A Street Artist's E.A.S.T. Picks

An Austin street artist fills us in on his picks for weekend two of E.A.S.T

See artists in action throughout the tour.

Photo by Alicia Vega

Editor's note: The East Austin Studio Tour is a wonderful chance to discover the artists — and the workspaces — that serve a critical role in our city's creative scene. This year, we asked local artists for their can't-miss-picks for the 2013 E.A.S.T.

Jeremy Galloway is an Austin-based Renaissance man of sorts who has been living, working, cycling and making street art in Austin for more than five years. In addition to his work, Galloway is a volunteer for Big Medium, the nonprofit organization that runs E.A.S.T. and supports artists in Texas.

1. Blue Genie Danger Derby
916 Springdale Road Bldg. 4 Ste. 102 – E.A.S.T. #57.7b

For just about everyone: The danger derby is a "no-rules" pinewood derby race that features a 120-foot-long track with all kinds of dangerous elements thrown in — even fire! Folks who picked up their kits on the first weekend of E.A.S.T have had a week to prepare their derby cars. Winners get a big trophy — and bragging rights.

For spectators, there will be plenty of food, booze and entertainment, plus you can watch a derby race. Everyone wins!

2. FEAST E.A.S.T.
914 Shady Lane – E.A.S.T. SEE.10

For the foodie family types: Located at the Rain Lily Farm, this event provides a chance for the whole family to relax and take a breather before continuing through the rest of the tour. Snacks, lunch items and drinks are served starting at noon. Kids inspired by the art they're seeing can take part in children's crafts stations including mask-making, beekeeping, hula-hooping, seed planting and much more.

For adults who enjoy a libation or two, happy hour runs 3 pm - 6 pm and features music and local brews. (Tip: The artists' closing party will be held on Sunday, November 24, 6 pm - 9 pm.)

3. Hot Glass Cold Beer
507 Calles Street #120 — E.A.S.T. 136

For the rastas and smokerz: Limited handmade glassware for $25 at the door, plus free beer courtesy of Mettle. All proceeds from the auction go to support Big Medium. Check out the onsite gallery and support local hand crafted glass art! (Tip: Everyone should bookmark our mobile site. It is where everything is!)

4. Hops for Hope (A Spratx/ HOPE event)
Vuca — 411 Monroe Street

For the street art fans: Though it's not in East Austin, make sure to end your weekend at this art extravaganza. Featuring live art by local street art collective Spratx, music by DJ Orion, T Bird and the Breaks, and The Chorderoys, this is a party with a cause. This event "pairs art, design and culture with the beauty of beer." And, honestly, who doesn't appreciate the beauty of beer?

Featured brewers include Hops & Grains, Austin Beerworks, South Austin Brewing Company and many more. Tapas Bravas, The Seedling Truck and La Condesa will all be rolling in their food trucks to provide snacks.

Proceeds from this event go to HOPE Outdoor Gallery, HOPE Farmers Market and HOPE Music Sponsorship Fund.

Close out your weekend at the Spratx HOPE party.

Photo by Jon Shapley

Close out your weekend at the Spratx HOPE party.

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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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