New Annual Art Awards Show "What Texas Means to Me" at Austin Art Space July 10-August 22, 2009

Austin Art Space announced the beginning of a new tradition at the gallery and studios: the first annual juried exhibit focused on everything Texas, entitled ‘What Texas Means to Me’. The show’s theme will be built entirely upon artists’ inspirations and impressions of any aspect of Texas’ past, present or future.

Austin, TX, April 08, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Austin Art Space announced the beginning of a new tradition at the gallery and studios: the first annual juried exhibit focused on everything Texas, entitled ‘What Texas Means to Me’. For more than a century, Texas has evoked big dreams and strong emotions. The Texas spirit encompasses early settlers and prospectors to oil barons, farmers and cattle ranchers and now high tech and politics. Texas influences include Mexican, Spanish, and French rule, Native Americans, German immigrants and an overarching sense of independence. It seems that no matter what part of the world people are from, Texas inspires. The show’s theme will be built entirely upon artists’ inspirations and impressions of any aspect of Texas’ past, present or future.

The competition is not limited to Texas artists. It is open for two-dimensional and three-dimensional artists anywhere in the world and is expected to elicit a variety of styles from abstract and contemporary to representational and traditional. The juror for the inaugural show will be Jerry Seagle, a respected artist whose works have been featured in numerous articles and books on experimental painting. Mr. Seagle has held 200 solo-exhibits and has received over 350 awards in regional and national exhibits. First, second and third place awards will be selected from among the finalists on display.

The new exhibit enlarges on a tradition at Austin Art Space. Valerie Walden, manager of the artists’ collective and gallery explained, “We continue to host two popular annual juried competitions from our predecessor, Artspoken. We expect this new show to draw a wider array of artists and have even broader audience appeal. That’s saying something, because in the last six months we have presented work from artists as far away as Alaska and New Zealand at opening receptions approaching 400 people.”

As far as the theme is concerned, Ms. Walden puts it this way, “We welcome a full, unfettered exposition on Texas. And, we anticipate a vast range of interpretations and artistic styles. Being situated in the Capital City has its advantages both physically and psychologically. What better place to collect and present a Texas gestalt?”

Artists must submit entries no later than Wednesday, May 27, 2009 and will be notified after 10 days. All details and the entry form are available at http://austinartspace.com/texasshow.aspx.

All participating artists will be invited to attend the opening reception on Saturday, July 11, 2009, 6:00pm-9:00pm which will be open to all patrons. The exhibit continues during regular gallery hours, ending on Saturday, August 22.

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About the Artists

Resident artists at Austin Art Space Gallery & Studios are:

Nikki Atkinson
Rebecca Bennett
Claire Hees
Martha Keating
Jan Knox
Marilyn Rea Nasky
Keva Richardson
Valerie Walden
Debbie Willhite

About Austin Art Space Gallery & Studios

Austin Art Space opened in November 2008 as a cooperative space for established and emerging artists to create, collaborate and present their work. There are nine artists-in-residence at the studios. The gallery presents the work of these artists and hosts juried shows, as well as solo and group exhibitions by other artists. The gallery is available for rental for public and private exhibits and receptions. Austin Art Space is located in a free-standing shopping center behind Northcross Mall. The public gallery is open Friday and Saturday 11am – 6pm, or by appointment. Operating as a collective, the working studios are open Monday through Thursday whenever artists are on the premises. More information at www.austinartspace.com, austinartspacegallery@gmail.com, or 512.771.2868.
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Austin Art Space
Kirk Walden
512-771-2868
www.austinartspace.com
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