Art

Art Openings

"Steve Hatch: Recent Sculptures" and "Lance Letscher: Games and Puzzles," Gallery Lombardi (Apr 8);
"Early and Late," Nancy Wilson Scanlan Gallery (Apr 8);
Grand Opening: Black Swan Gallery (Apr 10)

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Fire Island Hot Glass Studio and Open House/Block Party

3401 E. Fourth

Sat, Apr 10, 10am-4pm

Local food, local beer, and local glass blowing -- it's good to be back in Italy for the spring. The countryside comes alive with picnics and beautiful women as wildflowers float over the green hills like melancholy notes from a sad accordion. Yes, the sweet hum of Fiat engines ... Wait, wait, wait. Sorry folks, I've gone and mistaken Austin for Italy again. But who really cares if we're not in Italy? We still have beautiful hills and wildflowers and even glass blowing. That's right, just head down to the wingding that Fire Island Hot Glass Studio is organizing for their 16th annual East Fourth Street Block Party this Saturday and check out their open studio and glass blowing demonstrations, and while you're at it, pop around the corner to Live Oak Brewery for a two-dollar pint of bock; and next door at White Mountain Foods, where they'll be serving up veggie fajitas. It's going to be an all-day affair with live music from the Tumbleweed Racers, the Fencecutters, and Dave Locksley, along with pottery demonstrations from the neighborhood shop Circle-in-a-Square Pottery. So, you see, we have all the ingredients -- lots of food, drink, and festive neighbors -- for an Italian afternoon in Austin. Okay, maybe it is a stretch. At least we have all the ingredients for an Austin afternoon in Austin. 389-1100.

-- Sam Martin

ACA GALLERY@ARTPLEX "Go Figure IV" is drawing, painting, and sculpture by 27 local artists inspired by the human form. All the artwork was finished at ACA's Life Drawing Open Studio sessions, which are open to the public. Through Apr 10, 1705 Guadalupe. 474-7799.

ALTERNATE CURRENT ARTSPACE "Lunatic Fringe 2000" features painting, drawing, collage, and sculpture by Billy Kirkland, James Rushing, Scott Stevens, David Lee Pratt, and others that reveals an alienation from American middle-class ideology. Through May 1, 2209 S. First. 443-9674.

AND SOMETHING DIFFERENT STUDIO GALLERY presents "Out of the Blue," artwork by Leslie Pierce, Arleen Polite, Benne Rockett, Julie Perkins, Jan Roset, Mary Wolcott, Daphne Holland, and Neil Coleman. Through May 1, 1705 Guadalupe. 875-4784.

LAS AMERICAS FINE ARTS GALLERY Peruvian artist Augusto Brocca shows his work along with crafts from Latin America. 1103 E. Sixth. 302-5237.

ARTISANS, THE FINE CRAFTS GALLERY Fused glass by Californian artist Tim Harlan. This 4,000-year-old handmade technique predates glass blowing by 2,000 years and involves "fusing" design elements together.
10000 Research, #258. 345-3001.

ART ON 5TH presents "The Circulism of Maggie Toole: Figurative Realism Using Rings of Color," a collection of drawings that use only unending, overlapping, and intertwined circles to effect layers of skin, hair, and color. Through Apr 22, 1501 W. Fifth, 481-1111.

AUSTIN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM Downtown's brand-spankin' new art space for the family is a great place to take the kids, or the kid in you. Invent, create, discover, explore, learn, and play with ongoing hands-on and interactive science-based exhibits and programs. "Lives of the Tree" presents an educational exploration of the forest ecosystem using the East Texas pine forests as the point of departure. Related events include viewing a 300-year-old section of a tree and creating a work of art in the woodshop to take home. Also offered is a special area for infants and toddlers to explore the forest as well as museum-scheduled family workshops. Through Jul 18, 201 Colorado. 472-2499.

AUSTIN GALLERIES "The Figure: a Classical Tradition" is an exhibit of recent work by Miles Mathis. Included are portraits, figure studies, and nudes in oil, pastel, charcoal, watercolor, and bronze. In addition the gallery will display the Triptych Altarpiece of Harriet Westbrook Shelly as seen in the current issue of Art Collector. Through Apr,1219 W. Sixth. 495-9363.

