We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Devika Strother. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Devika below.
Hi Devika, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Being “the only one in the room” can feel daunting and challenging, but only if you let it. If I’m the only one who looks like me, I immediately and intuitively flip a switch and tell myself, “this is an opportunity and a privilege to bring a new point of view or perspective to this space.” So I do.
What’s helped me is staying rooted in my purpose. I’m here to advocate for artists, to create access, and to build spaces that reflect the fullness of our communities. When I focus on that, the noise is silenced, and I’m grounded in the work in front of me.
I’ve also learned the importance of preparation and clarity. I know what I’m bringing to the table, and I remind myself that the goal is also to make room for others like me at the table. I get to open doors, shift narratives, and make sure that the next person who walks into that room isn’t the only one.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In 2022, I founded Vika Visual Arts Association (VVAA), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting emerging visual artists at a stage where talent is abundant, but access and guidance often are not. I’ve seen firsthand that so many artists are incredibly skilled and deeply committed to their craft. They just need support navigating how to break into the art world. Whether that’s understanding how to present their work, connect with collectors, or access meaningful opportunities, there’s a gap between talent and visibility that too often goes unaddressed.
Through VVAA, we’ve been intentional about filling that gap. We provide programming, mentorship, and real opportunities for artists to grow, not just creatively, but professionally. What’s most exciting to me is watching artists step into their confidence, build community with one another, and begin to see themselves as part of a larger ecosystem they belong in. What’s even more special are the friendships I’ve made along the way. That’s an added bonus.
The recent launch of Vika Gallery in December 2025 felt like a seamless and necessary next step. It allowed us to create a physical space that reflects everything we’ve been building. It is a place where artists can not only exhibit their work, but truly be seen and supported. While our foundation is in uplifting emerging artists, the gallery also brings in well-known artists from our community, creating a dynamic environment where different levels of experience can exist in conversation with one another.
At its core, both the nonprofit and the gallery are about access, visibility, and community. We are creating spaces where artists feel valued and audiences feel connected, not just to the work, but to the people and stories behind it. As we continue to grow, we are excited to expand our programming, deepen our partnerships, and keep building something that feels both impactful and rooted in care.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I’d say three things have been most impactful in my journey: being observant, staying constructively dissatisfied, and building resilience.
First, being observant. I’ve always paid attention to who is being left out, who isn’t being supported, and where the gaps are. That awareness shaped everything. I noticed that so many talented artists were falling by the wayside, not because they lacked skill, but because they lacked access and guidance. That realization is what motivated me to start a nonprofit and begin creating the kind of support I felt was missing.
Second, a level of constructive dissatisfaction. I’ve never been someone who can just accept things as they are if I know they can be better. That doesn’t come from negativity, but from a belief that there is always room to grow, to expand, and to create more equitable opportunities. That mindset pushed me to not just critique systems, but to build something new.
And third, resilience. There have been so many roadblocks along the way, and there still are. Things don’t always go as planned, and building something from the ground up requires a lot of patience and persistence. I’ve learned that you can pivot when you need to, but you can’t stop moving forward. Standing still is not an option.
For anyone early in their journey, I would say: pay attention to what you notice and what bothers you. That’s often where your purpose lives. Don’t be afraid to question things or imagine something different. Don’t be afraid of hard work. And most importantly, commit to staying the course. It may not happen as quickly as you want, but consistency, adaptability, and belief in what you’re building will carry you through.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
My biggest area of growth over the past 12 months has been learning how to truly build and lean into a team. I’ve always known I couldn’t do this work alone, but this year, I’ve been much more intentional about who I bring alongside me and how we work together.
I’ve started to see the people around me not just as support, but as co-leaders in advancing the mission. That shift has been transformative. It’s allowed the work to grow in ways that wouldn’t have been possible if I were trying to hold everything myself.
I’ve also had to embrace the reality that while I may be strong in certain areas, others bring expertise that I simply don’t have, and that’s a good thing. Learning when to pass the ball, trust someone else’s skill set, and let them lead in their area has made us stronger as a whole.
It’s also made the work more enjoyable. When we each lean into our areas of expertise, it doesn’t feel like work in the same way. We’re feeding off of each other’s energy, exchanging ideas, and finding the best paths forward together. It’s a beautiful thing to witness and be a part of.
At the end of the day, this work is bigger than any one person. When everyone is empowered to contribute fully, we all win, and the mission moves forward in a much more impactful way.
Contact Info:
- Website: vikavisualarts.org AND vikagallery.org
- Instagram: @vikavisualart AND @_vika.gallery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vikavisualarts
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vika-visual-arts-association
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