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  "Native America: In Translation"

  Apsáalooke (Crow) multimedia artist Wendy Red Star curates a captivating exhibit of work from nine indigenous artists who actively challenge the oppressive forces of white supremacy and colonialism while honoring their heritage.

  Aug. 4-Jan.5

  The Blanton Museum of Art

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  Visual Arts

  Art Dinner

  In a recent post to her Substack Sicc Palette, chef Deepa Shridhar described the metaphor-rich process of soaking saffron for hyderabadi biryani: “You just gotta let it soak, give it the time it deserves to be a force to be reckoned with, saffron will permeate and collaborate with facile joy at every layer.” Similar description could be applied to our local creative crew at Future Front, who have over the years permeated and collaborated with myriad layers of Austin artists to make for a flavorful, well, future. Shridhar helps FFTX secure that future by serving as curator to their Art Dinner, a multi-course meal influenced by South Indian & Texan flavors. You’ve got three chances to snag a plate of Gulf shrimp sukka, Texas root masala & grilled cheese kolaches, chili citrus & Texas sesame quail, or pecan pie with burnt jaggery gelato – plus natural wine pairings, a tour of FFTX’s gallery, and a satisfied sense you’ve helped a cool org stay alive. – James Scott

  July 11-13  

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  The Future Front House

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  Visual Arts

  Atelier Dojo: Remote Studios

  The local powerhouse of figurative painting, the art school that's the smart school for artists of all kinds, they've got a painting-along-at-home series going to help you keep your skills honed in these socially restrictive times, featuring live costumed models posing on camera and a thriving community of creatives rendering that lovely human biotecture from their separate studios. "Join us for a three-hour costumed-model drawing session. Use any supplies you wish, listen to music, share your work, chat with others. It’s a great way to stay connected with your art community!"

  Tuesdays, 1:30-4:30pm; Fridays, 6:30-9:30pm; Saturdays, 9:30-12:30pm. $5.  

  Click Here for Details

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  Visual Arts

  “BUMUO: Rebuilding the Filipino Body”

  Regine Malibiran is a woman of passion. She pours her soul into every project she undertakes – creative and entrepreneur, activist and advocate. Now as the founder of forth space productions, she has taken all of her passion and experience to forge a path for artists to express their truths fearlessly and with the support of forth space, whose mission and name derive from the “sociological concept of the fourth space as a realm where meaning is made and all the potential that lies between here and forward.” “BUMUO,” from the Tagalog for “whole,” is an exhibition that centers the strength and artistic brilliance of the Filipino community. Six artists tell the connective story of the Philippines, reclaiming their history, rejecting the manipulation of the colonizers who inhabited their home for four centuries, and building a future of healing and empowerment. On view through July 27. – Cy White

  Through July 27

  MASS Gallery

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  Visual Arts

  “Sonder”: 2024 Summer Group Show Reception

  A lucky few may have already seen the “Sonder” show at Davis, but if you haven’t, please rush to the reception this Saturday. It’s a perfect time to bask in a wealth of styles and mediums. Dissect the surreal landscapes of Garrett Middaugh and Isabel Stensland. Lose yourself in the hypnotic shapes of Lisa Beaman and Joseph Hammer. Marvel at the intricate details in sculptures by Dana Younger and John Sagar. Sigh at Denise M. Fulton’s brightly impressionist nature paintings. And those are just small portions of artists represented! There’s something for every artistic taste, so gorge yourself on Davis’ impeccable buffet of beauty. – Cat McCarrey

  Through July 20

  Davis Gallery

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  Visual Arts

  “Temperate Grasslands”

  We’re in that liminal space of summer, where life is lush and blooming, right before it succumbs to death by heat. Big Medium’s curator Coka Treviño has collected an exhibit full of garden scenes representing that magical explosion of garden growth. In her own words, it’s a way “to forget how heavy it feels to be a human.” There’s constant discovery in the wide variety of works, from dozens of artists like the established Dawn Okoro and up-and-comers MuthaGoose. Join the opening reception this Friday to view interpretations of glorious greenery. – Cat McCarrey

  Through August 4

  Big Medium

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  Visual Arts

  Bending Light

  Taylor Davis might have the coolest job description I’ve ever heard. She’s an independent curator (dream) and a landscape designer. So basically, she finds beauty in everything she touches. For “Bending Light,” Davis has accumulated work by four BIPOC artists, multidisciplinary masters “illuminating the nuanced experiences and collective memories of queerness and femininity in Black cultural production,” to quote the exhibit description. A weighty task, but one the artists – Kaima Marie Akarue, Ciara Elle Bryant, Catherine Martinez, and Chandrika Metivier – pull off with fascinating aplomb. Through mediums including but not limited to sculpture, video, collage, and photos, the viewer glimpses unique experiences. It’s a fresh reflection of this world. – Cat McCarrey

  Thursdays-Saturdays. Through Aug. 22

  Women & Their Work

• Qmmunity

  Nightlife & Parties

  Big Tits, Bigger Dreams

  Brigitte Bandit hosts this non-competitive drag open mic that invites upcoming drag artists to hone their craft as well as get professional portrait and performance photography.

