The old adage “art is in the eye of the beholder” certainly applies to graffiti. Where many often see illicit eyesores that devalue public spaces, others see a grassroots art form that turns the entire world into a gallery. Located at 11th and Baylor Streets on the eastern edge of Austin’s Clarksville neighborhood, HOPE Outdoor Gallery (HOG) is an example of a place where street art is presented in a sanctioned and legal setting, giving aspiring street artists a place to practice their craft legally.
Supported by noted artist Shepard Fairey (famed for the iconic Hope image of Barack Obama) and his Obey Giant Art organization, HOG was started in 2011 on the site of an abandoned ’80s residential development and turned a disused area of broken concrete and litter into a vibrant landscape of murals and large-scale art pieces. At the time, it was the only paint park of its kind in the country and has been recognized as one of the top artistic destinations in the state of Texas.
In June, that will all change. At the end of January, the city’s Historic Landmark Commission unanimously approved the demolition of the park. The property’s owner, Mid-City Development, has not unveiled any plans for the site but does specialize in residential development, which leads many to believe that another condo or apartment project will be built there.
Though this news will sadden my Austinites and dismay tourists who have begun to visit the site regularly (estimates are up to 500 per day). However, rather than disappearing altogether, the HOPE Outdoor Gallery will move to a new location at 9507 Sherman Road at Carson Creek Ranch, near the Austin-Bergstrom Airport.
Although it certainly won’t be as centrally located as the original spot, the new site will be much larger, with six acres of available space. In addition, the Historic Preservation office said that because of HOG’s value to the community, prior to demolition, the old location will undergo “comprehensive photo-documentation of the existing conditions,” for preservation at the Austin History Center. Also, one of the paint-covered concrete slabs from the Baylor Street location will be salvaged and installed at the new site.
Related Articles
SXSW Wristbands
Austin Parks Need Us More Than Ever
36th Annual Austin Music Awards