An Opening Reception to Remember: Elkins Artisans at Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center

by Olivia Discon

On July 8, 2025, the Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center–a pillar in the Huntsville community for the arts–hosted an opening reception for its newest art exhibit featuring a local art group known as “Elkins Artisans”. The gallery features 13 local artists from the Elkins Lake community–and a variety of mediums at that!

One of the artists, Jeannie Boyle, commanded the room with a brief opening statement about the group and the important work they do to support the arts in the Elkins Lake and Huntsville community. Many of the artists are good friends with one another, some are even related or married! This goes to show that community engagement and the arts go hand in hand.

Each artist in attendance took turns discussing how they entered the art world, the kind of work they do, and most interestingly, why they love what they do! It was really fun to see each of the artists emerge from the audience and light up at the chance to speak about their work. Some do it as a hobby, and others, professionally. Nevertheless, each had a unique story to tell. 

Donna Coulter is a ceramicist who got her start into pottery on a Groupon deal. From that point on, she cites that experience as a turning point in her life. On the piano in the gallery, Coulter had 10 pieces on display–inspired by an Australian ceramics class. 

Mike Gaultz, a wood turner, had a lovely set of bowls on display. So lovely, in fact, some were immediately sold 15 minutes into the event! The patron was visibly proud of his newest piece of art.

An artist that stood out to many was Gale Pruitt and her work called “Life’s Just a Game Anyway”. The bronze sculpture features a mirror image of two women looking into a reflection of how they perceive themselves. While that was thought-provoking in and of itself, she also noted that they were both standing on a checkerboard floor, as life is just a game anyways!

There were several watercolor artists featured in the gallery–Mary Wolfskill, Pat Fekete, Tonia Brown, Jeannie and Bill Boyle. While each artist was definitely distinct from one another, they individually expressed a relative sense of enjoyment with the medium and the ability to experiment with it.

Among the oil paintings, I have to say Barri Green’s Jazz Singer was my favorite piece. The expression on the musician’s face was very realistic and filled with emotion. It’s hard to articulate other than I found it extremely refreshing and visually appealing.

There were also some incredible pieces in oil paint from Trish Roberts and Betty Liles. Macey enjoyed Betty’s painting of the cattle that hung on the mantle.

Randy Carlson, a gemologist and gemstone artist, specializes in the official cut of Texas, known as the Lone Star Cut. He also took the time to educate Macey on the official gemstone of Texas, which is Blue Topaz for any curious readers. After the remarks, Randy did a demo of the Lone Star Cut for those who were curious about the process. While we only saw a piece of the puzzle, I could only imagine how intricate and time consuming this process might be! 

In all, this event was fabulous. It not only served as a gathering place to celebrate the efforts of a local art group, but it also provided a sense of pride to Huntsville by extension of the community they’ve built. It was an opportunity to meet new people, connect with old friends, and feel good about the good things going on in our community.

I would highly recommend you check out this exhibit at the Wynne Home, which will be on display until September.

A Personal Journey Through Austin’s Cultural Gems

by Olivia Discon

Now, with my professional excursions at the Capitol finally coming to a close, I tried to make the most of my time in the state’s capital. It wouldn’t be a good LEAP experience if I hadn’t tried to make the most of my time. 

With it being Juneteenth, it only made sense to begin with the state capitol’s Texas African American History Memorial by Ed Dwight. It is not only a beautiful statue, but a thought provoking one. 

A Tour of University of Texas Campus

There’s no denying that UT’s campus is beautiful. But I don’t think I fully appreciated just how stunning it is until this visit. I knew they had a strong art presence, but I didn’t realize just how much until I found out there are five different suggested paths for an art walk. The variety alone is sort of insane.

I cherry-picked some of the pieces that I wanted to ensure I saw before I left, being that I couldn’t decide on a path. 

Indeed, the theme for this part of the day was indecision.

I started at the Littlefield Fountain, which I learned will be part of a larger beautification effort to emulate the National Mall in D.C. One detail I especially loved: the statue of Athena was commissioned by a former UT Regent and sculpted by Pompeo Coppini—the same artist who designed Sam Houston’s grave in Huntsville. And no, I’m still not done talking about Huntsville.

What I liked most about this was that closer to the Main Building Tower, there is a statue of George Washington staring directly across to the Texas Capitol. Talk about a well-intentioned plan!

