The Art Garage Austin - Paint Pottery, Camps, and More!

ABOUT GARAGE

Who is the Art Garage?

It is all about the people

The Art Garage is a pair of art studios where people come together to create and be happy. We reside in Austin Texas.

We have spent years making The Art Garage into a working, breathing art studio where anyone can create kiln fired art, create mosaics , and at the center of each studio is our staff. Our staff are artists, many of whom are also educators or working towards that goal, who are doing what they love. Our staff enjoy helping others be creative, while making sure you have everything you need to make your art. We attract people who enjoy working in a fun, caring environment where you can always be yourself, while being surrounded by other creative, caring, and driven people. Doesn’t sound so bad right??

There are high standards for everyone working at the Art Garage. Every role, from running a party or teaching a class to working the floor on a busy Saturday, requires thought, a solid amount of effort, and most importantly an abundance of good energy! Its not for everyone but we are perfect for some, which is why so many of our staff have been with The Art Garage for years.

Currently there are two Art Garage locations, one in South West Austin on Circle Drive and our newest spot in North Central Austin on North Lamar. The projects and fun are the same at both locations but they each have a different vibe. We suggest you check them both out to see which studio is more you!

ABOUT GARAGE

The Art Garage

About our CEO & Founder: Kelly Emmert

How did The Art Garage come about?

After having my two daughters and being a stay home mama for a few years, I was looking for a way to creatively re-enter the workforce. I really wanted to balance working and being a mother. As a former high school art teacher, I began to teach private art lessons out of our garage. At this time, I was also creating and marketing my own fused glass art. I adore glass–it’s so beautiful! A friend suggested that I hold a summer art camp; (thanks Therese!) I found that I loved it. I got to plan a whole week of fun, creative activities that teach art fundamentals. Kids were happy; building confidence, making new friends, and learning art. That first camp was seven kiddos, all friends’ children. The next summer I held about four weeks of camps and not all were friends’ kids! By then, I had found my passion.

I did what came naturally to me, which was art and teaching. The Art Garage grew. I realized that I wanted to provide a venue that was expansive enough to cover a wide range of art formats for people of all ages and experience levels. In 2011, we opened our storefront at 11190 Circle Drive. We opened offering art camps, art classes; walk-in paint-your-own pottery, and glass fusion. We are still “The Art Garage,” but no longer in an actual garage! We have a well-educated and caring staff of teachers. Since our opening, we have added so much more: canvas painting, mosaics, tie-dye, and more!

What do you enjoy the most?

My favorite part of this journey is the people. Some of my campers have been coming since that first summer in 2008; I get to see them grow up! I have created cherished friendships with many customers, our kids have grown up here and are now an integral part of the business.

Our staff is very important to me. Especially one of my studio managers, and one of my studio assistants, my daughters, Kaiya & Joie. Kaiya & Joie both have grown up with the art in our studio and truly embody the core values of The Art Garage (Kai was 7 and Joie was 3 when I began this journey!) I am continually impressed with their abilities to make every guest feel at home in our studio, and I am so fortunate to get to work closely with my daughters into their adult lives!

We are also graced with young staff members, some of whom grew up coming to The Art Garage, and others who have been joining us for our summer program for many years. It has been a joy having such wonderful people to work with who so positively reflect the spirit of ATX and our community at large.

Austin is so important to us. We have also had the opportunity to support our local schools and families and children in need. We are so appreciative to have such a great community and a sense of belonging within it. We hope to get to know you soon!

“The purpose of life is to find your gift. The meaning of life is to give it away.” ~Picasso