Today we’d like to introduce you to Castell Land Company.
Hi Castell, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As part of our journey in Castell, Texas outside of Austin, we have been working on creating a cultural hub of sorts with the goal of showcasing local artists and collaborators from across the Texas Hill Country. Officially opened in 2025, Castell Hill Country Gallery regularly hosts art exhibitions and events, often drawing crowds many times the size of Castell itself (Pop. 7, last we checked).
We aim to create a welcoming space for art, style, and creative exchange, celebrating the unique culture of the Hill Country alongside our cabins along the Llano River. So far this year, we have hosted 5 events and plan to continue growing the gallery’s presence in the years ahead.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well like most new ventures, nothing is easy and everything is learned as you go. In our case, we took meticulous time in fixing it up after tearing everything down to the studs. In addition, the concrete had absorbed much of the engine oil that had dripped from the Castell Voluntary Fire Department fire engines, which had used the building for years before we were able to purchase it and fix it up. In addition, we struggled a bit with the delivery of our parking lot rock service, putting our construction budget back a bit — but we managed and were able to open on time for our first scheduled show with the La Cuna Center.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We have now had several shows that have showcased local artist from the La Cuna Center, which were very in tune with climate change and the changing landscape of Texas as a result. Their first 2 shows so far have been very profound in the sense of raising awareness not only for artists, but also for the community and the way of living on the Hill Country which is very much dependent on the elements and challenging weather patterns.
Castell Land Company feels like we are creating something not only ahead of its time in terms of growth outward from Austin, but at the same time keeping it timeless and curious as the town was when it was founded way back in 1847, around the time Texas was born. We encourage all comers to have a look for yourself making sure to take in the beauty and mystery of the Texas Hill Country the way to Castell.
More on La Cuna Center: We present a group exhibition exploring the profound influence of extreme weather cycles on the Texas Hill Country. The region is shaped by torrential rains, droughts, scorching summers, and sudden freezes that define its dynamic landscape. Enduring Forces captures these cycles as interconnected phenomena that continuously influence both the land and the human experience. This exhibition invites reflection on our complex relationship with nature – how we adapt, endure, and coexist.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
We love the small-town community feel and camaraderie of Castell, Texas, and have embraced it in everything we do within the town. This, coupled with the beauty and nature of the Texas Hill Country nestled next to the spring-fed Llano River, makes us the perfect destination for a getaway from Austin. We encourage others to join us in our discovery of this special place and look forward to hosting ya’ll at the Castell Hill Country Gallery.
Pricing:
- Free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.castellcabins.com
- Instagram: castelltexas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elcastell.club