As I kept walking, I saw pieces by Mark di Suvero, Charles Umlauf (more on him later), and Willard Boepple, all of which added to the sense that this campus is part gallery, part institution.

I made my way over to the UT Law School. While I couldn’t go inside, I stumbled upon something unexpected: a statue of the school’s longest-serving dean—sculpted by none other than David Adickes! It was a comforting, serendipitous moment.

 The law school path is no joke, and with so much uncertainty, taking the LSAT can feel like this unsurmountable force that tests your capabilities as an intellectual. I am trying to let that feeling pass, and focus on what matters, which is my commitment to serving and learning in everything I do. It might be a grueling path, but I imagine it’s a meaningful one. And while the statue couldn’t talk, I took it as a gentle nudge to keep pushing forward.

Taquero Mucho Austin

I do have a weird affinity for the color pink—but even I wasn’t prepared for Taquero Mucho. This place is very pink. It came highly recommended by a former LEAP ambassador, and after seeing it in Texas Highways, I had to give it a try.

I started with a flight of salsas (all good), paired with a slightly-magenta Jamaica, and went with a taco wrapped in a pink tortilla and a side of elote.

I thought it was pretty good, and definitely really pink. 

Umlauf Sculpture Garden

This was, without question, one of the highlights of the trip. I hadn’t really heard of Charles Umlauf before spotting one of his pieces near UT Law, but after that, I was curious. The garden itself is tucked away in a quiet, green pocket of the city, and it just works so well with his style—there’s something peaceful about seeing his sculptures in a setting that doesn’t compete for your attention.

What I noticed almost immediately was how many of his figures seem to be looking upward—heads tilted, eyes cast toward the sky.

I’d seen that same pose earlier in The Family near the Business School and The Torch Bearers on campus (which also had smaller versions here in the garden). I couldn’t tell exactly what it meant, but there was clearly some intention behind it. It felt reflective, maybe even spiritual, though it wasn’t heavy-handed.

Some of my favorites were The Kiss, Prometheus, and The Poetess—each had its own tone, but they all fit into the broader theme of searching or reaching toward something. I found out later that Umlauf taught at UT for decades and leaned into themes like faith, human connection, and morality, so maybe that upward gaze wasn’t accidental after all.

Toward the end of my visit, I saw one statue that broke the pattern. Instead of looking up, this figure was looking down—almost like she was weighed down by something. She wasn’t in the center of the garden but off to the side near the parking lot, which made the whole thing feel even more intentional. It stood out, so I checked the placard—and of course, it was Eve with Apple.

I couldn’t help but feel giddy about that.. I’m not claiming to have “decoded” anything profound, but it was one of those moments that made the visit so pleasant to me.

There’s something satisfying about taking things in slowly and letting your mind wander a bit. I didn’t expect to enjoy the Umlauf Garden as much as I did, but it turned out to be exactly the kind of quiet, thoughtful stop I didn’t know I needed.

Reflections from the Capitol: A Day of Service, History, and Perspective in Austin

by Olivia Discon

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Texas Capitol and share a few reflections from my term as student regent. I was invited by the Governor’s Appointments Office to speak to the newly appointed student regents, which was a real honor—and a full-circle moment I didn’t take lightly. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity and my time in Austin.

One of the biggest highlights of the day was being invited to the Governor’s Mansion. After a quick security check by DPS, I had the chance to tour one of the most historic and iconic buildings in Texas. The Greek Revival-style mansion was designed by Abner Cook—who, interestingly, also supervised the construction of the Walls Unit in Huntsville. That connection alone was enough to trigger my compulsive need to tie Sam Houston into everything.

Photo Courtesy of The Office of Governor Greg Abbott

I’ll admit I was a little photo-shy walking through the mansion, but that didn’t stop a few photos from happening. To my surprise, I got to greet Governor Abbott again and take a quick photo with him—inside his house, no less. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Being appointed as a student regent during my undergrad was an incredible opportunity, and I’ve felt supported at every level of my college experience. That support made moments like this possible.

As we made our way through the mansion, we passed through rooms filled with stunning 18th-century furniture—and, of course, nods to Sam Houston in almost every one. They even have a room named after him. Seeing this more glamorous side of Houston’s life, and then comparing it to his final years at the Steamboat House in Huntsville, was oddly moving. He was so committed to his principles that he gave up comfort for conviction. It’s just one of the reasons Huntsville has such a strange charm to me. Somehow, all roads in Texas lead back to it.

