Dougherty Arts Center

12/31/2024

With the new year just around the corner, we wanted to take a look back and share some of the highlights of our FY24 annual report with you!

The Annual Report highlights the programs, events, exhibits, and outreach provided to our community in the 2024 fiscal year.

For the full Dougherty Arts Center FY24 annual report PDF please visit www.austintexas.gov/dac

12/31/2024

We loved seeing your wonderful weaves at our last DAC Night's Holiday Potholders event, and know in our hearts that your potholder creations helped tie those holiday dishes together.

If you enjoyed this past DAC Night event or wish you could have been there, fear not! Every month we host a new DAC Night event.

Save the date for our next DAC Night, taking place on January 22, 2025.

12/30/2024

The Dougherty Arts Center will be closing its doors at 6pm on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 and will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in observance of New Year's Day.

Regular hours will resume on January 2, 2025.

12/24/2024

Last week, the Dougherty Arts Center wrapped up its Fall session of the Lending Library program, with its final visit at Virginia L. Brown recreation center. Participants explored watercolor artworks with markers and coffee filters.

The DAC's Lending Library program provides community recreation sites around Austin with a medley of arts themed lessons, led by professional arts instructors and curated to the interests and skill level of each group.

Lending Library will be back in the Spring with visits to Delores Duffie, Montopolis, Gus Garcia, Turner Roberts, and Hancock Recreation Center.

12/21/2024

Thank you to all those who came out to the Artist Reception for "Psychological Landscapes Photographed,” “Whole Color, Half Dimension,” and “The Spirit of Friendship: Connecting Hearts.”

If you're interested in learning firsthand the processes, inspiration, and techniques of the artists behind these exhibits, make sure to save the date for the Artist Talk taking place Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 7-9pm.

These exhibits are on display now through January 18, 2025.

The Julia C. Butridge Gallery is always free and open to the public during operating hours.

12/18/2024

“Psychological Landscapes Photographed” by Faustinus Deraet, “Whole Color, Half Dimension” by Rachel Noffke and “The Spirit of Friendship: Connecting Hearts” presented by Austin Oita Sister City Committee are now on display at the Julia C. Butridge Gallery!

View the artwork and celebrate the artists Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 7-9pm at the Artist Reception.

“Psychological Landscapes” explores a therapeutic journey, capturing images that reveal both nostalgia and timelessness. Each photo reflects the artist’s inner emotions and the solitude experienced during a difficult period of time, revealing the healing power of art and photography.

“Whole Color, Half Dimension” is a group of acrylic paintings and prints by Rachel Noffke that explores dimensionality in still life, landscapes, and interiors. Her paintings employ bold colors and iconic patterns to create a unique aesthetic and vibrant result.

In celebration of 35 years as sister cities, artists from Austin and Japanese sister city, Oita, have collaborated to create art celebrating connections between cultures. Austin and Oita artists have come together creating joint pieces created in the spirit of Japanese traditional arts.

These exhibits are on display now through January 18, 2025.

12/17/2024

The cardinal rule of cooking for the holidays is always have plenty of potholders (we’re sure we read that somewhere!). Come to DAC Nights: Holiday Potholders and make your own holiday themed potholders to fit any occasion!

This event is free! Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Register online on Eventbrite: https://DACNightsHolidayPotholders.eventbrite.com

12/14/2024

On Wednesday, December 11 the Dougherty Arts Center’s after school youth program Creativity Club held its end of session Open House. Open House is an opportunity for families to experience the hard work and creativity that youth participants put into their artwork.

Open House also provides an opportunity to see the variety and originality each of our professional teaching artists put into their lessons. Creativity Club teachers teach a range of mediums from 2D, 3D, Mixed Media, Digital and Performing Arts.

12/13/2024

Leading up to the DAC Nights Holiday Potholders event, staff want to share their favorite holiday recipes with you.

Claire Bryant the Dougherty Arts Center’s marketing specialist enjoys making and decorating gingerbread cookies with her family for the holidays. This tradition was started by her mother and continued on by Claire and her sister.

Join us at DAC Nights Holiday Potholders and weave potholders for your favorite seasonal dishes.

Register online on Eventbrite: https://DACNightsHolidayPotholders.eventbrite.com

12/12/2024

⏰ Set your alarm! Registration for all Spring 2025 Dougherty Arts Center Adult Studio classes opens on Wednesday, December 18 at 10am.

The Dougherty Arts Center is making changes to incorporate a focus on sustainability in all Adult Studio Classes. Make sure to read class descriptions fully before enrolling.

To register for a class visit: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/dougherty-arts-center-adult-arts-classes

Or give us a call at 512-974-4000, and we can help you register over the phone.

12/06/2024

Pan American Recreation Center is partnering with The Dougherty Arts Center to host Art in Cahoots on Friday, December 6, 2024 from 10am-11am.

Art in Cahoots activities are free, led by an Austin Artist, and designed specifically for children ages 2.5-5 years of age working cooperatively with an accompanying adult caregiver. This is a great way to collaborate creatively with your child and connect with your community through the arts!

Spots are limited, so register in advance to save your spot at artincahoots.eventbrite.com!

12/06/2024

EQOLI and Austin Public Health are excited to invite you to the fourth annual LGBTQ2IA+ Health and Resource Fair! Join us for this family friendly event on December 7, 2024 from 12pm-4pm at the Fiesta Gardens Building (2101 Jesse E Segovia St). There will be local vendors, community organizations, and City of Austin programs that will be providing swag, informational resources, immunizations, and STI testing – all for FREE! Be sure to bring a
friend!

12/05/2024

Make your holidays a snap with a woven potholder! Come to DAC Nights: Holiday Potholders, where we’ll be snapping holiday photos and weaving holiday themed potholders.

This event is free! Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Register online on Eventbrite: https://DACNightsHolidayPotholders.eventbrite.com

12/02/2024

The Julia C. Butridge Gallery is accepting exhibit proposals for the 2026 gallery season!

Located at the Dougherty Arts Center, the Julia C. Butridge Gallery is well known for its diverse exhibitions of artists and their work. There is no fee to submit an exhibit proposal, and all related exhibits and events are free and open to the public.

Applications are open December 2, 2024 - January 26, 2025.

To submit please visit: doughertyartscenter.submittable.com/submit

The Dougherty Arts Center (DAC) is an award-winning cultural arts center in the heart of Austin, TX.

11/28/2024

The Dougherty Arts Center will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29 in observance of Thanksgiving.



https://www.austintexas.gov/news/city-austin-thanksgiving-closures-2024

11/27/2024

Rubén Miranda’s exhibit "Natura" is on display at the JCB Gallery until December 7, 2024.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Rubén Miranda has developed a rich artistic career spanning several decades. With a B.A. in Art Education from the University of Puerto Rico and an MFA from Florida State University, Rubén has explored a wide range of mediums, including painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture. He has received multiple awards throughout his career, including an Individual Artist Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and First Place at the Fort Worth Center for the Arts. Since 1991, he has continued to exhibit and sell his work across Texas, where he now resides.

Save the date for his Artist Talk, taking place on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 7-9pm.

11/23/2024

Check out what some of our adult students have been working on in our Morning Wheel Throwing, Color Theory, and Weaving Kitchen Textiles Adult Studio Classes!

11/21/2024

Meet Ceramics Resident Diane Sung whose work can be seen in “Play Fight: A Search for Connection” on display at the JCB Gallery until December 7, 2024.

Diane earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics from the Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, MO. Her work is primarily driven by the complexities of human experiences with language, and she explores these narratives through her sculptures.

Save the date for her Artist Talk, taking place on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 7-9pm.