Her Story
About Debbie
Debbie Wright serves as Gallery Director of Cultivate Waco, located at 924 Austin Avenue, Suite 100 in Waco, Texas. She assumed leadership of the gallery in 2021 after beginning in a graphic design and social media management role with the previous owners. With a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Public Relations from Texas Tech University earned in 2019, Wright oversees standard gallery operations such as installing artworks, connecting with buyers and artists, planning exhibitions on a six-day rotation, and managing open calls for artists across Texas with a focus on those within a 150-mile radius of Waco. She leads community programming initiatives including work with local high school students and craft tables at farmers markets and back-to-school events. In addition to her gallery role, Wright is Communications Director for Act Locally Waco, a contributor to Way Cohen magazine, and produces a podcast and travel blog with Rogue Media Network. Her efforts center on supporting local artists and building community connections through the arts.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Debbie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would really say my community. I don't think I would be where I am today without the community that I've surrounded myself with. There's some amazing people that started off just as acquaintances, or people I would casually see across the farmer's market, and now they're some of my best friends that I meet up with regularly, and have coffee with, and we talk about our own businesses and help each other out.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Just do it. Honestly, one of the best things that I was ever told was, just get out there and do it. Whenever I started my podcast, I was very, very nervous to start interviewing strangers... But I kind of had to realize that we're all just people, and we all have stories to tell. So, there's no reason not to. And again, just getting out and getting involved.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't give up. Sometimes it's scary putting those self out there, especially in the arts fields. It's hard because you're putting your heart literally on display for everyone else to see. Even if you get negative feedback, or you don't get the response you're wanting to, or you're not selling your paintings right off the bat, you need to just keep doing it. And don't give up your passion for success, or Instagram likes, or anything else that you're trying to achieve. It really is about personal satisfaction. Keep trying, keep doing.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Really supporting our local economy, giving back to local organizations, either through giving them my time... or even just showing up for my local farmer's market and purchasing a local bread. I really believe in supporting those who may not be able to tell their own story, so again, giving a voice to other people, either through their artworks or through storytelling, i.e. podcasting or blogging. And I just really care about the individual aspect of creation and just celebrating the arts, and why it is important to support local artists in order to give back to our community.
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