Old Bakery and Emporium

The Old Bakery & Artisan Emporium is a historic building located in downtown Austin. Local artists and craftspeople keep our artisan shop full of unique, handmade items.

Our Art Gallery features the work of local artists who are 50+ years old. We provide Visitor Center information and have a history exhibit that explores Austin's immigrant history through the Lundberg-Maerki Historical Collection.

Come Check Out Our New Mural!

photo of mural on the side of the Old Bakery - mural depicts two women with braids, flowers, butterflies, and birds

This is the first mural painted at the historic Old Bakery and Emporium. Entitled “Generational Ties”, the mural visually represents the site’s rich culture and history. The muralist, Ruben Esquivel, is a local Austin-born artist of Latino and Indigenous descent, who was recently voted Austin Chronicle’s Best Muralist 2024.

The mural explores the Indigenous heritage of Austin and the Swedish legacy of the Old Bakery and Emporium. The design prominently features two native women whose braids are intertwined, illustrating the beauty and wisdom that are passed down from generation to generation. The braids are filled with flora, fauna, and the Swedish national flower - the giktgräs. Hummingbirds, believed to symbolize love, joy, and rebirth, and a protective swallow add to the rich symbolism. The background is adorned with a traditional Swedish textile pattern, blending the heritage of both cultures.

The mural is in partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation's Writing on the Walls program and a partnership with the Austin Parks Foundation and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. An 18-month-long community engagement project ensured the mural project’s success.

Call for Pet Portraits by VEterans - two photos of paintings of dogs, one posing with a man

We are currently seeking any visual representation of pets created by military veterans who are over the age of 50 for an upcoming art exhibition with the Austin Veteran Arts Festival (AVA Fest).

The portraits could be framed photographs, paintings, sculptures, or sketches. We welcome any pets in the portraits - dogs, cats, birds, you name it!

Please send 3-5 images and a short statement about your pet to herlinda.zamora@austintexas.gov by September 14th, 2024.