Yard Dog Art Gallery

What to know

Established in 1995 by Randy Franklyn and Jann Baskett, Yard Dog Art Gallery has been a cornerstone of the Austin art scene for decades. The gallery originally opened on South Congress Avenue, where it spent over twenty years before relocating to its current home at 916 Springdale Road in East Austin. Since 1997, the gallery has also maintained an active online presence, sharing its unique collection with a global audience.\n\nThe gallery's distinctive name, "Yard Dog," originates from the folk art of the Deep South, which the space specialized in when it first opened. While it began with a focus on Southern folk and outsider art, the gallery has since expanded its scope. Today, Yard Dog showcases an eclectic array of fine art, pop art, and "folky" art. It features works from a select group of contemporary artists representing the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia, transcending strict categorical boundaries.\n\nA defining characteristic of Yard Dog Art Gallery is its deep connection to the music world. Since its doors first opened in 1995, the gallery has featured art both by and about musicians. Visitors can view and purchase works created by well-known musical artists, including Jon Langford, Bob Schneider, Will Johnson, Tom Russell, Reg Mombassa, Peter O’Doherty, Ian McLagan, Darden Smith, and Jad Fair. This intersection of visual art and music perfectly reflects Austin's creative spirit.\n\nOver the years, the gallery has become famous for its community gatherings, most notably hosting its 30th Annual Yard Dog Party in 2025. Today, the gallery operates with specific physical hours, welcoming visitors on Thursday and Friday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, and on Saturday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with other days available by appointment.

Visitor tips

• Plan your visit around the gallery's public hours, which are Thursday and Friday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
• If you cannot make it during regular hours, contact the gallery to schedule a private viewing by appointment.
• Look out for the gallery's annual Yard Dog Party if you are visiting in March, which has historically featured free admission with a suggested $10 donation.
• Make sure to navigate to the current East Austin location at 916 Springdale Road, as the gallery moved from its old South Congress location.

Nearby context

Located at 916 Springdale Road in East Austin, Yard Dog Art Gallery sits in a vibrant, rapidly evolving neighborhood known for its industrial-chic creative spaces and local artist studios. Moving here in 2019 after over two decades on South Congress, the gallery helped cement this pocket of East Austin as a premier destination for contemporary and alternative art. It is a perfect neighborhood to explore on foot, surrounded by local breweries, cafes, and other independent galleries.