MASS Gallery Moving

On Sat., July 21, MASS Gallery brings to a close its 5 1/2-year run at 507 Calles, but don't think this 12-year-old Austin arts collective is going away for good. It's just going a little farther east, and you can help it get there if you show up for its farewell party/auction/fire sale 3-9pm.

Interior of MASS Gallery during the 2018 exhibition "MASS + 1"

The gallery is making what it calls its "MASS Exodus" into a fundraising fete that will support the renovation of its new home at 705 Gunther, between East Seventh and Gonzales. The 1,000-sq.-ft. warehouse – a bit smaller than MASS' current home – will allow for approximately 800 square feet of exhibition space and 200 square feet of studio space for its resident artists. But the property also has a large yard where the gallery can develop gardens, install sculptures, host performances and screenings, and even add fire pits. Transforming the space is expected to cost around $30,000, half of which MASS expects to raise in a Kickstarter campaign currently underway. (At press time, the gallery had surpassed $10K in pledges with 14 days left.)

To secure some of the rest of the necessary scratch, MASS is selling whatever it can. That means zines, handmade housewares, and a mess of fine art. The gallery has acquired work from more than two dozen exceptional local artists that it will be selling through a silent auction. If you don't already know these names, Google them and you'll learn what outstanding art is going to be available on Saturday: Sterling Allen, Andrea Calo, Ted Carey, Elizabeth Chiles, Ryan Crowley, Ryan Davis, Michelle Devereux, Alex Diamond, Hollis Hammonds, Bethany Johnson, Jules Buck Jones, Anna Krachey, Julia Barbosa Landois, Drew Liverman, Rebecca Marino, Conner O’Leary, Payton McGowen, Ida Nematipour, Scott Proctor, Beth Schindler, Dan Sutherland, Alyssa Taylor Wendt, and Adam Young.

According to MASS, every work will have a reserve price of $100 or less. Auction participants write in higher bids on the form next to the work in increments of $20 or more. You'll have until 8pm to make sure you're the top bidder. And if you are, the art goes home with you. And while you're waiting to find out, you may enjoy adult beverages provided by Nine Banded Whiskey and Revolution Spirits, as well as free Topo Chico.

To learn more about MASS Exodus, visit the Facebook Event page.
To learn more about the Kickstarter campaign, visit the MASS Gallery project page.