Our Story

Atelier 501 began with a house and a grandmother's memory. When our grandmother passed away, we inherited her beautiful historic home at 501 W 12th Street in downtown Austin. Rather than let it sit empty, we decided to transform it into something that would honor her spirit of hospitality and creativity.

The house, with its light-filled rooms and quiet charm, felt destined to become a place where artists could find the time and space they need to create. And so Atelier 501 was born—a residency program that brings together creative practitioners in a co-living, co-working community.

The Kleberg House

Our home has its own story. Known as the Judge Kleberg House, this Colonial Revival residence was built in 1917 and is a designated Austin Historic Landmark. The Kleberg family was among Texas's most distinguished, with deep roots in the state's legal and political history—including connections to the legendary King Ranch.

The house has witnessed over a century of Austin's transformation from a small capital city to the vibrant cultural hub it is today. We're honored to continue its legacy as a place of gathering, creativity, and community.

Our Vision

We believe that making art is both deeply personal and inherently communal. Artists need solitude to focus on their work, but they also thrive in conversation with other creative minds. Atelier 501 provides both: private studio space and living quarters, alongside shared meals, critiques, and the simple daily exchanges that spark new ideas.

Meet Erika

Erika Woollett-Chiba is a multi-disciplinary visual artist who lives and works at Atelier 501. Her practice spans plein air painting, oil painting, gouache, printmaking, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, and collage.

As the resident artist-in-residence, Erika helps shape the creative culture of Atelier 501 and welcomes visiting artists into the community.

Follow her work on Instagram: @woolly.chiba