Upcoming Events
The Art of Tinkering and the Transformative Power of Play
Presented by Kami Wilt
January 14, 2025
6:30-8pm
Join us for a hands-on workshop that invites artists to explore the art of tinkering and the transformative power of play. Participants will construct a whimsical, moving automaton machine using simple materials like cardboard and craft supplies. This workshop helps artists unlock their creativity by fostering problem-solving skills, embracing experimentation, and encouraging out-of-the-box thinking. By engaging in this playful process, artists will gain fresh insights and inspiration for their own work, while developing resilience and a deeper appreciation for learning through hands-on creation.
Artist Talk: Faustinus Deraet, Rachel Noffke, and Select Artists Presented by Austin Oita Sister City Committee
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
7-9pm
Learn about the creative processes behind three distinct exhibits. Hear from Faustinus Deraet as he discusses the emotional depth of his series “Psychological Landscapes Photographed,” and learn how Rachel Noffke uses color and minimalism to create dimensional still lifes in “Whole Color, Half Dimension.” The evening will also feature insights from artists involved in “The Spirit of Friendship: Connecting Hearts,” highlighting cross-cultural artworks that celebrate the 35-year partnership between Austin, TX and Oita, Japan.
Julia C. Butridge Gallery events are free and open to all.
For more information about the exhibits, please visit the Julia C. Butridge Gallery webpage or email JCBgallery@austintexas.gov
Escandalo Improvised Telenovelas presents ¡Escándalo!
Saturday, January 18, 2025
8:00pm
Visit the Eventbrite for ticket information.
Join the (multiple) award-winning cast of ¡Escándalo! for an evening of improvised comedy and melodrama as they weave together a brand new, passion-filled telenovela based on audience suggestions.
Star-crossed love, nail-biting intrigue, and dastardly villains will leave you wanting more…
No two shows are ever the same!
Shows may contain adult themes, adult language, and prop weapons. The primary language is English with some Spanish peppered throughout.
Escandalo Improvised Telenovelas is part of the Artist Access Program, through the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department, Division of Museums and Cultural Programs, and the Dougherty Arts Center.
DAC Nights: Birds of Clay
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
7-9pm
Though the weather outside may be fowl, DAC Nights: Birds of Clay brings you an event that is for the birds. Join DAC Nights as we make our own feathered friends out of clay. This is a self-guided, all-levels event, so whether you have sculpted many a grackle or nary a heron, you’re welcome here.
This is a free event. There will be enough supplies for everyone, so gather your flock so you don’t find yourself with egrets at the end of the day! Registration is encouraged, but not required.
For more information about this event, email DACTheater@austintexas.gov
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Dance Waterloo presents m(other) figures
Friday, January 31, 2025 at 6pm
Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 3pm & 6pm
Purchase Tickets at tickettailor.com
In m(other) figures, Dance Waterloo invites you into a dynamic exploration of creative lineage and generational dialogue. Dance Waterloo’s choreographers join forces with their maternal figures—mothers, mentors, and other guiding spirits—to uncover the similarities and differences in how ideas, feelings, and artistry take shape across generations. Through movement, storytelling, and a spirit of co-creation, they reveal the nuances of inherited habits, the embrace of new methods, and the subtle shifts in perception that evolve over time. The result is a tapestry of shared experiences and surprising departures, woven into a dance performance that honors both the creative roots we grow from and the distinct paths we carve anew.
Dance Waterloo is part of the Artist Access Program, through the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department, Division of Museums and Cultural Programs, and the Dougherty Arts Center.
Creative Clay with Jennie Tudor Grey
Guest Artist Program
Saturdays
February 1, 8, 15, and 22, 2025
In these handbuilding ceramics classes young artists learn to shape clay using their hands rather than a potter's wheel. Children explore different techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab building to create unique pottery and sculptures. They develop fine motor skills, express their creativity, and enjoy the tactile experience of working with clay.
This is a Contract Instructor class, to register visit Eventbrite. Or email ms.jennie.gray@gmail.com.
