Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmen Flores.
Hi Carmen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from Mexico, from a small city, Culiacan, in the pacific coast, in the state of Sinaloa. I moved to the Houston southwest area in 2010 after finishing my M.A. in painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia, and fell in love with the city. I’m an artist, art instructor, mother of two elementary-aged kids, wife, and now the owner and director of CATAPULT Gallery|Academy in Richmond, Texas, historic district.
I’m passionate about art, as simple as that. I’m an active visual artist, my last solo show was last year at Victorian House Gallery, in Illinois. I hold a B.F.A. in painting from the Universidad de las Americas-Puebla, Mexico (2003), and an M.A. in painting from SCAD (2010) in Georgia. Also, I’ve been instructing art privately for 15 years to adults and kids. So it was a natural step to envision, mature, and bring to life my project, CATAPULT Gallery|Academy.
I truly believe in the positive impact Art has on the community members, and the important role of Art in shaping and reflecting our society’s values.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My journey has had challenges, and will continue to have but at the same time, I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by amazing people including mentors, artists, entrepreneurs, friends and family who have offered their talent, advice, and expertise in the field. The main challenge was that I’m an artist, and now I’m also a gallery director. You might think it was a smooth transition but it was tough. Running a gallery is so different from being a visual artist. Being an artist is mainly about creating artworks, a self-reflective and solitary process, in my case. Being in charge of the art gallery is about constant engagement and search for all the parts involved: artists, collectors, promoters, evaluation of the art market and taking decisions after assessing the external information. My brain had to learn how to operate in a different way in order to lead the art gallery.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about CATAPULT Gallery|Academy?
CATAPULT Gallery|Academy houses an art gallery, an art academy and two studios for lease for creative professionals, all in the same location. We operate in the heart of Richmond, Texas, historic district in a beautiful 1920s building full of life and character.
The Gallery specializes in contemporary art. We exhibit, promote, and sell artworks from local and national visual artists whose works inspire and challenge the public to see the world anew. It provides opportunities to develop meaningful interactions between artists and audiences through shows and educational events. The goal is to create an “art ecosystem” in the Southwest Houston area and surrounding cities of Richmond (like Katy, Sugar Land, Stafford, Missouri City, and Rosenberg), where artists, art collectors, and art lovers can connect, relate, and contribute to the cultural exchange in our vibrant and diverse community.
The Academy offers formal art classes for kids and adults delivered by professional artists in a friendly relaxed environment. Catapult’s step-by-step advancing curriculum was designed to develop not only art skills as students earn higher levels in the program, but also to develop personal traits that will help them to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. Students practice: problem-solving, decision-making, self-regulation, assertive communication, public speaking, and growth mindset, among other skills that will help them in life. This happens through a series of intertwined activities during the art classes and the academy’s art events.
We provide the environment for students to create new and long-lasting connections with peers with similar interests. Creating art is a tool that helps students to cope with stress and face daily life challenges and to think into divergent ways. We are proud to inspire and guide our students to enrich their lives through art.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’m a certified advanced open-water scuba diver. Just a few people, mainly my family, know about it. Scuba diving is one of the most exhilarating activities I do, when I have the time. The most dangerous dive I have done: diving a cavern, in a cenote in the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico. Diving a cenote, and thus caverns, requires physical and emotional strength and control in order to not panic in darkness while you move through really tight spaces and avoid claustrophobia, and pace your consumption of oxygen. Many things could go wrong if somebody in the group panics, so you have to know your limits. Scuba diving is a liberating exciting activity I never thought I would enjoy this much.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.catapult-art.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catapultgalleryrichmond/ https://www.instagram.com/catapultartacademy/
Image Credits
Daniel Esquivel
Venessa Monokian
Kevin Lopez
Peter Broz
Jennifer Greenwell
