More than 100 artists will display their work at the festival, including Kristi Abbott, who creates pop art portraits of celebrities; Tom Beach, whose Austin company Beachwalker Boxes handcrafts boxes from unique woods; Radim Schreiber, a photographer and videographer whose Firefly Experience project is awe-inspiring; and Haley LeBeuf, who creates simple, beautiful jewelry.

Art City Austin takes place April 29 through May 1. Tickets range from $10 for a single-day pass to $50 for the Collectors Pass, which includes access to two Friday night receptions and a three-day pass to the festival. Kids 12 and under get in free.

For a full list of artists and galleries at the festival, visit Art Alliance Austin's website.

festivals

Check out these 6 Austin hotels for a swanky summer staycation

A drink at Wax Myrtle's at the Thompson Hotel Austin

Katherine Stinson

A margarita at Wax Myrtle's

Summer is in full swing, and you know what that means – time to staycation!

We've already rounded up some of the best Austin hotel pools for a summer day pass, but when you're needing max relaxation, here are some of the best Austin hotels for a more extended stay.

For the traveler who just wants peace, quiet and good food.
If you're eager to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Austin, head over to the Omni Barton Creek for authentic rest, relaxation, and a good meal or two at the Blind Salamander. When we say it's quiet out at the Omni Barton Creek, we're not kidding. With an incredible full-service spa, a gym that makes Lifetime look flimsy, multiple pools and restaurants, and a golf course, the Omni Barton Creek is the ideal getaway for solo travelers seeking solitude, couples wanting privacy, or foodies wanting to take a culinary tour of the hotel's seven, yes, seven, in-house restaurants.

For the traveler who wants a side of history with their hotel booking.
Did you even visit Austin if you didn't take a photo on the iconic Driskill Hotel staircase? Originally established by a rich cattle baron back in the 1800s (yes, his name was Colonel Driskill), the Driskill Hotel has become the historic hotel to stay at in downtown Austin. In addition to the decadent interior design. and iconic restaurants, the Driskill has also played host to a vast array of festivals like the Austin Film Festival and the ATX TV Festival. Do yourself a favor and order a Batini from the Driskill Bar when a festival is going on at the hotel — you might just spot a celebrity or two.

For the traveler seeking a bonafide Instagram-worthy experience without leaving their hotel.
Lavaca St is home to the Hotel ZaZa, a boutique hotel that has a variety of themed suites (from a log cabin room to a suite that looks like a rockstar designed it), the Za Spa, and in-house dining experiences like Group Therapy and the picturesque cabana bar. So put on your best Austin outfit, order yourself an Audrey Hepburn Timeless Rita from Group Therapy, and live your best Instagram-worthy life at the Hotel ZaZa.

For the traveler that wants to be close to all the action and have access to one of the best rooftop bars in town.
The Thompson Hotel Austin is centrally located in downtown Austin on San Jacinto Blvd, with all the luxury amenities that the Thompson brand is known for, in addition to the gem that is their rooftop bar — Wax Myrtle's. The view of the Austin skyline at Wax Myrtle's can be paired perfectly with one of the bar's many signature cocktails. Don't forget to bring your bathing suit because there will more than likely be a rooftop pool party happening at Wax's during your stay!

For the traveler wanting the best views (and also peace and quiet).
Rounding out our list is the Hotel Loren, an elegant getaway with stunning views of Lady Bird Lake and Nido, a rooftop restaurant that has gone viral on social media. The Hotel Loren definitely has some of the best views in town, and while it's a bit further away from downtown Austin than the Thompson or the ZaZa, it's still relatively close by. The Hotel Loren also has the Milk + Honey spa, a pool and fitness center, and of course, a coffee shop.

For the traveler wanting to feel like a local celeb
The Fairmount Austin literally has a Gold experience for this very reason! Get the full VIP treatment at the Fairmount without having a single movie credit to your name. This hotel is a Forbes Travel Guide four-star property, with a heated swimming pool, seven bars and restaurants (Garrison for example, is a quintessential dining experience), and a spa.