Two Upcoming Austin Art Projects to Showcase Black Culture, Local Artists 

A pair of art events to kick off in February will invite West Siders to explore both local creatives and the rich history of art collecting within the Black community.

On Feb. 6, Third City Studio in Austin will open “Winter Florals,” a seasonal art exhibition featuring floral-inspired works from a group of local artists. The show, running through March 7 at 5538 W. North Ave., opens with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m., including live music and refreshments. Featured artists include Jessica DuPreez, Aquarius Ester, Naomi Johnson, and others. The event also highlights a musical performance scheduled for 5:30 p.m., part of the gallery’s ongoing efforts to make arts experiences accessible on Chicago’s West Side. The show was originally scheduled for Jan. 30, but got postponed due to cold weather. 

Third City Studio pioneered its creative hub model when it opened in 2025 as part of a broader plan to help transform North Avenue into a community arts district. In addition to rotating exhibitions, the nonprofit arts space supports workshops, youth programs, and exhibitions designed to bridge professional art practice with neighborhood engagement. 

Meanwhile, on Feb. 1, the nonprofit Westside Health Authority will open the Black History Month Museum inside the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, 5500 W. Madison St. The Museum, centered on the theme “Black Art Collectors: Preserving Our Legacy,” will be an immersive exhibition that highlights the contributions of Black art collectors who play a vital role in preserving, protecting and passing down works by Black artists. 

Organizers will launch the initiative with an opening reception on Feb 1, and the exhibition will run throughout Black History Month. The exhibition will be free and open to the public, offering attendees a chance to learn about the individuals and organizations behind the artwork. 

Additional programming, conversations, and gatherings will be announced throughout the month. Meanwhile, community members who collect art are invited to consider participating in the exhibition by loaning artwork to be exhibited for the month, donating artwork to become part of the Aspire Center’s permanent display, and/or offering artwork for sale, with 100% of proceeds donated to support the Aspire CenterBlack

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Learn More 

Details on submission guidelines, timelines, and artwork-handling for the Black History Month Museum, contact Rosie Dawson at (773) 573-6920. Learn more about the exhibition at Eventbrite. 

Learn more about the “Winter Florals” exhibition by visiting thirdcitystudio.org/events, by emailing (773) 850-0111, and/or info@thirdcitystudio.org.