events archive
Re-Imagining the Ney:
A Community Art Bash (2024)
Saturday, October 12, 2023, 5:00pm to 8:00 pm
Experience the Elisabet Ney Museum’s latest contemporary art exhibition, Breaking the Mold, and enjoy this annual creative event in which the community shares their thoughts and experiences the museum in new dynamic ways through the eyes of artists.
Celebrating the through line between 19th-century art and modern times, the contemporary art programs at the museum activates conversations between artists across the centuries and in collaboration with the historic native Texas landscape.
Breaking the Mold is a group exhibition consisting of art that engages with the life, art, home, and story of Elisabet Ney by Austin contemporary visual artists Beili Liu, Virginia L Montgomery (VLM), and Tammie Rubin. These artists will also kick off a museum educational initiative Breaking the Mold: Mobile Hands-On Art Crates to be deployed in 2025 into Austin elementary schools as a means to share Elisabet’s story with a new generation and with a focus on female empowered artists. These portable classroom kits designed and fabricated by the artists will bring each artist created crates into Austin 4th grade classrooms and engage students with art, history, science and math-based lessons that encourage critical thinking and the creative process.
Community Art Bash attendees will experience a culmination of events including the opening of the exhibition Breaking the Mold while also be a part of additional interactive one-night projects taking the shape of an installation, a performance, a musical performance, a guided walk, or other creative iterations reflecting local artist’s ideas and the connections between the historic environments in which they are presented. Be a part of the museum's evolving programs, exhibits, and educational initiatives on this night of exchange and creativity.
This project has been funded in part by a grant from the Dorothy C. Radgowski Learning Through Women’s Achievement in the Arts Grant Program, provided through the Where Women Made History and the Historic Artists' Homes and Studios programs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation along with support from the Summerlee Foundation.
Breaking the Mold On Display During Museum Hours October 12th 2024 – December 1st 2024
Re-Imagining the Ney:
A Community Art Bash (2023)
Saturday, October 21, 2023, 3:00 to 8:00 pm
Reimagine Elisabet Ney's iconoclastic life and brilliant art through the lens of three Austin contemporary visual artists: Yuliya Lanina, Agustina Rodriguez and Lisa B. Woods. Each will be creating site-specific art experiences in the Museum or historic grounds. Attendees will experienced artist interventions, theatrical performances, and musical expressions immersed throughout the Museum's expansive grounds, paired with curated food and drinks from local vendors and specialized museum tours crafted by interpretive actors, Yunina C Barbour-Payne, Venese Alcantar, and Savannah Lee.
In the flavor of Ney’s marble cutting process, Eric McMaster’s Digital Fabrication course from The University of Texas will share their current day translations of Ney’s plaster casts. Come celebrate the museum's evolving programs and exhibits and share your thoughts on the next evolution of the Museum. As the evening approaches, the event will transition into an after-hours event, featuring interactive projects and musical interventions by artist Amanda Vaughn. Featured sponsors include Quiet Events, Fair Weather Cider Company, Fancy Fancy and Chawar.
This event serves as a pivotal component of our ongoing engagement efforts to develop the Museum's new interpretive plan. As we strive to ensure an inclusive and community-centered approach, we will be actively interviewing and surveying visitors throughout the day. If you are approached to participate, we kindly request your valuable input as it will play a crucial role in shaping the future of this historic space. Your feedback is immensely appreciated and will help us create a meaningful and enriching experience for all who visit the Elisabet Ney Museum. This event is free and open to the public.
10th Annual Ney Day Celebration
Ney Day volunteers assist with setting up and taking down of tables, chairs, tents and helping with general event tasks. Throughout the event you'll be able to enjoy free activites and live music.
Volunteers like YOU make our events possible!
Saturday, May 25th, 2024, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Elisabet Ney left her artistic mark on some of our most sacred public institutions in the United States and Texas: the United States Capitol, the Texas Capitol, and the Texas State Cemetery. In a more abstract sense, she shaped the state’s and Austin’s cultural scenes.
This month we celebrate Elisabet Ney’s efforts to make noted changes in the areas of civic discourse and women’s involvement in the arts and sciences with our 10th annual Ney Day celebration on May 25th from 12-4pm.
