Will Van Overbeek, a native Californian, studied photography with Garry Winogrand at the University of Texas, Austin, in the 1970s. Searching for the subject of an extended documentary project, he looked at a nearby local pool that pulsated with life. "It was the height of the hippie era and about half the women there were topless. I was too shy." Instead, he did a documentary about UTex agricultural students.

A few years later, though, Van Overbeek got an assignment from Rolling Stone to shoot a scene that epitomizes summer. He decided then to shoot at the pool. "With those credentials," he says, "I suddenly felt like I had permission."

Photographs by Will Van Overbeek, courtesy of the artist.

The pool became a mecca for Van Overbeek. He went back every summer, sometimes shooting from the hip with an inexpensive waterproof camera, sometimes using large format and inviting collaboration with his subjects. Last year he shot an editorial feature at The Springs for National Geographic Traveler.

What makes this pool so popular is, first of all, its size: a whopping 3 acres. Fed by natural springs, the water temperature is a steady 68F. This is particularly appealing in summer, when Austin often bakes at temperatures hovering around the 100 degree mark. Van Overbeek says, "It seems I always see friends or meet people at The Springs. I take my kids there to swim and help the younger ones to learn. A long time ago (before I met my wife), I fell in love there. A lot of life's events do happen at the pool."

Situated in a grassy park, surround by mowed lawns and century-old pecan trees, this theater of humanity is one of the city's big draws. Van Overbeek adds, "Is there any other place like it in the world? A natural spring pool in a city that's so close to downtown? A place where everyone in the city goes? I don't think so. It even has a special wading area where people can take their dogs in to cool off."

This summer, the Austin Museum of Art presents 24 Summers at Barton Springs Pool, photographs by Will Van Overbeek. On Thursday, July 19 at 7:00 pm, the photographer will present a slide lecture of his work at AMOA Downtown. Please check the website for details.