The West Austin Studio Tour will be postponed, say officials with Big Medium, the non-profit organization which coordinates the free, two weekend self-guided tour.
As of March 23, Austin is under a city-wide shelter-in-place order through April 13 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously Mayor Steve Adler had ordered a social distancing order that was to extend through May 1. The West Austin Studio Tour had been scheduled for May 9–10 & 16–17.
Big Medium said it had consulted with participating artists and community partners before making the decision to cancel the tour.
“While this has been a difficult decision, we believe it is the responsible course of action in order to maintain the safety and well being of our community,” the organization said in its announcement. “We are currently working on creative solutions that will not only serve artists in the present, but complement and reinforce our mission and programs year round.”
Last year’s tour included 374 participants. There is also a slate of public programs and temporary exhibitions. The West Austin Studio Tour is the complement to annual East Austin Studio Tour held each November.
