For many, contemporary art is hit or miss - overly conceptual installations can confuse more than inspire. But when presented well, contemporary exhibits can speak to both lovers of abstract art and the casual observer. The latest incarnation of Arthouse's annual summer exhibit, New American Talent, is a great example of how contemporary art can be accessible to many audiences. Curated by Hamza Walker of the University of Chicago's Rennaissance Society, New American Talent features twenty-six artists from around the country with a particularly strong showing from Texas. New American Talent closes after this weekend, admission to Arthouse is free and they are open until 9pm on Thursday. more ›

In these tough economic times, wouldn't we all just relish the opportunity to pretend to be wealthy? Well, luckily Pump Project Art Complex is providing one such chance with their Pretend You Are Rich Art Auction taking place on Saturday. The faux-riche event centers around the art auction where bidding starts at $3,000; winning bidders are then granted a $3,000 instant rebate. There will be a silent auction, running from 7-10pm, and a live auction hosted by Coldtowne Theater's Arthur Simone that will begin at 8pm. Both auctions will raise money for Pump Project Art Complex, a non-profit art studio and gallery space that is no doubt feeling the recession pinch. more ›

Austin artist Debra Broz wears many hats. When she is not working on her art, she is a professional ceramics restorer, writer and co-editor for local contemporary art magazine, Cantanker, and manager of the Pump Project Art Complex, where she also has a studio. As an artist she moves elegantly between painting, drawing, collage, and writing. A lover of words as much as the visual arts, Broz will often include small bits of text in her works. The words are lyrical and unassuming, hovering in a corner or floating in space, waiting for you to notice. In this context, the fragments juxtaposed with the images act as suggestions or open-ended ideas, ultimately encouraging the viewer to draw his or her own meaning. For this year’s East Austin Studio Tour, she will present a new series of self-portraits that are at once surreal and ethereal, but also grounded and deeply personal, and always engaging. more ›

Image from EAST East Austin Studio TourSaturday, November 17 - Sunday, November 18Various Venues (Austin)Free, 10am-5pm Daily[info]The 2007 East Austin Studio Tour (E.A.S.T.) is happening this weekend, and over the next two days we'll be previewing a handful of the artists whose works you'll be able to check out. Here's our guide to E.A.S.T. 2007: The tour runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. With 113 studios and over 200 artists... more ›

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... more ›

Thursday, June 21 comedy Christian Finnegan at Cap City Comedy Club music Emo’s 15th Anniversary Week with De La Soul, Word Association, Just Born, DJ Notion at Emo’s music Buddy Guy, The Greyhounds at Stubb’s music US Air Guitar Championships at The Parish Room music The Score at Beerland music Discovery School Fundraiser w/Gary Clark Jr., Johnny Moeller, Mike Barfield, Ephraim Owens & more at Continental Club music Doc Watson, Jack Lawrence, Richard Watson... more ›