Austin's Public Art

Where I grew up, the only public art we had was on display every evening at dusk: a big sky and dust scattering the sunsets with a rich crimson. One of the perks of living in Austin is that we have public art everywhere: in the architecture of Hyde Park and the 360 bridge; in the weirdness of Electric Ladyland and the flamingos in Westlake; in the landscaping around the centuries old tree at Central Park; in the "galleries" inside most locally owned restaurants and coffee shops; and at our libraries and city parks. In fact, public art is so accessible you probably experience it three times a day without even realizing it.

For kids, this accessibility is great. My son learned "eyes, nose, ears" at the Arboretum. We've gone on countless mermaid adventures in Zilker Park, and often practice flying outside the Milwood Branch Library. Through public art, kids can see art's practical application, and experience culture, history, color, texture and, literally, that which separates us from animals.

Some of my favorite public art pieces are part of Austin's Art in Public Places program. The State Capitol has one of my favorites: the star inside the top of the rotunda, which looks small but is actually eight feet wide. The Umlauf Sculpture Garden near Zilker Park, while not necessarily "public" art, has a great collection of sculpture and a "zoo" of sorts that interests kids. But my all-time favorite is the Arboretum Cows, for personal sentiment and its proximity to great ice cream.

So how can we learn from public art? Discover it with your children by looking and touching (if allowed). Sketch the art. Take some interesting photos. Make a plan to research the subject matter and/or the artist. Discuss the art with them: What do you think it is? What does it represent? How did the artist make it? What materials were used? What colors?
(My daughter likes to draw the art, later in the day, and accompany it with an interesting story. Then again, she also likes to smell the art. I'm not sure why.)

If you're up to it, go through your recyclables and make some art for your own public space. Be creative. And keep in mind what Pablo Picasso once said:
"Every child is an artist."

He also said that to draw you have to close your eyes and sing. So go for it. You have plenty of great public art (and musicians) to emulate.

Where to find public art:
Art in Public Places Program: www.ci.austin.tx.us/aipp
Texas State Capitol: www.tspb.state.tx.us/SPB/gallery/Gallery.htm
Umlauf Sculpture Garden: www.umlaufsculpture.org