Tales of the Traveling Tote #34

Rabbit, Rabbit~ March 1st  ~ 

Welcome to Tales of the Traveling Tote

 ~  Edition 34 ~

Come along and join me at a place very special to my heart.

It's a winter day in January and the skies are blue, 

though the vegetation is not yet lush and green.  

It reflects our winter season.

Laguna Gloria, an Italianate-style villa built in 1916, 

sits on the shores of Lake Austin.  Originally the home of 

Clara Driscoll and her husband, Hal Sevier, 

Clara gave this property to the Texas Fine Arts Association

in 1943 to be used as an art museum.

Originally the home of Laguna Gloria Art Museum, I first discovered this special property when I came to study at the University of Texas. In the mid 1990s the name was changed to the Austin Museum of Art. AMOA merged with Arthouse at the Jones Center in 2011.

The name became The Contemporary Austin with a site downtown on Congress Avenue and another here at Laguna Gloria.

Funds were raised for an extensive renovation 

of this historical property in the early 2000s.

With the arrival of Louis Grachos, 

Executive Director and CEO of Contemporary Austin,  

the grounds around the villa are now home to the 

Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park, 

a collection of outdoor sculptures created by living artists.  

You can find more information and photos of the sculptures here.

For me, the joy of the property is not the contemporary sculpture, but rather the historic villa and the gardens that were designed by 

Clara Driscoll all those years ago.  I appreciate that Mr. Gracos saw the value in preserving the integrity of this historic property of natural wooded areas and open meadows that sit along at the lake's edge. 

I personally like to wander the grounds, reminiscing about my years as an elementary teacher bringing my students here on field trips to experience various art exhibits within the villa, the countless years of attending the annual juried spring art show, Fiesta, held on the grounds, and the summer evenings of film or music that were enjoyed outdoors in the amphitheatre along side the lagoon.  

I like to stroll the pathways among the natural habitat, listening to the quiet of nature and the occasional motor boat on the lake.

You will encounter a large pavilion that overlooks the lake.

It's known as the Temple of Love.

My favorite of the contemporary sculptures is Water Woman, a cast bronze by artist Wangechi Mutu and part of the permanent collection.

She sits at water's edge gazing out to the lagoon and beyond.  

Another favorite for me, and originally installed by Clara,

 the Four Seasons Statues were part of one of her formal gardens.

Inside the villa, the rooms were purposely left as open spaces 

as the villa and grounds are used as venues 

for weddings and other gatherings.

My favorite of the spaces is the Tea Room,  with its checkered 

tile floor and walls of windows that look out 

to the terrace and the lake beyond.

My husband and I were honored to be a 

part of the restoration of this charming space.

If you ever find yourself in Austin, I recommend a visit.

Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy this lovely setting.

Stop by to visit my Traveling Tote Friends 

to read about their recent adventures.

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul (You are here)

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader 

Jackie @ Purple Chocolat Home

Cherry Kay and Carrie Ann Hall @ Entertaining Women  

And Don't Forget The Giveaway!

Join us again June 1st for Edition #35

Joining

Love Your Creativity @ Life and Linda  Sundays on Silverado @ House on Silverado 

You're the Star @ Electric Red Barn  Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia    

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life Tuesday Turnaround @ My Wee Abode

All About Home @ Common Ground  Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Electric Red Barn
Share Your Style @ French Ethereal  Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner Charming Homes and Gardens @ Shiplap and Shells  Embracing Home and Family @ The Everyday Farmhouse   Farmhouse Friday @ The Painted Hinge