  First Saturday of every month, 6-9pm

  Cheer Up Charlies

• Community

  Events

  Bullock Birthday Bash

  We are pretty fortunate to have the Bullock Texas State History Museum, with its educational programming for all ages, its appreciation and recognition of artists, musicians, and innovators, its tireless efforts to keep Austinites smart and happy. Celebrate the fella who made this all possible, former Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock, with a fête featuring party favors and crafts, a kid-friendly concert by Mr. Will, and a storytime featuring Bullock’s favorite childhood book, The Little Red Hen. Don’t leave without getting a free cup of vanilla ice cream (Bob’s fave) as a b-day treat. – Kat McNevins

  Sun., July 14

  Bullock Texas State History Museum

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  Theatre

  Cirque du Soleil: Songblazers

  If you’ve ever thought to yourself, country music is great and all, but it could really use more trapeze artists and fire-breathers, then this is the show for you.

  Aug. 14-18

  Bass Concert Hall

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  Visual Arts

  Creating Encuentros: Changarrito 2012–2024

  Traveling in Mexico, you frequently encounter changarritos – portable food carts or tienditas run by hardworking entrepreneurs. The carts usually operate outside of any formal regulation and, in that way, mirror the resilience and creativity of Mexican culture. In 2005, artist Máximo González appropriated the concept of the changarrito as a way for artists to take their work directly to the people. The idea came to Austin’s venerable Mexic-Arte Museum in 2012, with dozens of artists displaying art and interacting with the public outside the Downtown gallery. The concept is back and will run through August. – Brant Bingamon

  Through August 25

  Mexic-Arte Museum

• Qmmunity

  Nightlife & Parties

  Divina: Noche Drag Latinx

  At the start of her drag career, Divina host Tatiana Cholula told Qmmunity she’d be critiqued for not assimilating enough “American” culture into her acts. “Before I started Divina,” she said, “the scene was rich in amazing Latinx drag performers and artists, but there weren’t any spaces focused on them or they didn’t feel comfortable performing certain songs at certain spaces.” Thankfully, Tatiana did start Divina, and now every other Wednesday you’ll see Oilcan Harry’s stage taken over by the spirits of Latina legends like Gloria Estefan and Paulina Rubio – courtesy of local Latinx drag talent. – James Scott

  Every other Wednesday, 9-11pm  

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  Oilcan's

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  Visual Arts

  First Saturdays at Canopy

  The first Saturday of every month from 1-4pm, the 72 artists housed at the Canopy complex on Springdale Road open their studios to the public, allowing an intimate look into Austin’s visual art scene. Ivester Contemporary and ICOSA Gallery are also open, giving people a chance to see work in progress and fully realized gallery shows, as well as buy or commission new artwork. Sa-Ten, which recently expanded its hours from 7am-9pm every day, provides tasty Japanese libations worth their own trip, so grab a yuzu lemonade to sip and wander. – Lina Fisher

  First Saturdays, 1-4pm

  Canopy

• Arts

  Visual Arts

  Good Dad Studios’ Second Saturdays

  Ho-hum, I hear you say. What on Earth am I to do on a second Saturday that both supports my local community and fulfills my desperate need for artistic consumption? Well, well, well: I might have a place south of Oltorf that’s got over 140 artists, small businesses, and nonprofits right in one building. This place is also open to the public every second Saturday – how convenient! – with rotating activities like live music or artmaking and a ding-dang food truck court. Oh, and this place, yes, this place called Good Dad Studios is also painted the most eye-blinding shade of magenta you can imagine so there’s literally no way you can miss it while cruising on the frontage road. Do you think, maybe, this place might solve your little second Saturday plans problem? Yeah. I thought so. – James Scott

  Second Saturday of every month

  Good Dad Studios, 2801 S. I-35

• Arts

  Visual Arts

  Martha's Contemporary: Hokey Pokey + What You See Is What You Get

  Here's a two-person exhibition that features painting, installation, videography, and sculpture by Moll Brau and Wes Thompson. It's a deep dive into a pool of loneliness, triumph, and rebirth. It's a forest of mazes where fireflies provide the light. It's a show of creations from a pair of terrific, hardworking local artists and you don't want to miss it.

  Martha's

• Arts

  Visual Arts

  The Museum of Fine Arts, Austin

  Art by Charles Walter, Benjamin Bayne, and other international, national, and local artists.

  Sundays, 3-5pm. Donations accepted.

  1638 E. Second #326

• Qmmunity

  Nightlife & Parties

  UnBEARable!

  Chique Fil-Atio and Mascara Rivers host Austin's longest running camp comedy drag show with Basura and Summer Clearance on co-host rotation. Each month promises special guest musicians, comics, and drag artists.

  First Thursday of every month, 10pm

  The Iron Bear