What are you going to see at EAST this year? Need help? Start here with a diverse but expert selection of interesting EAST stops.
Curator Leslie Moody Castro picks:
Leslie Moody Castro is an Independent Curator who splits her time between Mexico City and Austin. She is the curator of next year’s Texas Biennial.
“What I love most about EAST is that I can visit so many artist studios in two weekends, which for me is the best part of the job. My recommendations are all artists that I’ve been following for a few years and all of whom I’m lucky enough to now call friends!” – Leslie
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I have been a huge fan of Rebecca’s work since her show at Gray Duck Gallery last year. Her work shows maturity and thoughtfulness, and she is actively involved in the Austin art scene. At Rebecca’s studio there will also be a pop up shop for Conflict of Interest, a magazine she co-edits with Thao Votang.
Mark’s work intimate and beautiful and definitely relatable anyone. Mark is participating in a group show put together by Gerardo Arellano. This is a good stop to see many artists in one place.
My former junior high, and I’m adding this in because we all need to support younger generations of artists! [/column][end_columns]
PechaKucha’s Lana McGilvray and DJ Stout’s picks:
Lana and DJ are the co-directors of Pecha Kucha Austin’s curatorial board. DJ is a partner at Pentagram Design. Lana is a principal at Blast Public Relations.
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Not only is Jennifer Chenoweth’s home studio a must visit for any lover of drawing, painting, sculptures and installations, it also serves as “home” for so many artists who she rotates in to her E.A.S.T. exhibits each year. Plus, she always has a hot simmering bowl of Pozole cooking to serve up to the many visitors that come by.
From Tim Burtonesque frying pans with birds forged into the handles to more political work, Barry’s wild shop of found object art and metalwork is a true Austin classic and a must visit each year.
A visit to Bolm is a visit to the heart of E.A.S.T. Jana is one of the city’s finest painters and as she simply offers on her listing, she paints to keep her “mind fresh and body dirty”. [/column][end_columns]
SXSW’s Morgan Catalina picks:
Morgan Catalina creates art and social design experiences for SXSW, SXSW Eco and beyond.
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This party is the ideal kick off to EAST. Not only is it exceptionally curated to showcase some of Austin’s best, but its a great place to catch up with friends and get recommendations for the week. Asa didn’t even bribe me to say that, it really was one of the most memorable parties last year.
I love the latest collection inspired by artisan Claire Buck’s travels to Morocco. Her work achieves the difficult balance between simple and striking, and her pieces are elegant classics for every day wear… not to mention her adorable corgi is sure to brighten your day.
I love Vanessa Crook’s bold looks and irreverent style. These pieces are fun, surprising, and fresh – perfect for grown ass women with little to no time for triflin. *only there weekend two*[/column][end_columns]
Austin artist Michael Anthony Garcia picks:
Austin based multi-disciplinary artist and independent curator is also a founding member of Los Outsiders curatorial collective.
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Work shown at this tiny yellow house, annexed as part of the African American Cultural Heritage Facility on 11th street are three up and coming local artists whose talents will charm your pants off. The reflective work spans the artists’ experiences through pop culture southern imagery, racial stereotypes.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Stephen and all I can say is, the beautifully insane imagery in his work is hypnotic and addictive. Add to that the linear renderings of Lindsey Taylor, most known for her choreography and dance work and you have a perfectly varied EASTstop!
This one stop shop is a cornucopia of art goodness. Over twenty artists involved in this endeavor, including Briar Bonifacio, Debra Broz, Rachelle Diaz, Chris Holloway, Federico Archuleta (also at stop 98 and his Just The Tip event on the 19th is a “don’t miss”) and Gerardo Arellano celebrate ten + years of working their tails off to shape the art scene and features contemporary art, film, design, installation and more![/column][end_columns]
grayDUCK Gallery’s Jill Schroeder picks:
Jill Schroeder is the founder and director of grayDUCK Gallery. Jill Schroeder also has a seat on Art Alliance Austin’s board of directors representing Art Austin.
