Big Medium hosts 31st Austin Studio Tour, East exhibition

In 2002, artists Shea Little, Jana Swec and Joseph Phillips recognized a significant lack of community between the artists in Austin. After renting a warehouse studio, the group exhibited work by 38 artists on the East side of I-35. This year, 468 artists and studios participated in the 31st Austin Studio Tour.

Big Medium, the nonprofit artist-support organization founded by Little, Swec and Phillips, puts on the tour. This year, Big Medium consolidated the tour to two weekends instead of its recent three, with last weekend showing the West side of Interstate 35 and this weekend showing the East side. This reach fosters connection between artists and a diverse pool of patrons. Artist and fine arts alumnus Larry Goode, who creates multimedia paintings, said he made the tour feel intimate by connecting with artists in his neighborhood.

"What we did was we put together a mini-map of the people in this area or the artists' studios in this area," Goode said. "It was a little walking tour for people that are around (the 78757 area). There's probably seven artists in this area, so I've managed to connect with a number of them."

According to Coka Treviño, curator and artistic director at Big Medium, roughly 60,000 people attend the tour annually. This widespread exposure for artists generates significant revenue for them — Treviño said she calculates about $1.5 million each year. Big Medium relies primarily on donations from patrons at the tour.

Despite financial difficulties, the organization has remained attentive to the artists involved.

"(Their website) got very, very efficient," said Clare Townes, artist and painting master's of fine arts alumna. "You can see how your work looks almost immediately, without waiting for them to process it. You can do it in real-time if your website's wrong, or you had the wrong size on a painting ... you can just go in and change it yourself."

For artists like documentary photographer and UT alumnus John Langmore (BBA '85, MBA and JD '89), the exposure the tour provides proves crucial after the pandemic. Langmore will present his photography project, North American Cowboy, for the first time in Austin this weekend.

"I fell into a bit of a slump during the pandemic," Langmore said. "I'm coming out of the two-year period where nobody got to show any work. I've never exhibited that (project) in Austin before because the pandemic hit as soon as the book came out. I'm anxious to show it."

Langmore's work will be shown in a gallery-like space. The artists have the opportunity to tailor their exhibits — hosting in galleries, their homes or garages. Treviño said these unique experiences are her favorite part of the tour.

"I enjoy going to an artist's space — a studio — especially when it's their homes or their garage, and I have time to chat with them," Treviño said. "I feel like the connection that you can get from just being in someone's space, it's truly beautiful."