City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Bloodline Brushstrokes: A 5th Generation Vision of Jacob Fontaine’s Legacy in Art at the Old Bakery and Emporium
Join Austin Parks and Recreation and the Old Bakery and Emporium at the opening reception for Bloodline Brushstrokes: A Fifth Generation Vision of Jacob Fontaine’s Legacy in Art exhibition on Saturday, April 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Fine Art Gallery on the third floor of the Old Bakery and Emporium, 1006 Congress Ave. Dennis Jacob Berry’s creative projects honor his family's Fontaine legacy while carving out a future rooted in innovation and justice. The artist reception is free and open to the public. For more information and to RSVP click here.
The Bloodline Brushstrokes exhibit will be on display April 5 through June 21, 2025 and features a collection of paintings by Dennis Jacob Berry, the fifth generation grandson of Reverend Jacob Fontaine (1808-1898). Jacob Fontaine arrived in Austin in 1839. Throughout his life, he established multiple Black churches in Central Texas, including Austin's first Black Baptist Church in 1867. Nine years later, Fontaine founded Austin’s first Black-owned newspaper, The Gold Dollar.
About Artist Dennis Jacob Berry
Dennis Jacob Berry, widely recognized as Mr. Skillion, is a multifaceted artist, visionary entrepreneur, and CEO. Known for his groundbreaking work in art, music, literature, and NFT innovation, he has built a dynamic platform for creative expression and community empowerment. Dennis merges art, motivational speaking, and financial literacy to inspire and uplift Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities worldwide. Dennis is more than a creator; he is a catalyst for change—an artist-entrepreneur redefining what it means to merge passion with purpose.
About Old Bakery and Emporium
The Old Bakery and Artisan Emporium is a historic landmark located in downtown Austin. Local artists and craftspeople fill the artisan shop with unique, handmade items. The Art Gallery features the work of local artists aged 50 years and older. The Old Bakery and Emporium provides Visitor Center information and has an exhibit that explores Austin's immigrant history through the Lundberg-Maerki Historical Collection.
The Bloodline Brushstrokes exhibit will be on display April 5 through June 21, 2025 and features a collection of paintings by Dennis Jacob Berry, the fifth generation grandson of Reverend Jacob Fontaine (1808-1898). Jacob Fontaine arrived in Austin in 1839. Throughout his life, he established multiple Black churches in Central Texas, including Austin's first Black Baptist Church in 1867. Nine years later, Fontaine founded Austin’s first Black-owned newspaper, The Gold Dollar.
About Artist Dennis Jacob Berry
Dennis Jacob Berry, widely recognized as Mr. Skillion, is a multifaceted artist, visionary entrepreneur, and CEO. Known for his groundbreaking work in art, music, literature, and NFT innovation, he has built a dynamic platform for creative expression and community empowerment. Dennis merges art, motivational speaking, and financial literacy to inspire and uplift Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities worldwide. Dennis is more than a creator; he is a catalyst for change—an artist-entrepreneur redefining what it means to merge passion with purpose.
About Old Bakery and Emporium
The Old Bakery and Artisan Emporium is a historic landmark located in downtown Austin. Local artists and craftspeople fill the artisan shop with unique, handmade items. The Art Gallery features the work of local artists aged 50 years and older. The Old Bakery and Emporium provides Visitor Center information and has an exhibit that explores Austin's immigrant history through the Lundberg-Maerki Historical Collection.