The new entrance to Laguna Gloria.
At a free community event on Saturday, The Contemporary Austin, a contemporary art museum, will debut upgrades at its outdoor Laguna Gloria location. Marking the completion of the first phase of renovations, the event will showcase a brand new minimalist steel-and-glass entrance area called Moody Pavilions, which houses a visitor center, restrooms, a museum store, and a café. The addition made use of $3 million in grants.
épicerie at Laguna Gloria. Photo by Brian Fitzsimmons.
The new walk-up café is run by épicerie, an Austin restaurant specializing in French-Cajun cuisine. The Laguna Gloria location serves a menu that includes salmon and kale salad, a muffuletta sandwich, and chocolate-chip cookies. The Moody Pavilions also include two new sculptural installations by Jessica Stockholder and Liam Gillick.
The 14-acre sculpture park located on the shores of Lake Austin has housed an art museum since 1961. Over the years, the park has come under the care of different arts organizations, but has always maintained an art school and the centerpiece 1916 Italianate-style villa once owned by famed philanthropist and preservationist Clara Driscoll.
The opening event takes place Saturday May 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and will include art-making activities and musical performances.
