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Artists protest convention center deaccessions; ACME and staff identify storage and funding to preserve works
Summary
Four large artworks slated for deaccession at the Austin Convention Center prompted public testimony from artists and a pledge from ACME and Art in Public Places staff to find storage, funding for deinstallation and reinstallation, and options for rehoming the works. One artist reported private donor support to move a major work to a new site.
Several artists urged the Arts Commission to intervene after the Austin Convention Center announced plans that would remove and deaccession large, site-integrated artworks as the building is rebuilt.
Artist Margo Sawyer detailed damage to her monumental installation and said she has been asked to take the work down herself. Sawyer said the work would cost about $25,000 to deinstall and that repairs would total about $46,000. Sawyer told commissioners that she believes the convention center did not consult artists or Art in Public Places (AIPP) before recommending four deaccessions.
Paula Pryor spoke for the family of artist Damien Prier, whose multi-piece installation in the convention center rotunda would be costly to crate and store because many elements are mounted 40 to 60 feet high. Pryor said her son has been working with limited personal resources to respond to the deaccession plan and asked the commission and ACME to ensure proper stewardship if the city retains ownership.
John A. Yancey, an artist whose work Riffs and Rhythms had been in the press, submitted a written update that said private donors and community partners were working with ACME and community groups. Yancey wrote that an agreement had been formed involving funding from an anonymous donor, managed by AUSBOS Housing (a nonprofit), to engage She He Fine Art to deinstall the work, store it, and then reinstall the piece in the Block 16-to-18 development on East 11th Street when construction begins. He wrote: "The finish line is in sight, and all signs are looking positive."
ACME and Art in Public Places staff said they were mobilizing to preserve the works where feasible. Jaime Castillo, AIPP program manager, said the city completed the legal steps that would allow the city to transfer title back to artists, but that title transfer is not required if the city chooses instead to retain and preserve the works. Castillo said staff had worked with legal counsel and that a decision to preserve the artworks would put the January deaccession recommendation "defunct." Castillo and ACME staff said they had identified a climate-controlled city storage location for at least two of the works as of the morning following the public testimony and have identified funding sources to support deinstallation and storage.
ACME interim chief administrative officer Candace Cooper and ACME director Angela Means told the commission they were prioritizing preservation. Cooper emphasized community commitments and ACME's plan to incorporate community input into its strategy; Means and Castillo described ongoing, rapid efforts to secure storage, crate and insure the works, and to plan for reinstallation.
Clarifying details recorded during the meeting: Sawyer estimated $25,000 to deinstall and $46,000 to repair damaged elements; the deaccession recommendation had been presented to city council and would transfer title to artists if the city issues deeds, but staff said they would pause or reverse transfers if preservation is possible; Yancey described an agreement with an anonymous donor, AUSBOS Housing and She He Fine Art to deinstall, store and reinstall Riffs and Rhythms in Block 16-18.
Ending: ACME and AIPP staff committed to return to the Arts Commission with more detailed plans and timelines for deinstallation, storage, repair, and potential reinstallation. Commissioners asked ACME to provide frequent updates while the city completes the logistics and legal steps required to preserve the works.