Artist Reception for Taste of Imagination and I Am, and We as Energy, Rising
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
7-9pm
Celebrate the art of transformation and imagination at the Artist Reception for Colton Matocha and Bibi Flores on February 5, from 7–9 PM. Experience Matocha’s “Taste of Imagination,” a vibrant series that rekindles childhood wonder through colorful, candy-inspired imagery and Flores’ “I Am, and We as Energy, Rising,” a powerful collection of abstract paintings exploring healing and empowerment.
Free and open to the public.
For more information about the exhibits, please visit the Julia C. Butridge Gallery webpage or email JCBgallery@austintexas.gov
Art in Cahoots at Dougherty Arts Center
A Pop-Up Arts Experience for Caregiver & Child
Friday, February 7, 2025
10-11am
Art in Cahoots is a free one-hour event designed for prekindergarten-age students with an accompanying adult caregiver. Each will include sensory, multi-disciplinary, process-based arts activities for children and caregivers to experience together. Children can build social-emotional skills, familiarize themselves with a classroom setting, and learn while still under the wing of a trusted caregiver. Children must be 2½ years of age (30 months) to attend.
Artist Reception for Glitter and Tears
Saturday, February 8, 2025
1-3pm
Step into a world of uncharted dimensions at the Artist Reception for Hailey Gearo on February 8, from 1–3 PM. Explore Glitter and Tears, a mesmerizing collection of dreamscapes that transform personal emotions into, otherworldly scenes.
This event is free and open to the public.
For more information about the exhibit, please visit the Julia C. Butridge Gallery webpage or email JCBgallery@austintexas.gov
Sculpting The Human Figure
Saturday, February 15, 2025
2-4pm
Free
18+
The human figure is a classic source of inspiration for many, but may be challenging to approach in clay for the first time. Hosted by DAC Resident Artist Diane Sung, this free workshop will introduce participants to the process of blocking out and compressing a proportional body without armature, as well as sculpting techniques for finer details. Participants will play with proportions, with a focus on how to create a believable sense of weight and gesture. Must be 18+ to participate. All abilities welcome! Having a sketch or pose in mind beforehand is encouraged but not required.
Registration on Eventbrite is required.
Digital Programming
The DAC is proud to offer free digital programming for the public.
- Adult Art Lessons
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Instructor-led lessons in various different mediums of ceramics, drawing & painting, and digital arts.
Ceramics: Adding Form to Coil Vessel
Ceramics: Making a Bowl on the Potters Wheel
Ceramics: Adding Details to Sculptures with Jon Nelson Video 3
Ceramics: Rhyton Part 1 - Handbuilding the vessel
Ceramics: Rhyton Part 2 - Decorating the vessel
Ceramics: Hand Building a Dog Food Bowl
Ceramics: Hand Building a Cat Food Bowl
Ceramics: How to Make a Plate on the Wheel
Ceramics: Texture Glazing Ceramics - Video 4
Ceramics: Learn How to Make an Oil Bottle
Ceramics: How to Make A Vase on the Potters Wheel
Ceramics: Make a Cup on the Wheel
Ceramics: Make a Ring Holder on the Potters Wheel
Ceramics: Make a Coffee Pour Over
Ceramics: Make a Flower Brick part 1
Ceramics: Make a Flower Brick part 2
Ceramics: Make a Large Serving Dish
Ceramics: Trim a Large Baking Dish
Ceramics: Make a Teapot Part 1
Ceramics: Make a Teapot Part 2
Ceramics: Make a Bird Bath & Feeder
Ceramics: How to Reclaim Clay Scraps
Ceramics: Trimming With a Chuck
Ceramics: Make Screen Printed Decals
Ceramics: Make a Clay Pumpkin on the Potter's Wheel
Ceramics: Pinch Pot Clay Pumpkin
Ceramics: How to Pull Cup Handles
Ceramics: Glazing a Mug: Two Ways
Ceramics: Cut and Slam Wedging
Ceramics: What Are Pyrometric Cones?
