NIGHT SWIM EXHIBITION at Oblivion Access 2022

Now that we’ve had a few weeks to digest, let’s take a look back at our triumphant return to events!

This was 2 years in the making for us. The offer for Oblivion Access (formerly Austin Terror Fest) came as we were originally planning the start of NIGHT SWIM. Then of course, everyone knows what happened in 2020… Patiently we waited for Dusty and the other organizers decided it was time to execute, then Jodi went to work sourcing materials, gathering artists and art, and putting it all together. With the event space we were given, we decided to keep it small for our first dive back in, and the results were well worth it!

We invited Thomas Hooper, Jacob Bannon, and [new MVP] Keenan Bouchard to partake in our 4 day art factory at Native Hostel. The three of them painted and sprayed and dripped and smooshed all kinds of colors and textures on hundreds of sheets of watercolor paper. Once dried and flattened, Schatz printed 3 different designs live on the spot; a Keenan Bouchard/Night Swim exclusive, a Bannon/Hooper collaboration, and a three way banger collaboration between Bannon/Bouchard/Hooper, complete with preprinted first layer (done in the studio before the event).

Massive shoutout to Bart and Tony from Industry Print Shop in Austin for the use of their live printing setup! Bart was the best print assistant a gal could ask for, bringing nothing but smiles and upbeat energy amidst the sweltering Austin heat. And shoutout to Idlewild Coffee for fueling us every day with amazing coffee and tea options.

The experience as a whole was both humbling and exciting. It was an amazing opportunity to get our feet wet again, while also motivating us for future events. We have a few things in the works for the rest of the year, so stay tuned and join our mailing list to stay up to date!