DORF Presents Soft Opening

Exterior photo of new dorf LOCATION at 218 south lamar blvd; sculpture by Jessica Bell, W.A.B.O., 2024, powder coated steel and acrylic, 15 x 8 x 8 feet

Exhibition Dates - October 25 - January 11, 2025
Gallery Hours - Saturdays 12-6 PM

Soft is many things. It’s a texture, a composition, a feeling, an act, a metaphor, a way of being. Soft Opening embraces and celebrates softness in all its forms. Artists on view explore this concept through material and meaning, as DORF opens its doors to the public for a special preview of our new gallery and community space with this inaugural exhibition.

Featured Artists
Eepi Chaad, Michael Anthony García, Nitashia Johnson, Bárbara Miñarro, Natalia Nakazawa, Rebeca Proctor, Libby Rosen, James Viscardi 

Opening Reception - Friday, October 25, 2024 | 7-11 PM

  • Performance by Michael Anthony García - 8 PM

  • Music by DJ Apanda

Austin Studio Tour Open Hours - November 9-10, 2024 | 12-6 PM

  • DORF X East Side Pot ShopCoil and Pinch Ceramics Workshop led by Rebeca Proctor - Sunday, November 10, 2-4 PM
    $25 per person. All ages welcome with parental supervision.Tickets available for purchase here.

View of zilker point from rooftop garden / venue space looking towards downtown. image provided by runa workshop.

About our new space

Read our official announcement here!

In October 2024, DORF relocates from a garage in our South Austin home to an expanded space at Zilker Point, a new Downtown Austin development. This new location will create an arts district shared with neighbors: Zach Theatre, Dougherty Arts Center, and The Long Center for the Performing Arts.

Through an unprecedented partnership with the City of Austin and 218 Zilker Point Owner, LLC, DORF secured a $1/year, up to 10-year lease. Additionally, we negotiated the establishment of this “Creative Space Location” as a rent-free space for future arts nonprofits in perpetuity, protected by city ordinance.

DORF’s new space includes a 1,062-square-foot gallery, a rooftop garden, an outdoor plaza with a stage for performances, and a commissioned permanent sculpture by artist Jessica Bell — all within walking distance from Lady Bird Lake.

All are welcome!

Auxiliary Programming

+ Performance by Michael Anthony Garcia - Friday, October 25, 2024 | 8 pm.

DORF X East Side Pot Shop Coil and Pinch Ceramics Workshop led by Rebeca Proctor
Sunday, November 10, 2-4 PM

DORF is excited to partner with East Side Pot Shop for a ceramics workshop led by ESPS owner, and Soft Opening artist Rebeca Proctor. Rebeca will guide participants through the "coil and pinch" handbuilding technique to create small vessels. After participants finish their work and select a glaze, the pieces will be fired offsite at East Side Pot Shop and available for pickup at DORF two weeks later. Join us on November 10th, from 2–4 PM at DORF’s new gallery space for this fun, family-friendly workshop! All ages are welcome (children must be accompanied by a caregiver).

Cost: $25 per person - tickets available at on our Eventbrite event page here.

*If cost is a barrier, please contact us at dorf@dorfworld.org

 

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS


This project has been financed in whole or in part by the City of Austin’s Elevate Grant Program

 

ABOUT DORF

Founded by Sara Vanderbeek and Eric Manche in 2018, DORF is a nonprofit art space with a mission to build a village of artists, advocates, and innovators. DORF’s values of openness, intention, expression, and community have guided its programming, which includes exhibitions that tackle social justice, amplify marginalized voices, and foster meaningful dialogues. 

We have received recognition in publications like Texas Monthly, Sightlines Magazine, The Austin Chronicle, Glasstire, Southwest Contemporary, and more, and received “Best New Experimental Art Gallery” in The Austin Chronicle.