New works of art, including this mural in the Second Street District, have recently popped up around downtown. Given all the new construction projects, this is not surprising. Austin has a city ordinance that requires that “2% of eligible capital improvement project budgets are allocated to commission or purchase art for that site.” Some pieces are privately owned/funded, but most of the city’s public art is under the oversight of the Art in Public Places program.

An intricate mosaic was laid in the Second Street sidewalk near the JW Marriott.

Barren metal trees have sprouted near the JW Marriott driveway.

Only a few of these sculptures are currently in place, but eventually 25 Pedestrian Geometries will be installed along Third Street.

 A series of glass panes titled Aquifer were also installed on Third Street.

Most people wouldn’t know that these whimsical notes outside the Austin Convention Center are actually meant to be used as bike racks.

I suspect that this colorful mural near the Convention Center was painted during March’s South by Southwest, and I just didn’t notice it before this week.

This pretty butterfly mural on the same building may also be a remnant from SxSW.

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