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His show at the Southwest School of Art rocked the planet; even a sampling of the show in his studio will be worth a visit.
This creative couple is making things happen in Austin. Their new gallery Dimension is a great addition to the art scene and I’m excited to see their collaboration at Springdale Station.
John has exhibited in every EAST since the start of the tour. His paintings are beautiful and I want to hear the story of the dead rodent in the painting he posted in the catalogue.[/column][end_columns]
Mexic-Arte’s Rebecca Gomez picks:
Rebecca Gomez, M.A. is Curator of Exhibitions and Programs at Mexic-Arte Museum.
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Around the corner from Canopy, see Anderson’s color field paintings along with his new experimental resin works.
Almuelle’s uniquely crafted figurative use of clay expresses reality and understanding of the human journey.
Partner Program C. Changarrito with Claudia Zapata
Changarrito is a Pop Up mobile art gallery and will feature artistic publications produced by Zapata’s Mapache Bear Press. [/column][end_columns]
Women & Their Work’s Liberty Walker picks
Liberty Walker is the Gallery Director / Volunteer Coordinator at Women & Their Work.
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Visit this jaw dropping temporary outdoor installation of 18k slip cast ceramic Japanese lucky cat figurines arranged in fibonacci spiral. Each ceramic cat is available for adoption. All proceeds go towards the largest no-kill shelter in the region! Stop 355
Don’t resist these beauties! Allow the repetitive fluid ink paintings lead you into a trance while visiting East Stop #16.
With Schwaiger’s latest exhibition Complex 2 leaving the Southwest School of Art on 10/30/2016, one can only hope a few pieces will have made it home to Pump Project for our viewing pleasure! [/column][end_columns]
Artist and professor Dan Sutherland picks:
Dan Sutherland is a painter represented by Moody Gallery in Houston, TX and Dutton Gallery in New York. He is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin.
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KC Crow Maddux’s multi media works combine corporeal and mechanical, elegant and awkward images and processes that posit transformation, hybridity and ambiguity as profound topics for our time.
Mark Goodman, long time Austin based photographer, archivist, lovable curmudgeon and mentor for so many of our cities photographers, always offers quiet, beautifully observed and produced books and photographs. His works make you rethink the way you look at your surroundings.
Emmy Laursen produces small combines of found and manipulated materials. At once formally replete, elegant and autonomous, her works humbly demand collaboration/ completion from a viewer.
Jonas Hart at grayDUCK, in profoundly honest forms, tussles with the subjectivity of painting and his own desire for the concrete and knowable. I am excited to see what he has been working on. [/column][end_columns]
Artists and gallerists Moya and Colin McIntyre’s picks:
Moya and Colin McIntyre are the founders of Dimension Gallery, an East Austin gallery specifically dedicated to exhibiting sculpture and financially aiding artists through municipal grant assistance.
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We don’t mean to brag but this new large-scale outdoor sculpture exhibit at Dimension is not to miss. Thanks to a generous grant from the COA Cultural Arts Division and sponsorship by Big Medium, we have curated 17 monumental pieces under an industrial awning. This show is literally larger than life.
John’s colorful ghostly paintings have been favorites among tour goers since the beginning days of EAST. His charming Irish accent and perfectly executed works will haunt you…in a good way.
We must mention Cherie since we have many of her ethereal collage pieces in our personal collection. Fragments of words, faces, stretched threads, tape, maps, and paper form layers in her work. She assembles various pieces of life in a way that catches your eye and makes you want to look deeper.[/column][end_columns]
Artist and curator Rebecca Marino picks:
Rebecca Marino is an Austin-based visual artist whose work focuses on intimacy and cosmic perspective. She is the co-director and curator for pump project and is co-editor and co-founder of Conflict of Interest.
