From San Antonio to the International Art Stage: A Curatorial Journey

My curatorial journey has been shaped by initiative, relationships, and the generosity of people who recognized the importance of creating opportunities for artists and cultural advocates to be seen and heard.

In 2019, I founded The Art of Four Initiative with four local artists, driven by a concern that Black artists in San Antonio were not receiving the visibility and opportunities they deserved. What began as a grassroots effort grew into a network of more than 40 ambassadors supporting Black artists across six creative disciplines. That experience confirmed my belief that meaningful change begins when we stop waiting for opportunities and begin creating them.

In September 2021, I expanded that vision by opening In the Eye of the Beholder Art Gallery & Studio, creating a cultural space dedicated to elevating Black artists, artists of the African diaspora, and historically underrepresented creatives. The gallery became a platform for exhibitions, cultural dialogue, community engagement, and the preservation of stories that deserve to be seen and remembered.

A pivotal moment in my professional growth came through an invitation from Master Artist Frank Frazier to travel to Miami and experience Art Basel. That invitation broadened my perspective on the international art world and offered an opportunity to observe the connections between artists, galleries, collectors, curators, and the larger cultural marketplace. It reinforced my understanding that the work we were building in San Antonio belonged in a much larger conversation.

My journey continued with the Harlem Fine Arts Show, where Visionary and CEO Dione Clark created an opportunity for me to participate and share my perspective as a gallery founder, curator, and cultural advocate. The opportunity to speak was especially meaningful because it allowed me to discuss not only the importance of representing Black artists but also the work required to build and sustain a cultural space dedicated to their visibility.

That exposure helped open another door: the opportunity to speak at the Caribbean Fine Art Fair in Barbados in 2026. For me, this represented a meaningful continuation of the conversation about Black art, the African diaspora, cultural identity, and the importance of building stronger connections across communities and borders.

Each experience expanded my understanding of what curatorial leadership can look like. My work is not limited to selecting artwork for an exhibition or managing a gallery. It also involves building relationships, creating platforms for dialogue, connecting artists with new audiences, and advocating for the cultural narratives that have historically received insufficient recognition.

These milestones have reminded me that opportunity often grows through relationships. Frank Frazier's invitation introduced me to a broader international art experience. Dione Clark's leadership and support helped create a platform for my voice at the Harlem Fine Arts Show. The subsequent opportunity in Barbados extended that dialogue into an international Caribbean setting.

I remain grateful to the people who have helped open these doors, but I also recognize the responsibility that comes with walking through them. Each opportunity allows me to bring the experiences of our artists, the mission of our gallery, and the cultural richness of San Antonio into conversations that extend far beyond our city.

My goal is to continue building those connections while creating opportunities for artists and communities whose stories deserve a place in the global cultural narrative. I believe curatorial leadership is as much about opening doors for others as it is about entering new spaces ourselves.