A new contemporary art space called Ostillo Art Foundation is opening on September 19 in Austin's historically Black Rosewood neighborhood. Located at 2600 Rosewood Ave., the venue will feature gallery space, a library, and an open-air performance area, and will become the permanent home of the East Side Kings Festival, a music festival celebrating African American blues, jazz, and gospel. The inaugural exhibition, "Masquerade," curated by founding director Sacha Zerbib, draws from the collection of local developer René Campos and includes works by 14 artists such as Glenn Ligon, Marlene Dumas, and Kader Attia, all exploring themes of identity, masks, and spectacle.
The opening matters because Ostillo Art Foundation is deliberately rooted in the history of Rosewood, a neighborhood shaped by segregation and known for Black cultural expression, particularly in music. By connecting this local heritage to international contemporary art discourse, the foundation aims to inspire curiosity and critical thinking while addressing pressing social issues. The foundation's name references Ostilio Ricci, a Renaissance mathematician and mentor to Galileo, signaling a commitment to linking art with broader intellectual inquiry. This new space adds to Austin's growing cultural landscape while honoring and amplifying the legacy of its historically Black community.