Paseo Artist in Residence Program

Introducing Paseo’s 2025 Artists in Residence

From murals to music, sculpture to photography — ten artists will bring their vision to Rainey Street this year.

Our Artist in Residence program is a way to celebrate the creative spirit that runs through Austin. We're bringing new voices, fresh ideas and unexpected collaborations that shape the rhythm of Paseo and Rainey Street.

Meet the Artists

Xavier Alvarado is a multidisciplinary artist from Austin, exploring everything from murals to immersive media. His work, a blend of color and language, is driven by the belief that art is a conversation. He creates pieces to invite connection, reflection and surprise.

Xavier Alvarado

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Felipe Gomez is a multimedia artist from Bogotá, Colombia, now based in Austin. His work blends nature, technology, and human emotion through vivid colors and layered materials. As a full-time artist since 2019, he focuses on sculpture and color theory and recently received the Elevate Grant to support a new exhibition.

Felipe Gomez

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Sisi Berry is a Venezuelan-American artist based in Austin, TX. Writer, composer and performer of music written in both Spanish and English, Sisi's soul rock 'n' roll and Latin blends have garnered her acclaimed stages and venues like Austin City Limits, singing the national anthem for at the Austin FC stadium, and landing some of SXSW's favorite showcases like South by San Jose and Soco Stomp.

Sisi Berry

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Joshua “Joshy Soul” Strauther is a singer, keyboardist, and producer from Long Beach, California. A touring musician and songwriter, he has collaborated with acclaimed artists such as Adrian Quesada and Thee Sacred Souls. When not making music, he can be found riding horses. His new solo music is scheduled for release in Spring 2026.

Joshy Soul

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J Muzacz is a public artist from Austin known for large-scale mosaic murals. A UT graduate in Sociology, he lived and worked abroad before founding The Mosaic Workshop, which hosts community-led projects that allow hundreds of people to contribute. He is also a published author of three books, including the 700-page book ATX Urban Art. Heath also leads Kick Punch Bite, a creative studio specializing in digital design, large-scale 3D work, and designer art figures, blending art and technology to create distinctive sculptures and prototypes. Through these ventures, Heath has been instrumental in elevating street art in Austin, expanding opportunities for artists and shaping the city’s cultural identity with vibrant murals and innovative design. He’s also active in education, sharing insights on art marketing and community at events like SXSW.

J Muzacz

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Ryan King is a singer, songwriter, and producer for the Austin-based band Night Cap. Having created music his entire life, he is driven by a passion for honest, human moments and the ways music can connect people. He is currently working on new music with his bandmates. Prior to founding Ground Up, Blashek spent seven years as the Head of Design and Branding for Kushner, one of the largest real estate development and management firms in the country. In 2015, she co-founded The Tanks, a global network of projects transforming decommissioned oil infrastructure into vibrant public spaces. She began her career on the business development teams at SHoP Architects and STUDIO V Architecture after earning her BA in Architecture and Urban Design from NYU. She is on the steering committee for ULI Americas Young Leaders Group, serves on the ULI Austin Housing Innovations Council, and spearheads the growth of Brick & Wonder Austin. She is also the lead singer of the band Local Law.

Ryan King

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Alex Alfonso is a singer, songwriter, and musician for the Austin-based band Night Cap. After a career in real estate, he committed to music full-time in 2024. He is now writing and recording new music with his bandmates. Outside of music, he enjoys cooking, architecture, and hockey.

Alex Alfonso

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Steef Crombach is a curator, educator, and soft sculpture artist from the Netherlands, now based in the U.S. Known for her experimental fabric work, she has founded artist-in-residence programs and curated award-winning exhibitions. Her art seeks to surface significant points of reference to become part of our collective memory.

Steef Crombach

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Evan H. Duvall is an Austin-based cultural producer and founder of ONO Agency, an experiential agency that curates immersive events for artists. Born and raised in the Texas Hill Country, he fell in love with Austin at a young age and now focuses on providing that same sense of belonging and possibility for others.

