Owner Mary Ober’s passion for and connection to art are at her essence. She studied art in college but took a different route in business that extended into a 20 some year career in the corporate world. Corporate life was good to Mary, yet something always felt amiss – time and again she mused about finding her way back to her original path.

During a stormy time in corporation land she resolved to actualize her long dormant dream. She resolved to open a gallery-a place you can find unique objects for gifts and joy and where the customer makes genuine connections with the art and the artist.

With this epiphany in her heart Mary began to know that she could own such an authentic place. She left corporate life, moved to Austin, and found an authentically fantastic historic storefront in the central business district on Congress Avenue.

Here she joins into the community, partners with artists, and provides customers with an authentic experience with art. It is a long held dream brought to fruition. And in that, the store is also a reflection of Mary’s authentic self. Mary’s store, Authenticity Gallery, located at 910 Congress Avenue, presents artist made jewelry, ceramics, metal, glass, 2-D art, art cards and more. Mary, her husband Michael Johnson (a Life Coach and Ph.D. psychologist) and their dogs couldn’t be happier.