Volitant Gallery: Volitant, we hardly knew ye

Downtown Austin is soon to be missing one more showcase for contemporary art. On Tuesday, Oct. 9, Xochi Solis of Volitant Gallery circulated an e-mail informing friends and the media that the Congress Avenue arts space has lost its lease and will close for good on Oct. 27. The news was naturally disappointing, as Volitant was a spot where one could see an intriguing, sometimes provocative mix of artwork from locals (Katy O'Connor, Matthew Rodriguez, Daphane Park, et al.) and artists outside Austin, sometimes way outside Austin (Marcos López and Nícola Costantino of Argentina, Svajone and Paulius Stanikas of Lithuania). And being at Fourth and Congress, it was also right at a crossroads of activity in the heart of the city, and that's invaluable in getting folks here more aware of the visual-arts scene. (Sadly, it's the second gallery on Congress to close since summer; Fielding Lecht Gallery shut its doors in June.) Volitant didn't have a very long life – it opened on April 15 of last year – but it made the most of it, mounting 17 exhibitions in 18 months, with "Take Me to Bed or Lose Me Forever," a group show curated by Leona Scull-Hons, receiving an Austin Critics Table Award this year for Outstanding Group Gallery Exhibition. Its current and, as it turns out, farewell exhibition, "Femme Fantastique," a group show of visionary work by 14 female artists, won praise from Chronicle reviewer Salvador Castillo. To catch it, go by Oct. 27. For more information, visit www.volitant.com.