Crit Group Reunion Chapter 1: Facing the World
The Contemporary Austin
Exhibition Dates: September 11 – November 14, 2021

Crit Group Reunion brings together artists who have participated in the museum’s Crit Group program, showcasing the spectrum of contemporary art in Austin. With seven to eight artists participating each year, since its founding Crit Group has generated a network of approximately sixty artists working in various artistic mediums—from painting and sculpture, textiles and ceramics, to performance, video, and sound installation. Accompanied by a range of programs and artist-led workshops, the exhibition will be presented in two chapters, with a gallery changeover midway through the exhibition, to celebrate Austin’s dynamic artistic community.

Running annually since 2014, The Contemporary’s Crit Group program has strived to support local artists in making new work, building community, and growing a professional practice. This highly selective program has brought together artists with a range of personal and educational backgrounds, as well as native Austinites and those who had recently relocated to the city. The Crit Group program aims to support these artists in experimenting and expanding their creative practices in new directions. In the spirit of extending this ethos, Crit Group Reunion will gather former program participants in a single exhibition for the first time, presenting a range of new and recent works and fostering a timely sense of togetherness.

Crit Group Reunion is organized by Robin K. Williams, Associate Curator, and co-curated with Andrea Mellard, former Director of Public Programs & Community Engagement.

untitled (study of longing for landscape), 2021
etching on gold and blue colored acrylic sheet
16 in x 17 in x 96 in each
Originally commissioned and produced by Artpace San Antonio