Interview: Inside Art Outside

How can attendees best experience this year's Art Outside?

I encourage people to stay all three days for the full immersion experience. Each day will be different. The idea is to live with the art and get to know the artists. I understand that it's simply not possible for everyone to camp, so we've made single-day passes available. There is free parking - car camping is also an option.

On-site amenities such as potable water, hot showers, portable toilets and hand-washing stations, and large shade trees should make tent camping pretty enjoyable. There are also RV pads. Just bring enough general camping supplies to last the weekend. There will be food and beverage vendors (yes, adult beverages, too), of course, and we're taking good care of our vegan friends this year. The Art Outside experience is what you make it, so I would like to see people bring whatever they need to express themselves and add to the collective creative culture.

Art Outside is really for the kid in all of us, but I want to emphasize that this is a kid-friendly event; we'll have activities for them, and fun things like roving performances and workshops during the day. I think kids will find the art cars pretty exciting, but most kids just like running around outside, and there will be plenty of room for playing, but also plenty of shade structures for kids to take cover from the sun. Everything is arranged in pretty close proximity, so nothing is too far of a walk from the campsite. We hope to inspire kids, and expose them to art in all its forms...a huge part of Art Outside is to make art accessible to everyone. We want to allow kids to explore the art and interact with the artists themselves.

In what ways will Art Outside fill the void left by Maker Faire not returning to Austin this fall? How will Art Outside be similar to Maker Faire and how will it be different?

Much like Maker Faire, Art Outside provides an opportunity for people to showcase their talent. Many AO participants have been involved with Maker Faire, and I think I speak for all of us when I say that we hope to see the event return to Austin. We definitely don't feel like we are attempting to take their place. By chance, Art Outside will take place in October, the same month Maker Faire was held in the past.

We'll draw from the same do-it-yourself community, so some of the people, workshops, and booths will look familiar. Art Outside, however is more than just DIY - camping, fine art, film, fashion, comedy, and other performances make AO different.

How did you get involved with Art Outside?

Shortly after I moved to Austin about three years ago, I met Tyler Hanson, the founder Art Outside. It happened to be just a few weeks before Art Outside that year, and he and Albert DeLoach needed volunteers. I helped clear the land, build stages, and other such chores at first. My involvement progressed into running lights and working as a stagehand. Since then, I've continued to be a part of AO as well as a collaborator on many other projects with AO members. Tyler moved out of state last year, and has taken on other projects. Due to issues between the city and the Forest, it appeared that AO was going to die. My business, Art Seen Alliance, was already in place when I talked to Tyler. We discussed the true mission Art Outside and our core beliefs, and realized that we share the same vision, so I agreed to carry the torch. So far, that process has included forming a nonprofit organization, finding a new venue, creating new opportunities for AO artists, and producing this year's event.

What does the future hold for Art Outside?

We're pursuing nonprofit status. We're growing the annual event, and creating opportunities for AO participants to get involved in other events throughout the year. We've been able to incorporate elements of Art Outside into other art festivals, including the East Austin Studio Tour, and we'll continue to explore new possibilities.

Is there anything else you'd like Austinist readers to know about Art Outside?

I'd like to emphasize that this is a family-friendly event—my own children will be there. Apache Pass is a really cool place, and it isn't too far. The lineup is so diverse...there will be something for everyone to enjoy! I want people to truly participate; this will be an atmosphere of free artistic expression, and I would like to see a symbiotic relationship between creators and appreciators. I want people to feel a connection to the art: to discover art as a form of two-way communication, which is something that cannot be realized in an empty gallery. I really hope that when the weekend is over, people go home inspired.

Art Outside will take place on October 9th, 10th, and 11th at Apache Pass in Rockdale, Texas. Tickets are on sale now: Three Day Event and Camping Passes are available for $50, children 12 and under are free.