5 Best Sights in Austin, Texas

This sleek modern-day art gallery celebrates everything that rocks—both in terms of beautiful geologic finds and of some of the world's most iconic rock and roll performers, who are featured in the gallery of fine art photography. The marriage of the two is truly a sight to behold. While walking the whitewashed halls of this contemporary domain, you'll see beautiful displays of geodes, crystals, minerals, and other forms of natural history as well as never-before-seen images of the likes of Miles Davis, David Bowie, Paul Simon, and Austin's own son, Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Owned by art enthusiast and collector Lora Reynolds, this gallery encompasses a wide range of artistic media. Having worked in London and New York galleries, Reynolds was inspired to bring a vast diversity of contemporary art to Austin in the downtown area. The small, linear art space is a one-of-a-kind in the Austin art community, attracting international artists with a modern aesthetic who show original drawings, sculptures, photography, and painting exhibits in the main exhibition space and the "Project Room," where more than a dozen artists are featured throughout the year.

Decidedly un-artsy in its former incarnation as an auto-body shop, this space now hosts an exciting, artist-managed gallery that has launched many a contemporary artist onto the scene. In addition to the 1,500 square feet of gallery space, there are several project studios where local and national artists create new works in a variety of media, making for a singularly unique gallery experience for visitors. MASS also has a lively program of seasonal film screenings, musical performances, artist talks, and community outreach activities.

With a collection more akin to a first-class art museum than a commercial gallery, Lisa Russell's showcase, recently rebranded as West Chelsea Contemporary, has a long-standing reputation for being the go-to place in Austin for serious art collectors. The permanent collection has more than 100 original works, some dating back to the 1600s, including pieces by Rembrandt, Renoir, Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, Matisse, and more displayed year-round. Contemporary artists are also a main attraction, with work from the likes of Cody Hooper, Michael Kessler, and Daniel Maltzman. Check the website for special exhibits and events hosted throughout the year.

After nearly 25 years on South Congress Avenue, this contemporary folk art, fine art, and pop art gallery moved its wares to the Canopy artist studios on the city's east side. Founded in 1995, the local gallery features works by artists from the great American South, in addition to Canada and Europe. The modest space is open afternoons (Thursday–Saturday) as well as by appointment.