Articles
Join Humanities Texas for a free screening of Armadillo Man: The Trips of Jim Franklin. The short documentary will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Jim Franklin, Leea Mechling (Austin Museum of Pop Culture), and Joe Nick Patoski (writer and Texas music historian), moderated by Jason Mellard (Texas State University). Guests are invited to stay for a reception with light bites and beverages provided by St. Elmo Brewing.
Attendees will also enjoy a preview of Humanities Texas's forthcoming traveling exhibition Homegrown: Austin Music Posters, 1967–1982, adapted from the exhibition of the same name developed by The Wittliff Collections.
Armadillo Man: The Trips of Jim Franklin tells the story of the legendary concert poster artist credited with making Austin "weird." At the intersection of psychedelic art, outlaw country, and rebellion, Franklin's larger-than-life personality helped define Austin's 1970s counterculture. As emcee at Armadillo World Headquarters, his onstage persona became as unforgettable as the performers he introduced, from Willie Nelson to Bruce Springsteen. But it was his armadillo-centric artwork that became an enduring symbol of Austin's artistic revolution. Blending new interviews, archival footage, and animation, Armadillo Man captures the spirit of a visionary artist and his lasting legacy.
Austin
Thursday, July 30, 2026
6:30–8:30 p.m. (doors at 6:00 p.m.)
The Rosette
3908 Ave B, Ste 116
This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited; please register online to attend.
This event is made possible with support from By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Additional support for the program is provided by Armadillo World Headquarters, the Austin Museum of Pop Culture, St. Elmo Brewing, and The Wittliff Collections.