Big Medium, the force behind the East Austin Studio Tour (EAST), is moving west of I-35 for the first West Austin Studio Tour (WEST). WEST, which will take place May 19 and 20, will be the spring counterpart for autumn’s EAST. Like EAST, WEST will be a free, self-guided tour of artist studios, galleries, and spaces. The boundaries for WEST are west of I-35, east of Mopac, south of HWY 183, and north of I-71/360. more ›

Felice House seems to know the entire local art community, which made her the perfect tour guide. While walking through the bazaar and greeting many artists by name, she provided tidbits about each artist - Tonya Engel painted the mural on E. 11th, Chris Levack made the sculptures at Mueller, Victoria Corbett was her studio mate, Amy Barber made the purse she was carrying. House is also married to one of Blue Genie Art Industries' founders, Dana Younger. more ›

Art Night Austin EAST kicks off as the official preview party for the East Austin Studio Tour, featuring the most exciting work by local artists exhibited and performed during E.A.S.T. It’s a chance to explore the dynamic east side studios and eat, drink and mingle with the best new artists coming out of Austin. more ›

On Saturday, from 5-10 pm, Artpost, Bay 6, Big Medium, and Pump Project will open their studio doors for the second edition of Springboard. Make your way on over to the eastside for a mid-year visual snack before the year-end buffet that is E.A.S.T. more ›

In part two of our series on Artists and their Art during the East Austin Studio Tour, Austinist photographer Steve Hopson hunted down artists at the Bread Factory, Starving Art Studios, Industry Screen printers and individual studios. During his quest, Steve discovered the Toy Surprise inside each box of Cracker Jack, caught an artist jumping over her art, and uncovered Hank Hill's undisclosed location. Along the way, Steve shot Austin artists including Sarah Wilson, Piercarlo Abate, Amanda Clair Clark and Liliana Wilson. more ›

Each fall, we look forward to East Austin Studio Tour because we inevitably discover new spots in the neighborhood that support Austin's many talented artists. One such site that we're especially looking forward to checking out this year is the Home for Wayward Furnishings. Set in a 100 year old house that has been lovingly remolded by the folks at East Side Design, the Home for Wayward Furnishings will host nearly two dozen artists, designers, and furniture makers who will display their work both inside and outside the house. Stop by tonight starting at 7pm for a party where you can meet the artists and enjoy food, drinks, fire, and fun. The Home for Wayward Furnishings is located at 1806 Willow Street, and will be open on both Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm for East Austin Studio Tour. more ›

One of the best things about East Austin Studio Tour is the opportunity to see into the workplaces of many of the city's finest craftspeople. Whether it's a back bedroom where someone paints or a huge warehouse where dozens of woodworkers turn planks into furniture, there is something very special about being able to see the environments where art is made. One such workspace we're particularly interested in checking out is the Studio Pod, a remolded shipping container that hosts four talented jewelry artists. We had an opportunity to chat with Rachel Lavin, of Pio Jewelery, about her work space, her craft, and what she's got planned for visitors on this weekend's tour. East Austin Studio Tour continues this weekend, with studios open from 11am to 6pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Studio Pod is located at 1912 Peoples Street. more ›

Today we're talking to Sean Gaulager, one of the founders of Co-Lab, a community based art space in East Austin. Gaulager started Co-Lab in 2008 when he saw a void in gallery space for non-traditional artists. The focus here is on providing space for constantly rotating collaborations, screenings, performances and installations - and making it possible for new media artists to show their work more frequently. An on-site community garden furthers the connection to this East Austin community. Gaulager spoke with us about Co-Lab's current exhibitions (including an impressive miniature city contained within a sand box, installed in the main gallery), what excites him about the Austin art scene, how Co-Lab has changed in the short two years of its existence. We love that Co-Lab was inspired by creating a community space for Austin-based artists. Can you tell us a little about the history of Co-Lab - what was the catalyst for creation? Basically Co-Lab was created as an extremely accessible model for artists working in new media to engage and exercise their ideas and as a space that could facilitate other community oriented activities (i.e. community garden). We saw many artists (myself included) exploring non-traditional ways of art making and felt that a dedicated venue could really help these artists execute these projects. more ›

Some jewelry is worn once and relegated to be forgotten in the bottom of a treasure chest, but this is not the case for Kelly Hankamer's Twinkle Tooth Designs. Equal parts vintage inspired and uber-modern, Hankamer uses original molds and high-quality materials to create jewelry that pushes beyond basic hook-and-eye, pendant necklaces. In fact, we like to think of it as wearable art. E.A.S.T. affords you a rare opportunity to get inside not only the trained jewelry maker's studio, but also inside her head as she showcases works-in-progress, original design blue prints and completed pieces at her workplace inside Doghouse Studios. more ›

