Future Exhibits
A Celebration of Tenant Power
A Celebration of Tenant Power
BASTA; Building and Strengthening Tenant Action or Buscando Acción y Soladaridad que Transforme el Arrendamiento
May 15, 2024
- August 4, 2024
Central Library - 710 W. César Chávez St.
Living Room (6th Floor)
About the Exhibit
The imbalance of power between landlords and tenants must be corrected to secure housing justice for all people, but most especially for communities of color and low-income, marginalized communities. Building tenant power is the only way to make this change happen, and tenant power is only built by bringing more renters into a housing justice movement that is led by those most impacted. The images shared in this series- images of tenants association meetings, protests, creative organizing tactics, community vigils honoring those lost in the struggle, negotiation meetings with managers, disaster supply distribution, and more- tell the story of growing tenant power in Austin. But to truly build power and address the housing crisis in Austin, the movement needs all of us, and there is a role for everyone. Will you join us? -BASTA
About the Artist
BASTA - (Building and Strengthening Tenant Action or Buscando Acción y Soladaridad que Transforme el Arrendamiento) - ) is a nonprofit project started in 2016 that builds tenant power by bringing underrepresented Austin renters into a housing justice movement fueled by tenant-led organizing, community education, and outreach. Our work is centered on dismantling the systems that prevent tenants from living in dignified and healthy homes. Learn more at bastaaustin.org
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Spirit Animals - An Inspiration
Spirit Animals - An Inspiration
Deesha Agrawal
June 14, 2024
- September 14, 2024
Central Library - 710 W. César Chávez St.
Creative Children's Commons (3rd Floor)
About the Exhibit
Central Library proudly hosts emerging young artist, Deesha Agrawal for an exhibit of artwork in our Tween Lounge, located in the 3rd floor Youth Area.
My art is inspired from animals and nature. Texture and symmetry are always considered for each art inspiration, making the painting come to life. I use watercolors, modeling paste, acrylic paints and many household materials in creating my artwork.
This exhibit focuses on a "Spirit Animal book series" that has 15 great beasts, 5 of whom are reborn as spirit animals to 5 kids; Briggan the Wolf, Uraza the Leopard, Jhi the Panda, and Essix the Falcon, the Evertree and Nianani the Swan.
About the Artist
My name is Deesha Agrawal. I was born in Dallas on March 12th, 2012. I have loved art since I was born. I would create jewelry, paint on canvas, and knit. I sold my first art creation when I was 6 years old. My art is inspired by patterns, textures, nature and animals.
I love reading books. I want to create an art installation from my imagination and the description of the book - Spirit Animals. I like this series as kids work together to save the world. I hope my art will inspire kids to read and think that each one of us can save the world.
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Art From the Streets
Art From the Streets
40 Community Artists
July 27, 2024
- September 29, 2024
Central Library - 710 W. César Chávez St.
Gallery (2nd Floor)
About the Exhibit
Artist Reception: Thursday, August 8, 2024, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Art From the Streets (AFTS) has a large collection of two dimensional work created each year by the unhoused community. 40 diligent artists, in 2023, have participated in the program regularly. Each artist will have 2-3 pieces on display giving them a voice in a professional gallery setting. This voice will show and educate the public about the benefits of art to those unhoused in Austin. Creation in the studio gives each artist a sense of worth, self reliance and a positive community.
About the Artist
AFTS has evolved over the past 30 years in Austin. Beginning with two persons reaching out directly with the unhoused with creative tools and now we have a physical studio space where each artist can engage in a creative workshops, enrichment, studio and community. Our artists have a unique voice, one that cannot be heard in other artist communities. Their art tells the stories of life on the streets, of heartbreak and marginalization, and of lived experiences rich with purpose and meaning. Our artists find healing by telling their stories through their art, and the warm community reception they receive at shows helps to establish them into a place of acceptance and belonging.
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Hijos del Maiz
Hijos del Maiz
Luis Coss
August 12, 2024
- December 31, 2024
Central Library - 710 W. César Chávez St.
Living Room (6th Floor)
About the Exhibit
ARTIST PRESENTATION: September 22, 2024, Central Library's Signature Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Celebration, Time TBD
The exhibition represents the essence of Mexico seen through the eyes of the artist, Luis Coss. Through each piece, one can learn about the pre-Hispanic mythology, the beliefs of our ancestors and how it is still part of today's religion, traditions, and gastronomy.
