40 Hours for the Forty Acres

Engaging with art benefits our health in many ways, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and stimulating the brain. Landmarks offers dynamic programs to nurture the physical and mental health of the UT community, including meditations inside the James Turrell Skyspace, bike tours, fitness tours, mental health breaks, and more. More recently, Landmarks introduced Paws for Public Art, a new program that pairs animals with iconic works from the collection.

Paws for Public Art

Paws for Public Art, a collaboration between Landmarks and Longhorn Wellness Center, helps students manage stress with resources for maintaining their mental health. Students take breaks from midterm cramming to cuddle bunnies, chicks, hedgehogs, piglets, and miniature goats, while learning about four iconic works from the public art collection: Clock Knot, Monochrome for Austin, Circle with Towers, and Sentinel IV. Useful stress management tools are also made available from the Counseling and Mental Health Center and University Health Services.

Student holding a bunny under Nancy Rubin's Monochrome for Austin

Student holding a hedgehog inside Sol Lewitt's Circle with Towers

Students feeding goats next to Mark di Suvero's Clock Knot

Promoting Wellness at Landmarks

Paws for Public Art joins a range of wellness programs offered by Landmarks. This includes Wellness Wednesdays, fitness tours, and bike tours that integrate art and well-being on UT's campus. 

Wellness Wednesdays Sound Bath Meditation with Sonic Starchild

Visitors on Landmarks Fitness Tour

Bringing Inspiration to the Forty Acres

Regarded as one of the country’s top public art programs, Landmarks is a point of pride for The University of Texas at Austin. It began with a long-term sculpture loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the collection has grown to nearly 50 works across the campus landscape. Beyond beautifying the Forty Acres, Landmarks provides students with free access to great works of art and public programs that foster personal growth and curricular connections.

Students at Sol Lewitt's Circle with Towers during Paws for Public Art

Impact Student Well-Being 

Research shows that engaging with both art and animals supports emotional well-being. Help students stay centered by making a gift to support Paws for Public Art. Your contribution, at any level, creates unique opportunities for students to de-stress, which directly improves their mental health. No gift is too small. Please give today! 

All photography by: Sandy Carson