Although we consider ourselves to be craftier than most, ceramics is just one of those mediums we've never mastered. Even with a few classes under our belts, we never got the hang of turning a lump of clay spinning on a fast moving wheel into something beautiful using only our hands. It can, however, be done, and Ryan McKerley's body of work proves it. Using a vast repertoire of techniques including wax resist, water carving, and salt and soda glazing, McKerley's work stands out from the typical cups and bowls seen extensively at craft fairs. McKerley is also a prolific teacher, leading workshops for adults and teaching his art through schools around town. We got a chance to chat with Ryan about his work and what he's got planned for this weekend's East Austin Studio Tour. Stop by his studio at 2710 E. Cesar Chavez to see check out his work and process. more ›

Last week we brought you an interview with James Tootle of ASPCO (the Artistis Screenprinting Coop), the screen printing co-op based out of the Pump Project Satellite Studio. This week, we spoke to Zach Clark, one of the artists for whom ASPCO makes all the difference. ASPCO is one of over 150 studios participating in East Austin Studio Tour which continues this weekend and next. Clark, a trained painter and photographer, turned to screen printing as a way to create art within time and space limitations. When Clark's wife took a job as a traveling nurse, he had to get inventive when it came down to the actual creation of work. ASPCO offered the advantage of access to high quality screen printing tools without the hefty price tag or constrictions of a studio lease. Clark spoke with us about the life of the traveling artist, his new greeting card company, and what he'll be showing during E.A.S.T. more ›

In case you overlooked previous posts, here's the deal: We have a different tour planned for each weekend day of EAST. Each tour will focus on a different geographic section of participating artists and studios. We can't stop to see everything, but we have curated some of, what we believe, are the highlights of EAST 2010, and have packed as much art as possible into three little hours. more ›

Like a neighborhood-wide housewarming party for only this hippest homesteads, E.A.S.T. allows us to peak briefly into the dozens of domiciles and workshops where Austin’s artists toil and create. This weekend and next, 150 recently swept and tidied studios will open their doors to hundreds of wanders who will flock to the east side of town for the tour. This year, studios will be open from 11am until 6pm on Saturday November 13th, Sunday November 14th, Saturday November 20th, and again on Sunday November 21st. There are more participating studios than there are places to buy breakfast tacos, so we here at the Austinist have updated our list of insider tips for enjoying the event, and are sharing a list of a few of our favorite stops. more ›

As promised, here's a list of new East Austin Studio Tour stops that we're especially excited about checking out this weekend and next. Make sure to also check out our EAST Survival Guide post for insider tips and a list of nine studios that we always visit during the tour. more ›

If you were lucky enough to stop by Domy Books this past April, you probably got a chance to see some of Katy Horan’s haunting paintings. Her work is rooted in the traditions of a simpler time and her paintings often look as though they are the long lost illustrations for gypsy picture books. Working primarily in gouache, Katy adds carefully painted detail to the lace and frills that adorn her figures. Look more closely though, and behind their feminine veils you’ll often see a understated darkness - faces are obscured, black masses and limbs protrude from the figures at somewhat chaotic angles. Katy Horan is one of nearly 300 artists participating in East Austin Studio Tour this weekend and next. Stop by her studio at the ARTPOST complex (4704 E. Cesar Chavez) between 11am and 6pm on Saturday or Sunday either weekend to see her process and product. Katy talked to Austinist about where her dark imagery comes from and shared her advice for art students. more ›

When I first moved to Austin, I moved into a three story, seven bedroom Victorian just north of West Campus that had been built in the 1890s. I described to to friends back home as a cross between the Real World house and the Paper Street house from Fight Club. My bedroom, on the third floor, had been dubbed the "Tree House Room" after the alcove walled in by large, prominent windows. The hundred and twenty year old windows did little to keep the a/c in our the summer heat out, but I marveled at their rope pulley mechanisms and the craftsman details in the palatial (if past it's prime) abode. I've spent more than a couple of nights scheming with roommates about what it'd take to bring the house up to it's original glory - the most common (and frustrating) solution we come up with is that it'd take a lot of money. But, such a grand undertaking would also require the help of some talented craftspeople. Fast forward a few year, and I now live in a mid-century East Side bungalow (or bunker) that is made almost entirely out of concrete (there was a wood shortage in Texas after World War II, resulting in many homes of that era being made out of cinder block, concrete, and stucco). And now, every day on my commute to work, I drive past a studio on Red River where the very craftspeople that could turn my former residence back into a mansion work. The folks at Red River Restorations specialize in the hand crafted woodworking detail that can be spotted adorning the window screens, doors, and architectural detailing of many central Austin homes. This weekend and next, their new workshop space on Springdale will be open for the East Austin Studio Tour. We got a chance to ask John Hindman of Red River Restorations a few questions about the shop and the work they do. Maybe I should ask them if they're looking for a pro bono project... more ›

