Austin has no shortage of festivals and homages to anything and everything that excites our independent spirit. This gathering is no different. Check out the East Austin Studio Tour this week, cleverly known as E.A.S.T.

The 8^th edition (but 6^th year due to some overzealous initial attempts), E.A.S.T. is an “artist run initiative designed to highlight studios and galleries located in East Austin.” In other words, it’s an exciting chance to walk through over 150 private studios to sop up tons of inspiration or take home unique visual art pieces that strike your fancy (in which case don’t forget to bring some cash).  Artists’ studios are open to the public FOR FREE on Saturday  11/14,  Sunday 11/15, Saturday 11/21 and Sunday 11/22—from 10am – 5pm each day.

But that’s not all. There are 20 exhibition spaces, 49 events and 30 programs that take place on both weekends as well as during the week 11/14 through 11/22. Exhibition spaces include Flatbed Press, Domy Books, Birdhouse and more. Big Medium is the keystone studio for the forward thinking tour, thanks to E.A.S.T. Directors Shea Little, Jana Swec and Joseph Phillips who each have workspace there.

Check out the tour map at www.EastAustinStudioTour.com. Bring a bike, carpool or just walk it out. And remember, even though the tour is free, this non-profit art organization can always use your monetary support. Take care of your local starving artists to ensure this tradition becomes an Austin legacy.