Dec 1 Stitch in Time Opening Reception + 
Tax-Free Shopping Day
Women & Their Work, 1710 Lavaca
(512) 477-1064, womenandtheirwork.org
This isn't your grandmother's needlework! From sculpture to installations and stitched drawing, the gallery is full of thread, so tread on over and enjoy the Opening Reception & Holiday Spree 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., and Tax Free Shopping Day: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Dec 1-10 Texas Memorial Museum Holiday Sale 
and Book Signing
Texas Memorial Museum of Science & History, 2400 Trinity
(512) 471-1604, utexas.edu/tmm
The Museum Store Holiday Shopping Event! Take 20% off great, unique gifts - including jewelry, educational toys, puzzles, books, t-shirts and much more! All proceeds benefit the Museum's programs for children. On December 8th, a special book signing will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. featuring the author and photographer of Texas Coast, a new UT Press publication by Joe Nick Patoski and Laurence Parent. The museum is located on the UT campus, two blocks north of the football stadium. For more information, contact Louise Meeks, Store Manager at (512) 232-4278 or lmeeks@mail.utexas.ed.
Dec 1-31 The Fourth Season 
f8 Fine Art Gallery, 1137 W. 6th
(512) 480-0242, f8fineart.com
These phantom portraits by international painter (and Austinite) Ray Donley possess a dignified madness. They are exquisitely rendered in Donley's signature Baroque hand--timeless, but with an edge of psychosis that speaks readily to today's complex society. Let his work cast a spell on you. Painting shown - Baroque Figure No. 225 by Ray Donley.
Dec 2 Noche Navidena
Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress
(512) 480-9373, mexic-artemuseum.org
Join Mexic-Arte Museum for a special celebration of Mexican Christmas traditions drawing on all aspects of culture - from the beauty of popular arts to the flavor of foods like bunuelos and tamales. A taste of the seasonal music of Mexico tops off this cultural holiday experience like no other. Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with Central Texas' finest Latino Artists and purchase artwork.
Dec 2-Jan 7 Critter Art 
Art on 5th, 1501 W. 5th
(512) 481-1111, arton5th.com
Art on 5th, Austin's largest contemporary art gallery, will have an animal themed show for the month of December that will include artwork of our best friends - birds, horses, dogs, cats, fish, and more critters? Oh My! The Critter Art Benefit is Friday, December 2, 2005, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and will function as a fundraiser for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Greater Austin. Many of these nationally known artists are making their first trip to Austin to meet collectors. One hundred percent of the funds from pre-sold tickets and tickets sold at the door will go to the newly formed SPCA of Greater Austin. Tickets are $20. Image shown by Lisa Grubb of New York, New York
Dec 2-31 Collecting Latino American Art 
Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress
(512) 480-9373, mexic-artemuseum.org
Turn holiday shopping into an investment with Museum-quality art. The Collecting Latino American Art Annual Benefit features major artists and supports educational endeavors. This exhibit and sale encourages private collectors with pre-selected artwork. Most works are affordably priced from $300-1,500. Or for those ready for a major investment (or splurge), the most expensive pieces top $10,000! As a gift to the community, the Museum is waiving admission fees throughout December.
Dec 2-Feb 7 Photography Showcase
Shoreline Grill, 98 San Jacinto
(512) 477-3300, oswaldgallery.com
Oswald Gallery is hanging the work of some of their most celebrated artists at Shoreline Grill for a couple of months. Take in some of photography's highest attainments while dining on the banks of Town Lake in this popular and sophisticated setting. Join Oswald Gallery for a reception to kick off this wonderful fusion of fine food and fine art on Friday, December 2, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Dec 3 Sculptor to Be!
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Robert E. Lee Road
(512) 445-5582, umlaufsculpture.org
Learn about Sculpture and get your hands dirty while creating your own piece! For children 7-11. $7.50 per student. Limited to 15 students. Reservations required by 5:00 p.m. on the first Friday of the month. For Workshop Reservations: Contact the Education Coordinator at (512) 445- 5582, ext. 101 or email tours@umlaufsculpture.org.
Dec 3 Dr. Seuss Afternoon & Holiday Stroll 
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress
(512) 495-9224, amoa.org
Come in your favorite Seuss character costume (or not), listen to celebrity story tellers, and participate in Austin's beloved Christmas Tree Lighting and Stroll on Congress Avenue. Presented in conjunction with the Downtown Austin Alliance, KUT, and the Texas Longhorn Association. Event takes place 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Dec 3-31 5x7 Holiday Art Sale 
Arthouse at the Jones Center, 700 Congress
(512) 453-5312, arthousetexas.org
Give the gift of original art. The Arthouse third annual 5x7 Holiday Art Sale features the best works of all 5 x 7 Art Splurge and Exhibitions. Emerging and established artists with strong Texas ties are being highlighted. Works may be purchased for $100 per board, with vintage works only $50. Arthouse members will receive a 20% discount on purchases.
Dec 4 O. Henry Museum Victorian Christmas Celebration
O. Henry Museum, 409 E. 5th
(512) 472-1903, ci.austin.tx.us
O. Henry's home that he shared with his wife Athol and daughter, Margaret, will be decorated with Christmas ornaments, reminiscent of the Victorian era and fresh greenery. Please join this special celebration and enjoy wassail and other old-time treats.
Dec 6-31 Temporary Dividers
ars ipsa gallery, Second and San Antonio
(512) 663-2282, arsipsa.com
Temporary Dividers opens Dec. 6 in ars ipsa Galleries' new Second Street District's space at CSC Bldg. 2 west of City Hall. Featured work includes assemblage, printmaking and installation by Logan Hill, Heather Johnson, Laura Latimer, Ted Ollier, Clif Riley and Emilio Villarreul. Artist Reception: Dec. 8, 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Still on Display Downtown....
To 12/1: The Blue Paintings, d berman gallery, dbermangallery.com
To 12/3: Asian Art Exhibition, Lotus Asian Art & Antique Gallery, lotusasianart.com
To 11/27: Hermandados En El Arte 2005, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 12/21: Gingerbread House Workshops, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 12/23: Stitch in Time, Women & Their Work, womenandtheirwork.org
To 12/30: Eastern European Video, Arthouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 12/31: Ansel Adams: A Legacy, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 12/31: The Fourth Season, f8 Fine Art Gallery, f8fineart.com
To 1/1: Collecting Latino Art, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 1/2: Jerry Uelsmann & Maggie Taylor, Oswald Gallery, oswaldgallery.com
To 1/15: Reflecting Time, Scarbrough Building, thanksgivingimage.com
To 1/15: The Art of Dr. Seuss, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 1/15: A Tom Lea Retrospective, Austin Museum of Art,amoa.org
To 1/27: Japan & Nature, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 2/06: Courtesy, Service, Protection, Texas Capitol Visitors Center, TexasCapitolVisitorsCenter.com
