Reported by the Chronicle in December 2024, art studio Prizer Arts & Letters shuttered its longtime physical space on Cesar Chavez. Leaving brick-and-mortar behind was a “difficult and exciting” move, as Prizer wrote in a statement still available on their website, as was the welcoming of new director Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon. What lay in Prizer’s future – beyond a single building and into the unknown?
Here in March 2025, the answer arrives: They’re going nomadic, baby! Launching with a solo exhibition by artist Dave McClinton, Prizer reimagines itself as a roving pop-up gallery. New show “/TŌN/” opens this Friday, March 28, at Mission Possible Austin, with McClinton’s gorgeous paper pieces representing the interchange between visual and musical art. Made from 20-30 different images layered together, McClinton says the exhibition’s origins were in “a conversation with Jorge about the simple notion of words’ double meaning.”
“Tone can be used to describe sound, visual art and what it feels like in a room,” McClinton says. “I created work in my same process, but with a tonal shift toward faster, less refined actions.” Challenging expectations based on artistic subject versus medium was central to his process with “/TŌN/.” “Some of the pieces feel rougher,” McClinton explains, “but are printed on silk.”
Similarly, Sanhueza-Lyon hopes Prizer’s new approach to programming pushes past audience expectations. This reinvention was driven by, in his words, “both practical and creative considerations” – meaning a steady Austin address was expensive and not artistically flexible. After testing the nomadic model on small gatherings – where the Prizer director says the response was “overwhelmingly positive” – they move forward not only with McClinton’s show but a whole new philosophy.
“At its core, the nomadic model allows us to focus our resources on what matters most: supporting artists and fostering community connections,” says Sanhueza-Lyon. “Instead of being tied to one space, we can now activate locations that best serve each project …. The setting itself becomes part of the story.”
Working with McClinton for the kickoff exhibition provides a perfect expression of Prizer’s hopes for the future. “/TŌN/” involves not just visual art but musical, lyrical creativity as well, providing what Sanhueza-Lyon describes as “an undeniable sense of empathy” that “juxtaposes beauty with tension, inviting reflection on themes of trauma, resilience, and cultural pride.” For McClinton, the attraction of a “quick hit exhibit” as explained to him by Sanhueza-Lyon was obvious in how it allowed him and the gallery to pour “our efforts into a single event that features collaborations between sound, light, and visual art.”
“Our programming is about exploring the idea of a spectrum,” Sanhueza-Lyon explains, “moving beyond rigid categories and embracing the in-between spaces – the gray areas where nuance, curiosity, and deeper conversations live.”
In addition to hosting McClinton’s work until March 30, Prizer also offers several interactive options for those wanting to learn more about the artist, from dinner with McClinton to a conversation moderated by journalist Rebecca McInroy. Jam-packing options for artistic engagement is all part of Prizer’s vision for the future, which matches McClinton’s own artistic aims. “My art is about resistance, empathy, and the politics of simply showing up,” he says. “The showing up and participation part is important.”
“Personally, I’ve always loved the magic that happens when people gather in unexpected places,” Sanhueza-Lyon admits. “There’s a certain energy, an element of discovery, that comes with experiencing art outside traditional white walls. … Ultimately, this shift is about keeping Prizer dynamic, responsive, and deeply connected to the city. Every event is an experiment, and that’s exactly how we like it.”
“/TŌN/”
Friday 28 – Sunday 30, Mission Possible Austin
This article appears in March 28 • 2025.
