Umlauf Sculpture Garden to re-open June 6

It is the first museum or cultural center in Austin to re-open since the city closed down mid-March

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The Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum is re-opening to the public June 6, the first museum or cultural center in Austin to re-open since the city closed down mid-March in response to the spread of the coronavirus.

The Umlauf is only re-opening its four-acre sculpture garden. Its gallery building will remain closed. The garden features 54 sculptures by the late Charles Umlauf (1910- 1994).

“We are excited to invite the community back while maintaining high safety standards,” said Umlauf director Sarah Story in a statement. “We want to welcome our visitors while ensuring a fun and safe experience for all.”

A maximum of 30 people will be allowed in the garden at a time and visitors must follow a one-way marked path. Visual cues along the way will remind visitors to maintain recommended six-foot social distancing.

Restrooms — which are accessible directly from the garden — will be open by request only and sanitized hourly. Also part of the Umlauf’s re-opening plan:

  • Regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces will occur throughout the day for all public spaces: front desk, restrooms, doors, etc.
  • Employees will follow all CDC and state recommendations for monitoring the health and safety of the staff, such as daily temperature checks, face coverings, frequent hand sanitizing, social distancing, and other protective measures.

The Umlauf will open to its members June 2-5, and recommends that everyone purchase admission tickets online or in advance by clicking here. Admission is $7; $5 seniors; $3 students.

On site, admission can only be paid using a credit or debit card. Cash will not be accepted.

 


Jeanne Claire van Ryzin
Jeanne Claire van Ryzin
Jeanne Claire van Ryzin is an arts and culture journalist who has covered visual art, performance, film, literature, architecture, and just about any combination thereof. She was the staff arts critic for the Austin American-Statesman for 17 years. Her commendations include the First Place Arts & Culture Criticism Award from the Society for Features Journalism. Additionally, Jeanne Claire has been awarded professional fellowships at USC’s Western Knight Center for Specialized Journalism and NEA/Columbia University Arts Journalism Institute. In 2022, she was awarded the Rabkin Prize in visual art journalism. For two years, she taught arts journalism at the University of Texas College of Fine Arts. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, Architecture magazine, Dwell, the Review of Contemporary Fiction, Art Papers, and ICON design magazine, among other publications.

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