A beloved DIY art space, Collection Rert, is bidding farewell as its creators, Amanda Jones and Chad Hopper, prepare to move from their East Austin home after nearly a decade of community-driven art exhibitions. The property, which has been put up for sale, is expected to be demolished, marking the end of an era for the vibrant art initiative.
In front of the duplex that has housed Collection Rert, a makeshift sign made from magnetic letters reads, “Thank you community for the love.” For nine years, this 550-square-foot nonprofit art venue has fostered creativity and experimentation in the neighborhood.
The journey began in 2017 when Jones and Hopper transformed a room in their home on Rogers Avenue into a gallery space. “It started out as a joke, like — we should turn this into a gallery or something,” Hopper recalled. However, as they contemplated the idea further, they realized its potential and brought it to life.
Since its inception, Collection Rert has hosted over 70 art shows, including the memorable “Gay Dregs,” which featured artists Beth Schindler and Lex Vaughn. This exhibit showcased a collection of gay-themed memorabilia and quirky items reminiscent of a novelty store from an alternate universe, complete with a pop-up bar serving cheese puffs.
“The benefit of having it in our home is we don’t have to worry about making money off of art,” Jones explained. “It’s about the love of the art and the community, nurturing ideas and building confidence.”
Despite the charm of the aging house, which Jones describes as “ramshackle” compared to modern developments nearby, the atmosphere on Saturday was filled with joy as friends and supporters gathered to celebrate Collection Rert one last time. The impending sale of the property is a poignant reminder of the gentrification that has increasingly encroached upon the area.
Jones, who has lived in the house for nearly 20 years, shared that the original landlord passed away over a decade ago, leaving the property on the back burner for the new owners. With rent once deemed “reasonable,” the inevitability of gentrification loomed over the gallery.
The roots of Collection Rert trace back to 2004 when Sam Sayre VanDelinder and friends conceived the idea in a garage apartment on 37th Street. “I think he liked watching people try to pronounce it,” Jones noted of the gallery’s unique name. Inheriting the apartment and the gallery in 2005, she embraced the opportunity to host various events, including puppet shows and concerts.
Over the years, the space evolved, with artist Silky Shoemaker hosting several exhibits before the original iteration dissolved, leading to the relaunch by Jones and Hopper nine years ago.
Reflecting on the space, artist Del Wieding described it as “very old Austin — slacker, rundown, overgrown,” yet full of sincerity. On Saturday, tables overflowed with artwork for sale, encouraging patrons to set their own prices while donations were collected in a bucket or via Venmo.
“The essence of what they bring to the community isn’t going to disappear,” Wieding remarked about Jones and Hopper. “If they can keep their spirits up and keep doing it, I don’t see how they can stop, given who they are. They’re full of mischief.”
The farewell event featured playful skits performed by Hopper and others, including trivia games with art prizes. Meanwhile, the interior of the gallery became an interactive canvas as visitors used nail polish and paint to leave their marks on the walls in tribute to the space.
Brittany Gant, an artist who has contributed to Collection Rert for three years, expressed her desire to see continued community support for Jones and Hopper. “There are tons of these tiny little museums hidden throughout Austin. What if that was a coalition?” she questioned, envisioning a stronger network of creative spaces.
Jones and Hopper will soon relocate about five minutes away, where Jones will focus on rehabilitating an old building. They remain uncertain about the future of Collection Rert, with Hopper noting, “It’s a little soon to start thinking about that because you don’t know what’s going to happen. I just think there’s another chapter somewhere waiting.”
As they prepared for their move, Hopper pointed to a pumpkin they had kept since October, noting its surprising durability. Just then, as Jones picked it up, the stem broke off, prompting Hopper to reflect, “It’s time. Everything must come to an end — whether it’s a gallery or a pumpkin or an interview.”
