Verdant Gallery Opens as Austin’s Newest Contemporary Art Space

Austin’s art scene continues to flourish with the arrival of Verdant Gallery, a new contemporary fine art space that opens its doors in September. Located in a beautifully preserved turn-of-the-century house, the gallery represents both a fresh start and a culmination of decades of experience for owner Diana Chriswisser, who brings her extensive background in commercial interior design to the world of art curation.

From design to art

Diana’s journey to gallery ownership spans over 30 years in commercial interior design, taking her from New York City to Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, and finally to Austin nearly a decade ago. Working on large corporate interiors, office spaces, and public buildings, she discovered that selecting art for these spaces was “the most fun” part of her job.

After leaving her architecture career two years ago, Diana found herself drawn to a new creative challenge. “Interior designers curate the whole space, but it’s not just art—it’s the walls, the architecture, the floors, the finishes, the lighting. That curation, that creating an environment, is deep in my soul.” The transition to focusing solely on art felt natural: “Working with artists is so refreshing. I can focus on that and not be as concerned with the other details of a space.”

A family affair

Verdant Gallery is a family enterprise. Diana’s husband, Geoff, serves as her business partner, handling the financial side of operations. Her recently graduated son, Luke, an aspiring artist himself, also contributes to the gallery operations, helping with installations and drawing on his own artistic background developed through years of classes at local institutions, including the Dougherty Art Center and the Art School at Laguna Gloria.

The family’s shared appreciation for the arts runs deep. Growing up in the New York area, Diana was immersed in the art world by parents who were “big art lovers and collectors.” Her mother was a singer who performed at Carnegie Hall, while her brother is a guitarist. “We would go to all the museums and all the galleries,” Diana recalls of her time growing up outside of New York City, describing how this foundation shaped her aesthetic sensibilities.

The philosophy behind Verdant

The gallery’s name reflects its core mission. “The name verdant, meaning green, represents growth and lush abundance,” Diana explains. “That’s our philosophy—to really grow and help these artists flourish in their career, to develop what they’ve got started.”

This commitment to artist development extends beyond simply displaying work. Diana plans to take a hands-on approach, personally delivering and hanging pieces in collectors’ homes, offering design advice about placement and lighting. 

Showcasing local talent

Verdant Gallery’s inaugural exhibition, “Attunement,” showcases five local Austin artists who primarily work with nature themes. The show features Amanda Witucki‘s intricate paper installations, made entirely from recycled materials; Laurie Carswell’s detailed collages, incorporating children’s books and magazines; Karen Maness’s beautiful skies with abstracted landscapes; April Garner‘s vibrant oil and acrylic paintings, featuring fantastical animals; and Emily Eisenhart‘s metal sculptures.

Diana’s commitment to local artists stems from her belief that Austin has untapped artistic talent. “There seems to be a lot of untapped Austin artists—great artists that just haven’t been exposed yet.” This focus aligns with the gallery’s mission stated on their website: “to advocate and uplift the careers of emerging and established artists local to Austin, the state of Texas, and beyond.”

Building community

Beyond monthly exhibitions, Verdant Gallery plans to serve as a community hub through artist talks, designer events, and collaborations with the local design community. Diana envisions hosting cocktail parties where textile and furniture sales representatives can showcase new products to designers while exposing them to the gallery’s art collection.

The gallery space, housed in a charming historic home with 11-foot ceilings and original floors, creates an intimate and approachable atmosphere. “Our vision is a gallery space where artists connect with art lovers and collectors, both seasoned and new, in an unpretentious, fun, and inspiring environment,” according to the gallery’s mission statement.

Looking forward

As Austin continues to grow as a cultural destination, Diana believes there’s room for more galleries. “I have been meeting with a lot of the gallery owners and curators in town, and they’ve all been supportive. They all agree that it’s nice to have another gallery. It’s not like we have too many. We’re not New York or Miami or LA.”

For Diana, opening Verdant Gallery represents more than a career change—it’s a return to her artistic roots and an opportunity to nurture the creative community that first inspired her. “I just love being in a space where I’m looking at all these pieces of art every day,” she reflects. “I think art can bring people together and should be accessible to everyone.”

With plans to gradually introduce more contemporary and edgy work in future exhibitions, Verdant Gallery promises to be a dynamic addition to Austin’s evolving art landscape, nurturing both established and emerging artists while making contemporary art accessible to a broad community of art lovers and collectors.

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