On Wednesday, the HOPE Outdoor Gallery in Austin reopened its doors for the first time in months, culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked a new chapter for the city’s graffiti community.
A Fresh Start After Years Without a Home
The HOPE Outdoor Gallery had been without a permanent location for several years. After a brief reopening a few weeks earlier, the park’s leaders and city officials gathered to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event was held at the gallery’s new site on 741 Dalton Lane, a multi-acre open-air cultural events center located near the Austin airport.
The New Site and Its History
The original gallery opened in March 2010 at a place called “The Foundation” on Baylor Street. That site was a failed condo development from the 1980s that remained underdeveloped until Andi Scull, the co-founder and creative director of HOPE Outdoor Gallery, transformed it into a temporary art installation. The Baylor Street gallery closed in 2019. Austin-based Cumby Group LLC then purchased the 1.2-acre property and built condos where the graffiti park had once stood.
The Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Andi Scull cut the ribbon for the new park. She described the moment as a “historic moment” for Austin’s art community. “I didn’t want to make super long remarks, but the most important part was to acknowledge that this is a community, that projects like this only happen with an army of awesome – that’s how I’ve always described our family,” Scull said.
She went on to explain the park’s purpose: “This park was meant to be the now new headquarters for the Helping Other People Everywhere Campaign, which was started to connect creators with causes and to support projects and events that are just helping to make the world a better place through cultural arts,” Scull continued. “So our excitement to have a final headquarters and home for that, and for Hope Outdoor Gallery as a public art space where people can come and feel safe to express their own ideas and share community, especially here by the Austin Airport.”
Mayor Pro Tem’s Symbolic Contribution
Before Scull cut the ribbon, Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes spray-painted a symbol representing Austin’s District 2, the area now home to the gallery’s new location. “This is D2 for District 2,” Fuentes said. “We are claiming this in our own district; we are very proud to have it.”
A Community-Driven Vision
C.K. Chin, Director of Hospitality for the HOPE Campaign, called the new park an “evolution of an Austin legacy.” He added, “It’s one of those things that’s really hard to explain until you see it.” He went on to describe the park’s flexibility: “I think a lot of people are limited in their own imagination of what a gallery might be, what an art park might be. But depending on how you emphasize the word, it’s whatever you want it to be. You want it to be a place of hope? Then let it be a place of hope. You want to do something outdoors, you want to do yoga outside in the middle? Do it. It’s an art gallery. Want to come see some amazing art? Come do it. The cool thing about what we’re doing here is that it’s participatory.”
Chin also noted the participatory nature of the space: “Something that was extraordinarily moving for me was that people are able to participate in the art and not just observe it,” he continued. “That’s something that’s really important for us.”
The Gallery’s New Role
The new location at 741 Dalton Lane is more than a paint-filled wall. It is a multi-acre open-air cultural events center that also functions as a community art park and a technology gallery. The HOPE Outdoor Gallery’s official ribbon cutting for its new location is scheduled for December 17, 2025, and the venue is set to host a variety of events that will bring together artists, creators, and the public.
A Community Celebration
The ceremony drew a mix of HOPE Campaign leaders, city representatives, local artists, and community members. The gathering underscored the gallery’s role as a hub for creative expression and community engagement. The event was a tangible reminder that public art spaces can thrive when supported by a network of volunteers and local officials.
Key Takeaways
- The HOPE Outdoor Gallery reopened at 741 Dalton Lane after years without a permanent home.
- Andi Scull and Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes led the ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 17, 2025.
- The new site serves as a multi-acre cultural events center, community art park, and technology gallery.
The reopening of the HOPE Outdoor Gallery signals a renewed commitment to public art in Austin, offering a space where creativity and community intersect in a vibrant, participatory environment.
