Community leader Nina Seely has been named the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum’s new Executive Director as the Umlauf expands upon the mission and vision of Charles Umlauf to include the family home and studio of the noted sculptor. Nelie Plourde, who held the Executive Director/Curator position for the museum’s first 21 years, will continue as curator.
Seely has been a part of the growth of Austin for many years; drawing on her various corporate and personal relationships to benefit non-profit community organizations and causes. “I’m honored to join the UMLAUF team at this time and look forward to helping the museum fulfill its enormous responsibilities during this amazing and challenging period of growth,” she said.
As the former General Manager of Ralph Lauren at The Domain, Seely organized many key in-store events, generating over a million dollars in corporate and individual donations to the non-profit community. Over the last 20 years, she has been a passionate and effective advocate for the arts, health care, education, literacy, young women and a variety of causes important to Austin. Throughout her career she has served on the boards of numerous organizations, which to date have had a major impact on Central Texas’ culture and community. Seely has also founded several successful nonprofit organizations, using her innovative style of management to develop unique public/private strategic partnerships. She is currently the co-owner of family-run Trento Italian restaurant in Westlake.
Plourde will focus on the museum’s collection and exhibits and will be intricately involved in the restoration of the Umlauf home and studio. “This is the second most exciting time in the Umlauf’s history and all of us cannot wait to get started on this challenging second chapter. I am especially delighted that after 21 years I can finally focus on what I love most: Umlauf’s work,” Plourde said.
The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum provides a peaceful breathing space close to downtown and an opportunity to unwind in nature, amidst the largest collection of works by famed sculptor and educator Charles Umlauf. You can join the UMLAUF and be a part of these exciting developments by becoming a member today! Lock in your 2013 Museum Membership at the discounted 2012 Membership Rate until 1/31/2013.
Generations: Family First Sundays offers special, hands-on programs designed for families with children, four to fifteen years old, led by Umlauf educators the first Sunday of each month. Families have the opportunity to explore the Umlauf collection and exhibitions in the garden and museum while engaging in creative activities.
Austin Public Library will be here this Sunday at 1:30 for Story Time. Bring your little ones and join us as we bring stories to life in the beautiful setting of the gardens. This will be an all ages storytime, and perfect for those age 4-7. Storytime will be held in the gardens if the weather permits, or inside the museum building in case of rainy or cold weather. Join us for warm stories about art and nature, and lots of fun!
In the fourth and final installment of the Texas Modernist series, the Umlauf presents Texas Modernism: Origins.
Through four exhibitions, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum has featured drawings,paintings, and sculpture by University of Texas’ pioneering art department faculty between1938-1963. The art faculty and their students at the University worked together during one ofthe most vibrant and important eras in Texas art. These artists, now frequently called “TexasModernists” influenced art, both in Texas and on a larger national scope. Texas Modernism:Origins features work by artists: David Adickes, Kelly Fearing, Kenneth Fiske, Seymour Fogel,Constance Forsyth, Michael Frary, John Guerin, Paul Hatgil, Jeff Jeffreys, William Lester,Stephen Magada, Al Nickel, Charles Umlauf, Ralph White, and David Wiesmann. This is thefourth installment of the Umlauf’s Modernist exhibition series.Special events during the exhibition include the Opening Reception on Thursday, November8, 6:00- 8:00 pm, family days on Family First Sundays, December 2, January 6 and February 3, 1:30-3:30 pm and a Curator’s Talk with guest curator Carl McQueary on Wednesday, February 20,2013, 6:00 pm.
This exhibition is underwritten in part by The Prentice Foundation and the Friends of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden.
After a short hiatus, our Friday yoga classes have resumed under the guidance of Liz Belile. The Umlauf is excited to welcome back such a knowledgeable teacher and warm personality.
Liz Belile, RYT, LMT is a licensed bodyworker and yoga teacher, having practiced hatha yoga since 1990 and teaching since 1999. Her classes are alignment-based and slow-flowing yoga, influenced by her studies in the Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Anusara methods. She was voted “Best Fertility Expert” in the 2011 Austin Birth Awards for her “fertility yoga” classes, has extensive knowledge of yoga therapeutics and various bodywork modalities. She is certified in Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga. Passionate for yoga philosophy and literature, Liz pursued her MFA in Creative Writing and Poetics at the Naropa Institute, where she learned the value of combining spiritual discipline with the creative discipline. Her “Love Poem for Shakti” appeared in the 2011 anthology “The Poetry of Yoga.” She loves teaching at the Umlauf and welcomes students of all levels of experience.
Yoga @ the Umlauf - Wednesdays & Fridays 10am-11:30am
The Board of Directors of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Diane Sikes as Director of Public Programming. She previously served as Education & Outreach Manager for the Dallas Contemporary, where she prepared programming for the many exhibitions that came through the museum. With a background in sculpture and experience teaching art appreciation courses, Diane is excited to develop in-depth programming around the Umlauf’s growing collection. We welcome Diane as a wonderful addition to the team and look forward to the programming and improvements she will bring to the museum. Please come by and introduce yourself to extend a personal welcome!
As part of the citywide Austin Museum Day, the UMLAUF is proud to offer FREE admission and extended hours for a fun-filled day of creativity! Our 16th Annual SculptFest, brings over 1,000 people through the garden to experience and learn about sculpture first hand. Visit one of our clay tables to make a sculpture of your own to take home or watch over 20 artists from Texas Society of Sculptors demonstate how they work with wood, clay, wax, plaster, and found objects.
Curious about the expansion of the museum? Watch this video from KXAN’s Jim Swift, illuminating the addition of the invaluable resource of Charles Umlauf’s home and studio.
The Board of Directors of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Johnson as Director of Operations. His experience as Operations Manager for AMOA-Arthouse as well as his expertise as Lead Preparator there gives the museum both a well seasoned manager and a talented, artistic eye for installations and exhibits.
We welcome him as a great asset in managing the growth of event rentals and facilities maintenance as the garden expands in the coming years to incorporate the Umlauf home and studio. Please come by and introduce yourself to extend a personal welcome.
The Umlauf sculpture garden & museum is a non-profit organization founded around the work of American sculptor Charles Umlauf. Our work is dedicated to providing educational experiences that encourage the understanding and appreciation of sculpture.
Community leader Nina Seely has been named the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum’s new Executive Director as the Umlauf expands upon the mission and vision of Charles Umlauf to include the family home and studio of the noted sculptor. Nelie Plourde, who held the Executive Director/Curator position for the museum’s first 21 years, will continue as curator.
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