Nestled in the heart of Austin's South First Street, you'll discover Art For the People Gallery, a vibrant home to fine art and artisan creations. At the helm of this fantastic space is Lynnie Goodman, Creative Director, who is a spirited, colorful, and vivacious woman who embodies the true Austin vibe.

"AFTP", a beacon of art and community, has been illuminating the local scene for almost a decade since its doors opened in December 2014. Deanna Worden, the driving force behind this initiative, previously dedicated her efforts to organizations such as "Art from the Streets" and "Mobile Loaves and Fishes," both committed to helping individuals facing housing insecurity. It was her experiences with these organizations that inspired the creation of "Art For The People Gallery".

Now, let's dive into a little Q&A with Lynnie:

 What sets your gallery apart from others in the area? 

The uniqueness lies in offering both a vibrant artisan market and an exquisite art gallery. We aim to make art accessible to everyone. Beyond fine art, we feature treasures like jewelry, ceramics, and glass art, all handcrafted by Austin's talented artisans. Prices start at just $4 for stickers and range up to the value of original artworks. Visitors to the gallery often seek to collect pieces created by local Austin artists while supporting a small business.

Can you describe the dynamic of the gallery? 

AFTP typically hosts five art openings each year, with each exhibition spanning 9-10 weeks. These exhibitions showcase works by their "core artists" as well as submissions from "Open Calls." To keep things exciting, we frequently rotate the displayed art, ensuring that returning visitors always find something fresh and captivating. Open calls offer a fantastic way to discover new artists and unique art pieces.

Do you have any memorable moments or success stories? 

One scenario is that visitors come in, learn about the artist and their art, express their intent to think it over, leave, and then, just a few minutes later, return to purchase the piece. After the sale, they head across the street for a margarita while AFTP wraps the art.

The best compliment we get is when people say that this is what they think, when they think about Austin, this cool and quirky space.

And…. we have our own greeting committee in the form of Tassel PomPom and Charm Charm Sparkle, two pugs that are sure to bring a smile to your face.

 What's the most creative use of art materials you've seen recently? 

There's a striking collaboration piece by Janis Fowler and Noah Mcgowen titled "The Wounds You Cannot See". It's an acrylic gouache painting with a 3-D painted heart chamber and a rechargeable light-up LED matrix. The heart part lights up like a beating heart.

The beauty of Austin artists lies in their constant self-reinvention.

What's the gallery's theme song? 

It would be "We Will Rock You" by Queen or "Good Good Day" by Lady Bri, reflecting the fact that AFTP is a woman-owned and operated business, and every one of them is a queen deserving of their crowns.

What goes on behind the scenes? 

All of us gallery mavens know to always wear comfy shoes and leggings because you never know what the day might have in store. Running a gallery is physically demanding, with tasks like tearing down and moving art and going up and down ladders. It's a whole different kind of hustle that often goes unnoticed.