Jules Winson opened Cafe Monet in Southwest Austin in 2000 to bring the art of pottery to the community. Last year, the business expanded to bring clay art to Bastrop. (Sienna Wight/Community Impact)
Pottery, clay and wheel studio Cafe Monet has been providing a space to flex creativity and relieve stress in Bastrop for over a year now.
After more than two decades in Southwest Austin, Cafe Monet owner Jules Winson opened a second location in Bastrop last year, inspired by the area's rapid growth and her own childhood memories.
“I grew up surrounded by pine trees in Indiana, and Bastrop was one of the places near Austin that really just feels like home to me,” Winson said.
The Bastrop location is open 12-8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. (Sienna Wight/Community Impact)
Cafe Monet manager Alec Corkill crafts a dinner set using two different types of clay. (Sienna Wight/Community Impact)
The various classes present participants with the opportunity to ground themselves and calm their minds.
“For me, working with my hands helps me slow down,” Winson said. “Especially working with clay. Clay just sort of requires you to ... be really present in the moment.”
Owner Jules Winson poses with a piece that she created. (Sienna Wight/Community Impact
Additionally, Winson said that she aims for Cafe Monet to support mental and emotional health.
“Wellness to me means full care of your body, mind and your spirit,” she said. “That's why I wanted to open out there just to help people feel connected to their creativity and their self-expression.”
One more thing
Cafe Monet also offers a program catered specifically to wellness. The ArtReach program brings art therapy to senior communities, fostering connection and expression. Currently, the program only serves senior communities in the Austin area, but Winson plans to expand into Bastrop this year.
“I love doing the ArtReach [program] because it strengthens that connection between your brain and your body, especially with the older adults,” Winson said. “It supports their cognitive function, and it even helps their dexterity ... and could potentially help with picking up things like their toothbrush or their glasses.”
Winson said her biggest goal for the Bastrop location in 2026 is to dig deeper into the community and let people know that Cafe Monet is there.
In addition to Cafe Monet, the Hyperloop Plaza also houses Boring Bodega, Prufrock Pub and Cutterhead Candy Co. (Sienna Wight/Community Impact)