To commemorate this iconic artist and anyone who identifies with her fiercely independent spirit, join us for this free outdoor community celebration featuring artist-led activities, interactive demonstrations, and refreshments by mmmpanadas and Amy’s Ice Cream.
Gina Chavez is going to headline the event and the day will open with energetic sets by DJ Suspiros and DJ Con Safos. Ten Eyck Landscape Architects and Co’Design will be offering a sneak peek look at ideas for the brand-new landscape rehabilitation plan for the Ney’s grounds! Don’t miss an opportunity to meet with the architects and celebrate the museum's upcoming upgrades.
Community partners include KUTX with a live broadcast from the Ney, ATX Gals, Refugee Collective, Brush Square Museums, Lady Cans, Girls Empowerment Network, and Austin History Center. Ney Day is free and open to all ages!
2024
Saturday Studio Sessions: Printing Nature
Saturday, June 15th at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Explore various printmaking techniques by integrating natural resources into your art-making process! Through this session, participants will learn how to create collagraphs and cyanotypes using objects found in the native landscape surrounding the Elisabet Ney Museum. Our education staff will lead the demonstrations and all of the materials will be provided. This program is free and open to all ages!
Saturday Studio Sessions: Painting History
Saturday, June 29th at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Examine history through the art of painting! Through this session, participants will learn how to use acrylic and watercolor mediums to recreate a narrative from their own life. In addition to developing technical skills, this is a great way to expand your understanding of visual storytelling and the use of symbolism in art. Our education staff will lead the demonstrations and all of the materials will be provided. This program is free and open to all ages!
Saturday Studio Sessions: Sculpting Society
Saturday, July 13th at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Discover the connection between sculptures and our society. How do buildings and statues reflect the world around us? Through this session, participants will delve into this topic by using found materials to create a three-dimensional public art piece. Our education staff will lead the demonstrations and all of the materials will be provided. This program is free and open to all ages!
Saturday Studio Sessions: Photographing Identity
Saturday, July 27th at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Learn how to create a silhouette collage using our temporary portrait booth. Through this session, participants will use magazine cut outs to create their own photographic representation. Attendees are welcome to bring their own digital photocopies. Our education staff will lead the demonstrations and all of the materials will be provided. This program is free and open to all ages!
Naturalists at the Ney
Flower Power: Botanicals Workshop
Saturday, June 1st at 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Join us for a presentation with Amy Galloway Medley, Lead Horticulturist of the Family Garden at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, about how to plant a successful pollinator garden while appreciating the importance of pollinator plants in our urban core. There will be a 20–30-minute PowerPoint presentation with questions and then 15 mins of walking through the landscape to look at examples of great pollinator plants. Up to thirty participants will receive one native pollinator plant in a four inch pot. Afterwards, we will have a workday in the Ney landscape led by Sam Hodge. This event is free with a ticket and open to all ages! Please bring a water bottle and sunscreen.
Naturalists at the Ney
Hidden Partnerships: Fungi & Friends Workshop
Saturday, May 4th at 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Join the Central Texas Mycological Society’s Chris Garza for a short ecology and herb tour. During the tour you will learn how fungi is entangled in all aspects of our lives from soil and plants, to our own biomes. For example, did you know the flavor of mint comes from a type of fungi that protects it from insects and other parasitic fungi!? This event is also great for people that want to sharpen their plant and mushroom ID skills and learn about the medicinal benefits of plants and fungi. Recycled mushroom blocks for everyone that attends. This event is free with a ticket and open to all ages! Please bring a water bottle and sunscreen.
Naturalists at the Ney
Nature’s Color: Natural Dye Workshop
Saturday, April 6th at 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Join us as Dez Dalton, Studio and Production Director of the Refugee Collective, shares her knowledge of foraged dyestuffs and the use of sustainable scrap produce to create beautifully dyed fabrics. Participants will receive a naturally dyed bandana created during this event. This event is free with a ticket and open to all ages! Please bring a water bottle and sunscreen.
Saturday Drawing Salons
Saturday, January 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2024
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join us for our beloved weekly Drawing Salons every Saturday morning in January from 10 am to noon! Sketch Elisabet Ney’s realistic sculptures in her own historic Formosa studio! Each session is hosted by our Museum Educators, and all of the required materials will be provided. Participation is free and open to everyone, regardless of age or level of experience! No RSVP is required!
