2019 People’s Gallery Exhibition Highlights Abundance Of Local Talent

Fifteenth Annual Exhibition opens February 23; Features over 140 Artworks…

AUSTIN, TX—The City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, part of the Economic Development Department, announces the opening of the 15th annual People’s Gallery exhibition at Austin City Hall.

The presentation will feature a wide array of painting, sculpture, drawing and other media by 113 artists from across the Austin area and is free and open to the public.

The public is invited to an opening reception Friday, February 22, 6 to 9 p.m., to view artworks throughout City Hall, meet the participating artists, and to enjoy light refreshments and live music.

Remarks by Austin Mayor Steve Adler and others will begin at 6:30 p.m. Limited parking is available in the City Hall garage and will be validated; however, visitors are encouraged to walk, bike, or use public transportation.

The People’s Gallery is designed to showcase the work of regional artists and to encourage public dialogue, understanding, and enjoyment of visual art. Each year, the Cultural Arts Division issues a call for artworks to Austin-area artists, galleries, museums, and arts organizations.

This year, approximately 1,250 entries were submitted by more than 350 local artists. A diverse panel of three local visual arts professionals served as the jury this year: Vy Ngo, Ric Nelson, and Stephanie Sandoval.

This year, the People’s Gallery exhibition will include a special selection of photographs— Bold Beauty Project Texas. Featuring images of Texas women with disabilities by a range of photographers from across the state, the presentation aims to break down the stigma associated with disabilities and encourages all to recognize the beauty of the courageous women featured.

Each year, the public is invited to vote for their favorite artwork in the exhibition, and a “People’s Choice” is selected from among the top-voted artworks to be purchased and added to the City’s permanent collection.

Ballots for the 2019 People’s Choice will be available during the opening reception on February 22, and during normal exhibition hours through October 25, 2019. The People’s Choice award for the 2018 recipient will be presented at the opening reception at 6:30 p.m.

Visitors to City Hall can view the People’s Gallery during regular building hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Admission is always free. The 2019 exhibition will remain on display through January 1, 2020.

For more information about The People’s Gallery, visit www.austintexas.gov/peoplesgallery.

The Cultural Arts Division of the Economic Development Department provides leadership and management for the City’s cultural arts programs and for the development of arts and cultural industries.

The Cultural Arts Division is responsible for the Cultural Arts Funding Programs, Art in Public Places Program, community-based arts development, and programs to assist the development of film and creative industries in Austin. For more information, visit www.austincreates.com.