AUSTIN MUSEUM OF ART -- DOWNTOWN It's too bad that the Adult Easy Listening, er, Rock & Roll show is over at the AMOA -- I'm going to miss those cool billboard and poster advertisements around town. That said, if you never made it to the exhibit but you saw the advertisement, don't worry, you saw the best part. And to think they were on such a good roll ... No matter, though, upcoming is "Alan Rath: Robotics," an intriguing collection of this California-based artist's mechanized sculpture and installation that attempts to blur distinctions between the human condition and electronic purpose. The collection ranges from roving sculpture to complex perceptive robots that react to gallery visitors. AMOA has organized a collection of events around the exhibit, including lectures and demonstrations with local roboticists Joyce Dibona, Brooks Coleman, and David Santos. Check listings for details. Also, the museum's "Family ArtPack" is available for families looking for more hands-on activities related to the show. (Available at the front desk). Opening April 17. Through Jun 13. 823 Congress. 495-9224.

BLACK SWAN is a new antique furniture and contemporary art gallery offering Jacobean chests of drawers, Kandinsky lithographs, and prints by Renoir along with local art and garden sculpture. Local artists should submit their work for consideration. Grand Opening Sat, Apr 10. 2814 Bee Caves. 306-8897 orblackswn@io.com.

BLUE ROAD STUDIO & GALLERY A self-described "sculptural robotisist," Joyce DiBona profiles "New Works and a New Location" that includes the monumental abstract canvases and the life-size female robotics that earned DiBona the Best Artist tag from 1998's "Best of Austin" Chronicle poll. 603 W. Live Oak. 326-8909.

RUTH BORINSTEIN GALLERIES Now showing "Le Gout du Bonheur," a suite of 40 playful and erotic drawings by Pablo Picasso, as well as "Harlequin Suite," new paintings by Ruth Borenstein. Borenstein always has a good collection of graphics by Miro, Picasso, Dalí, Chagall, Calder, and many other masters. Through Apr, 3300 Bee Caves, #700. 306-8848.

JULIA C. BUTRIDGE GALLERY "Art of the Eye II" is a collection of 42 multimedia works by 10 national artists who are visually impaired. Conceived by the Delta Gamma Foundation, the nationally acclaimed show offers a unique look at how impaired vision affects artist's feelings and perceptions. In conjunction, the gallery will show work by students from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Through Apr 17. Guided tours available Mon-Fri, 9:30 & 2:30, at the Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs. 397-1455.

STEPHEN L CLARK GALLERY presents "12 Flowers," a collection of Kate Breakey's hand-colored photographs. If you've never seen Breakey's dark but beautiful parallel worlds, count on good eye candy from one of Austin's best, most productive, and most original photographers. Through May 15. 1101 W. Sixth. 477-0828.

DIVERSEARTS LITTLE GALLERY presents "Second Sunday Salon," a monthly rotating exhibit of local artists beginning on the second Sunday of each month. Presently showing the Bosch and Dr. Seuss-inspired paintings of local musician Thor. The work consists of melting figures in a bold and colorful figurative style. Through Apr 13,
1705 Guadalupe, #234. 477-9438.

EEKA BEEKA GALLERY "Blood Reliquaries and Other New Work" by Steve Brudniak offers human blood specimens inside sculptural chambers or reliquaries as a comment on immortality, fear, love, and spirituality. This resilient independent gallery has resurfaced at the still-alive-and-well Holy 8 Ball Studios. Through Apr 20,
2206 E. Seventh. 441-4821.

THE FRIDAY MOUNT BUFFALO SHOW is James Michael Curd's rustic new Southwestern Art Gallery and studio out by the Salt Lick BBQ. Included is painting and folk art by Curd, Joan Lawson, Tim Cunningham, and Filis Seven Stars. Artists interested in the next Buffalo show should send résumés to. 14401 FM18826 (Oak Hill). 301-5100.

GALERIA SIN FRONTERAS "hither my soul, repairs herself" is new work by Ana Fuentes. The series of paintings works with the image of a child and her symbolic surroundings from which Fuentes plays with the haunting power of childhood. Fuentes' solo exhibitions include those at the National Council for the Arts in Mexico City as well as in Puebla, Mexico, and she has been selected to show in the second biennial of the Museum of Monterrey. Through Apr 22,
1701 Guadalupe. 478-9448.

THE GALLERY AT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY presents "Arte Sagrado (Sacred Art)," an exhibition that is the result of a national call for entries from a Christian perspective. This year's theme is "Resurrection." Through May 8, Louise T. Peter Center, 3400 I-35. 486-2783.

