Blanton Museum to hold new grounds grand opening celebration on May 13

The opening celebration will feature live music, remarks by special guests, a participatory art experience designed by the Haas Brothers, and activation of the primary outdoor gathering space, the Moody Patio.

AUSTIN, Texas - The Blanton Museum of Art is welcoming visitors to its newly reimagined grounds this weekend.

The Moody Patio and outdoor gathering space have been nearly ten years in the making.

Designed by internationally renowned architecture firm Snøhetta, whose principals are UT Austin alumni, the new space provides a welcoming gateway between the University of Texas at Austin campus and the city of Austin.

Among the features are a canopy of 12 distinctive 3-story shade structures that look like petals. A filter system inside collects rainwater that can be used for irrigation.

The Moody Patio also includes a lawn, two performance stages, and native plantings.

The new outdoor design also created a better drop-off area for school buses and accessibility needs.

Blanton Museum of Art featuring 4 new art installations

Among the new artworks are Verde que te quiero verde (Green How I Desire You Green) by Cuban American artist Carmen Herrera, and work by sound art pioneer Bill Fontana that incorporates recordings of Texas wildlife and geological structures taken over the course of four seasons.

Inside the new check-In entrance and lobby, visitors will find a commissioned artwork by Texas-based artist Gabriel Dawe, made up of thousands of colorful sewing threads.

Other new large-scale artworks can be discovered throughout the grounds, including the Butler Sound Gallery, one of the only spaces in the world dedicated to sound art.

Blanton Museum of Art opens new, reimagined store

FOX 7's Tierra Neubaum takes us inside the new store to see what's changed.

Upcoming public events on the Moody Patio:

New Grounds Grand Opening on May 13 from 2 to 8 p.m. with remarks by special guests and performances by Gina Chavez, the Peterson Brothers, and Adrian Quesada.
Second Saturdays start June 10. Every second Saturday of the month there will be music on the grounds and programs throughout the museum.

Blanton Museum of Art hours changes:

The museum is now open on Tuesdays; Tuesdays are now free admission days (rather than Free Thursdays), generously provided by Moody Family Day Foundation.
Open late until 8 p.m. on Saturdays starting May 13.
The Museum Store is now open after a more than 2-year temporary closure. You can find artful gifts and new Blanton merch, including a special Blanton coffee blend by Texas Coffee Traders. Blanton Members get discounts in the store.