East Austin Studio Tour

E.A.S.T. is my favorite Austin event of the year! Combine open doors to the Eastside’s art studios (lots of art to take in, chatting with the artists), the parties (free booze, free nibbles, free swag), the beautiful fall weather — perfect for walking or biking from studio to studio, and plenty of food trailers for snack breaks, and it sums up two weekends filled with fun!
For 2013 (weekend #1):
— My favorite party = KLRU Arts in Context Party (sponsored by Titos vodka, with free specialty cocktails)
— Favorite new studio group = #57 The Canopy @ 916 Springdale Rd. (pick up your EAST catalogue here at Big Medium)
— Favorite artist’s courtyard = #158 The Artpost, where I visit my favorite giant metal tree sculpture.
— Favorite artist’s rabbit warren = #54 @ 800 Gullet Street, where you think you’ve reached a dead-​end but discover a lovely path leading from one hidden quaint outdoor studio space to another, and another. One clever showcase was rooms built outside.
— Favorite Shop Greeter = #52.3 Kartwheel Craftsmanship, gorgeous custom wood furniture (my favorite are the modern Danish designs), and one of the shop’s five cats is the official customer greeter (who will meow at you very loudly if you dare pass without petting him).
— Favorite artist’s studio = #89, Jennifer Chenoweth’s lovely home and Fisterra Studio
— Favorite artists = #158 Lucy Macqueen’s inspiring acrylic overlay paintings, #87 Jamie Rood’s cool nature scenes and rustic cars, #154a Brian David Johnson’s handsome woodwork, and #136-​A Agnes Seebass’s gorgeous jewelry designs.

Rent an electric bike. Gets you to places faster than walking and easier than a car! (Rocket Cycles on Riverside are conviently located close to many places on tour!)
Saw lots of great artists!

This is such a great annual event! I have been 4 years in a row. Be sure to grab a map and put on your best walking shoes. So many artists to see. Be sure not to miss some of the ones that are out of the way. This year I found they were the best!

Hippest. Event. Ever.
I am kicking myself for not taking advantage of the full experience. Catching it the last day was a crime. Oh well… next year, eh?
Plan two or three trips to cover as much ground as possible. The map came in so-​so handy. You can follow the crowds and hit just as many spots as with the map. If you’re by yourself (as I was), I recommend following the crowds. I was approached by a homeless guy (super nice) but if that makes you feel uncomfortable, latch on to the big groups and you’ll be fine. I know it means you’ll have to hover in a creepy way nearby…
I saw many people making a bike tour out of it, which looked like a great idea.
Collect cards and collateral along the way so you know who you’d like to check out in the next year or upcoming events and openings!
This event wrapped up my birthday weekend and I have to say, it was so much fun. Great for families, teenagers, and hipsters — triple rainbow going on at E.A.S.T.

Had no idea how amazing and involving this particular event is. If you’re in Austin during this time, you must try it. Not every artist may be to your particular taste, but there’s so much to see that everyone will find something that drops their jaw. And the artist is right there to discuss.

There are so many great reasons to live in Austin. Our lakes, our music, our quirkiness and our artisans. The East Austin Studio Tour is a vast celebration of all things created locally. Covering 13 days, a wide variety of folks open their studios and reveal their mysteries to anyone interested. We saw sculptors, painters, jewelers, and glass blowers. And there are ssooo many to see! The map of studios would befuddle Lewis and Clarke! But pretty much, you can throw a dart on the east side and see some really cool things. As a bonus, most bigger display areas also provide snack-​ems and complimentary drinks, esp locally made Tito’s and Dripping Springs vodkas.
At our little corner of exploration, we were thrilled to watch a glass sculptor make colorful flowers and they were offering lessons in this for $ 25. A young teen boy made a beautiful flower but it was even cooler just watching his horizons being broadened at such an early age, with mom proudly taking pix every step of the way.
With the growing «Shop Local» craze, this is a great and direct way to put your money where you’re ideals are! And it’s conveniently scheduled close to Christmas time! Next year, lets flood the East Austin streets with curiousity, enthusiasm, and money for these creative children of Austin!