The Visual Arts Center at UT Austin opens its Spring 2026 exhibitions this Friday, January 23, from 5–8 PM—a centerpiece night for Austin’s arts calendar and the public debut of “Codex Two Thousand Twenty‑Six,” a new collaborative mural by UT professor Carlos Rosales‑Silva and students from his advanced painting course. The project uses newly created pictographic symbols to map the ideas, tensions, and cultural questions shaping the next generation of artists, and you can find full event details on the Visual Arts Center’s official site.
Visual Arts Center (UT Austin)
FreeCheck the Visual Arts Center’s site before you go for any last-minute schedule updates or details on parking and access.
Alongside the mural unveiling, the reception introduces three major exhibitions: Abby Flanagan: To Move Through Stone, Francesca Lally: Half Time, and Towards Détournement, plus the year‑long installation Zalika Azim: Blood Memories (or a going to ground). The event is free and held at the Visual Arts Center at 2301 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78712; it’s also highlighted on the broader UT Austin events calendar for campus‑wide happenings.
INSIDER INTELLIGENCE
The mural is expected to become a long‑term visual anchor for VAC’s public spaces. For another look at how Austin institutions build lasting cultural anchors, see our deep dive on the Republic of Texas History Center’s hidden archives.
Students involved in the collaboration will be present during the reception for informal walkthroughs, offering a rare chance to hear directly from emerging artists about their process.
Arrive within the first hour for the best chance to speak with Rosales‑Silva before crowds thicken; conversations get harder once the main reception hits its peak.
Towards Détournement, curated by UT undergraduates, offers a sharp contrast to the mural’s symbolic storytelling and is an excellent second stop. If you’re building a full arts weekend, pair the VAC visit with another exhibition‑focused outing like Inside Madelon Umlauf’s Final Exhibition or the outdoor experience of Fortlandia 2026 for a broader sense of Austin’s creative landscape.
Related Austin Data
Inside the VAC Spring 2026 Opening Reception: The Insider Guide to the Debut of “Codex Two Thousand Twenty‑Six”
Choose how to share
