Something about the orange and white stripes of Whataburger have had a hold on Texan hearts for 75 years. Now locals and visitors alike can dive into the aesthetics in a new fan art gallery popping up at South by Southwest (SXSW). The Whataburger Museum of Art (WMOA) will be open to the public and badge holders March 8 and 9.
It is a silly idea, but the art on display showcases some real skill, from a contemplative still life of a semi-crumpled bag to a touching portrait of people wearing Whataburger merch while hugging their dog. The unique architectures shapes many of the images.
Getting folks to pay attention to an art gallery during the busiest time of the year is easier said than done, so there will be some other incentives to stop by. On March 8, that means visitors will get to try the limited edition Monterey Melt from the Whataburger Food Truck on the patio. But there are more artsy draws, too.
Portraits make the fan art more personal.Art by Chris Clark, photo courtesy of Whataburger
The Whataburger Day Dot Room invites visitors in on the action. They'll take "day dots" — color-coded stickers used in food service to keep track of freshness — and cover the interior of a white restaurant interior. Presumably, it'll look like the famous "Obliteration Room" by Yayoi Kusama.
Some visitors will also get to take home limited edition table tents, the pop-up paper triangles that display specials at some restaurants. They'll be exclusive to Whataburger's 75th anniversary and SXSW 2025.
Some of the art is designed to be seen in person, including sculptures and digital installations, so festival-goers interested in experiential art may get some inspiration here.
Danny Pechal in Whataburger Museum of Art SXSWWhataburger Museum of Art
Finally, it'll be held at Wanderlust Wine Co. downtown (610 N. Interstate Hwy. 35), making it easy to get to from the music hotspot that is the Red River Cultural District. The press release announcing the museum does not specify if Wanderlust will be continuing normal operations.
Although this is ultimately a marketing stunt, the artistry is surprisingly sincere. The idea grew organically when Whataburger decided to pull together fan art into one place online, later resulting in a dedicated Instagram account and in even more artists tagging their work. This will be the first time the gallery is shown in person.
“Sometimes a burger is so delicious, the hospitality so sincere that mere words won’t do.That’s why some of our customers turn to paintbrushes and knitting needles. The creativity of our fans never ceases to amaze us,” said Whataburger president and CEO Debbie Stroud in the release. “From illustrators and muralists to digital creators, these artists have transformed their love for Whataburger into incredible works of art."
Don't ask your nail tech for this.Art by Rachel Odom, photo courtesy of Whataburger
The WMOA @ SXSW exhibit is open March 8-9 from 11 am to 6 pm.
