JACQUIE HOLLIS MARTINEZ

Born and raised in the Austin area, Jacquie moved to Buda with her family in 1979. She attended primary school in Buda and graduated from Hays High School. Studying nearby at Southwest Texas State University she earned a degree in Interior Design/ Fine Art.  Her career moved her to Santa Fe, NM where she continued learning more about art and truly got her art gallery education.  She worked in several contemporary art galleries in New Mexico and Colorado but found Santa Fe to be a natural fit for her.  In her first Gallery Director position at Kent Galleries in 1995, she developed the taste for diversity and fine craftsmanship in American artisans.  She learned to appreciate how different mediums could play off one another to create something that offered diversity along with great design and display.  

When Jacquie moved back to Buda in 2005, she accepted a gallerist position in Austin's premier contemporary art gallery where she worked for over 10 years. Dealing the artwork of European Masters and numerous internationally acclaimed artists, her expertise was elevated to another level.

Throughout her career she has stepped back into the Interior Design role several times, only to again return to dealing fine art.  After leaving her last gallery position, she achieved another goal by earning her Texas Real Estate license.  When the retail spaces at the Buda Mill & Grain began to open, she saw opportunity to create something she had only dreamed of.  Following her heart, she opened Assemblage Contemporary Craftsman Gallery in August of 2017 with the goal of bringing fine art to her hometown.    

She has become an active member of her community and in Spring 2018 she was appointed to the Buda Main Street Advisory Board where she served two years. In 2021 she was appointed to the Buda Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, was the Chairwoman of the Board and a board member of the inaugural Arts Commission of the City of Buda.  In March of 2023 she took a position with the Buda Economic Development Corporation as the Business Engagement Manager. This position now allows her to serve her community while working directly with the existing businesses that make Buda our home.  Jacquie has been married to Geraldo for 23 years and they have a daughter, Eden who is currently studying Professional Music at Berklee College of Music in Boston.  In her spare time she loves to travel, be outdoors working in her yard and spending time with her family.  

Fun Fact:  She loves all animals and is devoted to the family dog, Pennie.

GERALDO MARTINEZ

Born and raised in northern New Mexico, Geraldo is a man of tradition, both of his Spanish and Navajo decent.  A creative and free spirit who is a proud father, husband, artist, woodworker, and lover of nature.  He and Jacquie met and married in Santa Fe, NM and after having their daughter and living in rural NM for a few years, they relocated to Buda.  Through the years he has worked primarily in the construction field while doing creating his artwork on the side.  He was the Art Director for several years at a private school where he built a magnificent art program with the high schools studios.  Teaching disciplines in clay, drawing, painting, carving, printing, he enriched the lives of countless students.  

When he has the time to paint, he does, when he has the material and time to create sculpture, he does that.  Most of his creative time is spent with his collection of musical instruments when he sings and plays one of his many guitars.  His love of music has passed to his youngest daughter who is a performer and studying Professional Music at Berklee.  

Fun Fact:  He makes the best green chile enchiladas and homemade sopapillas!