Even though the Governor’s Mansion is a historic landmark, it’s still a lived-in space. Just outside the window, we caught a glimpse of the Abbott family’s three golden retrievers playing in the yard. The timing of the visit couldn’t have been better—it was a great reminder of how historic homes can still be part of everyday life, thanks to organizations like the Friends of the Governor’s Mansion.

Photo Courtesy of SHSU LEAP Center, 2016

Later that afternoon, I joined Chris Covo, a former student regent for the Texas State University System, and Luke Shwartz, who was recently appointed student regent for the UT System (congrats again, Luke!). We sat down with Brent Connett for a moderated conversation about the role, what surprised us, and what advice we’d offer.

For me, the biggest takeaway was this: being a good representative can open more doors than you might expect. Investing in your professionalism, doing your research, and showing up prepared—not because you’ve “made it,” but because you’re serious about learning—goes a long way. When you present yourself as someone competent and curious, people take notice. You get to be in the room for real conversations and real opportunities.

After the panel, I stopped by to see my good friend Michelle Cardenas, who was deep in the legislative trenches as session wrapped up. She took a much-needed breather and walked me through the Governor’s Reception Hall. Watching her in action, compared to where we started—back when we walked into the Capitol for the first time with LEAP—was surreal. We’re in completely different places now, but there’s something meaningful about knowing LEAP brought us both here.

Electric Gravy
For dinner, I continued on my sappy tirade by joining Cinthia Villarreal and Michelle Cardenas at an Indian fusion restaurant—Electric Gravy.

It’s been getting a lot of local attention, including a recommendation from former LEAP Ambassador Saara Maknojia.

We started with the curry queso (which was excellent), and then I had the chicken tinga curry, Cinthia got the chicken masala, and Michelle went with the pork vindaloo. All of it was solid—definitely a fun place worth checking out.

Mount Bonnell
To wrap up the day, I visited Mount Bonnell for a great view of Lady Bird Lake. It ended up being the perfect spot to close out a long day—quiet, scenic, and full of the kind of quirky passersby you can only find in Austin.

The sun didn’t set until about 8:30 p.m., but once it started going down, it dropped fast.

I might be wrong, but I think this was the first time I ever intentionally watched a sunset. It was a nice experience!

Faith and Childhood in the 20th Century: Insights from Stephen Harrigan

Stephen Harrigan, best-selling novelist and non-fiction author, is a veteran of book-talks. As such, he was able to manage a less-than-smooth moderated discussion of “Sorrowful Mysteries: The Shepherd Children of Fatima and the Fate of the Twentieth Century,” while still providing humor, interesting anecdotes, and his usual graciousness to a full house at First Light Books.

This audience included some impromptu stop-ins by authors Bret Anthony Johnston and Elizabeth Crook, as well as the moderator Sarah Bird, herself a novelist. Following a brief introduction….

…Bird described Harrigan as a “famously moral person,” before asking “an unfair, unanswerable question: ‘on balance, has Catholicism been good or bad for humanity?'”

Harrigan did an admirable job answering the unanswerable. While noting the good and the bad–emphasizing there was a lot of both–he indicated that asking what things would be without religion is something like asking what life would be without the weather. It’s just a part of humanity, even if a person is, like Harrigan, a non-believer.

The strongest parts of the discussion involved Harrigan describing his Catholic upbringing, while drawing parallels to the three Portuguese children who believed they saw the Virgin Mary in Fatima in 1917. Harrigan emphasized how young the children were (they were 7, 9, and 10), noting that they were at impressionable ages.

He tied that to his youth, when he was regularly instructed to “duck and cover” underneath desks, armed with the illusion that such actions could save his life in the event of a nuclear war. Of course, this fear of the apocalypse alternated with soothing lessons of the Virgin Mary’s powers and beneficence. It could be, Harrigan implied, a confusing time.

Mixed in were some discussions that were less relevant to the book. Bird asked not once but twice about the Catholic Church’s “shift to the right,” and she brought her confirmation dress to the event, and she hung it from a speaker at the front of the room.

This prompted an audience member to ask, during the Q & A, whether Ms. Bird “wore underwear with her confirmation dress,” surely one of the stranger questions Harrigan has heard at one of his book discussions.

On this question, Harrigan prudently remained silent. On others, he deftly responded by offering interesting anecdotes, exploring big topics, and mixing the personal with the universal in a manner that is as appealing in person as it is in his writing.