Imagine Art

Specialties

Imagine Art operates a creative incubator on the east side of Austin that provides space for artists and art-​making. Imagine Art’s heartbeat is for artists with disabilities and our services are designed to empower these artists to create and sell their work. We have opened our doors to artists in Austin to share our space and resources. We offer an Artist in Resident program where artists barter services for space. We operate 3 galleries with open receptions monthly.

History

Established in 1997.

Imagine Art started as a grassroots effort, engaging 10 artists with disabilities to access community based arts education. Imagine Art purchased registration fees and art supplies. We quickly grew and began offering workshops and in 1999 we opened our first studio space, bartering with another nonprofit in south Austin. In 2000 we moved downtown, bartering with American YouthWorks to open a studio/​gallery on 5^th Street. Services expanded and our numbers grew. In 2010 we move east to occupy a small house. While our space shrunk, our programs, budget and staff numbers expanded. We moved further east to occupy our current location, a 10,000 sqft warehouse off MLK, near Airport. We have grown and shrunk programs over the 18 years and now we primarily focus on the heartbeat of our services, the art studios. We have a large garden and we harvest food and cook daily, serving lunch to 25 people. Our 3 galleries highlight creations coming from the studios.

Meet the Business Owner

Debbie Kizer K.

Business Owner

Debbie Kizer is the Founder and Executive Director of Imagine Art. Her passion is community development for a distinct group of artists, those living with disabilities. She is passionate to create a community where artists with disabilities thrive and like-​minded players engage to make the space vibrant and life-​giving. Debbie is a painter herself and works alongside artists in the community.