Five things to remember during the Austin Studio Tour
2024
I have been to my fair share of Austin Studio Tours. I think they are a great way to show friends and family the art community here in Austin, and you can get some holiday shopping done too. Over the years I have noticed a few things that are worth sharing.
The tour is more fun with friends
This applies to attendees and studios who are hosting. One year I took a friend who was new to Austin and showed her around town. I pointed out Austin classics like TV Head and she bought a small encaustic painting from an older lady showing her art from her cottage house on the east side. Another stop had a collection of black and white portraits telling the stories of families who had lived on the east side before it was gentrified. She got a lot of Austin all in one day.
As for studios, it’s always more fun to open your studio with other artists. Sadly, I know I won't be able to see all the studios listed on the map. So, I try to hit the places with the most artists. Last weekend I went to 2309 Thornton Rd. and found a lot of artists I was familiar with, and a few that I wasn’t. It was great to see their big studio doors open inviting people in. I pass that place all the time and never knew there was a little village of artists there by the railroad. Seeing all the listed artists in one place is appealing to see on the map, but from what I have heard the artists prefer it too. You get to talk to fellow artists, swap ideas, and wait around together for the next wave of guests. It’s a win, win.
Put your name on your shit (I add the shit so you might remember, not implying anything about your art 😉)
It surprised me how much art I would see without pricing or the name of the artist. It’s a small thing that can go a long way. There was one place I went to last week with really cool metal sculptures, but there was nothing available for me to read and learn about her and her art. I didn’t know her name, how she made the sculptures, or how much each one was. So, I walked in, saw what there was to see, and walked right out. To be fair I could have talked to the artists and asked her questions, but I was given the impression she wasn’t up for telling me more about herself or her art. Don’t make your customer do all the work. Price your art, share your name, make it easier on yourself to make a sale or start a conversation.
When you can, walk or bike
Sadly, like most American cities you need a car to get everywhere, but a lot of these studios are close together. It might not be your first instinct to leave the car behind, but it can really pay off. You spend less time looking for parking and more time exploring studios. There are even a few bike tours that are planned beforehand that are open to anyone. I will add that Texas weather is increasingly intense. So if it’s raining buckets or 90 plus outside maybe stick to the car, and always bring water.
You will never have time to see everything
I remember when I was little and someone explained that humans can only see a fraction of the colors that are around us. I found this very upsetting. How could we be missing out on seeing so many things? The same thing applies to the studio tour. There is too much for one person to see all in two days. It’s sad, but knowing that will help you prioritize your stops.
How much the tour means to everyone
I believe the tour comes up almost every time I do an interview for the podcast. It brings in a good amount of income for artists and helps a lot with visibility. Locals really enjoy going around town and discovering new artists and art spaces. There was a rumor that the tour wasn’t going to happen this year, and it seemed to have caused some distress. Artists plan out for the tour far in advance. They make sure their inventory is stocked and their work is accessible to the public. Austin artists were going to lose out on a good chunk of money. So when Big Medium, the company that runs the tour, opened registration there was a sense of relief. The tour has made a lasting impression on Austin and remains to be a good example of how impactful the art community is in Austin.
So what are your plans for this weekend?