GALLERY AT LIVING ARCHITECTURE has a collection of paintings and ceramics by artists Bejat A. Decker, Hamid Emami, and Alejandra Almuelle. Local environmental artist Decker represents the South American rainforests in oil and watercolor on paper.. Through Apr 23, 1025 Barton Springs. 472-0272.

GALLERY LOMBARDI "Steve Hatch: Recent Sculptures" is the glazed, myth-driven ceramics of this local talent. Also, Lance Letscher, the local artist whose pale, quiet, and ethereal paper cutouts made my Top Nine list for best exhibits in 1998 organizes "Lance Letscher: Games and Puzzles" for his newest contribution. Through Apr, 320 W. Third. 481-1088.

IRONWOOD INDUSTRIES Stephen Tomkins displays contemporary, comic, and colorful paintings in this cinder block bunker turned gallery space. Also featuring mixed media industrial artwork by Paul Meyer, figurative illustrations by Amy Emery, and abstract wood sculpture by James Long and Alex Schaub. 5120 Burnet, 450-1933.

JONES CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ART This bright, airy, and professional space is the latest contribution to Austin's rapidly growing visual arts Mecca. It's also the only one offering fresh, contemporary work from around the state and nation. "Luminous Code: Photo-based Artworks" has been extended. The show is a national thematic exhibition highlighting 35 artists from around the country, six of whom live in Texas. The work, which includes traditional and nontraditional photography, as well as photo-based processes, was selected by Jennifer Blessing, associate curator at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC. Through May 9, 700 Congress. 453-5312.

LAUGHING AT THE SUN "Models and Artists" is a group show exploring the creative collaboration between the artist and the model. Organized by photographer Richard Fink, the exhibit will include work from local painters, photographers, and sculptors. Through Apr 16, 2209 S. First. 326-4410.

MADE IN THE SHADE GALLERY In conjunction with Laughing at the Sun's "Models and Artists"exhibit, Made in the Shade features new work by Patricia Lyle, Billy Bague, Eric Ludlow, Peter Franco, and Kathryn St. Claire. 2209 South First. 326-4410.

MEXIC-ARTE MUSEUM "Codex 187" by Colombian artist Margarita Becerra Cano is an installation project based on cross-cultural social and political issues. The project will focus on the border area between Tijuana and San Diego and the people that cross back and forth while commenting on the cement walls that stretch along 14 miles of the U.S./Mexico border. Cano is an MFA graduate of Syracuse University and has taught at the University of Los Andes in Bogota. This project is supported by grants from the NEA, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Andy Warhol Foundation.

Now extended, "La Tejedora de Vida/The Weaver of Life" brings together traditional dress and costumes from the Serfin Museum of Indigenous Textiles in Mexico City. The show includes murals, clay, and stone sculpture and codices in order to underscore the significance clothing played in the customs, social setting, and indigenous culture of pre-Hispanic and colonial Mexico. Through Apr 24, 419 Congress. 480-9373.

MOVEMENTS GALLERY This downtown gallery of local artwork also offers smoothies, poetry readings, and performances. Presently celebrating work by painter Brian Wooten that contrasts the organic patterns in nature with human-made mathematics. Through Apr 24, 611 E. Sixth. 469-1745.

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS -- AUSTIN presents national and local artists in their "1999 Spring Art Show." Through Apr 30, in Northcross Mall, 2525 Anderson. 206-0261.

NANCY WILSON SCANLAN GALLERY "Early and Late, a Review of Works by the Professors Emeriti of the Art Department of the University of Texas at Austin" brings together the artwork of 13 of UT's best, including Kelley Fearing, Kenneth Fiske, Constance Forsyth, Bill Francis, Michael Frary, John Guerin, Paul Hatgil, William Lester, Loren Mozley, Alvin Nickel, Everett Spruce, Charles Umlauf, and Ralph White. Works by these artists have been collected in private collections all over the country including the Met, the MOMA, the Chicago Art Institute, and the San Francisco Museum of Art. St. Stephens School, 2900 Bunny Run (west of the 360 Bridge). 327-1213 x139.

SKYLIGHT GALLERY "Dance Show" is the result of a citywide call for submissions to interpret the theme of dancing. Permanant works include impressionist painting by Stephanie Bradley, photography by Mathew Mahon, and other paintings by Elizabeth George. Head to the gallery every Friday night when the Austin Tango Society hosts "Milonga," an open dancing studio that provides lessons for beginners. (Fri, 7-11pm, $5) Through Apr, 307 E. Fifth. 474-9005.

