Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum facts for kids
Umlauf's The Kiss (Bronze 1970) is the centerpiece of the sculpture garden pond. Another of his bronzes, The Diver (1956, on far right), stands at the water's edge.
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| Established | 1985 |
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| Location | 605 Azie Morton Road Austin, Texas |
| Type | Art museum |
| Collections | Sculpture |
| Public transit access | Rt. 30 (Barton Springs/Azie Morton) |
The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, also known as the UMLAUF, is a special place in Austin, Texas. It's an outdoor garden and museum that shows off the amazing sculptures made by an American artist named Charles Umlauf. You can find it right next to Zilker Park.
Charles Umlauf and his wife, Angeline, gave their home, art studio, and 168 of Charles's sculptures to the City of Austin in 1985. Six years later, in 1991, a museum was built nearby to display the art. The museum is cared for by staff and volunteers. They get help from grants, donations, and the City of Austin. The garden also features xeriscaping, which means it uses plants that need very little water. The museum has different art shows throughout the year. These shows feature Charles Umlauf's art, works by other artists from his time, and modern art.
About Charles Umlauf
Charles Umlauf was a famous American sculptor. He taught art at the University of Texas at Austin for 40 years. Charles started sculpting when he was very young. He began taking classes at the Art Institute of Chicago at just 11 years old.
During the Great Depression, Umlauf worked for the Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project. He became well-known for his large public sculptures. One of his famous works, War Mother (made in 1939), led to his job offer from the University of Texas. Umlauf was known for making sculptures that showed strong feelings. His art often explored human and religious ideas. He used many different materials, like rose quartz and Brazilian rosewood. In Texas, you can see more of Charles Umlauf's sculptures in public places than any other single artist.
Modern Art Shows
The UMLAUF has a special gallery space. Here, they show art by modern artists from all over the world. They often focus on artists from Texas and the Southern United States. Some artists who have had their work shown there include James Surls, Farrah Fawcett, Jesús Moroles, Luis Jimenez, and Michael Ray Charles.
UMLAUF Art Prize
The Umlauf Museum gives out an annual award called the UMLAUF Prize. This prize is for new artists who live in Austin. The award includes money and a chance for the artist to have their own art show at the museum.
See Also
- List of single-artist museums
- List of botanical gardens in the United States
- Madonna and Child (Umlauf)
