How Eaton Fine Art Used Curated Art to Uplift a Supportive Housing Community in Austin
Key Highlights
- Eaton Fine Art curated a collection of local Austin artworks to inspire hope, growth, and resilience among residents living with HIV/AIDS at a supportive housing community.
- Art pieces range from abstract florals to nature-inspired works, strategically placed to evoke calm and reflection.
- The project highlights the transformative power of art in fostering dignity, community, and a positive outlook for vulnerable populations.
For individuals living with HIV/AIDS, safe and stable housing is just the beginning of what it takes to heal. At Burnet Place, a newly opened 61-unit supportive housing community in Austin, Texas, art is playing a powerful role in creating an environment of care, dignity, and renewal.
A long-standing partner of the nonprofit Project Transitions, local art consultancy Eaton Fine Art lent its creative vision—and its services—pro bono to help transform Burnet Place from a housing complex into a haven. The result is a joyful, immersive art experience that infuses the building’s common areas and corridors with vibrant color, texture, and emotion, curated entirely with local Austin artists.
“Our goal was to provide a curated art collection inspired by the thoughtful design and architecture of Burnet Place,” said Terry Eaton, president and chief curator of Eaton Fine Art. “We wanted to bring color and uplifting art throughout the spaces so the residents would feel cared for and brighten their lives as they live within the spaces.”
With over 32 years of experience, Eaton Fine Art has transformed spaces in hotels and resorts through award-winning curated collections. Known for combining artistry, innovation, and purpose, Eaton Fine Art creates immersive, joy-filled experiences that bring a unique sense of place to each property.
How Art Impacts Well-being
From a mixed-media centerpiece in the community room to soothing florals and nature-inspired works throughout the hallways, each piece was selected to enhance well-being and spark moments of peace and reflection. On the first floor, an abstract floral greets residents with a cheerful welcome, while upper levels carry the visual story forward with themes of growth, calm, and resilience.
The collaboration continues a relationship that began more than two decades ago, when Eaton Fine Art first curated an art collection for Doug’s House, another Project Transitions facility. Since then, Eaton Fine Art Co-Founders Terry Eaton and Robert Williams have remained committed to the organization’s mission, co-hosting the popular “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” fundraising events for over 18 years.
For Eaton and his team, this latest project felt especially meaningful.
“It was a joy seeing all the art in the various spaces, including all the resident corridors,” Eaton said. “Hearing the residents express how much they appreciated the art—and how thoughtful the art was in bringing smiles to their days—was very gratifying. Those comments proved to us that art has the power to heal, and a mindful approach to art selection helps impact healing and one’s outlook on life.”
At Burnet Place, that outlook is one of hope, beauty, and belonging—proof that when art and mission align, transformation happens.
About the Author
Robert Nieminen
Chief Content Director
Chief Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources
Robert Nieminen is the Chief Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.
He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.
Known for his sharp editorial vision and data-informed strategies, Robert focuses on audience growth, engagement, and content monetization, leveraging AI tools and SEO-driven insights to future-proof B2B publishing.