Austin Unveils Armadillo World HQ Water Tank Mural
Artist Bill Tavis dedicated a mural honoring the demolished Armadillo World Headquarters music venue on a South Austin water tank.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Cultural
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Local artist Bill Tavis dedicated a mural commemorating the Armadillo World Headquarters on a water tank at Armadillo Neighborhood Park on Sunday, November 8. The artwork depicts an armadillo playing guitar against Austin's 1970s skyline.
Why it matters
The venue closed in 1980 and was demolished in 1981, and residents spent roughly five years advocating for public art on the unused water tank. The project gives Austin a publicly visible tribute to a music landmark that shaped the city's cultural identity.
The mural contract's maximum value is $223,850, after City Council added $90,850 to the original $133,000 authorization in May. The design was divided into 880 squares measuring 4 feet by 4 feet, and Tavis's online survey drew about 30 responses.
The players
Bill Tavis
Local Austin artist who designed and painted the mural and previously completed his largest mural through the city's Tempo program in 2019.
Vanessa Fuentes
Austin City Council member who brought residents' request for public art on the water tank to city officials.
The details
Tavis wrapped the artwork around the entire water tank after presenting a second concept, with Austin Water financing the project from money designated for beautification. Council Member Vanessa Fuentes brought the residents' request to city officials.
Timeline
The Armadillo World Headquarters closed in 1980 and was demolished in 1981.
City Council authorized the additional $90,850 in May 2026.
The mural was officially dedicated on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Culture Shift
The mural follows the 1980 closure and 1981 demolition of the Armadillo World Headquarters, extending the venue's legacy into public space decades after it disappeared. Austin residents turning an unused city water tank into a tribute reflects a broader movement to restore memory of lost cultural landmarks through community-driven art.
Austin residents can now view the mural at Armadillo Neighborhood Park in South Austin. The artwork gives the public a free, visible place to connect with the history of the Armadillo World Headquarters.
The takeaway
Public art can preserve memory of cultural spaces that no longer exist, and community advocacy can turn overlooked city property into a lasting landmark. Residents interested in Austin's music heritage can visit the park to see the work in person.
Further reading
Explore more Austin Cultural coverage for context on the city's music and arts history.
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