BiRDHOUSE Art Gallery
February 23, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Photo by Spike Gillespie.
My friend Ross keeps his finger on the pulse of offbeat art galleries in Austin. Recently he informed me that he'd discovered BiRDHOUSE (get directions), and that I just had to check it out. He explained the concept — some artists had moved into a duplex on Austin's East side, using one half of the building for living quarters, and the other half for an art gallery. The gallery had a great feel to it, and some really cool art created by local artists.
True Grit, Welcome Home
Unlike some of the more polished galleries in town, BiRDHOUSE gives off an odd combination of gritty reality mixed with genuine welcome. As you approach the front porch, you feel more like you're visiting a friend's house than heading into a gallery. There's no fancy sign out front — just BiRDHOUSE painted on one window.
Inside, the art hangs unpretentiously on whitewashed walls throughout the space. Save for the lack of furniture, that feeling you're popping by a friend's place, rather than a gallery, gains momentum as you wander through the space.
The Art of Mystery
BiRDHOUSE keeps odd hours — 5-7 pm on Wednesdays and noon to 5 pm on the weekends. At least those are the listed hours, but there's no 100% guarantee that the gallery will actually be open when you arrive. Rather than frustrate, this adds to the mystery of the place, creating a supply/demand scenario that leaves you eager to actually be there during the limited windows of entry.
The catch-is-as-catch-can attitude very much evokes "old" Austin. And not to worry if you find yourself locked out — check back in an hour and you might just be in luck. Meanwhile, you can pass time at any one of the many restaurants up and down Cesar Chavez Street, pop into the nearby Domy Books, or check out some of the other nearby galleries. EastAustinite.com is a great source for places of interest.
About Arts & Minds
Everyone likes some form of art. From a pop song with a memorable hook to an ancient sculpture that survived thanks to its exquisite workmanship, art appeals to the mind and soul. In Arts & Minds, we suggest upcoming events and other activities in Austin in the fine arts, performing arts, and everything in between.
