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, often called the UMLAUF, is a special place in Austin, Texas. It's a museum and an outdoor garden filled with amazing sculptures. All the art here was created by a famous American sculptor named Charles Umlauf.
The museum is located at 605 Azie Morton Road, right next to Zilker Park. In 1985, Charles Umlauf and his wife, Angeline, gave their home, art studio, and 168 of Charles's sculptures to the City of Austin. Six years later, in 1991, a museum was built to show these artworks. The museum is cared for by staff and volunteers. They get help from grants, donations, and the City of Austin. This support helps them keep the museum and its beautiful, water-saving garden in great shape. The UMLAUF also has different art shows throughout the year. These shows feature Charles Umlauf's art, works by other artists from his time, and even modern art.
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Meet Charles Umlauf: The Sculptor
Charles Umlauf was a very important American sculptor. He taught art at the University of Texas at Austin for 40 years. Charles started making sculptures when he was very young. He even began taking classes at the Art Institute of Chicago when he was only 11 years old!
During the Great Depression, Umlauf worked for a government program called the Works Progress Administration. He became well-known for his large public sculptures. One famous piece, War Mother (1939), helped him get his teaching job at the University of Texas. Charles Umlauf was known for sculptures that showed human feelings and religious ideas. He used many different materials, like beautiful rose quartz and Brazilian rosewood. You can see more of Charles Umlauf's sculptures in public places across Texas than any other single artist.
Modern Art Shows at the UMLAUF
The UMLAUF has a special gallery space where they show art by modern artists. These shows change with the seasons. While they feature 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 here include James Surls and Jesús Moroles. Even Farrah Fawcett, who was a student and friend of Umlauf, had her art displayed.
The Umlauf Prize for New Artists
The UMLAUF also gives out an award each year called the Umlauf Prize. This prize goes to a new artist who lives in Austin. The award gives the artist money and a chance to have their very own art show at the museum. It's a great way to support new talent!
See also
- List of single-artist museums
- List of botanical gardens in the United States
- Madonna and Child (Umlauf)
