austin-based. art-world focused.
concept animals is a femme-founded and artist-run publication that fosters appreciation for and conversation about contemporary art through engaging programming, event guides, and show coverage.
concept animals was born in Austin, TX in April 2020 when Casey Alfstad and Hayley Labrum Morrison joined forces to facilitate a virtual platform to celebrate contemporary art and build a creative community.
art we see.
artists we talk to.
community built.
casey alfstad
Cofounder
Casey Alfstad (she/they) is a new media artist and exhibit designer. Their practice merges video, projection mapping, animation, and sculpture to create hybrid surfaces that reveal the malleability of perception. In design, Alfstad collaborates with artists and institutions to integrate tech-media into creative practices. They are currently participating in NYC Crit Club’s 2025 Canopy Program, were a 2024 artist-in-residence with Big Medium’s iconic Line Hotel Residency, and have curated and media-directed for Austin staples such as Martha’s ATX and Women & Their Work Gallery. From 2020–2022, they also served as Technical Manager and Exhibit Coordinator at the George Washington Carver Museum.
hayley labrum morrison
Cofounder
Hayley Labrum Morrison (She/Her) engages elements of painting, sculpture, photography, and ephemera to illuminate the nuances of inheritance, the relationship of body to place/land, and oppressive systems within the context of faith-based patriarchy in the American Mountain West. Morrison’s solo exhibitions include “Of(f) the Body” at Dougherty Arts Center (Austin, TX, 2022) and “Tinkling Ornaments” at Martha’s (Austin, TX, 2022) and recent group exhibitions include “Fruit Salad” at NYC Crit Club (Chelsea, NY, 2025), “Marking Place” at Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti, MI), and “Anthropos” at Chilli Art Projects (London, UK, 2024).
our team.
Casey and Hayley are joined by an ever-evolving team of professional creatives to deliver organic perspectives of Contemporary Art to your glowing screen.
A forever thank you to the artists with whom we have worked and featured via interviews, art guides, exhibitions, collaborations, and programming.
Interested in volunteering? Contact us.
current contributors.
Tiffany K. Smith / Interdisciplinary Artist
Clarisa Gonzalez /Writer and Artist
Christine Gwillim / Art Consultant and Ceramist
Sara Aleyce Roma / Motion Artist and Event Programmer
past writing contributors.
Michela Herbert / Artist and Writer
Claire Schlaikjer / Animator
Ginny Barnes / Librarian and Activist
Jake Webber / Writer
GaijinIsn’tPhysical / Video Director and Musician
Taylor Henderson / Fashion Designer
Weatherly Sawyer / Painter
John Duah / Techie and Photojournalist
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