Evan Duvall

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Noah Dorr is an American contemporary artist whose work spans fine art, public art, and graphic design. Originally from Portland, Oregon, he explores themes of American pop culture and the mythology of the American West, a fascination that grew after moving to Texas. He uses cultural symbols to find humor in juxtaposing products, memories and environments.

Noah Dorr

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Xavier Alvarado

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Felipe Gomez

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Sisi Berry

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Joshy Soul

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J Muzacz

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Ryan King

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Alex Alfonso

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Steef Crombach

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Evan Duvall

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Noah Dorr

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Application Guidelines

Application Categories

Applicants will choose one of the following categories to apply under:

Literary Arts
Performing Arts
Visual Arts
Culinary Arts
Textile/Craft
Other

Required Materials

Each applicant is required to submit the following materials in order to be considered for the residency:

Contact Information
Artist Resume
Statement of Intent: Why are you interested in the residency program? What do you plan to do? How will the residency program support your practice? Please limit your response to 700 words.
Video Introduction: Introduce yourself and your art. Explain why you should be selected to be a Paseo Artist in Residence. Please keep your response from 1 to 2 minutes.
Event Ideas: Ideas for events you would host if selected
Artistic Contribution: Ideas for your major artistic contribution
Artwork: 5-10 work samples (can be previous, current or potential work; may include audio, video or still images)
2 Letters of Reference

Meet the 2025 Judges

Jim Ritts has served as CEO and Executive Director of the Austin Theatre Alliance since 2011, overseeing the Paramount Theatre, State Theatre, and Moontower Comedy Festival. Previously, he was CEO of Primedia Television and co-founder of Channel One Network, which reached over eight million students daily and earned two Peabody Awards. He also served as Commissioner of the LPGA, driving record growth in prize money, televised coverage, and international expansion. A graduate of UT Austin and Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Ritts has held leadership roles with numerous arts, media, and community organizations, including Visit Austin and the Hi, How Are You Project.

Jim Ritts

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Michael Hsu, FAIA, IIDA is the founder and principal of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture (MHOA), a fully integrated architecture and interior design firm providing furniture selection and design services, as well as art direction and branding. The work of MHOA is rooted in hospitality and covers a range of expertise such as large mixed-use developments, adaptive reuse projects, public realm design, single family homes, hotels, restaurants, retail spaces, workspaces, bespoke furniture design and visual identity. Notable Austin projects include ICON Mueller Row Homes, Leland, the South Congress Hotel, The LINE Austin Hotel, Springdale General, Canopy, 44 East, Fareground, Uptown Sports, P. Terry’s restaurants, Uchi and Uchiko family of Restaurants, Westlake Dermatology, Home Slice Pizza, among many others.

Michael Hsu

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Ben Siegel, owner of Banger’s Sausage Houde & Beer Garden and president of the Rainey Business Coalition. Father of 3, husband to one and a lover of most art.

Ben Siegel

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Chef Mathew Peters, the first American to win gold at the prestigious Bocuse d'Or in 2017, brings his world-class culinary expertise to Austin, Texas. After honing his skills under renowned chefs Thomas Keller and Alain Ducasse, Peters opened Prélude in 2024, a reservation-only cocktail and canapé lounge.

Matt Peters

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Jackie Lee Young is an award-winning artist + photographer exploring work that includes portraiture, music/touring, lifestyle, travel, design, and advertising. Her work is notable for capturing humanity through portraits and candids, innovative style, music culture, and community, and shedding light on the beauty of the natural world and the curiosities of everyday life on film. She is an expert in documenting details, style, culture, color, and movement using 120mm and 35mm film as well as digital photography as her foremost formats.

