Mass Gallery: Austin’s Artist Owned Gallery
A Story of Resilience
Words By Tejal Thakkar Photos by Baptiste Despois
Read by Abby L. Johnson
Mass Gallery is an art gallery owned by a group of artists and art lovers whose goal is simply to share good art and support local artists. Since its inception in 2006, the gallery’s resilience and ability to morph at each stage of its existence are its hallmark and what make it the Eastside staple that it is today.
The gallery was founded by a group of UT art students who transformed a garage on the side of the Blue Theater complex into a thriving studio and gallery space. Jules Jones, gallery member, is proud of the fact that, though the gallery has “taken a lot of shapes, it’s always been an artist-run gallery.” Over the last 17 years, the gallery has changed locations several times, but the members have worked hard to keep the gallery alive. According to Jules, through the years, the gallery has remained on the Eastside because of the “blossoming art scene” and is now housed at 705 Gunter Street.
The team is excited to unveil the revamped gallery at their re-opening scheduled for September. Due to a loss of funding during the pandemic, like so many other local ventures, the team had to get creative and decided to rent out their main gallery space as a studio and has been operating the showroom out of a smaller office space. As they prepare for the re-opening, Jules reflects on the gallery’s “unique way of curating, which has always been collaborative and democratic.” The gallerists’ process allows for brainstorming which often leads to new ideas and initiatives. Since many of the members are artists themselves, they understand the artistic perspective. Jules asserts that the main goal for Mass Gallery was never to sell art but rather to create “a project space, a space to exhibit artists’ work,” often supporting new artists and unique talent.
Looking to the future, Jules says they are not sure “exactly what will happen, but we are really proud of everything we have done so far.” Reflecting on their journey, he reminisces about how they have not only hosted out of brick and mortar homes but have also had times where they have had more “nomadic operations,” like pop-ups. As the Mass team gears up to move back into the larger space, they are in the process of finding more members to join the family.
Mass Gallery has a history of adapting to their conditions and making the best out of unique circumstances. Jules says that at the end of the day, the goal is to “follow through with our mission, which is to provide support for the arts. Sometimes that’s a space to show work, sometimes that’s small artist grants, sometimes that’s publishing a zine.” With their nimble team, the sky is the limit.
Mass Gallery members include: Erin Gentry, Drew Liverman, Aaron Dubrow, Jules Jones, Andrea Calo, Ted Carey, Beth Schindler, Michelle Devereux, Rachel Beaudoin, and Johnna Henry.
Contact:
(512) 535-4946
705 Gunter Street
info@massgallery.org
