A group of art galleries, artist studios and other spaces will open their doors to the public to showcase art in the East Austin community at this year's East Austin Studio Tour (EAST) which opens Nov. 12.
EAST is an annual event that gives the public an opportunity to discover new artistic talent, see working studios and learn about artists' tools, techniques, and inspirations in addition to supporting the art community and local businesses.
One new artist to have his art featured at EAST is Austin Community College student Michael Garcia. Although he said at times he questions his artistic ability, ACC Art Professor Victoria Suescum felt strong enough to recommend his work for the East Austin exhibit.
"I was very shocked when professor Suescum brought me into her office and asked me if I wanted to do this, to feature me, because I never thought I had artistic ability," Garcia said.
Early in his academic career Garcia said he recalls a teacher telling him that his artwork wasn't very good which may have led to his self-doubts. By returning to art on a whim, he said he found a deep love and appreciation for painting that brought him to be a featured artist in an exhibit today.
"I recently remodeled my house and have nothing on the walls. I was too cheap to pay for anything so I thought maybe I should learn to draw or paint," Garcia said.
Currently Garcia is still torn with the idea of which piece he should have featured in the show.
"I've done two still life paintings and one of them is more whimsical and the other is a little bit more serious," Garcia said. "I'm going to do another one. Then myself and professor Suescum are going to decide which one we like the best and that one will be the one we select." Half of ACC's art faculty is involved with selecting which
students get their art featured in EAST. "It is as important to gain experience exhibiting art properly
as it is to make it," Suescum said, one of the professors chosen to select artwork to display at EAST. "I am so glad to be able to provide hardworking talented students with opportunities like this one. It reinvigorates student engagement with the art program."
Garcia said he has strong convictions about the positive effects of events like EAST happening.
"I feel ACC plays an important role in this community and I think the more ACC is shown within the community the more people realize the classes offered they can benefit from," he said.
In addition to showcasing artwork, Suescum said EAST provides inspiration for others to create their own work.
"[EAST's exhibits] provides samples of work students can hope to create in ACC studio class," Suescum said.
Garcia's work, along with other ACC students and faculty will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 12-13 and Nov. 19-20 at Reji Thomas Studio located at 1101 East 5th Street.
"I'm really enjoying the fact that I can be creative and show people to inspire others to be creative too," Garcia said.
Visit eastaustinstudiotour.com to download a map of local exhibits hosting EAST artists.
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