A native of Austin, artist Crimson Shults grew up influenced by the iconic mix of hamburger joints on The Drag, live music on Town Lake and winding trails through limestone and oak trees. After spending an entire spring break reading “Lonesome Dove,” she later found herself working for author Larry McMurtry in Archer City. Following, Crimson earned her BBA in Finance and her Master of Arts in English/History at Midwestern State University under Poet Laureate of Texas, James Hoggard. As a professional painter, Crimson has exhibited from Santa Fe to New Orleans—keenly aware that each place has its own heartbeat and identity. She is passionate about using her creative talents to support communities’ unique cultural and historical identities to inspire its people, grow businesses and attract visitors to the city.

Antuan Simmons is a poet from Wichita Falls, Texas. He has been writing poetry for 22 years and has published 6 books of poetry. He has hosted an open mic and done poetry readings at several poetry venues. He has had book signings in Texas, and Oklahoma. His poetry has been featured in several literary publications, and also in his local newspaper.

He also has a spoken word CD called ‘AntuanLive’ showcasing his poetry. Antuan has also founded a t-shirt clothing brand called ‘Inspired Reading’ which promotes and encourages literacy. Simmons is also the founder of American Poet 16 - a clothing line that encourages and inspires more people to consume and appreciate beautiful poetry and literature.

I'm Kiera, the owner & director of Little Hearts Dance studio. I love being able to share my love for dance with little hearts. I truly feel blessed to get to dance with such beautiful souls each and every day.

After graduating as the senior captain of the Hirschi Hilites drill team, I started helping coach other teams throughout Wichita Falls. Eventually, I began teaching through the City of Wichita Falls Parks and Recreation Department. I opened Little Hearts Dance studio in Wichita Falls.

I've been drawing since I could hold a pencil and over the years I've won a few competitions and had my art displayed at MSU and the Wichita Falls Museum. Now I'm just a struggling artist trying to sell his work and do commissions.

KATHY SMYERS
WEAVINGS BY KATHY

Raised in Hobbs, New Mexico, the beauty and color of nature shows in Kathy’s weavings and tapestries. Her designs display traditional Rio Grande style while incorporating French tapestry techniques. She weaves in her she-shed with her Australian shepherds in attendance.

While showing horses, she was introduced to not only the beauty but the utility of Navajo saddle blankets. Kathy was able to take lessons from native artisans in northern New Mexico in 2015. Once she learned the basics of Rio Grande style weaving and the utility of Churro wool, her imagination was whetted. Her first pieces were saddle blankets and table runners. The weaving styles used were Rio Grande stripes, Chimayo and Saltillo. She now incorporates these weaving styles with leather on her unique purses and totes. Kathy’s tapestry weavings depict landscapes, seascapes and flowers. These works of art have been juried into national and international art shows, receiving first place honors at several. Saddle Blanket 2018 was used at the 2018 Induction Ceremony held at the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

Kathy is based near Holliday, Texas. Her work can be seen at her studio. She frequently has pieces at The Gallery in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Spray Paint/ Mixed Media
(born) Wichita Falls, TX.

Hello, I’m Aaron and I’m an artist residing in Wichita Falls, TX. I take private commissions as well as public art installations. Feel free to email me with business inquiries and to request a consult.

aartbyaaron@gmail.com

Born into a military family in Austin, Texas, Ralph Steams began life moving.

He first moved to Wichita Falls in 4th grade and attended City View Elementary School. He graduated from Petrolia High School in 1972 and decided to follow his father's lead. Enlisting for two years in the United States Marine Corps, Stearns was stationed throughout southern California and worked as a legal clerk and court reporter. Upon discharge, through the G.I. Bill, he had money to pursue education in his heart's true calling… fine art. Stearns was awarded a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Midwestern State University in painting and sculpture in 1981. Lamar Advertising of Wichita Falls quickly snatched up the talented artist to work in the billboard industry. He served the company for 15 years as a commercial artist and art director.

Ralph then became a self-employed artist, participating in local/ regional/ international art shows, and instructing and painting Wichita Falls. Hired as a district mural specialist, his paintings brighten the daily grind at Wichita Falls Independent School District schools. He refers to the large-scale religious oil paintings in two Wichita Falls churches as his "legacy." His caricatures, created during various area venues, bring a smile to all portrayed. But his most visible paintings adorn buildings. His realistic cyclists' race to the finish on the "Hotter than Hell Race" headquarters. His giant parrot behind a faux brick wall brings double-takes to travelers on Kell Boulevard.

Ralph explains, "I am a figure painter. Once you learn the basic elements of painting, you can manipulate work any way you want. I am a passionate artist that loves forms and color. I love it; I breathe it. My favorite medium is oil, but my favorite style, well, I change with the weather.'"

Stephen Taylor's early love of Comic illustrations and music influenced his gritty artistic style. In Dallas, he learned how to create foam sculptures, which led to him owning and operating his own commercial art studio.

Prior to his arrival in Wichita Falls, he used his creativity and ambition to renovate and reopen the Plaza Theatre in Vernon Texas. In 2015, a chance meeting with the owners of the Maer Heydrick #2 building provided the opportunity for him to conceptualize, design and construct 9th Street Studios in Downtown Wichita Falls.

Stephen is the owner of sTd Studios.

Cindy Kahler Thomas showed an early interest in art. As a child, she would get out the round suitcase that held her art and show it to anyone who would sit still long enough to look. She excelled at art throughout her first 12 years of school, and upon graduation, she became a cosmetologist playing with colors in a different way. She sculpted her client’s hair and vented her artistic sensibilities that way.

She graduated from Midwestern State University, but only took one art class and that was in photography, which she thoroughly enjoyed and did quite well in it. Then in her 30’s her lifelong friend introduced her to stain glass mosaics, and she fell in love. Her favorite media is stained glass and ink.

She is now a volunteer of the Wichita Falls Art Association and feels privileged to be surrounded by art at the group’s gallery at 600 8th Street where she often shows her art. She also teaches art classes to children at the Kemp Center for the Arts. She also takes part in the After Hours Art Walk.

She is proud to be a wife, mother and grandmother, and counts her family and her faith as her greatest assets. She can be reached at 940-733-1562 or CindyKThomas@aol.com.

What is Art?

Artist of multimedia and a lover of all things creative. Amy studied figure sculpting by working with several well-known sculptors in Texas and Wyoming. She has worked on many monuments and bronze sculpture projects around the world. If you're looking for a sculpture, painting, mural, portrait, or anything else creative, Amy would be happy to help.