Blanton and Umlauf Museums Are Open Again

Blanton Museum of Art (Photo by John Anderson)

Austin’s art lovers have reason to rejoice. Two of its museums are reopening to visitors: the iconic Blanton Museum of Art and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. The Blanton reopened to the public on Aug. 15 for the first time since March 13. The Umlauf reopens Aug. 18 after being closed by the city of Austin July 3.

Both facilities are providing safeguards by limiting attendance, requiring masks, and promoting social distancing. The Blanton is also asking visitors to make reservations on the Blanton website during select three-hour blocks, either the morning (10am-1pm) or afternoon (2-5pm). The Umlauf is requesting visitors to make reservations, but it’s primarily keeping physical distancing in effect by limiting the number of visitors to 30 at a time. In addition, the indoor gallery will remain closed, and the path through the sculpture garden is one-way. Also, restrooms are open by request only.

The Umlauf’s garden showcases the sculptures of its namesake, Charles Umlauf. The Blanton features works from its permanent collections, as well as temporary exhibits. For those interested in 1920s Latin America, an exhibition on “The Avant-garde Networks of Amauta: Argentina, Mexico, and Peru in the 1920s” is open through the end of August, while “Ed Ruscha: Drums Skins”, a series of language-focused paintings which Ruscha finished in 2019, and “The Artist at Work”, a compilation of artistic representations of artists, will both be on view into October.

The Blanton is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and open only 2-5pm on Sundays. Admission is free on Thursdays.