Drawing: Portrait Drawing Hacks
Drawing:Urban Sketching in Your Yard
Drawing: The Five Aspects of Light
Drawing: Hatching & Cross-Hatching - Pen & Ink Shading Techniques, Part I
Drawing: Stippling & Scribbling - Pen & Ink Shading Techniques, Part II
Drawing: Drawing on Book Pages
Drawing: How To Start Drawing a Portrait
Drawing: Ditch Your Eraser: Hand Lettering
Drawing: Additive and Subtractive Drawing
Drawing: Developing a Daily Drawing Practice
Drawing: Using Notan as a Composition Tool
Drawing: Ditch Your Eraser: Embracing Mistakes
Drawing: Tips & Tricks: Thumbnails
Drawing: Gesture Drawing: How and Why
Drawing: Drawing Hair In Portraits
Drawing: Using Perspective To Draw The Human Head
Drawing: Tips & Tricks: Urban Sketching Trees & Shrubs
Drawing: 2B or not 2B: The Pencil Code
Drawing: Tips & Tricks: Sharpening Art Pencils
Drawing: Tips & Tricks: Walnut Ink
Drawing: Squint: What’s a Value Study?
Drawing: Face It: Using Value Shapes To Draw The Human Face
Drawing: Hands Up- Drawing Hands
Drawing: Why Perspective Is Hard To Get Right Part 1
Drawing: Sketching Clouds in Pen & Ink
Drawing: Why Perspective is Hard to Get Right? Part 2
Drawing: Blind Contour Drawing
Painting: Indigo Hills Watercolor
Painting: Basics - The Painter's Sketchbook
Painting: A Guide to Abstract Painting
Painting: Riverbank Scene in Watercolor
Painting: Pink Water Lily Watercolor
Painting: Creating a Watercolor Study
Painting: Blending & Dry Brushing
Painting: Seascape in Watercolor
Painting: Highlights and Edges
Painting: Tips for Beginning Acrylic Painters
Painting: Discover Watercolor Crayons
Painting Basics: The Self-Critique
Painting: Exploring Color in Neutral Tones
Painting: Watercolor Crayon Still Life
Painting Basics: Oil or Acrylic?
Painting: Beginning Watercolor: Abstract with India Ink
Painting Basics: Setting Up a Still Life
Painting: Abstract Art: What’s Going On Here?
Painting: Beginning Watercolor: Stormy Sky
Painting: Tips & Tricks: Composition
Painting: Watercolor: Using Expressive Color
Painting: Tips & Tricks: DIY Painting Set Up
Painting: Beginning Watercolor: Mixed Media Collage
Painting: Watercolor - Oil Pastels with Watercolor
Painting: Beginning Watercolor: Painting Trees
Painting: Beginning Watercolor: How to Paint Clouds
Painting: Painting a Starry Sky With Ink
Painting: Beginning Watercolor: Brush Basics
Painting: Painting Clouds With Gouache
Beginning Watercolor: Falling Leaves
Watercolor: The 10 Minute Field Sketch
Watercolor Sketchbook: Simplifying a Complex Subject
Digital: Photoshop - Clone Stamp
Digital: Photoshop - Blending Modes
Digital: Introduction to Illustrator
Craft: Papier-Mâché Cactus Sculpture
Craft: Trellis Ladder for your Garden
Craft: Frank Lloyd Wright inspired Squirrel Feeder
Craft: Cross Stitch Earring Holder
Craft: Make a Peephole Diorama
Craft: Upcycled Wine Cork Board
Craft: Tips & Tricks: Cutting Collage Elements
Crafts: Bat Macrame Wall Hanging
Crafting: Upcycled Tinsel Tree
Crafting: DIY Stamped Wrapping Paper
Crafting: Upcycled Sweater Mittens
Mixed Media: A Template for Working With Mixed Media
Mixed Media: Blackout Poetry on Book Pages
Mixed Media: Reviving an Abandoned Drawing
Mixed Media: Curating Collage Elements
Photography: DIY Camera Obscura
Photography: Make a Paraxinoscope
Photography: Smartphone Photography: How to Tune Your Image
Photography: Natural Light Photography
Photography: Smart Phone Photography: How to Remove Unwanted Content
Smartphone Photography: How to Rotate and Crop an Image
Smartphone Photography: Adding Shallow Depth of Field
Smartphone Photography: Creating a Black and White Image with the Subject in Color
- Artist Professional Development
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The Artist Resource Center is pleased to host free monthly professional development workshops for artists. Covering a different topic each month, our workshops give artists the tools to develop and advance their careers in the arts.
- Paper Pandemonium