Old Bakery & Emporium

09/04/2026

The Old Bakery & Emporium will be open on Sunday, September 20th from noon to 3 p.m. for Austin's annual Museum Day.

Curious about other artists’ creative process? Want to see how Austin artists make their creations from start to finish? We will have live art demos on site from 12:30–2:30 pm during Museum Day!

Learn more and RSVP for FREE >> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/austin-museum-day-old-bakery-emporium-tickets-1996258386572?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

09/02/2026

Art Spotlight: "Red Lined" by Sherri Lipman McCauley

"Red. One of my favorite colors. It calls my name. It brightens my day. I feel amazing when I wear it. To me, red is ‘my’ color. Take note that this piece includes a variety of reds, each one playing against and alongside the other shades. My piece is improvisationally created, with many iterations auditioned and exchanged. The abstract result is bright, yet structured."

See more contemporary art quilts in our current exhibition "Wild and Woven" on display in our Fine Art Gallery through October 24th. Gallery hours and location >> https://www.austintexas.gov/OBE

08/28/2026

Ever thought of quilting but didn’t know where to start? Is finding quilting supplies getting in the way of you and your new hobby?

Just bring yourselves to the Old Bakery and Emporium on Saturday, September 12th, where you will be provided with supplies and learn the step-by-step process used by quilt artist Annette Kennedy to create stunning pictorial quilts.

Learn more and RSVP for FREE >> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-photo-to-quilt-tickets-1996258361497?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Pictured: "Ocean" by Annette Kennedy

Join us at the Old Bakery & Emporium for a lecture and live quilt painting demonstration by Annette Kennedy.

08/26/2026

Help shape the future of a historic Austin landmark! We’re conducting a restoration and ADA feasibility study for the Old Bakery & Emporium, and we want your input on everything from naming to ideas for future programming.

Your feedback will help guide the project to ensure restoration and expansion concepts reflect community needs and priorities. Take the survey and be part of the next phase of the project development: https://forms.office.com/e/jh5LUZKCUq

Top: Maerki's Bakery (now the Old Bakery & Emporium) circa 1900
Bottom: Old Bakery & Emporium, 2026 - 150 Years after opening in 1876

08/21/2026

Art Spotlight: "Black Marks", by Sherri Lipman McCauley

"Abstract black painted lines intersect with white negative space and shades of red. Pieced improvisational blocks add to create tension. The painted abstract lines have no boundary as they populate the surface interacting with the negative space of the background. The gestural marks I make are intuitive, abstract, and continually a surprise. As the pigment lands on the fabric, my challenge is to engage with the marks and make them a part of my design."

See more of Sherri's unique quilt art at the opening reception for Wild and Woven: Two Perspectives in Contemporary Art Quilting! Learn more and RSVP for FREE >> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wild-and-woven-two-perspectives-in-contemporary-art-quilting-tickets-1993481667330?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/19/2026

Art Spotlight: "Sunset Reflections" by Annette Kennedy

"Sunset Reflections is based on a photo I took in Oceanside, CA. I wanted to create the scene in a brilliant but softened glow of light, reflections, and cascading water. The confetti-like colors of the waves enhance the sense of celebration in nature’s majesty. I used textile paints to shade and soften the sky, ensuring it supported the other elements without overpowering them."

See more of Annette's pictorial quilt creations at the opening reception of and Woven: Two Perspectives in Contemporary Art Quilting on Saturday, August 22nd! Learn more and RSVP for FREE >> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wild-and-woven-two-perspectives-in-contemporary-art-quilting-tickets-1993481667330?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/18/2026

The Old Bakery & Emporium will be closed tomorrow, August 19th, for maintenance.

We will reopen on Thursday, August 20th.

08/13/2026

Welcome to our new Old Bakery staff member, Therese Espiritu!

Therese is thrilled to join the Old Bakery & Emporium as its new administrative assistant! She feels deeply grateful to serve the Austin community through the arts, history, and culture.

Since working with the City of Austin in April 2023, Therese has been driven by a passion for community empowerment and uplift through public service. Therese is transitioning just a few blocks over from her previous role as a docent for Brush Square Museums, where she enthusiastically shared state and local history with visitors in historic homes.

While working as a docent, she successfully earned her Master of Arts in Public History from Texas State University. When she’s not at the Old Bakery & Emporium, Therese loves cozying up with her cat, playing video games, and crocheting.

08/12/2026

Local Artist Spotlight: Sherri Lipman McCauley, "Darkness"

Sherri was educated as a teacher, trained as a computer programmer, and has emerged as an artist, creating serendipitous fiber designs. The simple line of a geometric shape, the blast of a colorful line, or the contrast of black against white makes her canvas sing.

See more of Sherri's contemporary art quilt work in "Wild and Woven," opening on Saturday, August 22nd. Learn more and RSVP for FREE >> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wild-and-woven-two-perspectives-in-contemporary-art-quilting-tickets-1993481667330?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/07/2026

Artist Spotlight: Gail Dentler, "Pink Lady and Her Pollinators"

Gail Dentler is using her love of watercolor to represent botanicals in the coastal prairies and cottage gardens found in her home state of Texas. Her work represents wildflowers that are essential to the South Texas coastal prairie and its pollinators.

See more of Gail's work in "Beyond the Petal" on display in our Fine Art Gallery through August 8th, 2026. Gallery hours and location >> https://www.austintexas.gov/OBE