Visual Arts Benefits

Women & Their Work will be Making Waves on Thursday to benefit its Arts Education Outreach Programs in AISD's underserved schools. The annual spring splash, which scored a nod for "Best FUNdraiser" in the Chronicle "Best of Austin" awards, will feature synchronized swimming by the H2Hos, catering by P&K Grocery, wine and vodka by Tito's, and lots of water-themed and bluish items for bid in a silent auction, all in the elegant environs of a private home renovated by award-winning architect Mell Lawrence. Making Waves happens April 20, 7-9pm. For more information, call 477-1064 or visit www.womenandtheirwork.org.

TexARTS, a new nonprofit promoting visual and performing arts education, presentation, advocacy, and scholarship activities throughout central Texas, brings together three top American painters – Otto Duecker, Tom Palmore, and Bill Shepherd – to headline Horizons Texas, a benefit art show featuring work by 70 top Texas artists. All three will attend the opening reception on April 21. Proceeds from Horizons Texas benefit TexARTS. The Horizons Texas Fine Art Show & Sale takes place Friday-Sunday, April 21-23, at Top of the Oasis, 6550 Comanche Trail. For more information, call 965-6050 or visit www.tex-arts.org.

The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum welcomes spring with its annual Garden Party, where you can wander the facility's sylvan paths and enjoy not only the fine artwork of Charles Umlauf but food from more than 20 of Austin's finest restaurants, wines from Twin Liquors, and music from the Nash Hernandez Orchestra. Fifty terra-cotta pots decorated by local musicians, artists, and other celebs from Kelly Willis to Mack Brown to Bob "Daddy-O" Wade will be auctioned off. Proceeds benefit the museum's educational programs. The Garden Party will be Thursday, April 27, 6:30-9:30pm, at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, 605 Robert E. Lee. For more information, call 462-6050.