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Jenny Mulder runs Sister Coffee (connected to Farewell Books). I highly recommend the coffee there and even more highly recommend drinking it out of one of her beautiful mugs. Of course, coffee and mugs aside, I really dig all of the ceramic work I’ve seen from Jenny and am really super excited to check out her studio.
Tara Bhattacharya and Antumbrae Intermedia Events have really been killing it with their programming lately. By introducing more experimental sound art and technology they’re helping to keep our art community fresh and exciting and I really appreciate that.
Had to include this duo on my list. I’ve been a huge fan of their collaborative work for years and this is their first time to participate in the tour. I’m always so impressed, not only with the work they put out, but with how seamless they are together. [/column][end_columns]
UT’s Landmarks’ Catherine Zinser picks:
Catherine Zinser is the education coordinator of Landmark’s, The University of Texas at Austin’s Public Art Program.
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Landmarks loves AIPP’s TEMPO program which funds temporary, site-specific commissions for public places around Austin. The artists play with location and material and present installations that are visually striking and thought provoking. Michael Anthony García’s El Capacitor references the dormant power of Austin’s historical neighborhoods. Interested in seeing more by García, check out the art collective Los Outsiders.
The ARA champions the preservation of the cultural history of East Austin with exhibitions featuring local African American artists. If you are new to the area, see Austin through the eyes of this deeply rooted community.
Continuing our theme of community driven art, Chenoweth “embraces change in my community and world, marking a moment in our collective experience.” The exhibition “Ready for Now” features guest artists and visitors are encouraged to join in an art party! [/column][end_columns]
Curator and gallerist Annie Wells picks:
Annie Wells is Head Curator & Event Planner at Little Pink Monster Gallery. She is an artist and will be displaying work at ARTBASH 2016.
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Old white man living in the heart of the east side decides to quit his super high ranking silicone valley existence to build a two story studio and then paint until the day he dies. Bluebell ice cream and walking five miles a day keep him fit; painting dots (in the 10’s of thousands) on canvas makes him smile. Hidden gem. Totally worth it just to talk synth music with someone who was there when it all began.
New in town. Paints dead birds. His work is haunting, celebratory, sad and romantic. Who doesn’t want an oil painting of dead bird in organic mountain landscape with an over analyzed emotional tale to support its manifestation?
Have you ever participated in a peyote ritual? Channeled something greater than yourself into a language everyone could read? Like Cy Twombly? Heard of Pollock? J.
Paul Jackson caught his last painting on fire while attempting to communicate the “elements” to a crowd of vogue dancers.
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The Contemporary Austin’s Emily Cayton picks:
Emily Cayton, is the Associate Educator for Teachers and Docents at The Contemporary Austin.
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As an artist/educator, I’m forever inspired by the creations by the youngest of artists. In my work in the education department at The Contemporary Austin, I have the privilege of leading studio activities, guiding visitors on tours, and working with Austin’s teachers. Check out awesome art teacher Kiley Grantges over at Ortega Elementary.
Another inspiring MUST is the Art from the Streets exhibition at Camiba Art on East 6th Street. Not only is that gallery and its owner AMAZING, but the AFTS project is incredibly giving and celebratory. The participants are artists from many walks of life with incredible talent that is nurtured weekly at open studio sessions, and the artists take field trips to local museums and galleries.
Last but not least, everyone should scope out Chris Cody’s DJ Dance Party exhibition, stop 87. His drawings are playful and exciting with a great amount of confidence in line and composition, and his dance moves aren’t too shabby either! Each exhibition I’ve seen of Chris Cody’s has been delightful. (I’m lucky enough to have one of his drawings hanging in my home! You should snag one, too.) [/column][end_columns]
EAST Austin Studio Tour
Artist Studios and Exhibitions are free and open on the weekends of November 12-13 & 19-20 from 11am – 6pm.
Happenings are also free and occur on the weekends of November 14-15 & 21-22 at varying times as listed.
Select Events occur between November 14-22 at varying times as listed and may require an entrance fee.
