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Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin

Experience Ellsworth Kelly’s "Austin," a breathtaking 2,715-square-foot chapel-like stone sanctuary at the Blanton Museum of Art. Featuring luminous mouth-blown German glass windows and white marble panels, it is the artist's only freestanding building.

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Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin
blantonmuseum.org, og_image_blantonmuseum.org

What is Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin?

Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin is a 2,715-square-foot, barrel-vaulted, chapel-like stone building located on the Blanton Museum of Art campus at the University of Texas at Austin. Completed in 2018, it is a cornerstone of the museum's permanent collection and is the only building the internationally acclaimed artist ever designed.

What features can visitors see inside the building?

Inside, visitors will find an 18-foot-tall totem sculpture made from reclaimed redwood guarding the apse, alongside 14 black-and-white marble panels illustrating the Stations of the Cross. The structure also features hand-blown, luminous colored glass windows that create a vibrant play of color and light.

Where is the building located and how can I visit?

The building is located on the UT campus at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Congress. It is open every day of the week, with specific hours listed on the Blanton Museum website, and admission is free for current UT ID holders.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

"Austin" is a 2,715-square-foot stone building completed in 2018 on the Blanton Museum of Art campus at the University of Texas at Austin. It stands as a cornerstone of the museum's permanent collection and is recognized as the first, only, and final freestanding building designed by internationally acclaimed American artist Ellsworth Kelly. Kelly gifted the design concept to the Blanton in January 2015, envisioning the structure as a site for joy and contemplation. It represents the ultimate culmination of his seven-decade-long career. The physical structure is a barrel-vaulted, chapel-like building designed with Linbeck serving as the design-builder. Constructed from Spanish limestone, it features 1,400 individually shaped pieces of Bateig limestone. Its most striking features are its 33 hand-blown art glass windows. These luminous windows are made from Lamberts mouth-blown art glass in a rainbow of hues, handcrafted by the glass masters at Glashütte Lamberts of Germany in two-foot-by-three-foot sheets to create a dazzling play of color and light inside. Inside, the smooth white walls provide a modest backdrop for Kelly's curated works. An 18-foot-tall totem sculpture made from reclaimed redwood stands guard in the apse. Adorning the walls are 14 black-and-white marble panels illustrating the Stations of the Cross, offering a striking, minimalist contrast to the vibrant colors streaming through the windows. The building is situated on the UT campus at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Congress. Visitors can experience this masterpiece daily, and admission is free for current UT ID holders.

Visitor tips

  • Check the Blanton Museum website for specific daily operating hours before visiting.
  • If you are a current UT ID holder, take advantage of free admission.
  • Look for the building at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Congress on the UT campus.

Nearby context

Located on the University of Texas at Austin campus, "Austin" is situated at the Blanton Museum of Art, which was founded in 1963 and holds over 21,000 objects in Central Texas's largest public collection. This landmark sits at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Congress, making it an easy addition to a walking tour of the campus or a visit to the nearby Blanton Museum of Art.

Sources

Evidence and links