Duderinos, Austinites, Art nerds — lend me your eyes, for I would venture to pronounce that there is no other art-related event in Austin more anticipated, celebrated, and accessible, than the nine-days of the East Austin Studio Tour. It runs, this year, from the 13th to the 21st of this month. That said, let me testify why Art Night EAST, the preview party kicking off EAST on Friday, November 12th, is destined to go down as EASTs official Coming-Out-As-Undeniably-Badass debut. (Can I getta witness?) more ›

Monique Capanelli of Articulture Designs has taken succulent and cacti arrangement beyond the ubiquitous aloe and agave that are seen extensively around town. Her living walls defy gravity with alien-like plants potted on a vertical horizon. For her centerpieces, Monique carefully combines color, texture, and live plants to create lasting decorations that put cut flower arrangements to shame. From the smallest boutonnieres to entire landscaped gardens, Monique uses her eye for great design and her talented green-thumb to bring a refreshing artistic sensibility to gardening. Articulutre will once again be participating in East Austin Studio Tour as a guest at Jennifer Chennoweth’s incredible Fisterra Studio (1200 East 2nd Street). Monique answered a few questions for us about her work, her favorite plants, and why we’re killing all of our house plants. more ›

From "Si Se Puede" to "Anarchy in the UK" screenprinting has long been the medium of choice for message makers across cultures and generations. At its most simple, the process can be completed with the help of mesh fabric, some glue, and an embroidery hoop - but landlords and apartment managers seem to hate it when your bathroom sink is clogged up with ink (trust us!). Also, much better prints result from the use of more advanced equipment, like a darkroom where screens can be developed, an actual printing press, and purpose built washout booths (much better than apartment showers!). This reality encouraged James Tootle to take out an ad on Craigslist looking for like-minded (and similarly studio-less) printers who might be interested in starting a screenprinting cooperative. Fast forward about a year and the Artists Screenprinting Co-op (or ASPCO) is ready to show off their headquarters at East Austin Studio Tour, this weekend and next. Located at Pump Project's Satellite Studio space (1109 Shady Lane), ASPCO will be in good company with other artists such as the Women Printmakers of Austin and the ink-slingers at [th]ink tank. James answered a few questions for us and told us how he and the other ASPCO members when about turning an ink and t-shirt driven dream into a reality. more ›

Now situated in the heart of the up and coming East Side, the folks at Clayworks (1209 E. Sixth Street) have undoubtedly seen the neighborhood change significantly since they first opened their studio over thirty years ago. Ahead of their times in many ways, the Clayworks studio and adjacent gallery fits in with its new neighbors like The Good Knight and Birds Barbershop just as well as it fit in with the warehouses of yesteryear. Clayworks produces tiles, house numbers, sconces, and murals that can be seen all around town. Their burnt-orange hued clay is the perfect medium for tiles adorned with Texas animals and the numerous murals and plaques they have been commissioned to make around town. All over Austin, Claywork's Storm Drain Marker Tiles warn potential polluters that anything washed down our storm drain flows right into our creeks. Clayworks will once again be open for this year's East Austin Studio Tour which takes place this weekend and next from 11am to 6pm. It's always a favorite stop of ours - with guest artists, great Holiday gift items, and clay for the kids to play with. Tell Santa that we want to find a Clayworks Pizza Stone under the tree this year! We had the opportunity to chat with Chris Gray of Clayworks about the work they do and what's in store for this year's EAST. more ›

We're still coming down from our East Austin Studio Tour high - with four days of visiting studios and a week full of happenings and performances, this was undoubtedly our favorite EAST to date. As always, we were struck by the sheer number of artists and creatives working out of the East Side and were blown away by the diversity of the work. In a few short days we were able to model hand crafted hats, letterpress our own cards, screenprint a tee-shirt, see work by some amazing artists, buy locally handmade gifts, and generally feel inspired and proud to be surrounded by a community that values creativity. As artist Stephanie Nance encouraged in her blog, "don't let the East Side of I-35 scare you! It's full of wonderful art, culture, and diversity and it's waiting for you... get your bikes or good waking shoes out and be a tourist!" We're sure glad we did. more ›

• If you thought you saw a Viking Boat on the street on Saturday, it wasn’t your imagination. It was on the way to be part of the East Austin Studio Tour!
• The Blue October show at Stubb's on Friday was kind of a big deal. People even flew in from out-of-town to see the band play.
• The Austin Film Society's current film series features the work of a modern Finnish filmmaker. Watching some of the films might make you very glad that you don’t live in Finland!

