Under Cover of Darkness

Austin's Creek Show transforms park with glowing night art for 10th year

Waterloo Greenway is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its beloved light-based art exhibition, Creek Show. This year it reaches new heights, inviting back acclaimed Creek Show alumni to transform Waller Creek into another immersive display of light and art. These glowing works will be on display from November 8-16.

Creek Show shines a light on the ongoing transformation of Waller Creek into a revitalized network of urban parks and trails. The annual art display aims to garner public enthusiasm and support for the urban planning project. For many visitors, it's their first time exploring the winding creek under Austin's streets.

Ausitn Creek Show "Shadows of Former Self" "Shadows of Former Self" by Jules Buck Jones

Photo courtesy of Waterloo Greenway Conservancy

The 10th annual Creek Show brings back previous artists and designers to light up Waller Creek.

To fit the occasion, the installations weave together themes of nature, time, and the power of light. Artists explore the dynamic relationship between the natural and built environments, prompting reflection on how they shape one another. Underpinning these artistic explorations is a thread of sustainability and an appreciation for the delicate balance of the natural world.

This year's show features a notable lineup of light-based installations. Some installations, like “Alluvial” by Plume Design Lab will explore the interplay of light and form through geometric compositions. For those seeking an interactive experience, "Waller Creek High, A School for Extraordinary Fish" by Polis is one to see. Building upon the lore introduced in Creek Show 2018, it features vibrant, touch-activated fish sculptures that pulse with color.

Austin Creek Show "Waller Creek High, A School for Extraordinary Fish" "Waller Creek High, A School for Extraordinary Fish" by Polis (Daniel Goodwin and Bruce Wilcoxon)Rendering courtesy of Waterloo Greenway Conservancy

“The Ghost Boat: Through the Looking Glass” is where ghost stories and artwork meet. It's a narrative-driven piece following a local Austinite who vanished without a trace while captivated by the allure of the creek. Now, after five years, the spirit of this lost soul, known as the Ghost Boat, has reached a place of peace and transcendence.

Creek Show also aims to spark contemplation with installations like "Night Watch" by Legge Lewis Legge, Britt Moseley, and Level on the Level. This piece features large illuminated eyes, speaking to the unseen dimensions of urban spaces.

Austin Creek Show "Night Watch" "Night Watch" by Legge Lewis Legge, Britt Moseley, and Level on the LevelRendering courtesy of Waterloo Greenway Conservancy

“Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Creek Show is a testament to the power of light, creativity, and community,” said its co-founder and artistic director Ingrid Spencer in a press release. Her background in architecture (she is currently the executive director of Austin's The American Institute of Architects chapter) underscores the smart logistics of this walking outdoor gallery.

“Over the past decade, this unique installation series has captivated the imaginations of architects, landscape architects, and artists, drawing hundreds of thousands of Austinites and visitors to experience the magic of Waterloo Greenway," she continued. "Creek Show has not only illuminated our cityscape but has also shone a spotlight on the vital restoration and revitalization efforts of Waller Creek, fostering a deeper connection to our urban parks and their ecological importance."

The show also schedules daily theme nights to keep things fresh throughout the show. More information about this year's calendar is available here.

Tickets (starting at $6) for Creek Show are on sale now at waterloogreenway.org. From November 8-16, visitors can explore the enchanting installations each evening from 6-10 pm.

creek show visual art nature parks

New

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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