Jackie Lee Young

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Heath Speakman is a multidisciplinary artist and creative entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas. As co-founder of SprATX, he helped turn a grassroots effort supporting local street artists into a global collective offering mural commissions, live art events, and branded merchandise. Heath also leads Kick Punch Bite, a creative studio specializing in digital design, large-scale 3D work, and designer art figures, blending art and technology to create distinctive sculptures and prototypes. Through these ventures, Heath has been instrumental in elevating street art in Austin, expanding opportunities for artists and shaping the city’s cultural identity with vibrant murals and innovative design. He’s also active in education, sharing insights on art marketing and community at events like SXSW.

Heath Speakman

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Karen Zabarsky Blashek is the Editor-in-Chief of Austin Home Magazine and the founder of Ground Up, a creative studio focused on storytelling and strategy for the built environment. At Austin Home, she leads the editorial vision for the city’s pre-eminent design publication, spotlighting the architects, designers, and makers shaping Austin’s built past, present, and future. Prior to founding Ground Up, Blashek spent seven years as the Head of Design and Branding for Kushner, one of the largest real estate development and management firms in the country. In 2015, she co-founded The Tanks, a global network of projects transforming decommissioned oil infrastructure into vibrant public spaces. She began her career on the business development teams at SHoP Architects and STUDIO V Architecture after earning her BA in Architecture and Urban Design from NYU. She is on the steering committee for ULI Americas Young Leaders Group, serves on the ULI Austin Housing Innovations Council, and spearheads the growth of Brick & Wonder Austin. She is also the lead singer of the band Local Law.

Karen Blashek

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Jim Ritts

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Michael Hsu

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Ben Siegel

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Matt Peters

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Jackie Lee Young

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Heath Speakman

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Karen Blashek

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Testimonials

"The AIR program has been amazing! It’s been awesome to see the community slowly growing. Getting to see and experience the art of the other AIR residents during their events has been super cool because it has inspired me in different ways. The aesthetic/design of Moontower is a content creator's dream."

Sam Opoku

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"The community events have been the highlight, allowing me to connect with local art enthusiasts and share my passion. My time at Moontower has been a catalyst for growth, collaboration, and exploration."

Giovannie Dixon

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"I have been able to write new songs and experience an entirely new feeling while writing the songs in the yoga room, which proved to be a beautiful change in scenery and resulted in new inspiration. The magnitude of this opportunity for those who were selected and potentially new artists in the future is truly life changing."

Tieme Yamashita

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"The access to and support from the LV Marketing team and everyone else involved with this program has been an incredible asset."

Nicholas Gearing

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Sam Opoku

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Giovannie Dixon

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Tieme Yamashita

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Nicholas Gearing

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FAQs

Applications for the 2025-2026 program are now closed.

Selected artists will be notified in early July.

All residencies are offered free of charge to selected artists. You will receive rent-free housing in a private apartment, as well as access to all community amenities.

One-time fees including the security deposit, application fee, admin fee, and utility setup fees will be compensated. Parking and pent rent will be compensated when applicable.

Transportation costs, moving costs, living expenses, production costs, and any additional studio space or material costs will not be covered.

Utilities, cable, renters’ insurance and other additional expenses will be the resident’s responsibility.

Yes, artist residents must live in the housing provided throughout the duration of the program.

Paseo is downtown Phoenix’s newest luxury apartment complex, coming in Fall 2025. Explore the Paseo website to learn more.

Paseo is located at 80 Rainey Street in the heart of downtown Austin.

Once the application period closes, a panel of judges will review applications and make recommendations for artists who best meet the selection criteria. The general selection criteria include:

You produce compelling, disruptive work that evokes thought and/or emotion.
You are actively producing and ready to share your work with others.
You are mindful of how the Paseo Artist in Residence program will fit into your larger journey as an artist and demonstrate this in your application.

The Paseo Artist in Residence program is one year long.

Yes! We love pets and welcome friends and family. Artist-residents can live with pets, family members and other chosen individuals following Texas occupancy law and Paseo Community Guidelines.

Follow along.

Follow along as our artists transform Paseo and Rainey Street.

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