My Solo Art Exhibition at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport!
I have had many people ask me how I find opportunities and there are countless ways. My solo art exhibition at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is one of my favorite stories.
Five years ago, I was only just beginning my art career journey. At the time, I didn’t really know where to start or how to apply for opportunites. I had big dreams and wanted to have my art showcased at the the airport. After some research, I could only find an email address and no other information about how to apply. After some hesitation, I sent an email out and waited. To my disappointment, I never got a response.
Elk antlers fall off naturally and regrow. How magical. These were found in West Texas by a family friend.
Detail of gold leaf, beads, clay and thousands of painted dots.
About a year later, one of my pieces was in a group show at the airport. It was a very proud moment and I considered that to be my wish come true for an airport exhibition.
This year, and almost FIVE years later, I got a response from the curator of the airport gallery! She apologized for the wait (backlog of emails and covid delays) and asked if I wanted to have a spot in the gallery this year. I was astonished and so excited!!!
My exhibition called “Encuentros” is now showing at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport, located at Departure Gate 10. If you are traveling before November, please make sure you stop by and see it. All of the featured pieces are for sale and looking for a home. Please email me at santamarialys@gmail.com to inquire.
Fun fact: My exhibition is in the same gallery wall where Banksy was featured earlier this year!
Before: A broken mirror that a woman dropped and broke at a home goods shop that I was visiting. The shop was going to throw it in the trash and I was at there at the perfect time to save it. It took me two years to finally transform it.
After: I used 24K gold beads, vitreous glass tiles, and lined the entire piece with reflective mirror pieces to give it a ‘never ending look’. This is called Amor Infinito or Infinite Love.
I often think about this experience and feel so grateful. Although I was disappointed that I didn’t get a response initially, I wasn’t ready at that time if I’m being completely honest. Everything happens in its own perfect timing and I’m grateful that I was able to grab this opportunity when it came to me this year.
This experience has also been a lesson in planting seeds for your dreams - and patiently waiting for those seeds to bloom. Every day is a chance to take one small (or BIG) action towards our goals.
A sketch of how I imagined that the exhibition would look. Pretty close to how it turned out!
Grouting the mosaic glass unifies the piece and ensures longevity. It’s a messy process but I love how it completely transforms the piece. You can see how the white pops where I’ve added grout.
A new glass cutting tool that I discovered recently. It makes cutting glass easy and precise. I wish I had known about this tool for my mosaic sculpture last year.
This entire collection was inspired by my amazing trip to Germany and France this year with my fiance, Steven. I am so lucky to have been able to safely travel after not being able to do so for a long time.
Here is the official inspiration and description of the show:
Colombian-born Austin artist, Lys Santamaria, is inspired by her roots, her love of nature, and the healing power of art. Lys uses beads and glass to create awe-inspiring portraits, sculptures, and jewelry. Her work is rooted in the belief that beauty acts as an antidote to the tough realities of daily life. Art heals, and Lys works to inspire others with her art.
This installation at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport is inspired by the beauty and mystery of the cycle of life. Shades of black and white were used to express the duality of all things and gold symbolizes the magical moments in between. With each piece, Lys hopes to inspire the viewer to reflect on the precious moments along life’s journey.
“I created every piece in this collection using my intuition. My artistic process prioritizes freedom and I rarely plan or sketch beforehand. When I slow down, meditate, or hold an object in my hands, I am guided toward a certain area, shape, or material. Once I have tapped in, I follow my inner voice and the magic flows. It is a slow creative process that allows for my own personal healing and results in the complete transformation of an object.”
Santamaria’s work has been featured on Good Morning America, a national LegalZoom campaign, and Austin Monthly magazine. Her work is sold at the Smithsonian’s Museum for the American Latino and is on display in the permanent collection at the Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin, Texas.
Lys is a local artist and mindfully creates from her studio in Austin, Texas.