Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Villegas.
Hi Juan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
ArtUs Co began in 2005 when its founder, Josh Green, recognized a growing need for affordable spaces where artists could both create and show their work. What started as Shady Tree Studios, later known as Pump Project, became one of East Austin’s most important artist hubs for more than a decade. In a 20,000 square foot warehouse, Pump Project provided studios for over 250 artists and hosted nearly 200 exhibitions, helping to launch and sustain countless creative careers.
As Austin rapidly changed and rising real estate costs began pushing artists out, it became clear that the organization needed to evolve in order to survive. In 2019, Josh partnered with The Arboretum to create a new kind of platform for local artists. What began as a pop-up shop quickly grew into a permanent space, and the organization rebranded as ArtUs Co. This shift allowed for a collective to grow and focus not just on studio spaces, but on connecting artists directly with collectors and the public through retail, and exhibition programming.
By January 2022, ArtUs Co became fully dedicated to its current home, bringing together studio spaces, a gallery, and a gift shop under one roof.
We came into the picture in 2022, in the aftermath of COVID. Rosemary and I were invited to exhibit at ArtUs Co that summer, and we immediately fell in love with the space and its mission. At the time, we were already working as independent artists, curating and producing our own art shows and deeply connected to a large network of creatives in Austin. After the exhibition, we decided to take a studio there and become part of the space.
The pandemic had left much of the art scene quiet, and Josh no longer had the bandwidth to fully activate ArtUs Co. As we became more involved, it became clear that the organization was ready for new energy and stewardship, and we felt a deep calling to help bring it back to life.
In 2023, Josh passed the torch to us, and we stepped into leadership with a commitment to honoring what had been built while also guiding the organization into its next chapter.
With our leadership, we placed a strong focus on visionary art, based in heart-centered work, and mind-expanding creative practices. We believe Austin has always been a deeply creative and spiritual city, and through ArtUs Co we are helping bring that spirit back by creating a home for artists who explore the mystical, and the transformational.
We see ArtUs Co as an evolving social sculpture, shaped by the people who create, exhibit, and gather here. Our collective of resident artists are not just tenants, they are active participants in shaping the space and its culture. We believe artist-run spaces are truly essential to a city’s thriving creative ecosystem because they are built from lived experience, not just commercial priorities.
Since taking over, we have expanded exhibitions, developed community driven events and workshops, curated the gallery and gift shop around local and visionary artists, and strengthened the collective as a place of collaboration, experimentation, and connection.
Today, ArtUs Co is a vibrant hub where artists create, exhibit, and grow together. It is a place where collectors discover new voices, meaningful collaborations take shape, and creativity stays rooted in community. We see ourselves as stewards of a living, breathing space where art fosters connection, inspiration, and deeper meaning in people’s lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has definitely not been smooth, running an artist-centered nonprofit in Austin comes with unique challenges. Rising real estate costs have made it increasingly difficult for art spaces to remain affordable and sustainable.
The current economic climate has also created hurdles. Many people don’t prioritize buying art right now, especially work that isn’t commercial or purely decorative. And while grants are helpful, they are fiercely competitive. ArtUs Co hasn’t received any major grants in the past few years, so sustaining the space has largely been a labor of love and community support rather than consistent funding. At the same time, staying authentic to our vision and values while navigating these financial realities is an ongoing balancing act.
Another challenge is balancing our multiple roles. As artists, leaders, and administrators, we have to juggle creating and managing our own work, supporting other artists, running programming, managing the gallery and gift shop, and keeping both the organization and our studio practice financially stable.
Despite all of this, we feel incredibly grateful for a supportive community of friends, allies, and patrons who show up for us. Their support reminds us that even when it’s not easy, this work matters. Elevating art, nurturing artists, and fostering creativity is not just what we do, it’s our life’s mission. Every exhibition, workshop, and event is a testament to the resilience and vibrancy of our creative community.
As you know, we’re big fans of ArtUs Co. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
As a visionary artist couple, Rosemary and I work at the intersection of imagination, transformation, and the mystical. My own work explores the unseen forces that shape human experience through symbolic imagery, surreal terrains, and mythic forms. Rosemary’s work similarly delves into the symbolic and transformative, creating pieces that are both intimate and expansive, often reflecting on personal and collective consciousness.
Before ArtUs Co, we were both artists without gallery representation. We often had to curate and produce our own exhibitions and events because very few spaces in the city were open to work that is spiritual, psychedelic, and transcendental in nature. That experience deeply shaped us and ultimately led us to ArtUs Co. Today, we feel incredibly grateful to be able to offer that kind of work a real platform in Austin.
Together, through ArtUs Co, we specialize in creating a home for visionary, heart-centered, and mind-expanding art; work that encourages reflection, connection, and growth. In a society we see grappling with an existential crisis, we believe visionary art serves as a healing force for the soul, helping people reconnect with meaning, wonder, and inspiration, while also deepening our relationship with the natural world, reminding us of our interconnectedness, and opening pathways for spiritual growth beyond the world’s self-imposed limitations. We are known for curating spaces and exhibitions that elevate voices not often seen in other galleries around town, supporting local artists in meaningful ways, and blending creative practice with community building.
We are most proud of transforming ArtUs Co into a living, breathing ecosystem for artists, a place where studios, exhibitions, workshops, and events all come together to empower creators and inspire audiences. What sets us apart is this integration: we are active artists ourselves, deeply rooted in the creative community, while also leading an organization that prioritizes collaboration, authenticity, and visionary art.
Ultimately, what distinguishes our work, both as individual artists and as stewards of ArtUs Co, is our commitment to fostering spaces where art is not just seen, but felt; where creativity connects people, expands consciousness, and cultivates deeper meaning in everyday life.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson we’ve learned is when you care about something, don’t give up. It takes time to build a community and business, it’s not easy, and you must keep believing when times are hard.
Being a working artist is more than making art, it’s showing up, making sacrifices, managing your finances, and putting yourself out there no matter how many times you get rejected. As artists and leaders, it’s not about wishing, it’s about believing and taking action.
The long game matters most. Staying authentic, nurturing trust and connection within your community, and staying true to your vision are what sustain a space, a practice, and a creative life over time. Consistently showing up not only inspires others but creates ripples far beyond what we can see.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artusco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artuscoart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtUsCoArt
Image Credits
ArtUs Co
