We recently connected with Robyn Crowell and have shared our conversation below.
Robyn , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I knew as a child that my purpose would be in art. Since five years old until now at 52, I have; created art, learned art, shared art, taught art, curated art, published art and encouraged art. It is my one true love and I believe that it truly is what God means me to use to worship and give back to others.
My Mother is an artist and when she put the brush in my hand at 5 years old, I knew that art was somehow a ‘part of me”.
Growing up, art has the one true that truly gave me peace and joy. As an adult, it has helped me heal through trauma and connect me with myself the most. It has always been there for me and never forsaken me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been a : Professional Artist, Instructor and Administrator of Visual Art in my Fort Bend and Houston community for over 20 years. Winning many awards for artwork in galleries and my published work in books, I have also been affiliated with some of Houston’s Top 3 Voted galleries;The Art Machine (Houston Silos) and The Ardest Gallery (The Woodlands) by The Houston Chronicle.
In my mission to use art and my gift to give back, I have founded an arts organization through my church, ‘Heights Church Artifex’, that encompasses this desire to; support, encourage, connect and educate local artists at all levels in our community .
My passion has always been to bring awareness and encouragement to artists of all levels in the community by offering them; education in the preprofessional art world, mentorship and a place to show their work for the first time.
As Gallery Director and Curator for a couple of galleries in my past, I decided to found my own Arts organization in the Houston Heights through my church, Heights Church, where my husband, Edward Crowell, resides as The Executive Director and Minister of Music.
Heights Church Artifex is a group of artists in the Houston Area who, at all levels of skill, use their gifts to give back to the community by: having collaborative art shows, hosting lectures and workshops, events and social activities for artists. Artifex latest charitable involvement in the community is with MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to help “Strike Out Cancer”. Several of the artists created boots that will be used as trophies for top fundraising individuals and teams . Every year, the ‘best’ boots are chosen and recently, the chosen artists are invited to attend the award ceremony in March. Chosen artists for this year’s March 2024 MD Anderson Boot Walk Award Ceremony are: Catherine Brock, Robyn Crowell, Ray Dunlap, Carolyn Holloway, Cherie Salinas and Teresa Staley.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Wow. As a younger woman, I would never be able to answer this with certainty. Fast forward 30 years.
Without a doubt, the three qualities and skills that have impacted my journey are (drum roll);
Faith. In God, myself, in people and my family. I am a hopeless romantic and see the good in all things. It is my best quality and my tragic flaw.
Being a Nerd. There. I said it. I love learning, studying and researching all things, especially art and art history, it has helped me in all areas of my artistic career. Knowledge is not only power but true understanding of discernment.
Persistence. I do not give up that easily. Call it “Strong Will’ if you want but, if I fail, I see that as an opportunity to TRY AGAIN. My mark in this world will be left with a trail of; risk, error and re-dos. Life is about the learning experience and I never want to stop experiementing.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
We are always looking for new artists to join us at ‘Heights Church Artifex’. 2024 will include some great events and opportunities for artists.February we plan to have our first ‘Art Swap’ and a few other shows and activities.
Be sure to follow ‘Heights Church Artifex’ on Facebook and Instagram .
Heights Church is located at;
230 W 20th St
Houston TX
77008
If you would like more information please contact;
Robyn Crowell
Artifex Founder/Director
[email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: Robyncrowell.com
- Instagram: Heights Church Artifex
- Facebook: Heights Church Artifex \\
Image Credits
Robyn Crowell KFresh Photography
