The Waterloo Greenway Conservancy opened its annual Creek Show on Nov. 13, inviting Austin residents to stroll the newly completed Confluence trail and experience ten striking art installations lighting up Waller Creek between 4th Street and Lady Bird Lake.
Art and community on the Confluence
The Confluence, a half‑mile stretch of trails that opened in early June, marks Phase 2 of the Waterloo Greenway project. When finished, the greenway will provide a fully off‑street, 1.5‑mile, 12‑foot‑wide pedestrian network linking downtown Austin, the University of Texas campus, and Lady Bird Lake.
Each of the ten installations was created by Austin‑based artists and designers. Highlights include BRR Architecture’s “Contact,” a series of large illuminated hands made from steel rods and semi‑opaque panels that shift color when touched, honoring those displaced from the creek’s historic floodplain.
Other works featured at the show are:
- “drip‑drop” by Lord Aeck Sargent
- “Fractal Time Fish: Portals of the Confluence” by WarrPaint
- “Moon Tower 15.1” by HKS Architects and DPR Construction
- “Nocturnal Garden” by Yuliya Lanina
All pieces are designed to be interactive, adding bursts of color to the outdoor landscape and encouraging visitors to engage with the space.
Tickets, accessibility, and support
The Creek Show runs nightly from Nov. 13‑21, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine. General admission tickets are available online for $12.16, while children five and younger enter free. The event is fully ADA accessible, and the main entrance is located at 4th Street and Sabine Street (703 ½ E 4th St., Austin).
Proceeds from the 2026 Creek Show will fund the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy’s mission to create and maintain a 35‑acre urban park system in partnership with the City of Austin. The revenue helps sustain the ongoing development of trails, green spaces, and public art that enhance quality of life for families and neighborhoods across the city.
Why the Creek Show matters
Beyond the visual spectacle, the Creek Show underscores the importance of public‑private collaboration in building lasting community assets. By showcasing local artists and inviting families to enjoy a safe, family‑friendly environment, the event reinforces the greenway’s role as a gathering place that supports traditional families and promotes individual liberty through open, accessible public space.
City leaders and community members alike have praised the project for its potential to boost outdoor recreation, improve pedestrian safety, and foster a sense of place along one of Austin’s most historic waterways.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
