Visual Arts Center (VAC)

Maysa Martins served as the curatorial fellow at the Visual Arts Center from Fall 2024 to Spring 2026. In her tenure, she took part in the curation of five exhibitions alongside talented collaborators: Violette Bule: Una Luz, Photography in Venezuelan Penitentiaries, Blackland Prairies, Love in Excess, Francesca Lally: Half Time, and the 2026 MFA Thesis Exhibition titled Half a Second or Less. Martins’ expertise and research in contemporary art of the Black Atlantic is integral to her curatorial practice. Thank you, Maysa, and all the best in your endeavors moving forward—academic, curatorial, and otherwise. 1. Ode, Untitled, from the series When Angels Speak of Love, 2022. Courtesy of the artist. 2. Confinement in Venezuela, 2010–2012. Archival inkjet print. Courtesy of the artist. 3. Installation view of “Francesca Lally: Half Time,” photo: Alex Boeschenstein 4. Installation view of “Blackland Prairies,” photo: Alex Boeschenstein 5. Opening reception photo: Alex Boeschenstein 6. Photograph from the Miss Black Austin Pageant Collection, undated. Courtesy of the Black Diaspora Archive, Benson Latin American Collection, LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin. Accession No. 2021-19. 7. MFA Thesis Exhibition “Half a Second or Less” Artist-led Tour, photo: Kaya Sumer

There are only a few days left to see the student exhibitions on view at the VAC. Displayed here are works from "Proof of Life," our wide ranging undergraduate exhibition, featuring artworks from 62 BFA and BA students in UT's Department of Art and Art History. "Proof of Life," alongside studio art and design exhibitions, "Half a Second or Less" and "Known Otherwise," respectively, are on view until this Saturday, May 9. Photos: Installation view of "Proof of Life: 2026 Senior Art Exhibition" at the Visual Art Center at the University of Texas at Austin.

The 2026 Studio Art MFA thesis exhibition, “Half a Second or Less,” is on view through May 9. Head over to the VAC to see works by Rosalyn Farney, Maya Gauvin, Edward Gia, Morgan Grigsby, Jo Kim, Tiffany Katarina Smith, and Nolan Zunk. This exhibition was curated by 2025–26 VAC Curatorial Fellow Maysa Martins and Education Fellow Mary Alice Smith. Photos: Installation view of “Half a Second or Less: 2026 Studio Art Thesis Exhibition” at the Visual Arts Center at the University of Texas at Austin. Photo: Alex Boeschenstein. 1. Edward Gia; 2. Rosalyn Farney; 3. Jo Kim; 4, Maya Gauvin; 5. Nolan Zunk; 6. Morgan Grigsby; 7. Tiffany Katarina Smith.

Thank you to all who came out to the Senior and MFA Exhibition Opening Reception on Friday! It was wonderful to see so many folks show up to support our students and their works. Huge thanks also to our sponsors, @saintarnoldbrewing , @cocacola , @smartwater , and @topochicousa for providing support and refreshments during the reception. If you want to learn more about the exhibitions, specifically “Half a Second or Less”, the Studio Art MFAs will be hosting a guided walking tour of their artwork on display at the Visual Arts Center this coming Friday, April 24 from 3 - 5 PM. All three exhibitions, “Half a Second or Less”, “Known Otherwise”, and “Proof of Life”, will be on view until May 9, 2026 during VAC operating hours—Tuesday - Saturday, 12 - 5 PM—and are always free and open to the public. See you soon! photos by William Whitworth @willxwhit

The Visual Arts Center and the Department of Art & Art History are proud to present the 2026 MFA Thesis Exhibition, "Half a Second or Less." This show brings together the work of seven graduating studio MFA students and will be on display from the opening reception tomorrow, April 17 until Saturday, May 9. The opening reception is free and open to the public and will be held from 5 - 8 PM in the Visual Arts Center. Refreshments and support for the 2026 Senior and MFA Exhibitions is generously provided by Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Coca-Cola, and Topo Chico. The MFA grads will also be hosting an artist-led tour on Friday, April 24 from 3 - 5 PM. Learn more about "Half a Second or Less" and our other two student exhibitions, "Known Otherwise" and "Proof of Life," at the link in bio. Rosalyn Jewel Farney, Flicker, 2026. Woodcut monoprint. untitled (detail), 2026. From the series Contact. Silver gelatin print and charcoal. Maya Gauvin, Dauber (detail), 2025. Steel, paper pulp, beeswax, plaster, muslin, graphite, chinaberry seeds, clay, oak galls, joint compound, thorns, aluminum wire. No Stable Eras, 2026. Soot and charcoal on paper. 132 × 84 in. Edward Gia, Your Echo in the Green (Don’t tell me it’s easier to never know), Austin, TX, 2025. Pigment inkjet prints. 139.5 x 93 in. We’re looking at the same sky, New York, NY, 2025. Transparency prints displayed on a window. 7.5 x 10 in. Morgan Grigsby, Anchored, 2026. Oil and enamel over acrylic gesso on wood panel. 5 × 7 in. Echo, 2026. Oil and enamel over acrylic gesso on wood panel. 5 × 16 in. Jo Kim, Score for… (detail), 2026. Engraved steel, aluminum. Still from You give me support, I give you purpose, 2026. Video documentation of performance. 15 min. Rhythm and Regulation (detail), 2026. From the series Blind. Screen print on DIBOND, hardware. Tiffany Katarina Smith, IMG_7587, IMG_2039 (detail), 2025. UV print on 3D print. 9.5 × 7 × 1.5 in. IMG_3144, 2026. UV print on 3D print. 9.25 × 7.5 × 1.5 in. Nolan Zunk, Cass, 2026. Fujichrome Provia 8×10 Color Positive Film. Kofi, 2026. Fujichrome Provia 8×10 Color Positive Film. Untitled (My Father and Me), 2024. Pigmented inkjet print. 22 × 17 in.

