The Sand Mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition involving the creation and destruction of mandalas made from colored sand.  Each step in its creation and destruction is accompanied by rituals, ceremonies and chanting symbolizing the Buddhist philosophy in the transitory nature of material life. During January 9-13, 2013, Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery constructed a sand mandala in the Blanton Museum’s Rapoport Atrium spreading compassion, wisdom and healing from this location outward.

Music: “Completion” by Willits + Sakamoto
Procession Footage courtesy of The Blanton Museum

In September of 2012, the Austin Area Quilt Guild presented Quiltfest “Wild Texas Flowers” to promote this traditional art form. With exhibits, vendors, appraisals, children’s activities, demonstrations and conservation information, the 2012 Capital of Texas Quiltfest showcased quilting in its original, handmade forms through modern techniques.

Music: “Calling Me Names” by Good Old War

Atelier 3-D Sculpture Studio has everything needed to create a work of art: kilns, tools, worktables, and hands-on bronze casting. Admire the work of Steve Dubov and Heather Tolleson, while also seeing their skill displayed through the work of their students.
Atelier 3-D allows you to first get inspired, and then encourages you to create.

East Austin Studio Tour 2012 Site #80a
Music: “Walked All Night” by Videoing

The People’s Gallery at City Hall is a free, annual exhibition designed to showcase regional artists and to encourage public dialog, understanding, and enjoyment of visual art. Each year, visitors are asked to vote on their favorite pieces, and the winning piece is bought by the City of Austin and continues to be displayed.

Music: “Bad Street” by Twin Sister

John Swanger creates abstract and process based paintings. The series explore specific materials, structures, concepts and modes of paint application. The individual works are sometimes informed by the sense or memory of a particular person, place, time, atmosphere or state of mind.

East Austin Studio Tour 2012 Site #78
Music: “Shadow Repair” by Videoing

Art Therapy Austin offers individual art therapy for all ages, as well as workshops for women, Open Studio for adults, and more.  Deanna Miesch and Cathy Altman, owner of Austin Ashiatsu, have created a healing space for art, acupuncture and ashiatsu massage therapies. Their aim is to provide balance for the body, mind and soul of Austin & beyond.

East Austin Studio Tour 2012 Site #H16
Music: “Calgary” by Bon Iver

The husband and wife team that make up Carol & John Acurso Inc. Photography capture images found in the everyday world that often overlooked by the everyday person. During E.A.S.T. 2012 they teamed up to share breathtaking images that showcased Bastrop State Park after devastating wildfires.

East Austin Studio Tour 2012 Site #84
Music: “Heartaches and Pain” by Charles Bradley

“Have Fun. Enjoy Life” is a call to create. There is more than just one style to Brian Phillips. This self-taught artist believes that “one man’s junk is another man’s art supplies,” and takes this quite literally by using  scrap wood along with other surfaces, as canvases for painted works.

East Austin Studio Tour 2012 Site #H28
Music: “No Particular Night or Morning” by Deadhorse

Working from a custom-made trailer in East Austin, Nettie Tiso designs and sells clothing lines for women and men. Her print-making and sewing business, Nettie’s Cloth & Ink, also provides custom screen-printing, tailoring, and dressmaking.

East Austin Studio Tour 2012 Site #86a
Music: “Into The Trees” by Still Corners

Big love and big fun are the focus of MonsterLove, a community art project spearheaded by Sara Hasslinger. “Monsterheads,” mixed media works, and even vegan taxidermy are some of the things that happen under the project.

East Austin Studio Tour 2012 Site #76
Music: “Night Watch” by Videoing