The Blanton Museum of Art Launches The Petal Society

The article is produced by TRIBEZA as sponsored content.

The Blanton Museum of Art, one of Austin’s most beloved cultural institutions and museums, has launched a new affinity group to help Austinites deepen their connection to the arts and amplify their impact. The Petal Society offers members exclusive ways to engage more meaningfully with the Blanton’s exhibitions, curators and broader arts network.

Of course, Petal Society members receive full Blanton membership benefits,  including free year-long admission, store discounts and more. But, there’s so much more than that. They can engage with the Museum and the larger arts community on a deeper level with everything from behind-the-scenes events to travel opportunities.

Petal Society Events

The Blanton Museum of Art offers Petal Society members a robust calendar of exclusive programming that deepens their knowledge of the art industry and local galleries, including an annual after-hours cocktail event at the museum. The Blanton’s three exhibition galleries change twice a year, and Petal Society members are invited for a rare chance to tour the exhibitions with the curator (and often the featured artist). 

The Petal Society also partners with local galleries to celebrate their artists. Most recently, the members were given an advance viewing of Conner O’Leary’s show Vessel In Time at Martha’s Gallery, where O’Leary spoke about his work. This month, members received a preview tour of the Blanton’s major exhibition “Spirit and Splendor: El Greco, Velazquez, and the Hispanic Baroque.” Artist Betsabeé Romero will give a tour of the Blanton’s Contemporary Project #15 , “Al Riverso De La Pista,” on October 11. Coming up, there will be an after-hours cocktail event, as well as a tour of the next rotation of the Blanton’s Art of the Spanish America’s gallery with loans from the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation.

Each quarter, Petal Society hosts its “Invite to Discover” program, which dives into topics like collecting, artistic production, art conservation and philanthropy. Its recent “Invite to Discover” program was an intimate talk with art conservator Scott Jennings, who recently restored a work from the Blanton’s collection. Petal Society members were the first to see the painting’s transformation. Its upcoming “Invite to Discover” program will feature a talk with Christie’s Auction House on generational collecting. Petal Society members are encouraged to bring kids, parents and others to discuss the impact of passing on their art collections.

Cultural Travel Access 

It’s not just about the events on the ground in Austin that sets the Petal Society apart. Cultural travel access is an essential component of membership, as members receive access to top cultural institutions and VIP passes to art fairs around the country through the Blanton’s national network. Petal Society members were given VIP access to the Dallas Art Fair, where they could attend talks around the fair and engage with curators and museum leadership. In the fall, Petal Society has been offered a limited number of VIP passes to Untitled Art in Houston.

Becoming A Member

Joining the Petal Society starts at the “Admirer” level and is a philanthropic gift in support of the museum. Additional levels include “Advocate” and “Ambassador”, with varying and additional benefits at each level.

Being a member means becoming part of a circle of key advocates that are helping to shape and sustain the Blanton’s future — and, by extension, the future of the arts in Austin.