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The Arboretum colors Austin summer shopping with fine art events

Ao5 gallery interior at the Austin Arboretum.

Arboretum art galleries Ao5 and ArtUs Co announced a series of summer events to connect art lovers with makers.

Photo courtesy of Ao5 Gallery

The Arboretum, Austin’s outdoor mall constantly making other malls look sleepy, has arts events programmed through the rest of the summer. The receptions, live paintings, and even a fashion show are hosted by two art spaces: one of Austin’s top galleries, Ao5, and maker space-gallery hybrid ArtUs Co.

First up on Friday, July 22 is a spotlight at Ao5 featuring Austin artist Brandon Snow, whose silk screen printed photos include artifacts that blur the line between process and abstraction. Snow is self-taught through a process of trial and error, creating even more opportunity for unusual byproducts in his prints, often of still-life subjects and self-made sculptures. From 6 pm to 8 pm, the gallery known for its social events invites patrons to meet the artist for a free happy hour.

Similar opportunities to meet creators are planned during Ao5’s “Endless Summer Weekend” on August 12 and 13, which includes live paintings by Mexican artist Gabriela Villarreal, a reception with Villarreal and Southern California contemporary painter Carrie Graber, and pop-ups by jewelry maker Cassandra Collections. The gallery will also host an opening reception on August 27 featuring its famously large collection of Dr. Seuss works — in this case, the artist and writer’s concept drawings.

ArtUs Co offers three more events, starting with “Heat Waves” on Saturday, July 23, curated by Natassia Wilde and Loria Mendoza. The showcase features works by more than 30 artists, all on the topic of heat (something Austinites at this point in the year may find more interesting on canvas than in practice). Next on July 29, another Mexican-trained artist, Jorge Najera, lends his organic, textured works for study in "Perpetual Passion." Both events include cocktails and live music, plus other fun activities.

The collective is closing the month with “Fashion State of Mind” on July 31, which sends local clothes and accessories down the gallery’s staircase and runway. Curated by Courtney Crash of ATX Thrift and Natassia Wilde of Wilde Art Curations, it’s all for sale after the show. Curators and makers will be there to connect and enjoy the music, drinks, and photo opps.

These curated events are the norm at the Arboretum, which unites its shopping, dining, and entertainment with fun activations to kick window shopping up a notch to an outing to plan around. More information on the upcoming programming is available at thearboretum.com.

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Historic Austin museum will close for more than a year for restoration

Photo courtesy of the City of Austin

The Elisabet Ney Museum will close at the end of 2024 and reopen in mid-2026.

Every building needs some maintenance here or there, and the historic Elisabet Ney Museum needs some extra-special care. Formerly the art studio and residence of its namesake, it's been standing since 1892. It'll spend 2025 in relative solitude, as it undergoes renovation for a year and a half with no visitors allowed.

The museum will close to the public December 30, 2024, and open again in the summer of 2026 if all goes according to plan, a news release from the City of Austin shares. It'll be a quiet period compared to the 21,000 people visiting from around the world each year.

According to a museum overview on the city's website, Elisabet Ney, a European portrait sculptor, bought the property and called her new studio Formosa. She worked on sculptures depicting important Texans like Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston, and collected works of European contemporaries.

The building at 304 East 44th St. includes 3,700 square feet of museum space, which was converted by Ney's friends after her death in 1907. It retains its unique look that juxtaposes a Neo-Classical main studio from 1892 with a later addition from 1902 including a tower for her husband, Edmund, to write in. It is also on 2.5 acres of land, which has largely been restored to its natural state with native species.

A press release lists these tasks (verbatim) within the scope of the new work, referred to as the Capital Improvement Project (CIP):

Restoration of original exterior wood doors and windows
Upgrades and replacement of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system
Replacement of the exhibit and general lighting systems
Repairs to the roof, masonry, plumbing, and interior finishes.

There will also be work to do outside of the building. Workers will replace the pedestrian bridge across Waller Creek, stabilize a 20,000-square-foot portion of the bank, and make the grounds more accessible by adding new pathways.

Funding comes from several sources, according to a release: "the 2012 Bond, Proposition 14, the Parkland Dedication Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, Partners in Preservation through the National Trust, and contributions from the Friends of the Elisabet Ney Museum."

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Historic Austin museum will close for more than a year for restoration