Among Austin printmakers, screenprinting reigns supreme - the sometimes messy process requires relatively little equipment and nicely compliments our rock and roll lifestyle. For every collective of anarchists kids squeegeeing patches in their kitchen, there is an Austin printmaker pursuing a different printing technique. Kat and Brad Murph are a pair of such printers, and in 2006 they founded Vertallee Letterpress, a design and print studio in East Austin. Letterpress is like screenprinting's older, more refined sister - the delicate embossing instantly gives paper a polished aesthetic. Vertallee provides custom design and printing for invitations, business cards, and all manner of ephemerata. Vertallee Letterpress are participating in East Austin Studio Tour - stop by their studio at 701 Tillery St. to see their work and try your hand at printing on their Heidelberg Windmill press. Vertallee's creative director, Kat Murph answered some questions for us about the letterpress process and the future of the printed word. more ›

Like a lot of people in Austin, artist Stephanie Nance has a great affinity for the airstream trailer. These vintage 1960s wagons have been the subject of several of her paintings, prints, and postcards, and she even fashioned a studio out of one for a while. Part of her beloved "Americana" series, Nance's airstreams are sprightly, whimsical, colorful, and based on her representations, would be totally believable as the main character in a animated film. Still dear to heart, Nance has moved on from airstreams for now (she sold hers last year) and has returned to the East Austin Studio this year with a new collection of paintings that feature a myriad of botanicals, including cacti and flowers native to this region, and a few bird varieties. The same wonderful illustrative quality is here as with her previous work -- a steady line mixed with bright colors and patterns. more ›

The ever fantastic East Austin Studio Tour continues this weekend with open studios and more art programs and happenings. Here's a rundown of some of our suggestions for weekend art enjoyment. Don't miss your final opportunity to check out East Austin studios this weekend. If you're feeling overwhelmed with the 150+ participating locations, review our list of survival tips and studio picks and our interviews with EAST artists. Artists participating in EAST will have their studios open from 10am until 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Head over to the official East Austin Studio Tour site to see the full list of artists and to download a copy of the EAST map. We'll see ya on the East Side! more ›

For fifteen years, the members of the Women Printmakers of Austin have dedicated themselves to exploring artistic expression and expanding the audience of fine art printmaking. Deeply rooted in historical printing traditions, these artists are now able to blend classic techniques with modern technology to create contemporary works of art. The WPA recently acquired studio space in Pump Project's newly rennovated Satellite Studio and Flex Space. The new shared space grants 24 hour access to studio subscribers who can avail themselves of etching and intaglio supplies, a large press, and other tools of the trade. The Women Printmakers of Austin are participating in this weekend's East Austin Studio Tour and can be visited at 1109 Shady Lane, just up the road from the Pump Project complex. Artist and WPA Chair Angela Hayes answered some questions for us about the future of printmaking and what it's like to work with a team of talented women. more ›

Attention Rio Rita patrons: When was the last time you enjoyed your foamy cappuccino (or alternatively, your jalapeno-infused vodka) inside Rio Rita's impossibly adorable environs? In between Scrabble games or knitting or recounting NPR, did you take note of your counter server? There is a good chance you were serviced by Nick Henning, pop art-inflected painter and resident artist at the Pump Project Art Complex. more ›

Taking her cues from the "anything goes" rules of children's literature, illustrator Audrey Lopata carefully pens colorful worlds inhabited with scarf-wearing-lizards, zombie pirates, and mermaids. Her black and white comic panels express slightly more grown-up emotions but still convey the sense of whimsy that is so evident through out Lopata's work. Stop by the Pump Project Art Complex this weekend during East Austin Studio Tour to see Lopata's studio space and that of many other talented artists. Audrey sat down with us to talk about what inspires her and how she goes about creating alternative worlds where elves and fairies roam. more ›

There are many skills your average crafter possesses. Decoupage. Knitting. Some light carpentry. But if there's one thing every crafter knows how to do, it's hustle, y'all. Case in point? Etsy.com, a ginormous online catalog of handmade creations. Open since 2005, Etsy allows entrepreneurial crafters from all over to set up shop on the interwebs. And in October of 2008, our fair city got its very own street team: Etsy Austin. You can check out these ladies, and their stationary-making/metal-fabricating/hat-stitching compatriots this weekend during the East Austin Studio Tour, at Smith Studios on 1406 Smith Road (stop 60 on the tour map). more ›

It's the type of thing indie film dreams are made of: four girls, all crafters, long to open their own craft studio. Girls pool their money for an Airstream trailer. Girls move in with crafts. Girls take "craft trailer" on the road, teaching children and adults alike the joys of coil baskets, stampmaking and bookbinding. (Shhh - did you hear that sound? That's the sound of Drew Barrymore purchasing film rights!) The WonderCraft is the real-life lovechild of Austin crafty ladies Beth Hempton, Albrecht, Jen Bryan and Kim Sae-Eua, whose mobile craft trailer "Stella" makes her debut this year at East Austin Studio Tour. Stella will be parked at 628 Allen St. as guests of Courtney Gray/Creative Side Jewelry Academy (stop 45 on the E.A.S.T. map). more ›