For three days only, POP Austin will bring together works by several world-renowned contemporary artists including Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami, the Gao Brothers, Gerard Rancinan, Mr. Brainwash and Shepard Fairey, among others.

POP Austin proudly announces its inaugural international art show in Austin, Texas taking place Oct. 17 to 19 at Fair Market located at 1100 East 5th St., Austin, Texas 78702. POP Austin will merge art and lifestyle in an annual three-day, interactive art show showcasing and selling art from some of the most renowned contemporary artists from around the world. The weekend will kick off with a ticketed VIP Opening Party on Friday, Oct. 17 from 7 to 11 p.m. for sponsors, collectors, and art enthusiasts. POP Austin will remain open to the public on Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Children 10 and under are free with a ticketed adult. Tickets go on sale Sept. 15. For ticket pricing and information, please see: www.popaustin.com.

"Our vision is to have America, and the world, recognize Austin as more than a town of artists, but a capital of culture," said Matt Randall, Executive Director and one of POP Austin's founders. "The goal is to make Austin an epicenter for annual meetings of truly talented artists, collectors and dealers. Our annual event will not only bring in prestigious and internationally recognized talent, but will also feature a select number of local Austin artists. The goal is to present each artist in an interactive way, and host lectures and seminars aimed at educating Austin buyers on the importance of art investment."

Some of the esteemed global artists to be featured at the event include Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami, Gao Brothers, Gerard Rancinan, Mr. Brainwash and Shepard Fairey, as well as two celebrated local Austin artists Bale Creek Allen and Jason Archer. Works for the show are being shipped in from Paris, New York, and Los Angeles.

POP Austin will focus on the traditional art collector as well as influential young professionals and art enthusiasts. In order to reach this audience, the founders have engaged new Austin creative agency Preacher to unveil an experiential campaign around Austin, creating Texas-sized murals and installations around town this month to pay homage to and create excitement about pop art.

"Pop artists famously appropriated advertising and brand icons to create art, and now we're partnering with POP Austin and sponsoring brands to give back and create public art we can all interact with, instead of just putting up another billboard," said Rob Baird, Chief Creative Officer at Preacher. "We're so proud to be part of a visionary show that sees friends like Austinite Jason Archer showing alongside the biggest international names in contemporary art."

On Saturday and Sunday of the show, POP Austin will also feature "Pop Talks" - a series of lectures from specialists with expertise ranging from Chinese contemporary art to street art. The Pop Talks will consist of influential business owners, specialists, and artists telling stories related to their interest and knowledge of the arts. The full lineup for the Pop Talks will be announced in the coming weeks on www.popaustin.com.

POP Austin was founded by four individuals, each with a passion for art and an extensive experience in either the gallery world, as collectors or as creative entrepreneurs. The team consists of: Matt Randall, Executive Director; Lana Carlson, Curator; Amanda Huras, Director of Brand; and Steve Carlson, Creative Director. The POP team is based out of Austin and Los Angeles and has global experience in gallery management, entrepreneurial start-ups, the fashion industry, as well as production and promotion.

"The world of art is on the threshold of change," said Lana Carlson, Curator of POP Austin and one of POP Austin's founders. "Because of social media and new technologies, there is a new generation of collectors who have grown to appreciate art from around the world. This new buyer wants access to information and work that is current. We hope this exciting movement will create an even stronger global connection between the collector and the artist."

POP Austin has received support from a variety of local art organizations and will be working with a number of Austin groups to roll out the marketing of the show. "Art Alliance Austin is excited to welcome POP Austin to the city's arts landscape. Their vision of growing a contemporary art market is appropriately bold," said Asa Hursh, Executive Director of the Art Alliance Austin. "We support their entrepreneurialism and dedication to including local and regional artists amid internationally recognized talent."

"The progress of Art within a community is an important sign of growth. It also indicates a new era of expansion as that community emerges into a culturally recognized city," said Matt Randall. "Austin's population is growing at a rate of 110 people per day and with this booming growth, it is important to preserve the city's reputation as a hub for creative and artistic expression. POP Austin is an annual art show that will continue to provide a marketplace for the collectors and artists in Austin throughout the years."

Artists to be shown at POP Austin include (more to be announced):

Andy Warhol

Adam Batchelor

Alex Monopoly

Andrea Fellers

Arno Elias

Bale Creek Allen

Beb Deum

Bleikh Gala & Serebryakova Elena

Chad Muska

Denial

Feng Zhengjie

Finell

Gerard Rancinan

Gao Brothers

Guo Wei

Harif Guzman

Huang Yan

Huang Zhen

Jason Archer

Jin Bo

Massimo Vitali

Mathieu Bitton

Mike Fabrega

Mr. Brainwash

MYK

Pasquale Cuppari

Patrick Martinez

Peter Gronquist

Retna

Richard Meier

Risk 

Robert Cottingham

Robert Indiana

Shepard Fairey

Speedy Graphito

Serena Bocchino

Sui Jianguo

Takashi Murakami

Ted Lawson

Ugo Nonis

Wu Yalu

Yang Qian

Yin Kun

Zhang Xiaogang