Art for All

Renowned Affordable Art Fair with $100 pieces to make Austin debut

Collecting art isn't just for the uber-wealthy.

Photo courtesy of Affordable Art Fair

Austin's vibrant art scene gains an exciting new addition this May with the launch of the Affordable Art Fair.

From May 16-19, the Palmer Events Center will host the internationally renowned event's inaugural Texas show, attracting more than 50 galleries and thousands of extraordinary contemporary works priced from $100 to $10,000. This launch follows popular fairs in New York, London, Amsterdam, and other cities.

The Affordable Art Fair brings together local talent alongside national and international names. The event features a diverse array of creative mediums, including paintings, prints, sculptures, and photography, catering to various tastes and budgets. Festival-goers can browse the booths as they discover emerging talents and established artists alike.

"Art fairs provide a stage for both artists and attendees to experience local and international talent through the eyes of industry professionals,” said fair director Cori Teague in an email to CultureMap. “Bringing together over 55 galleries worldwide in a single venue, these events serve as a unique space for artists and visitors to enhance their understanding of art and further cultivate their connoisseurship. At Affordable Art Fair we give a platform to not just look at contemporary art, but to experience it."

The event aims to create an accessible entry point to the art world for both seasoned collectors and newcomers. Guests can chat with gallery experts, join tours and panel discussions, and attend workshops to learn the art of buying. Educational initiatives aren't just for adults; The fair also offers family-friendly workshops, fostering a love for art in the young minds of Austin.

"There are no dumb questions in the art world: Always ask!” said Teague. “When the art world oooohs and aaahhs over a dead shark in a tank of formaldehyde, all questions become relative. So if you have questions about a piece of art, ask."

For first time attendees and art buyers, Teague suggests, "Fundamentally, there is only one reason to buy art: LOVE. The true investment when purchasing a piece of art is the joy it brings you every day in your home or office. It might be cheesy, but it’s true: A life without risk is no risk at all—be brave and confident.”

She also adds that intuition is important when buying a piece. Sure, guests can agonize over what colors will match the couch or what themes will please their in-laws. But that’s not very artful.

“Some of the most rewarding pieces I own are the ones that initially made me step outside of my comfort zone," they said. "Do not worry about what others think; This piece is for you and you only."

Celebrating Austin's own, the fair will feature works by notable local artists such as B. Shawn Cox, America Martin, and Adrian Armstrong, represented by esteemed galleries Davis Gallery and Framing, Wally Workman Gallery, and Flatbed Press, respectively. Additionally, the fair will highlight contributions from other Texas galleries such as Dimmitt Gallery from Houston.

The Affordable Art Fair runs May 16-19 at the Palmer Events Center. Early Bird GA sales ($12) end February 29. Visit affordableartfair.com for tickets.

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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