Two weeks from today, Friday, April 17, marks the opening reception for the 2026 Senior and MFA Thesis exhibitions at the Visual Arts Center. Students enrolled in BFA, BA, MFA, and MA degrees in studio art, design, and art education will present artworks that showcase the culmination of their research and training. Join us for the opening reception and enjoy drinks from our friends at @topochicousa and @saintarnoldbrewing . Learn more at the link in our bio 🔗 Photos: Behind the scenes images of student artworks during installation.

Only three days remain to see the exhibitions “Francesca Lally: Half Time” and “Abby Flanagan: To Move Through Stone” before they close. Visit the Visual Arts Center between 12–5 PM to gain perspective on two of Austin’s most recognizable landmarks: UT’s DKR Stadium and the Edwards Aquifer.  Photos: Installation views of “Francesca Lally: Half Time” (1–3) and “Abby Flanagan: To Move Through Stone” (4–6) at the Visual Arts Center at the University of Texas at Austin, 2026. Photos: Alex Boeschenstein.

You've never seen DKR quite like this! 🏈 Step inside "Francesca Lally: Half Time" at the Visual Arts Center, which reflects on football’s social, political, and cultural imprint, stadium architecture, and the different experiences of spectatorship across Texas. Check out the exhibit, on view through March 21, and discover more about Francesca and her inspirations at the link in our bio!

Now accepting applications for the 2026–27 St. Elmo Arts Residency through April 20! The St. Elmo Arts Residency is open to artists graduating with a Studio MFA between August 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026, from a US-based University program. UT system graduates are not eligible to apply. The residency includes: •24-hour access to a private 1,800-square-foot studio •Private furnished house that can accommodate the resident and a partner •A $40,000 stipend •Access to health insurance and benefits, with premiums partially paid for by UT •Part-time teaching experience at UT Austin •An exhibition at the Visual Arts Center 🔗 Link in bio.

Final days to experience Towards Détournement at the Visual Arts Center. This exhibition, co-curated by Josiah Brown, Amalya Graham, and Eric Petty, features artists exploring the role of power in images through painting, sculpture, photography, video, and collage. Inspired by Guy Debord’s concept of “détournement,” the works on display dismantle and reroute familiar visual forms to reveal the underlying narratives of mass media and capitalism. Don’t miss your chance to see these critical inquiries into visual culture before the show closes this Saturday, March 14.

Join us for two days of art and interdisciplinary dialogue. TODAY: Artist talks in ART 1.120 at 2:30 PM, featuring Abby Flanagan (To Move Through Stone) and Francesca Lally (Half Time). Abby will discuss place-based practice, followed by Francesca’s exploration of the future ruins of Texas football stadiums. Q&A to follow each session. TOMORROW: Edwards Aquifer panel and publication launch at 12 PM, featuring a cross-disciplinary conversation on art and the Edwards Aquifer, with a focus on storytelling, conservation, and visual representation. The event will include a panel of artists, scholars, and scientists. Lunch will be provided. RSVP required. 🔗 Link in bio. See you there! Photos: Installation views of “Abby Flanagan: To Move Through Stone” and “Francesca Lally: Half Time” at the Visual Arts Center at the University of Texas, 2026. Photo: Alex Boeschenstein.

This week marks your last chance to see Zalika Azim’s solo exhibition, “Blood Memories (or a going to ground)” at the Visual Arts Center. This exhibition introduces a series of artworks examining Black movement, migration, and placemaking throughout the U.S., using metaphors of grounding and gravity to represent systems of both liberation and oppression. See the exhibition and experience the artist’s latest sonic installation, “Resonance,” this Wednesday at 3 PM during a free participatory listening session led by Azim. Link in our bio 🔗 This exhibition is presented with support from the Every Page Foundation ❤️ Photos: Installation views of “Zalika Azim: Blood Memories (or a going to Ground)” at the Visual Arts Center at the University of Texas at Austin, 2026–26. Photo: Alex Boeschenstein.