2023
Re-Imagining the Ney: Draw your Own Path
Sunday, September 17, 2023, 12 to 5 pm
Join us in learning the many facets of drawing inside out through this family friendly event across the grounds of the beloved Elisabet Ney Museum. In keeping with the unique spirit of Ney, the day will host hands-on art projects led by local artists and educators that will inspire you to “draw your own path”. Local artist collective, Atelier Dojo, will be on site to give live sketching demonstrations using Elisabet Ney’s sculptures as models. As part of Austin Museum Day, this event is free and open to all ages. Visit our Eventbrite page to register for each session.
Re-Imagining the Ney: A Night on 19th Century Austin
Thursday, September 21, 2023, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Discover Austin's unique history by stepping back in time with Elisabet Ney! Attendees will experience life in 19th century Texas from local historians and artisans. Join us in dressing the part in 19th century frontier garments. Artist, designer and scholar, Gail Chovan and her Textiles and Apparel’s class at The University of Texas, will share period appropriate garments from the department’s collection. Museum Educators will lead specialized museum tours of the building's hidden basement and guest Austin storyteller, Spike Gillespie will be leading a lively tour of Formosa sharing her unique point of view. Brush Square Museums (O. Henry and Susanna Dickinson Museums will be sharing the history and making Thaumatropes from the 19th century. This is a great opportunity to meet up with friends and enjoy curated food and drink pairings. The event is free and open to the public. Visit our Eventbrite page to register for each session.
Re-Imagining the Ney: A Night of Process
Thursday, October 5, 2023, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Experience Elisabet Ney's body of art and creative process in her very own historic art studio and home, Formosa. During this special after-hours event, attendees will learn how Ney executed her sculptures through a live demo with artist Erin Cunningham and hands-on activities to mold your own body part. Guest artist Renee Lai will lead an artistic tour of Formosa through their unique points of view. The Ney's education staff will also be on hand to answer additional questions regarding Elisabet Ney's studio practices. This is a great opportunity to meet up with friends and enjoy curated food and drink pairings. This event is free and open to the public. Visit our Eventbrite page to register for each session.
Re-Imagining the Ney: A Night in the Landscape
Thursday, October 12, 2023, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Explore Elisabet Ney's rugged but majestic limestone homestead and art studio, Formosa, and unique 2.5 acre landscape through a variety of hands-on horticulture experiences. Attendees will learn about the museum’s surrounding native landscape restored to a 19th century Austin through specialized evening walks. Come watch the sunset with Austin landscape architects, Catherine O’Connor and the team of Ten Eyck as we discuss Ney's unique landscape and its historical significance to Austin. Robert Stepnoski will share drone and LiDAR technologies of the Museum and grounds captured with his Reality Capture for Architecture course at The University of Texas. This is a great opportunity to meet up with friends and enjoy curated food and drink pairings. The event is free and open to the public. Visit our Eventbrite page to register for each session.
Saturday Drawing Salons
Saturday, August 5, 12, 19, & 26, 2023
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Come out to the Elisabet Ney Museum for our beloved weekly Drawing Salons every Saturday morning in August from 10 am to noon! Sketch Elisabet's realistic sculptures in her own Formosa studio! Each session is hosted by our Museum Educators, and all of the required materials will be provided. Participation is free and open to everyone, regardless of age or level of experience! Visit our Eventbrite page to register for each session.
Alejandra Almuelle: "De Tierra" Artist Talk
Thursday, July 13, 2023, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Visit the Elisabeth Ney Museum for an artist talk with Alejandra Almuelle on Thursday, July 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. During this evening event, the artist will discuss her exhibit, “De Tierra” and the processes she used to create this body of work. The exhibition is on view at the Elisabet Ney Museum until July 30, 2023.
Family Days at the Ney!
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
June 3 - Painted Cardboard Cutouts
June 17- Printed Accordion Books
July 8 - Fabric Sculptures
July 22 - Photographic Collage Dioramas
Get creative with Family Days at the Ney all summer long! This family-friendly program is the perfect opportunity for kids of all ages to experiment with a variety of art practices. To celebrate our current exhibition, De Tierra, by artist Alejandra Almuelle, each session will be focused on a different sculpting process. The Ney’s education staff will be here to provide instructions and hand out all of the materials. After completing the activity, visitors can explore the museum or walk across the street to Shipe Park and Shipe Pool. This activity is free and open to the public.
