Owner: Deanna Serra

Creative Director & Artisan Market Maven: Lynnie Goodman

Art Business Director: Hallie Rae Ward

WHY DO YOU CALL AUSTIN HOME

LYNNIE: Austin is the epitome of “FUN”!

FAVORITE SONG/ARTIST/ALBUM FOR A SPARK OF CREATIVITY

LYNNIE: Imagine Dragons & Bob Schneider

HALLIE: My recent jam has been “Would You Ever” by Skrillex

BIGGEST DEBATE OF ALL: COFFEE or TEA, BE SPECIFIC ;)

LYNNIE: Summermoon Quad Extra Hot

HALLIE: Coffee love for me too!

WHO DO YOU FOLLOW FOR INSTAGRAM INSPIRATION

LYNNIE: A gazillion of the Austin Artists are on my visual radar and Instagram is & has been the main source for finding Austin Artists: Gary Vaynerchuk, Know ATX, Passion Planner

GO TO MID-DAY SNACK or ROUTINE FOR CREATIVE FUEL

LYNNIE: For Creative Fuel...I hug a Pug!

HALLIE: Definitely some Pug love, Yorkie love, and some sketchbook and Passion Planner time. Dancing is great too!

WHERE DO YOU CREATE BEST? EX: HOME, STUDIO, NATURE, ETC.

LYNNIE: Being creative is 24/7, everywhere & anywhere..it never stops!

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BEGIN THE ART FOR THE PEOPLE ADVENTURE

HALLIE: Deanna Serra, the owner of Art For The People, has always loved the arts and helping others and wanted to have a space to support local artists. It started with homeless artists and then grew to include all sorts of visual and functional Austin artists.

LYNNIE: Ditto

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EXCITING MOMENT SO FAR OF AFTP

LYNNIE: We are constantly out creating ourselves each and every day, the possibilities are limitless.

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE YOUR BRAND STANDS OUT

LYNNIE: Our platform is promoting our Austin Artists and having a dynamic inventory that is new and different.

WHO HAS HAD THE MOST CREATIVE INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE

LYNNIE: Austin Artists...I’m constantly in awe of their talents & gifts and their generosity!

HOW HAS SOCIAL HELPED YOUR BRAND

LYNNIE: Social media is phenomenal for Art for the People since we specialize in visual and functional art.

HOW IMPORTANT IS SHOPPING LOCAL TO YOU

HALLIE: Shopping local is huge! It’s what we are all about. We have a diverse variety of functional and visual art so if you are looking for something for yourself or someone else, there’s a good chance we have something you love.

LYNNIE: Where I spend my money is vital & local businesses are the foundation of Austin and keeping ATX a unique place!!!

HOW HAS THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY SUPPORTED YOU

HALLIE: The Austin community has been great and their support for us continues to grow. Through word of mouth, different media outlets sharing our events, and people thinking of us when they need art or a gift.

WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO A DESIGN COLLAB WITH A LOCAL AUSTIN ARTIST

LYNNIE: I feel that we collaborate with each of our artists with our gallery exhibitions and curated artisan market.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT AFTP

HALLIE: Art For The People is an incredible and vibrant space and are all about our artists! We love our community and we are a place of beautiful energy, connecting with people, and connecting people with visual and functional art.

LYNNIE: That we have 100+ Austin Artists and are phenomenal!!!

MUST-SEE RECOMMENDATION(S) FOR THOSE TRAVELING TO AUSTIN

HALLIE: Come on over to Art For The People! After your visit to AFTP, you can grab a bite over at Bouldin Creek Cafe on South 1st or Thai Fresh which is down Mary St., a side street. One of my favorite restaurants is Ramen Tatsu-Ya. In terms of visiting other spots, I highly recommend visiting Laguna Gloria, Mayfield Park, and Mount Bonnell. For music, you can check out the line-up at Elephant Room, C-Boys, Sahara Lounge, and Flamingo Cantina.

AUSTIN LOCAL INSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS

FAVORITE LOCAL FOOD TRUCK

LYNNIE: Dawa and Churros Co!!!!!!! South 1st rules!!!!

FAVORITE LOCAL CURATED BOUTIQUE

HALLIE: Art For The People is #1!!!! Otherwise, we are big fans of Parts & Labour and The Austin Art Garage.