Artists need plenty of space to think, build, paint and flex their creative muscles. One such place is the new Pump Project Art Complex in East Austin, where 39 local artists fit under one roof to work, play, and create.

“Being in this environment, there is always a great support system for your creativity,” said Pump Project artist Debra Broz. “Being around other artists, you can really feed off that.”

Formerly Shady Tree Studios, the space underwent a name change last summer. Pump Project (named for a rusty old sprinkler system in the building) is a 9,000-square-foot, 1950s-era warehouse with a 1,000-square-foot gallery and 20 individual and shared studio spaces. The grand opening of this warehouse-turned-funky-fresh-art-space will be celebrated on Saturday with an open house and exhibit.

Evolution: A Grand Opening Celebration will kick off Pump Project’s new mission of providing affordable studio space for local artists. The exhibit will include the work of Austin artists Alonso Rey-Sanchez, David Ohlerking, Miranda Mueller, Stan Irvin, Ricardo Acevedo and others. During the event, Pump Project painters, sculptors, printmakers, ceramicists, and glassworkers will open their studio doors to demonstrate their work. You can also check out sets by local bands It Was Divine Justice and Daetron Vargas.

The exhibit will be on display through Nov. 10

[Pump Project Art Complex]

Evolution: A Grand Opening Celebration
Pump Project Art Complex
702 Shady Lane
Saturday October 27
6-11 p.m.

Photo by pumpproject on flickr