Alejandra Almuelle: "De Tierra" Opening Reception
Thursday, May 25, 2023, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Explore the Ney's latest exhibit by local artist, Alejandra Almuelle. Originally from Peru, Almuelle's ceramic figurative sculptures exemplify the biological archive of experience through the human form. Working in clay is an important component to her work because of the medium's historical significance and its connection to the earth. Throughout the museum, Almuelle's works are going to be re-contextualized amongst Elisabet Ney's own classically-inspired sculptures. The exhibit will be on view from May 25 to July 30, 2023.
Deborah Mersky: “The Path I Took” Closing Reception
Thursday, May 4, 2023, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Join us for the closing reception for artist, Deborah Mersky’s latest exhibit, “The Path I Took” at the Elisabet Ney Museum. Through painted and stitched works, Mersky retraces memories of a childhood in Austin spent wandering along creeks and railroad tracks. She combines these abstracted sensory memories with versions of her current daily walking routes; leading to visual/tactile translations of an untamed world close at hand. Mersky describes these paper and textile artifacts as direct evidence of her days, past and present.
Ney Day
Saturday, April 22, 2023, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Celebrate Elisabet Ney and her legacy by joining us for our ninth annual NEY DAY! To commemorate this iconic artist, we will host an afternoon event dedicated to women in the arts, sciences and civic culture. Like in years past, there will be a ton of artist-led projects, demonstrations, games, music and food! We will have booths set up by Latinitas Magazine, Typewriter Tarot, Batik by Design, Girlstart, Girls Empowerment Network.
Landscape Learning Day
Saturday, April 1, 2023, 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Join the Ney’s horticultural team as they lead another monthly Landscape Learning Day. This is a great opportunity to learn about the museum’s expansive native prairie and Elisabet Ney’s views as a naturalist. Participants will take a tour of the grounds, then help plant a new batch of wildflower seeds that will reinvigorate the natural landscape come Spring.
Elisabet Ney’s Nature Day
Saturday, March 25, 2023, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Celebrate Austin’s diverse flora and fauna at Elisabet Ney’s Nature Day on Saturday, March 25, from 1 to 4 pm. This outdoor family event will feature gardening projects, bird counts, block printmaking activities, interactive demonstrations, and much more! You'll also discover local environmental outreach programs, wildlife rescue organizations, and science education opportunities. There will be fun nature and art activities presented by Travis Audubon, UT’s Children’s Research Institute, the City of Austin Park Rangers, Earth Native School, Horned Lizard Conservation Society, and the Yarborough Library.
Annie May Johnson: “the Mother the Witch the Hysteric” Artist Talk
Thursday, March 9, 2023, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Visit the Elisabeth Ney Museum for an artist talk with Annie May Johnston on Thursday, March 2nd from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. During this evening event, the artist will discuss her exhibit, “the Mother the Witch the Hysteric” and her correlation between Elisabet Ney’s art, Lady Macbeth and herself. The exhibition is on view at the Elisabet Ney Museum until March 21, 2023.
Annie May Johnson: “the Mother the Witch the Hysteric” Opening Reception
Thursday, January 26, 2023, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Come experience the new exhibition at the Elisabet Ney Museum, the Mother the Witch the Hysteric by Annie May Johnston! The Museum continues to present local contemporary female identifying artists within the walls of Miss Ney’s former studio, Formosa. This spring, the Ney welcomes Johnston as she works in collaboration with Elisabet Ney’s striking sculpture of Lady Macbeth. Johnston’s unique printmaking practice employs new technologies alongside traditional processes. Considering gendered traits, the supernatural and pseudo-science, her new artwork combines images and interpretations of Lady Macbeth, Elisabet Ney, and herself. This exhibition is in partnership with PrintAustin, an artist-led nonprofit organization working to showcase traditional and contemporary approaches in printmaking.
Renee Lai and Rosa Nussbaum: “The Bathing of the Sphinx" Artist Talk & Closing Reception
Saturday, January 14, 2023, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Join us for an artist talk with Renee Lai and Rosa Nussbaum on Saturday, January 14 from 6 to 8 pm. During this evening event, the artists will discuss their exhibit, “The Bathing of the Sphinx” and how the installation connects to Elisabet Ney’s art and personal history. They will also illuminate their own conceptual practices and fabrication processes. This will be the last weekend to catch "The Bathing of the Sphinx" on view at the Elisabet Ney Museum before the exhibition closes on Sunday, January 15, 2023.
