The ROAM | Really Small Museum Presents: Danny Martin

Welcome to | Bienvenidos al The ROAM | Really Small Museum | Museo Pequeñito

DANNY MARTIN: The Dragons of Stillhouse Hollow

LISTEN TO: Danny Martin's The Dragons of Stillhouse Hollow

Use Soundcloud link below or CLICK HERE to listen to Danny Martin

The Dragons of Stillhouse Hollow, 2026 | Los Dragones de Stillhouse Hollow, 2026*
Mixed media | Medios mixtos

ART IN ACTION | BIOBLITZ!
Please bring your phone with iNaturalist downloaded. | Por favor, trae tu teléfono con iNaturalist descargado.

In partnership with Danny's Sunset Stewardship

OCTOBER 19 | 19 DE OCTUBRE
⏰ 6pm–Sunset | 6pm–Atardecer
Stillhouse Hollow Nature Preserve 7810 Sterling Dr. Austin, TX 78759

BIOBLITZ SCHEDULE | HORARIO

6:00–6:15pm — Ecology of Stillhouse Hollow
6:15–6:20pm — Danny Martin: Bioblitz Instructions
6:20–6:50pm — BIOBLITZ! ??
6:55pm — Danny Martin: Artist Talk at the Really Small Museum, introduced by Juliet Whitsett

Sunset: 6:55pm | Atardecer: 6:55pm
Twilight: 7:19pm | Crepúsculo: 7:19pm

DESCRIPTION:

For centuries, humans have used dragons to describe ecological wonder. In 17th-century Europe, locals were amazed when heavy rains ejected aquatic salamanders from a spring. They described the salamanders as baby subterranean dragons. 

In The Dragons of Stillhouse Hollow, artist Danny Martin applies the lore of dragons to Central Texas ecology. The installation imagines two native salamander species, the Western Slimy and Jollyville Plateau salamanders, as intertwined dragons. They roam the landscape, guarding the preserve. These dragons embody the interconnected world of caves and springs beneath our feet. 

Informed by conversations with scientists, cavers, land managers, and naturalists, this piece is inspired by the real relationships that shape Stillhouse Hollow. The flow of water through ancient limestone links underground passages to spring-fed habitats. These salamanders developed in direct response to this unique hydrogeology. Though seldom seen, the salamander's presence can be felt when you understand the land itself. The artist invites you to walk with a lens of wonder. When you learn about the "dragons" and all the other life here, a stroll down the path becomes an adventure. Curiosity, which leads to knowledge, can deepen our relationship with the natural world and inspire stewardship of the land around us. Even dragons could use protectors!

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER EXHIBITION 2026, Located in Stillhouse Hollow Nature Preserve  7810 Sterling Dr., Austin , TX 78759

The ROAM Museum is a traveling exhibition set within Austin’s park preserves, celebrating these protected landscapes through site-responsive art. From February 2026 through January 2027, six Austin-based artists will showcase work that fosters reflection, dialogue, and deeper public connection to these natural spaces.
 ______________________________

Durante siglos, los seres humanos han recurrido a los dragones para describir las maravillas de la ecología. En la Europa del siglo XVII, a los locales les fascinaba cuando las lluvias torrenciales expulsaban salamandras acuáticas desde un manantial. Solían describir a las salamandras como crías de dragones subterráneos.

En Los Dragones de Stillhouse Hollow, el artista Danny Martin aplica la antigua mitología de los dragones a la ecología del centro de Texas. La instalación imagina dos especies nativas de salamandras —la Western Slimy y la Jollyville Plateau— como dragones entrelazados que recorren el paisaje y protegen la reserva. Estos dragones encarnan el mundo interconectado de cuevas y manantiales que yace bajo nuestros pies.

Inspirada en conversaciones con científicos, espeleólogos, administradores de tierras y naturalistas, esta obra nace de las relaciones reales que dan forma a Stillhouse Hollow. El flujo del agua a través del antiguo lecho de piedra caliza enlaza pasajes subterráneos con hábitats alimentados por manantiales. Estas salamandras evolucionaron en respuesta directa a esta hidrogeología única. Aunque rara vez se dejan ver, su presencia se percibe cuando se comprende la tierra misma.

El artista te invita a caminar con una mirada de maravilla. Cuando conoces a los “dragones” y a todas las demás formas de vida que habitan aquí, un simple paseo por el sendero se convierte en una aventura. La curiosidad —que conduce al conocimiento— puede profundizar nuestra relación con el mundo natural e inspirar el cuidado de la tierra que nos rodea.¡Hasta los dragones necesitan guardianes!

El Museo ROAM es una exposición itinerante que se presenta en las reservas naturales de Austin, celebrando estos paisajes protegidos a través del arte contextual. De febrero de 2026 a enero de 2027, seis artistas residentes en Austin exhibirán obras que fomentan la reflexión, el diálogo y una conexión más profunda del público con estos espacios naturales.

__________________________________________

The Really Small Museum ROAM is a @Juliet_Whitsett_Art Production and was funded by Austin Parks and Recreation Land Management

2026-2027 SHOWS: WHERE WILL THE ROAM... roam?

December - January 2027  |  Stephenson NP More Info Coming Soon 
ART IN ACTION & ARTIST TALK: TBD

October - November 2026 |  Stillhouse Hollow NP with Danny Martin "The Dragons of Stillhouse Hollow"
ART IN ACTION & ARTIST TALK: BIOBLITZ! Monday, October 19 | 6pm - Sunset | Stillhouse Hollow Preserve 

August - September 2026 |  Mayfield Park with Yeseina Duran / SAGE Studio “I Like Different Kinds of Birds”  

June - July 2026 | Blunn Creek NP with Travis Benton “In Place” 
ART IN ACTION & ARTIST TALK:Trail Maintenece! June 6 | 8:30-10:30 am | Blunn Creek Nature Preserve 

April - May 2026 |  Zilker NP with Suzanne Wyss’ “What Are You Made Of”
ART IN ACTION & ARTIST TALK: Clean up! May 9-10am | 8:30-10:30 am | Zilker Overlook  

February - March 2026 | Red Bluff NP with Ruben Esquivel’s “The Bluff Remembers”
ARTIST TALK: March 28, 10:30am | Red Bluff Nature Preserve