The Art Garage Austin Contact, About, and Testimonials

Kelly Emmert: an artist and teacher happily at work in Austin, TX

I have been creating art as long as I can remember. I remember my art teacher in elementary school much more vividly than any other teachers from my early years. Tall with flowing red hair, she would whisk into our classroom once a week with some new exciting project; paint, collage or clay. I longed for "art day" to come every week.

It was later in high school, I really began to understand that I had a true love and talent in art. I experienced new mediums like print-making and pen and ink. My teacher encouraged me to start thinking about "doing something with art" in my life.

In college, I expanded my art expression to various forms, including design, photography, ceramics, and stained glass. I fell in love with glass. I began making stained-glass art whenever I had time outside of my studies and work. In 1999, I received a BS from Florida State University, School of Visual Arts.

I had my first child soon after graduation. Motherhood is amazing - it opened my eyes to the importance of making the world better place for our children. I began to realize I wanted to teach to give children opportunities to explore, experiment, and develop their creative talents. I studied education as a graduate student at the University of North Florida and became an art teacher. I taught high school art for a few years, which I loved!

Combining my passion for both art and education, I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity to invite all with a creative interest to develop their art talents, express themselves, and to have fun while creating their own art--
here at the art garage.

"FIVE STARS! We had our daughter's 5th birthday here
and our daughter LOVED it! Kelly was great with the kids.
Thanks again Kelly!”
-Stacey Reynolds (from Facebook)

“(My daughter) loved Spring Break Camp at The Art Garage!
Thank you Kelly. I can not believe how many cool things she
made. Peace.”
-Martha Sharp (from Facebook)

“We have a 7 year old girl who attended The Art Garage
summer camp. She absolutely adored it and had a fun and
educational time doing some incredible art projects. We
cannot thank Kelly enough for providing a loving, nurturing
homelike environment for our child to explore her "inner artist".
I couldn't believe how proud she was of the great creations
she made.”
-Therese James

"My 2 sons (10 and 8 years old) absolutely love taking art
lessons and attending the camps from The Art Garage. My
10 year old, especially loves to draw and create, and Kelly
helped him to further develop his skills and talents. My boys
love bringing home and sharing all of the projects ranging from
portraits, ceramics and jewelry. Our shelves and walls are
covered with their paintings and clay projects. The skills that my
children have learned from Kelly far surpass anything they have
been taught by any other art teacher from their elementary school.
I can't thank her enough for providing a positive learning
environment for them. She is patient, enthusiastic and
exceptionally creative! "
-Chandelle Crane

" My daughter had a wonderful experience in the Art Garage. She loved her art instructor and was able to explore art of all kinds and media. The children experimented with ceramics, paint, drawing, mosaics, tie-dye and making jewelry. My daughter's favorite was the pottery which she will treasure always.She also made new friends and indulged in her own creativity and independence. As an elementary art instructor of twelve years, I highly recommend the Art Garage for any child."
-Mollie Deeb

“(My son) and I both loved summer art camp. He was so hesitant when I signed him up and then he couldn't get enough. He said he wished it was every day and he was so proud of his accomplishments. That was my main goal - for him to be introduced to that creativity and to be reassured that no matter what his creation was, it was wonderful and you did just that!! He thinks he's an artist now!”
-Tracy Graham