Saturday Morning Drawing Salons!
Every Saturday in January! 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Come on out to the Elisabet Ney Museum for our beloved weekly Drawing Salons every Saturday morning in January from 10 am to noon! Sketch Elisabet Ney’s realistic sculptures in her own Formosa studio! Each session is hosted by our Museum Educators, and all of the required materials will be provided. Participation is free and open to everyone, regardless of age or level of experience! No RSVP is required!
2022
Renee Lai and Rosa Nussbaum: “The Bathing of the Sphinx" Opening Reception
Thursday, November 10, 2022, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Join us for the opening of a new exhibition by artists Renee Lai & Rosa Nussbaum. "The Bathing of the Sphinx" consists of a video installation in the main gallery and a sculptural element and reflection pond on the museum's grounds. Through this exhibit, the artists connect their own experiences involving art, land and femininity to Elizabet Ney’s personal history. The opening reception, which is part of the Austin Studio Tour 2022, is free and open to the public. "The Bathing of the Sphinx" will be on view from November 5, 2022 to January 15, 2023.
Landscape Cleanup at the Ney!
Saturday, November 5, 2022, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join us for the Landscape Cleanup at the Ney! For It's My Park Day this year, we are going to work together to refresh the natural grounds surrounding the Elisabet Ney Museum. Volunteers will help spread compost, tidy the gravel paths and remove brush. This is a great opportunity to learn about the unique history and ecosystem that compose the museum's native landscape. We will provide tools and gloves but please bring your own water bottle and wear work-appropriate clothing. To register, visit: https://austinparks.givepulse.com/event/325582. We look forward to hosting you for It's My Park Day!
Polkapocalypse
Saturday, October 30, 2022, 12:00 - 6:00 PM
Come out to the Ney as we celebrate the ninth annual Polkapocalypse! This year, we are excited to present live performances by Bohemian Blitz, Los Pinky, Ginny Mac & Brave Combo! The program is being coproduced with Texas Folklife, and it will be emceed by local favorite, Spike Gillespie. There will be a ton of artist-led projects, activities, and food trucks! We will even have an instructor on hand to lead dance lessons on our expansive outdoor floor. This event is free and open to all ages!
Landscape Learning Day
Saturday, October 8, 2022, 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Join the Ney’s horticultural team as they lead another monthly Landscape Learning Day. This is a great opportunity to learn about the museum’s expansive native prairie and Elisabet Ney’s views as a naturalist. Participants will take a tour of the grounds, then help plant a new batch of wildflower seeds that will reinvigorate the natural landscape come Spring. This event is free and open to visitors of all ages!
Portraiture in the Park: Who are you Anyways!?
Sunday, September 18, 2022 AT 12:00 - 5:00 PM
Who are you anyways?! Come explore the many ways to create portraits through drawing, clay sculpting, collaging and printmaking. There will be a ton of activities and demonstrations led by local artists and educators that will help you examine the many facets of portraiture. Visitors will also be able to check out Cindy Elizabeth's giant portrait photographs on view in the museum's historic landscape! As part of Austin Museum Day, this event is free and open to all ages!
Cindy Elizabeth: "Eve" Exhibition Opening
Thursday, August 4, 2022 AT 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Join us for the opening of a new exhibition by documentarian photographer, Cindy Elizabeth. This exhibit will feature an outdoor photography installation that is immersed within the Elisabet Ney Museum’s native landscape. By transitioning inside the museum, visitors will also be able to view Elizabeth's large-scale photographs interwoven amongst Elisabet Ney's own neoclassical sculptures. "Eve" will be on view from August 4 to October 30, 2022.
Saturday Morning Drawing Salons!
Every Saturday in August! 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Come on out to the Elisabet Ney Museum for our beloved weekly Drawing Salons every Saturday morning in August from 10 am to noon! Sketch Elisabet Ney’s realistic sculptures in her own Formosa studio! Each session is hosted by our Museum Educators, and all of the required materials will be provided. Participation is free and open to everyone, regardless of age or level of experience! No RSVP is required!
For more information on past events,
visit our facebook page or contact our Education Coordinator at lindsay.barras@austintexas.gov