Art Community Mobilizes Following Deadly Texas Floods, Christie's Art and Technology Summit Highlights Daily News for July 29, 2025
Art Community Rallies in Support of Flood-Stricken Kerrville, Texas
In the aftermath of the devastating flash floods that hit Kerrville, Texas over the July 4 weekend, claiming at least 137 lives, the art world has stepped up to offer support and solidarity to the affected community.
At the heart of this response is the Museum of Western Art, which, despite being located in the flood-prone Hill Country region between Austin and San Antonio, managed to avoid any damage to its collection. Darrell Beauchamp, the museum's executive director, reported that the museum staff were safe and that they received calls and offers of help from neighboring cultural institutions, such as the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg.
In the immediate aftermath of the flooding, the Museum of Western Art served as a refuge for first responders and local residents. The museum opened the day after the floods and allowed use of its parking lot to help protect vehicles from floodwaters. Although visitor numbers were low, around 40 people came by to experience the museum’s collection, which features traditional Western art spanning from the mid-1800s to the present.
To deepen community engagement during free admission days, the museum plans to offer activities such as painting rocks for the museum garden, enabling locals to find solace and connection through art during recovery.
Local artists have also contributed to spreading hope and healing through creative efforts. Callie Stelter, a local artist, painted messages of hope and remembrance on storefront windows in Kerrville and surrounding Hill Country towns. Her green bows, symbols of prayer for families affected by the floods, and uplifting phrases such as “When the river rises, so do we,” have helped to foster community resilience and solidarity through public art.
Meanwhile, in the world of international art, British artist Helen Marten will debut 30 Blizzards, a new performance-based commission, as part of Miu Miu's contribution to Art Basel Paris's public art program in 2025. Miu Miu is set to return as the official partner of the program. Each awardee will receive a £5,000 grant, a workspace at Studio Voltaire in London, a mentoring and professional development program, curatorial and pastoral support, and benefit from public events programming.
Elsewhere, the art world is also looking forward to events such as the 13th edition of Frieze Sculpture, which runs from September 17 to November 2 and coincides with Frieze London and Frieze Masters (October 15-19). The event will return to London's Regent's Park, featuring works by 14 artists including Jaune Quick-to-See Smith and Reena Saini Kallat.
In New York, the Christie's 10th Art + Tech Summit was held earlier this month, where big names from art, sports, and technology shared their insights on the future of technology and culture.
Amidst these events, there is a Ukrainian artist, Pavlo Makov, who has chosen to remain in war-torn Kharkiv despite nightly missile attacks. Makov is working on a large, bold drawing in vivid shades of emerald and orange, a departure from his previous work in highly intricate monochrome prints and graphite pencil.
In the Loewe Foundation / Studio Voltaire Award's third edition, Lulu Bennett, Chaney Diao, Jesse Glazzard, and Taey Iohe were announced as the recipients.
As the art world continues to evolve, it remains a beacon of hope and resilience, as demonstrated by its response to the flood disaster in Kerrville, Texas.
- The Museum of Western Art, undamaged by the flood, is providing aid to first responders and local residents, serving as a refuge during the disaster.
- The museum plans to offer activities like painting rocks for the garden to foster community engagement and aid in recovery.
- Local artist Callie Stelter has used her art to spread messages of hope and remembrance, painting shop windows with green bows and uplifting phrases.
- Also, the international art world is anticipating events like the 13th edition of Frieze Sculpture and the return of Miu Miu's contribution to Art Basel Paris's public art program.
- British artist Helen Marten will unveil a new performance-based commission, 30 Blizzards, as part of Miu Miu's Art Basel Paris program in 2025.
- In the realm of technology, the Art + Tech Summit at Christie's featured discussions on the future of tech and culture.
- Meanwhile, Ukrainian artist Pavlo Makov, despite facing ongoing missile attacks in Kharkiv, is working on a vibrant drawing, a departure from his monochrome prints and graphite pencil work.
- In a different context, the Loewe Foundation / Studio Voltaire Award has announced Lulu Bennett, Chaney Diao, Jesse Glazzard, and Taey Iohe as its recipients this year, demonstrating the continued evolution and vitality of the art world.
