Walk into Ao5 Gallery in Austin's Arboretum neighborhood and prepare for something unexpected. Instead of hushed whispers and echoing footsteps, you'll be greeted by lively music, animated conversations, and an atmosphere that feels more like a celebration than a traditional gallery visit. That's exactly how Gallery Director Todd Gresley and owner Camille Easton want it.
"We like loud music so people can talk," Gresley has explained. "You go to galleries, you can hear the footsteps. People are whispering. We want people to be able to exclaim how they feel."
A Quarter Century of Art in Austin
Since opening its doors in 1998, Ao5 Gallery has grown into Austin's largest contemporary art gallery and one of its most beloved cultural destinations. With artists hailing from six of the world's seven continents, the gallery offers an extraordinarily diverse collection that spans paintings, sculptures, limited edition prints, and more.
The gallery relocated to a spacious new home in the Arboretum shopping center, giving them room to accommodate more foot traffic and host bigger artist events. The expanded space has allowed Ao5 to deepen its commitment to making fine art accessible, approachable, and genuinely enjoyable for everyone who walks through the door.
Featured Artists from Around the World
Ao5's rotating roster of artists reads like a who's who of contemporary talent. Current featured artists include Nicole Charbonnet, whose layered paintings mimic the process of human memory; Carrie Graber, a Southern California native known for her luminous depictions of mid-century architecture and sun-drenched scenes; and Isabelle Dupuy, who puts a contemporary spin on Impressionist traditions with bold uses of color and texture.
Perhaps most surprisingly, the gallery represents Hugh Syme, the Canadian Juno Award-winning graphic artist famous for designing album covers for Rush, Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, and Dream Theater. Syme created Rush's iconic Starman logo and has played keyboard on several of the band's albums.
The gallery constantly rotates its featured displays, ensuring that even frequent visitors always discover something new. With multiple artist receptions and events each month, there's a calendar full of reasons to keep coming back.
More Than a Gallery
Ao5 isn't just about selling art — it's also home to one of Austin's finest custom framing operations. Led by El Van den Bergh, one of Austin's only Certified Picture Framers, the framing team brings the same level of artistry and attention to detail that defines the gallery itself.
"One of the best, most diverse, and most consistently entertaining galleries in Austin," one visitor shared. Another praised the "creativity of the framing staff and the fun vibe — so much better than the big box framers, especially for your cherished collections."
Visit Ao5 Gallery
Ao5 Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The gallery is located in the Arboretum at 10000 Research Boulevard, Suite 118, Austin, Texas. Whether you're a seasoned collector or simply curious about contemporary art, Ao5 offers a welcoming, energetic space where art comes alive.