The Fresh Arts Artist Summit is THE annual professional conference by and for creatives of all disciplines.
This year’s theme, Building Your Legacy, inspired Summit attendees to think beyond the present moment and focus on creating a lasting impact through their work. Whether just starting out or already established, participants explored how their art could transcend time, influence others, and leave a meaningful mark on the world. The Summit offered valuable insights and tools to help shape artistic journeys for years to come.
THE KICK-OFF PARTY
THE SUMMIT SESSIONS
On Friday, November 22, we kicked off an exciting Summit weekend with a party at Mid-Main Gallery. Guests danced to music by DJ Whitney Screwston, live heat-pressed a design by David Maldanado onto their own blank tote bags (activity sponsored by Bama Texas), decorated their bags, and enjoyed complimentary wine, seltzer by Topo Chico, and bites by Betelgeuse Betelgeuse Pizza. Photographer Jeremy Kabala was also on-site taking professional headshots for only $20.
Following the party, the Dine-Arounds provided a unique chance for guests to connect with some of Houston’s most prolific arts leaders, including Faith Cisneros (of Shop Local), Armando Silva (of MECA), Jennie Ash (of Art League Houston), and Debra Barrera (of The Menil). For just $10, guests joined these leaders for casual dinners in small groups of fellow creatives, fostering meaningful conversations and sparking new connections.
On Saturday at The University of Houston-Downtown, The Summit started with breakfast by Bocca Italian Kitchen & Lupo Caffe followed by a Rise & Shine Activity focused on setting intentions led by artist Carla Lyles.
Throughout the day, the Summit provided a wealth of knowledge and inspiration through over a dozen info-packed panels, workshops, and activities designed to help creatives of any discipline launch, grow, connect, or sustain their careers.
Free portfolio reviews gave attendees the opportunity to get one-on-one feedback on their work from a visual or performing arts expert of their choice.
The Speed Networking Lunch gave them an opportunity to refine their elevator pitches and then practice them with their peers in a fun, supportive environment while enjoying lunch sponsored by Sweetgreen.
TESTIMONIALS
SESSION TOPICS + GUEST PRESENTERS
Keynote Panel: Building and Preserving Your Legacy presented by Robert Hodge, Gracie Chavez, Mr. D, and Harrison Guy, moderated by DJ Flash Gordon Parks // Legal 101: Protecting Yourself as a Creative presented by Shakeatha Davis // Authenticity Online presented by Jenny Gustafon // Goal & Intention Setting Activity presented by Carla Lyles // Pricing Techniques presented by YungChris and Sha Davis // Money Trees: Branching Out presented by Deborah DEEP Mouton and Jessi Bowman, moderated by Carla Lyles // Innovation in Art presented by Giorgio Villani // Aligning to a Mission and Driving Social Change presented by Aaron Ambroso, Sam Oser, Natacha Poggio, and David Maldanado, moderated by Deniz Lopez // Speed Networking presented by YungChris // Creative Career Paths presented by Outspoken Bean, Marc Furi, and Kyle Moore, moderated by Angel Quesada, Money Matters presented by Kathy Ploch, CPA // Conscious Creating presented by Anastasia Kirages and Melanie Ernestia, moderated by Chasity Porter // Dine-Around Dinners with a Mentor presented by Armando Silva, Debra Barrerra, Jennie Ash, and Faith Cisneros
KEYNOTE PANEL RECORDING
What better way to inspire a crowd of artists to think about Building A Legacy than to have our Keynote Panel – moderated by DJ Flash Gordon Parks – feature living Houston art legends Harrison Guy, Sebastien “Mr. D1987” Boileau, Gracie Chavez, and Robert Hodge diving deep into the topic. The conversation was so incredible, we made it available here for you to experience again (or for the first time if you missed it in-person).
Creative career Paths: diverse Journeys to Success & Fulfillment
A diverse panel of artists settled in their careers as they share their unique and distinct journeys to finding success and building fulfilling careers. This session offers valuable insights and practical takeaways to inspire your own creative path!
From left to right:
Panel Moderator, Ángel Quesada; Marc Furi, Kyle Moore, Outspoken Bean.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!
Click here to view all photos. Did you attend, volunteer, or speak at the event? See if you can spot yourself!
THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS
University of Houston Downtown was the site of our Saturday sessions & activities. The staff accommodated us from morning until evening with everything we needed to run a successful conference including tech assistance, security, and fresh coffee for our guests! An extra special thanks goes to the Arts and Communications Department and Department Chair, Dr. Azar Rejaie for facilitating the partnership.
Bocca Italian Kitchen + Lupo Caffe is a chef-driven, seasonal concept kitchen created by award-winning chef, Justin Turner located at 250 Assay Street, Houston. Special thanks to them for sponsoring an incredible breakfast spread for all of our guests, volunteers, and speakers.
Sweetgreen is a salad bar destination for simple, seasonal, healthy food, leading a movement to reimagine fast food for a new era and build healthier communities by connecting people to real food. Special thanks to them for sponsoring the lunch for our Speed Networking lunch activity.
Mid Main Gallery, located at the base of Mid Main Lofts, has hosted over 150 local, national and international artists to date. Founded in 2010, this initiative brings art into urban surroundings. Special thanks to them for giving us the space to host our Summit Kick-off Party.
Bama Texas is a Houston-based sublimation studio offering services and classes to create tumblers, wood signs, shirts, and more. Special thanks to them for helping our Kick-off Party guests print their very own keepsake swag bag totes to commemorate and use throughout the weekend.
Betelgeuse Betelgeuse Pizza is a neighborhood cocktail bar and pizzeria that caters to the late-night crowd, staying open until 2 a.m. every day. Their diverse menu boasts a variety of pizzas to suit every palate, ranging from the exotic to the classic. Special thanks to them for sponsoring delicious pizzas for all of our guests during the Kick-off Party.
Topo Chico is one of the world’s largest and best sparkling mineral water brands, with several flavors and packages sizes to satisfy even the most legendary thirst. Special thanks to them for sponsoring beverages all weekend.
THANK YOU TO OUR DINE-AROUND PARTNERS
THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS
THANK YOU TO OUR SUMMIT PLANNING COMMITTEE
The 2024 Fresh Arts Summit Planning Committee consisted of the following talented artists who lent their time and expertise to help craft and execute this event: Carla Lyles, Chris Thomas, and Megan Randall. We could not have done it without them.
ABOUT FRESH ARTS
Fresh Arts, a 501(C)3 nonprofit corporation, empowers local artists through programs that build knowledge, amplify local resources, and connect communities. Our programs include career-building and mentorship support, free online resources, fiscal sponsorship for artist-led projects, the Space Taking Artist Residency, and public art projects commissioned through the management of Arts District Houston, a state-recognized arts and culture district. For more information, visit www.fresharts.org.