SLOANE JORDAN GALLERY Featuring image poems by Maryland artist Roberta Morgan. The paintings combine words and images dense with meaning. 10000 Research, #257. 795-0000.

SLUGFEST GALLERY "Landscape/Bookscape" is installations and other works using handmade paper by Carolyn and Paul Mazzucca. Through May 7. 1906 Miriam. 477-7204.

STUDIO 236 Pauline Sims presents her watercolor portraiture and lush, impressionistic landscapes that are as intoxicating as a glass of champagne. By appointment. Artplex, 1705 Guadalupe. 472-2569.

TARRYTOWN GALLERY "A Quiet Song" is recent paintings by Roi James. The artist uses Old Master techniques like heavy chiaroscuro effects and built-up glazes while employing classical drawing and design. These landscape, still life, and figurative works lend a real Renaissance atmosphere. Through Apr 10, 2414 Exposition, B-110. 473-2552.

TERRA CHILDREN'S GALLERY "N-O-N" will feature works from local schools, including untitled, brightly colored abstracts by Luis Versalles, Jasmin Plancarte, Cruz Baron, and others of Becker Elementary School. Through Apr 20, 1708 South Congress. 445-4489.

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISION LIBRARY "The La Salle Cannon Exhibit" features eight 17th-century cannons excavated from the French explorer's ship in Matagorda Bay in 1996. Through May, 1510 N. Congress. 463-4565.

TEXAS MEMORIAL MUSEUM"Horsemen of the Americas: Selections From the Edward Larocque Tinker Collection" is a show in conjunction with UT's Festival of Argentinean Culture. Through Jun.

Also, the museum has recently acquired a collection of gifts from the "French Gratitude Train" that were given to the American public by French citizens just after World War II. Distributed among the then-48 states, the gifts were meant as thank-you gestures for the U.S. relief efforts after the war. Among the objects on display are toys, a saber, and a French wedding dress. Through Jun 30, 2400 Trinity. 471-1604.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

BENSON LATIN AMERICAN COLLECTION "Mosaicos Caribenos/A Caribbean Mosaic" is pastel paintings by Panamanian artist Virginia Calvino. Mrs. Calvino has lived and traveled extensively in Puerto Rico, Aruba, and the Caribbean. She will give a brief talk at the opening. Opening: Fri, Apr 16, 4pm, Sid Richardson Hall, #1.106.

CENTER FOR AMERICAN HISTORY has "Headlines, Deadlines and By-lines," a selection of newspaper clips from The New York Times that traces the major events of U.S. history in the 20th century. The clips are part of the Center's 15 million-piece permanent collection of media archives.

JACK S. BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART (formerly the Huntington Art Gallery) Now showing "Masterpieces of European Painting From the Suida-Manning Collection," a sneak peak at the $35 million, 700-piece private collection the university acquired last year. The 50 original Old Master and Renaissance paintings on display span periods from the 1300s to the 1800s and include masterworks from Veronese, Lorrain, Rubens, Poussin, Tiepolo, and Crespi. By acquiring the Suida-Manning collection, the Blanton has secured its place as one of the top three university museums in the country. Second floor at the Harry Ransom Center, 21st & Guadalupe. 471-8944.

Also showing is the "1999 Art Students Exhibition," featuring more than 100 works of art in every medium by graduates and undergraduates. This fun and irreverent show has become an Austin tradition. Through Apr 11. In conjunction, the art department presents the "Print Study Exhibition," a collection of more than 11,000 works on paper from the Blanton's permanant collection. Among prints by Chagall, Otto Dix, and Motherwell are first-ever showings of George Braque's drypoint Fox (1911) and Andrea Schiavone's Abduction of Helen (1547). Through May 9, 23rd & San Jacinto. 471-8944.

HARRY RANSOM CENTER "Florencio Molina Campos: Vida en las Pampas" displays Campos' humorous and popular caricatures depicting the rituals and traditions of gaucho culture on the Argentinean pampas. The exhibit complements the Festival of Argentinean Culture at the Blanton. Through May 15, HRC, fourth floor gallery.21st & Guadalupe. 471-8944.

