Last week Bill and I attended the opening reception for the 2017 People’s Gallery at Austin City Hall. For the rest of this year, 96 Austin artists are displaying their work throughout the building. Visitors can vote on their top three favorites through the end of October. The winner—“The People’s Choice”—will be announced at the 2018 reception and added to the city’s permanent collection.

After sampling the dessert table, Bill and I wandered around the three floors of City Hall to admire this year’s submissions. We arrived back in the atrium just in time to hear Mayor Steve Adler announce the winner of last year’s contest.

Here is the 2016 People’s Choice winner: Buttermilk Pie by Ryan Montgomery. Yes, that’s a painting and not a photograph. I hadn’t picked this piece in my blog entry from last year (maybe I missed seeing it?), but this will be a fine addition to City Hall’s collection.

Anyhow, here’s some of my favorites from this year’s exhibition…and I’m not going to worry about influencing anyone’s vote this year!

 Armadillo Art Squad – Doug LaRue

Hearing Voices In The Feelings Store – Noel Kalmus

The Chimera’s Nest – Skip Noah

Multiplicity – Thomas Athey

The Beauty of Insignificance – Tammie Rubin

Circle of Gratitude – Greg Davis

She Is With Me – Jennifer Beth Guerin

New Day – Jess Bee

Aspirations – Amanda Wood

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