ARTIST STATEMENT
This exhibition is inspired in the Mexican culture. As the Mayan holy book, Popol Vuj recounts, the Creators and Shapers used white and yellow corn to make the arms and legs of the first four men, then the cob was grounded to create a drink that gave the men strength. Today corn represents all that it's holy, agriculture, mythology and the origin of life, a golden seed that continues giving. The collection has artwork that tells the story of the creation of men, mythology, culture and its evolution. In my artwork I try to teach about the Mexican culture and its mythology. I know I could never portray everything Mexico in my artwork, but I can plant the seed of curiosity and invite everyone to learn about my culture.
About the Artist
Luis Coss, 38, was born in the border city of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, MX. During his youth, Luis discovered during art classes in high school, that he had a knack for drawing, and was encouraged to continue developing his skills. Luis participated in different local events, contests, and collaborations in the two Laredos, becoming an active member of the local art community. Luis began to develop his own style, learned more about the Mexican culture, traveling to different areas of Mexico, visiting museums and archaeological sites, listening to myths and legends. Luis artwork portrays the beauties of Mexico trough the artist eyes. Luis has been able to present his collection in Laredo and Austin and continues to participate in the artistic community. It's his goal to continue to shine light on the beauty of Mexico and inspire audiences to learn about Mexico's magical history and culture through his artwork.
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Plantcestors
Plantcestors
Suzy Gonzalez
October 19, 2024
- January 12, 2025
Central Library - 710 W. César Chávez St.
Gallery (2nd Floor)
About the Exhibit
Plants sustained our ancestors and they continue to sustain us—through food, medicine, clothing, housing, to providing the very oxygen we breathe. Every plant is sacred and we could not survive without them. Plantcestors depicts the portraits of artists, activists, and culture workers based in Yanaguana / San Antonio, TX that bring inspiration to the community through their art, leadership, and social justice work.
Within each painted portrait are natural plant materials that the person is connected to. The plants hold meaning based on ancestral connections, childhood memories, cultural roots, or the lessons that they bring. Some enjoy the plants in their gardens, herbal practices, spirituality, as food, or for their beauty alone. As we connect with our relative that is the land, we remember, we appreciate, and we reciprocate the gifts that she gives us.
The process of creating these works includes photography, discussion, gardening, foraging, pressing, dehydrating, gluing, resining layers, and painting. The figures sit on the surface, in the present. Their Plantcestors are behind them but remain a part of them.
About the Artist
ARTIST STATEMENT:
My work analyzes what it means to decolonize consumption and art creation. This is intertwined with remembering the lessons that the earth has to teach us. I work with natural plant materials like in conjunction with manipulated art supplies to consider identity, mixedness, and resistance. This material use works to dismantle folk and fine art hierarchies. I call these “mestizx media” works, reclaiming the “mestizo” colonial caste label. I define mestizx media as when materials originate from the region(s) of the artist’s ancestors. Accepting mixedness is also about embracing queerness and the fluid nature of identities that reject constructed binaries. My public artwork has included themes of celebrating contemporary artists and activists, histories of the land, native plants and animals, and concepts of love and solidarity. My work serves to work through my own intersections and to strive for intercultural conversations in my community. This, I hope, will open doors to compassion and healing in this world of destruction.
ARTIST BIO:
Suzy González is an artist, educator, writer, self-publisher, curator, and organizer based in Yanaguana, colonially named San Antonio, TX. She has had solo exhibits at Galería E.V.A., Spellerberg Projects, Presa House Gallery, Hello Studio, Palo Alto College, and two-person exhibits at Museo Eduardo Carrillo, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, and the University of Connecticut. She has completed murals with Texas A&M-San Antonio, the City of Logan, UT, the City of Pasadena, TX, San Antonio Museum of Art, Centro San Antonio, and the San Antonio Street Art Initiative. González is currently in residence with Austin Art in Public Places and is working on a new public art project for the Austin History Center. She has also attended residencies at Vermont Studio Center (VT), the Trelex Residency (Peru), The Wassaic Residency (NY), Starry Night Residency (NM), the Studios at MASS MoCA (MA), and Hello Studio (TX). She publishes Xicana Vegan zine, co-organizes the San Anto Zine Fest, and is a part of Dos Xicanx, Breathe Collective, and the Water Writers Collective. González is an alum of the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures Leadership Institute, the Intercultural Leadership Institute, and served as a mentor for the NYFA Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program. She teaches in the Visual and New Media Arts Department at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX. She holds an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and a BFA from Texas State University.