Striking, colorful and undeniably eye-catching, the University Co-Op’s “Austintatious” mural stretches across the store’s exterior on the corner of 23rd St. An enduring testament to Austin’s unique culture, the mural’s details include city landmarks, concert venues and a portrait of Stephen F. Austin cradling an armadillo. 

Celebrating its 50th anniversary on April 1, city council member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri led a commemoration of the mural and welcomed the return of the artwork’s three original artists — UT art alumni Kerry Awn, Rick Turner and Tommy Bauman.

“(In 1970), Austin is where all the creative people from Texas came, all the people who were called weirdos in their hometowns,” Awn said. “Everything was happening here; it was the place to be for artists.” 

Awn, Turner and Bauman said UT drew them in with its scenery, affordable tuition and liberal reputation. After working together as students and inspired by California’s social murals, the group of friends decided to paint a piece dedicated to the city they came to love.

Although the three artists did not expect the mural to gain popularity among students and Austin locals, Awn said he feels proud that the group’s artistry represents a former era of Austin. 

“We all had a little drawing of the downtown areas and the neighborhoods that were there, but we still didn’t know what it was gonna look like,” Awn said. “We were just amusing ourselves, trying to find other people like us. We thought that students shouldn’t have to go to a museum or gallery in New York to see art. It should be right here on the street.”

Tiffany Dodd, a rhetoric and writing senior, said the mural first struck her during a high school trip to Austin with friends. 

“The first time I saw the mural, it was so different from the artwork in my small hometown,” Dodd said. “Colorful and vibrant, artsy and original — I knew then that Austin was where I wanted to be.”

Art education sophomore Olivia Aranda said she thinks “Austintatious” represents the best of Austin’s enduring, colorful and diverse art scene.

“Austin art is like a melting pot,” Aranda said. “You can see Hispanic art, traditional street art and graffiti art. Austin doesn’t have a defined (art) style; the art culture here is very free. The painting is also very free. Its intimate perspective and stylization is typical of the seventies and today.”

While the Austin art scene continues to change with each decade, Awn said young artists and their aspirations should remain the same. 

“Just keep doing what you’re doing,” Awn said. “It’s fun to try writing, music or painting. Maybe fifty years from now you’ll get a plaque. Somehow your piece will become a part of the culture.”