ArtUs Co · Austin, Texas
Birding
Man
A group exhibition and gathering honoring the avian world — birds as messengers, observers, guardians, and living bridges between the natural and spiritual realms. Field talks and birds of prey by day, art and music by night.
Photo: @yuccasolphotography
"Who are we serving? Birders. Bird lovers. Nature lovers. But also the creative in all of us — ecology, spirituality, and creativity, merging into the concept of birding."
Saturday, April 10, 2027
One day, two moods
Field & Forum
Afternoon — family friendly- A live birds of prey demonstration
- Short talks from Travis Audubon and local experts
- A look at Austin's purple martin housing volunteers
- Bird-inspired poetry and creative readings
Roost & Revel
Evening — art, music, and a party- A juried exhibition of bird-inspired art
- Live performance, a DJ set, and the bird costume contest
- Original work for sale, direct from the artists
- Merch and prints from the Birding Man shop
- Good company, low key, all birders welcome
March 28, 2026
Year one, in review
Birding Man opened at ArtUs Co with an afternoon of birds of prey, field talks, and poetry, then closed the gallery for an evening art party with live performance, a DJ set, and a bird costume contest with prizes for the top three.
A juried group exhibition honoring the avian world, up on the walls from March 28 through May 30.
Talks by Bryan Olivas-Orozco, Cameron Kennedy, Jen Bristol, and Travis Audubon, plus a live birds of prey demo.
Performance by Jenna Jasso, music by DJ Chappie Funk, and bird-inspired costumes judged for top honors.
Photography: Marcelo Villaseñor & Bryan Olivas, Birding Man 2026.
Who's behind it
The people running the show
Juan Villegas
Art, curation & venue
Painter and gallerist with ArtUs Co. Juan curates the exhibition, runs the party, and holds the whole event together.
Bryan Olivas-Orozco
Afternoon program
Photographer and lifelong birder. Bryan lines up the speakers and experts who anchor the educational afternoon.
Bob Peck
Creative writing & open mic
Writer, filmmaker, and host of Karmic Relief. Bob curates the open call for writers and hosts the open mic segment.
Applications
Show your work at Birding Man
We're taking submissions for the year two exhibition, the open mic, and a short creative-writing slot on the afternoon program. One open call, reviewed after it closes — no rolling review, no scramble.
Email us to be notified the moment the call goes live, or check back here closer to the date.
Merch
Wear the flock
Shirts and prints designed for Birding Man, sold direct through our Etsy shop. Every order helps fund next year's speakers, poets, and the birds themselves.
All orders ship straight from Etsy. New designs drop ahead of the April event.