Today we’d like to introduce you to Becky Major.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I am the Creative Director of the National Hotel Artist Lofts and co-owner of The Proletariat Gallery and Public House. NHAL is part of a nationwide non-profit organization (Artspace) based out of Minneapolis with 39 projects in the nation, just 3 in the state of Texas (Galveston, Houston, El Paso). I moved to Galveston in 2008, but my story really begins in 2012 when NHAL had its first pop-up show in the space we now call The Proletariat. It was January 28, 2012, and in the weeks prior NHAL residents came together in a space with no walls, no power, and no running water to clean and create a place for resident and local artists to use as a gallery. The space had sat vacant for years after the storm as a shell of a space with mildew still on the walls. Just as the definition of proletariat, we, the common man, and working class came together to create a space for the community of flourishing artists when there were no spots available for artists that did not have a brick and mortar exhibition space. We hosted shows every six weeks and sometimes between for 2.5 years with the limited resources we had. It was in 2014 that myself and business partners (Brian Visker Mahanay & Julie Birsinger) submitted a proposal to Artspace. They liked the vision and were one of our biggest supporters. We opened the doors with running water, full power, real walls (no more paper walls haha), a bar, and a resident artist on the walls on May 28, 2015. In the years that have passed, I’ve become an event coordinator and catalyst for artists. I serve on the Commission on the Arts of Galveston and never pass up an opportunity that I have passion for. Every day that passes I find myself humbled and grateful for the amazingly talented people in my life. Without them sharing this vision and working for it together my life would not be where it is.
Please tell us about your art.
I’ve always enjoyed building things and hosting parties, but it was until the last few years that I’ve considered it my art. The latest project that I just got done with was Mardi Gras. Myself and my creative partner (Michael Mandina) and I put together a krewe, the Krewe de Isle of Misfits. Our float is a converted double-decker school bus that we glittered out with 30 lbs of gold glitter and lots of love. This project was a passion project that brought excitement and opportunity to many people who had never been part of a Mardi Gras krewe. Just a week before this NHAL held its 4th annual LoftWalk. This is the one time of the year we open the building to the public and a project that is my heart and soul. We as NHAL come together as a family for a celebration of creative community living with everyone who lives here volunteering in one way or another. It shows NHAL as a true incubator for creative living. I could go on and on about projects I’ve worked on with creative, but to answer the question, what I want people to take away from these events is inspiration and the idea that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and let it take organic shape. What you should know about my artwork is that any project I take on, I am 100% passionate about it from the beginning and tend to find myself obsessing about it till it’s done… which I guess is common for many artists.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
The best advice I have for anyone is to let things take place naturally. Have a vision, but be okay with that vision changing. Listen to others; they may have a better solution or one that you can work together on to have the best possible outcome. Also, be true to your word. If you tell someone you can do something, make sure to follow through and represent yourself with integrity.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work are my events. At The Proletariat I am the curator and event planner, so this is something someone can see seven days a week. Outside of shows and events at the gallery, one can see my work in detail by attending an event. Now that Mardi Gras has passed, my next big project is local artists studio tours. One of the things that will be unique about the studio tours is that guests will be transported to and from studios on the glitter bus, a work of art in its own.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.proletariatgallery.com
- Email: becky@proletariatgallery.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProletariatGallery/; https://www.facebook.com/krewedeisleofmisfits/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/TheNationalHotelArtistLofts/
Image Credit:
NHAL Group
Brandon Walker (NHAL resident artist)
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