LEEDS GALLERY "Modernists in New Mexico: A Community of Writers" exhibits the physical and cultural landscapes of New Mexico and how it provided inspiration for the likes of D.H. Lawrence, Alice Corbin Henderson, Mabel Dodge Luhan, and Spud Johnson. The show represents the community these writers built around poetry, prose, and the politics of Indian rights. Through Jul 30, fourth floor of the Flawn Academic Center, just west of the Tower.

LBJ MUSEUM AND LIBRARY "David Douglas Duncan: One Life, a Photographic Odyssey" presents the work of one of America's greatest photojournalists. From the pages of Life magazine in the Forties and Fifties to National Geographic, Duncan's photographs have captured some of the most memorable images of the 20th century, including the birth of the Israeli state and some intimate portraits of his close friend Pablo Picasso. Duncan is best known for his work as a combat photographer in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Through Jan 2, 2313 Red River.

WALLY WORKMAN GALLERY "New Paintings" by Sarah Higdon features humorous and at times surreal depictions of cows, dogs, cats, and chickens in various human postures. To give you an idea, Higdon paints a madonna and child using a heifer and her calf as the subject along with robed chickens as the clergy. Through Apr, 1202 W. Sixth. 472-7428.

WESTBANK GALLERY has bright new impressionistic paintings by Donna Lofton that explore the relationship between light and shape as they appear in area rock formations next to the local lakes and rivers. Through Apr 24, 4201 Bee Caves. 329-8514.

WOMEN AND THEIR WORK "New Work by Virginia Fleck" is decorative constructions by the Austin artist. Through Apr 10, 1710 Lavaca. 477-1064.

YARD DOG FOLK ART GALLERY presents the poster archives of Nashville's 120-year-old Hatch Show Print shop, an establishment long known for their broadsheet promotions for the Grand Ole Opry and musicians like Hank Williams and George Jones along with advertisements for circuses, baseball games, and car races. Also showing mosaic jars and vessels commemorating music greats Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and others. Through Apr 11,
1510 Congress. 912-1613.

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Restaurants

AUSTIN JAVA COMPANY "Digidy Designs and Images" by local photographer Dyan Santo Poalo are photographs shot in Costa Rica and California that have been digitally altered to look like watercolor paintings. Through Apr. 1206 Parkway. 476-1829.

CAFE AT BORDERS BOOKS Local photographer Heather McKay shows her travel shots of Europe. 10225 Research. 795-9553.

CAFE MUNDI Photography by J. Pennington and Forest documenting a Native American Mardi Gras parade. Through Apr. 1707 E. Sixth. 236-8634.

CHEZ ZEE Still life and tropical landscape acrylics by Amy Archinal. 5406 Balcones. 454-2666.

CURRA'S GRILL Pio Pulido is showing his wonderful acrylic paintings of flowers and figurative animals. Through Apr 14, 614 E. Oltorf. 444-0012.

KERBEY LANE Watercolor by Dee Phillips and Laura Carlton. Through Apr 15, 12606 Research. 258-7757.

KIEFER'S CAFE "Capturing Moments in Time" is work by Judee Koester, the recipient of the Octavia Arneson watercolor award. Through Apr, 2007 Kramer. 719-5550.

LAS MANITAS "Amor y Husesos" is recent acrylic paintings by Houston folk artist Lisa Hernandez. Presented by La Peña. Music by Sancho at the opening. Opening Fri, Apr 16, 6-8pm. Through May 23. 211 Congress. 477-6007.

MANUEL'S MICROGALLERY Photograms by Cynthia Good and Warhol- and Lichtenstein-inspired paintings by Kevin Leathers. 310 Congress. 472-7555.

MOJO'S DAILY GRIND "Anything Goes" is drawings, paintings, and posters by Austin illustrator Craig Oelrich. Through Apr. 2714 Guadalupe. 477-6656.

QUACKENBUSH'S Stained glass ambient sconce lamps by Allyson Lipkin with drawings and paintings by Marissa Pool. Through Apr 15, 2120 Guadalupe. 472-4477.

RUTA MAYA "End of the Beginning" is black-and-white and color photographs by 10 senior students at St. Edward's University. The subject matter includes architectural landscapes, studio portraiture, sociological documentary, and the natural world. Through Apr 29, 218 W. Fourth. 789-7522.

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Spaces

Mixed/retail/misc. areas.

AUSTIN ARTISANS "Abstract Artwork" by Andy Fuertsch. Through Apr, 916 W. 12th. 481-8404.

