Open Heart Open House Austin, Texas

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Well, today before the art reception I invited you to yesterday (“For the Love of Art” which had a GREAT turnout), I brought some of my sculpture, drawings, and paintings to a new cultural space in south Austin, Texas: the Curioseum, inside the soon-to-be-renamed “Austin Marketplace.”

Come to the Festival!
Date: Sunday, February 14, 2010
Time: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Location: 6800 Westgate Boulevard Austin TX 78745 (NW corner of Westgate and William Cannon)

From instigators Ruth Glendinning, Susan Buhrman, Beth Krueger, and Bruce Banks:


We are opening our heart and house to the community on Valentine's Day so you can see how we've changed!

Marketplace Austin is transforming into a multi-cultural community that will honor the interest, passions, and creativity of our neighbors. Our Austin culture is a blend of many diverse ideas. We look forward to planning great opportunities for all merchants to be a part of over the next few months. Working together with a common goal.

Please join us as we give the community a sneak preview of what we're creating. We'll have local food vendors, acoustic music, art, antiques, collectibles and all those things that we all love so much about Austin.

This is a family-friendly event and we look forward to welcoming you to your new favorite place to hang out in South Austin!

Don’t forget to bring healthy, non-perishable food items for the Capital Area Food Bank.

Happy San Valentino!

[The sculpture you see here is “The Little Mermaid” – bronze figure with a granite base.]

Real Estate and Art Exhibited Together in Austin Texas

Austinite Keith Hogan knows how to throw a party and show people the finer side of life at the same time. Wednesday night’s Open House of his newly renovated (and available) homes in the Rosedale neighborhood in Austin, Texas, was a big success.
Afterwards, we estimated a minimum of 75 guests at the beautiful condominiums on 4207 Shoalwood Avenue. I felt so comfortable there because everyone was so warm and friendly, just like at a small town holiday party. And people really LOOKED at and were INTERESTED in the art and each property.

It struck me as good customer service for Keith to show these homes at a time when enough of the décor (flooring, walls, cabinetry, etc.) was installed to get the idea of the space, but unfinished enough so that the new owners might suggest a change or two, if desired. I especially enjoyed speaking with several neighbors who were pleasantly surprised by how different the homes looked after Keith and his crew worked their magic. According to them, the new floor plans were much more open, spacious, accessible, and yet, private. And they love how well the new homes fit into the neighborhood!

I met Keith some time ago through his partner Ruth Glendinning, or GuRuth. I am almost convinced that the two of them know everyone in Austin. Ruth has been helping me promote my artwork, some of which you see here in these photos from Wednesday evening’s event. Other artists who exhibited art here were Jennifer Lovelace and Reji Thomas.

Adding to the evening’s festivities were:
Music by Plan B (members are Bruce Banks, Tom Hughes and Wayne Rimkus)
Delicious food by Emily’s Catering of East Austin, served by Sharon and Jessica.
Fantastic organic teas by Candice and Jeffrey of Zhi Tea (more on them tomorrow).

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For more information on the condos at 4207 Shoalwood Avenue, Austin, Texas 78756, please call Keith Hogan at 512.280.5402.

Help Keith make homes more enjoyable and accessible to people with disabilities:
http://jumpup.intuit.com/start/?p=contest&id=3568


Other useful links:
Austin Musicians Plan B:
www.myspace.com/planbaustin
Catering Services:
www.emilyscatering.com
Zhi Tea:
www.ZhiTea.com
GuRuth:
www.akaguruth.com