PechaKucha Austin 40 at the VAC
The Visual Arts Center hosts PechaKucha Austin 40, a night of storytelling that brings together creatives from diverse fields, including art, architecture, graphic design, music, and film. Each of the ten guest presenters will deliver a six-minute presentation, comprising 20 slides, shown at a rate of 20 seconds per slide.
PechaKucha 40 presenters include: Sinclair Black and Stephi Motal, Lauren Dickens, Elizabeth Gibson, Kristell Jean, Karen Maness, Mariana Nun Ruiz McEnroe and Ian McEnroe, Zell Miller III, Joel Salcido, Bob Schneider, and DJ Stout.
PechaKucha 40 is presented in collaboration with Design Austin and DJ Stout, Austin-based graphic designer, Pentagram Partner, Principal of Pentagram’s Austin office, and Co-Director of PechaKucha Austin.
This program is held in conjunction with the exhibition Hundred Points: Graphic Design from Austin, São Paulo, Cairo, and Helsinki, on view at the Visual Arts Center from September 26, 2025, to January 1, 2026.
RSVP
Please note: While RSVP is required, your RSVP does not guarantee a seat. Arrive early.
Venue
Visual Arts Center
2301 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78712
Format and presenter order:
Doors at 7 PM; Program starts at 8:20 PM
1. Sinclair Black/Stephi Motal - Architects
2. Kristell Jean - Food/Fashion Visionary
3. DJ Stout - Graphic Designer
4. Elizabeth Gibson - Jewelry Designer
5. Zell Miller III- Austin Poet Laureate
B R E A K
6. Karen Maness - Educator/Curator
7. Lauren Dickens - Graphic Designer
8. Joel Salcido – Photographer
9. Mariana Nuno Ruiz McEnroe and Ian McEnroe -Authors
10. Bob Schneider - Musician/Artist
Parking
Carpooling, ridesharing, biking, and public transportation are always the best options. Paid parking is located in the San Jacinto Parking Lot. Use these Google or Apple Maps pins to easily navigate to the lot.
About PechaKucha
PechaKucha, which roughly translates to “chit-chat” in Japanese, is a creative speaking event that originated in Tokyo in 2003. The unique format, a kind of speed-dating version of a TED talk, invites 10 guest speakers to each develop a presentation on a creative topic within the strict parameters of 20 slides (image slots) and 20 seconds per slide. The slides are set on a timer out of the control of the presenters, so the cumulative effect of 10 short presentations, just over six minutes each, leads to a fast and furious evening of entertainment and creative inspiration.
PechaKucha was originally introduced to Austin by Herman Dyal and Carla Fraser, and in 2011, Pentagram Austin partners DJ Stout and Lana McGilvray became the directors. McGilvray and Stout took over just before PK 10, and for that program, Pentagram designed a limited-edition poster that was given away to attendees. Pentagram has continued to design posters for every PechaKucha evening, totaling a series of twenty-seven collectible posters, all silkscreen printed by Tony Diaz of Industry Print Shop. Two or three PechaKucha Austin Nights are organized every year.
PechaKucha Austin has featured presenters from a wide array of creative endeavors, including graphic designers, painters, sculptors, architects, photographers, collagists, musicians, cartoonists, writers, slam poets, tap dancers, graffiti artists, community activists, choreographers, philanthropists, composers, interior designers, chefs, comedians, filmmakers, Freemasons, fashion designers, sign makers, actors, puppeteers and burlesque dancers. The program has included established personalities and amateurs, professionals and hobbyists, speakers well into their later years, and even a 13-year-old architecture enthusiast.
Another PechaKucha tradition is that each event is held in a different and unique venue, and these distinct locations have become the inspiration for many of the posters.
About Design Austin
Design Austin is a startup cultural 501 (c) (3) nonprofit launched in 2024. We are dedicated to furthering the practice and appreciation of good design in all its forms through 1) public-facing events, experiences, and products; and 2) collaborations and advocacy with and for design practitioners.