AUSTIN YOGA SCHOOL presents a rare exhibit of Phillip Trussell's drawings and paintings. The gallery-shy Trussell creates wonderful figurative pieces set in futurist landscapes and cityscapes. His only showing in 1998 made my Top Nine list of best exhibits. Check it out. Through Apr, 1122-C South Lamar. 916-4499.

BLACK SWAN is a new antique furniture and contemporary art gallery offering Jacobean chests of drawers, Kandinsky lithographs, and prints by Renoir along with local art and garden sculpture. Local artists should submit their work for consideration. 2814 Bee Caves. 306-8897 or blackswn@io.com.

CATHEDRAL OF JUNK Yardist Vince Hannemann opens his backyard to the public 10 years and 600 bikes later. Sundays only, 12-5pm. Through April 25. 4422 Lareina. 441-6906.

CHASE MANHATTAN BANK "Soul Filled Celebrations of Life in Mexico" is artwork by Meg Davis exploring the folklore of Mexico. Opening Apr 8, 4:30-7:30pm. Through May 1. Downstairs at 700 Lavaca. 888/410-8250.

FRANKLIN PLAZA Some of the best young artists in Austin show their stuff at the annual AISD Student Art Show. Join artists and administrators at the official opening and reception and see what these talented youngsters have been working on. Reception: Sun, Apr 11, 1-3pm. Through Apr 22, Mon-Fri, 7am-7pm and Sat, 9am-1pm. 111 Congress. 414-1700.

LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER presents "Wildflower Days 1999: Art in Nature," a group of festivals featuring a plant sale, a photo festival, an artisans festival, and a children's festival. Photography by Kerry Owen will be on display along with prints by local artisans. Kids can enjoy an array of activities including face painting, tree planting, and clay impressions. Weekends through May 23, 9am-5:30pm. $4 ($2.50 kids). 4801 La Crosse. 512/292-4200.

WILD ABOUT MUSIC "Beyond Rock & Roll" features more than 100 posters for a 30-year retrospective of Austin Poster Art. Featuring artists Kerry Awn, Jim Franklin, Guy Juke, Danny Garrett, Henry Gonzales, Bill Narum, Micael Priest, Sam Yeates, Dale Wilkins, and Ken Featherston. Through Apr 11, 721 Congress. 708-1700.

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Artschtuff

ACA offers a life drawing open studio, darkroom facilities, and a mono printing open studio at reasonable rates for anyone interested. 1705 Guadalupe. 474-7799.

AVAA offers life drawing sessions at their new space, Monday evenings 7-10pm and Tuesday mornings 9am-noon. 2008 Alexander. 457-0075.

THE ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL ARTS COMPETITION is looking for area high-school students to submit their artwork as part of the annual "Artistic Discovery" program coordinated by Congress. Entries should be submitted through their high school to U.S. Rep. Lloyd Dogget's district office to be judged by local artists. The winner will be invited to Washington, where he or she will represent Austin/Travis County at an exhibit in the U.S. Capitol. Deadline: Apr 21. 916-5921.

AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE announces new printmaking, sculpture, and ceramic studios open to the public. 1212 Rio Grande, basement #12. 223-2050.

MARTHA EGAN lectures to the Austin Friends of Folk Art on the art of the retablo, an old Mexican tradition of painting religious themes on metal sheets. Turquoise Door, 316 Colorado. 480-0618.

FIRE ISLAND HOT GLASS STUDIO presents their 16th annual open house and block party featuring live demonstrations, $2 pints, food, and live music by the Tumbleweed Racers, the Fencecutters, and Dave Locksley. (See box for more info.) Sat, Apr 10, 10am-4pm. 3401 E. Fourth. 389-1100.

NEW AMERICAN TALENT: THE FIFTEENTH EXHIBITION TFAA and the Jones Center for Contemporary Art are looking for contemporary artwork by emerging or midcareer artists. Los Angeles art critic David Pagel will jury the show. Selections will exhibit in the Feb/March 2000 show at the Jones Center and be eligible for portfolio reviews in October along with the 5-10 juror merit awards given out each year. Slide deadline May 21. For more info send SASE to NAT 15, TFAA, The Jones Center for Contemporary Art, 700 Congress, Austin 78701.

SOUTHWEST TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY presents "ArtWorks '99," a month-long celebration of musical, theatrical, and artistic endeavors that includes the visual arts show "Artworks" at Aquarena Center. The grounds will showcase an outdoor sculpture park as well as underwater photography, underwater ballet, and glass-bottom boats. Through Apr. 800/999-9767.