In 1839 the Republic of Texas selected the site of Austin to be the capitol of Texas and sent Edwin Waller to build the town. To feed and entertain the builders Bullock's Tavern opened at 6th and Congress and, to begin working on the government's printing, Samuel Whiting and typographer Joel Miner set up their print shop next door. Months before the influx of citizenry Austin already had its first live music venue, printer and poster artist.

The largest display of Austin poster art ever assembled is launching in conjunction with SXSW 2004. Poster artists from throughout the nation will be displaying their talents and celebrating with local artists on the 165th anniversary of live music and poster art in Austin. Make plans to see why Austin is the premier poster art production center of the USA, meet your favorite artists and enjoy the parties at the events listed below.

AUSTIN AIRPORT - The Center For American History and The City of Austin are displaying posters in the city airport to greet SXSW visitors.


AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER - February 29 through May 29, displaying posters from the center's historical collection dating from the 1800s.

Mon–Wed: 10 am–9 pm   Sat: 10 am–6 pm   Sun: 12 Noon –6 pm

810 Guadalupe Street - 974-7400

AUSTIN VISITOR CENTER - Opening March 1st, the center will be displaying poster art from Armadillo WHQ as well as contemporary artists.

Sun–Thurs: 9 am–6 pm  Fri–Sat: 9 am–7 pm

209 E. 6th Street - 583-7235

PARADISE CAFE - Opening on March 7th and running throughout the month, Paradise will be displaying artwork by several local poster artists.

Mon–Fri: 11 am–2 am   Sat: 11:30 am–2 am   Sun: 12 Noon –2 am
Opening reception: March 11th 6-9 pm
401 E. 6th Street - 476-5667

SOUTH AUSTIN MUSEUM of POPULAR CULTURE - Opens March 15th, featuring a permanent collection of historical Austin poster art by the Armadillo Art Squad and earlier artists, as well as, rotating gallery shows.

Grand Opening Party March 15 - Parties Nightly March 17,18 and 21
1516 S. Lamar - 440-8318

FLATSTOCK 4 at SXSW - Local poster artists will have works on display at the API trade show and national poster artist conference being held in the Austin Convention Center on March 19th and 20th during SXSW.

Friday and Saturday: 12 Noon –6 pm
Austin Convention Center - 500 E. Cesar Chavez

 As a companion to the Flatstock 4 poster convention, attending artists will be exhibiting fine art pieces in a group show. This exhibition entitled, "Complimentary Headache," showcases two- and three-dimensional artwork.

March 18-21 - Opening reception: March 18th 7-10 pm
Ruta Maya - Penn Field Plaza - 3601 S. Congress


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Additional Austin poster art can be seen as
permanent decor at these Austin restaurants:

Threadgill's WHQ - 301 W. Riverside 472-9304
Original Threadgill's - 6416 N. Lamar 451-5440
Texicalli Grille - 534 E. Oltorf 442-2799

Green Mesquite - 1400 Barton Springs 479-0485
Scholz Garden - 1607 San Jacinto 474-1958
Hard Rock Café - 222 E. 6th Street 474-7625

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This tour guide is sponsored by the Armadillo Special Interest Group.

ASIG's coffee table book, The History of Austin Posters, is scheduled for release in 2005. On April 2nd Co-author Bill Narum will be the guest speaker at the Austin History Center's poster history exhibition celebrations.


************* LINKS *************

AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER

AUSTIN VISITOR CENTER

CENTER FOR AMERICAN HISTORY

FLATSTOCK - SXSW 2004
click here for API press release

PARADISE CAFE

ARMADILLO WORLD HEADQUARTERS

SOUTH AUSTIN MUSEUM
of POPULAR CULTURE

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Additional music related art is on display at:

Wild About Music - 721 Congress Avenue - 708-1700
Gallery Lombardi - 910 W. Third Street - 791-5123
Flatbed Gallery - 2832 E. MLK Blvd - 866-477-9328


The Austin Music Scene in Photographs 1965-1994.

BURTON WILSON
Tuesday through Saturday - through April 3rd
Wally Workman Gallery - 1202 W. 6th Street


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