Today we’d like to introduce you to Rusty Arena
Hi RUSTY, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Rusty Arena was offered full scholarships to Parsons and CalArts in 1972, but he chose to attend the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in his hometown of Houston. He was part of the school’s inaugural class, making it one of the only creative schools in the United States at that time, alongside one in New York City.
After graduating from HSPVA, Rusty opened a custom retail furniture storefront called Arena Design, alongside his brother Ron Arena. It operated from 1977 to 1979 located on W. Gray in the River Oaks Shopping Center. He sold unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. By 1980, he was commissioned to design the interior of a loft in the Chelsea District in New York City. Once that commission concluded in the early 1980s, Rusty returned to Houston to pursue abstract painting.
His success as an artist led him to reopen Arena Design in 1988, focusing on textiles and wall coverings. There, he provided services such as murals, custom abstract paintings, and commissioned art pieces throughout Houston and beyond. Rusty aimed to make his artistic talents accessible to individuals seeking lasting elegance in their interior spaces. Later in his career, he began creating full-scale patterns that could be adapted into silk-screen textiles.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Over the past 30+ years in business, Rusty has faced a number of challenges. He initially operated his studio, now known as the Summer/Winter Street Art Studios, on White Street, where he sold directly to interior designers and individual collectors. During that time, Rusty rented a 150,000-square-foot warehouse, providing studio space for fellow artists.
After 20 years at that location, he was asked to relocate, with no option to purchase the property. Arena Design then moved to Saunders Road, off 59 and Jenson, where we began rebuilding. Shortly after our relocation, Hurricane Harvey struck, inundating the building and damaging its contents. This disaster ruined countless one-of-a-kind abstract paintings, sketches, screens, and equipment.
Fortunately, soon after, TMAC reached out to assist us in our rebuilding efforts, and with their help, we were able to reopen quickly.
We continue to look toward the future with optimism and good fortune.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We create unique products by adhering to our large-scale serigraphy process. We print on materials such as jute, linen, velvet, silk, and a variety of papers, transforming them into timeless pieces that adorn homes across the country. Every step of our process involves four sets of hands working within a 20,000 square foot warehouse in Houston, Texas. Our passion lies in our commitment to craftsmanship and the belief that each product we deliver is inherently unique.
Our silk screen collection features over 250 different patterns and color variations, allowing for customized services to meet each client’s specific needs. In addition to our selection of fabrics and wallpapers, we offer unique pillows and continually create new artworks. Renowned textile designer Rusty Arena merges painterly abstraction with innovative artistry to produce one-of-a-kind pieces. Arena personally designs, illustrates, silk screens, and embosses lush velvet fabrics by hand, achieving a rich, silky finish with an almost iridescent luster. Be sure to check out the Brushstroke and Oushak Collections, available exclusively at RH.com.
Rusty takes great pride in the hand-sculpted wall mural he created for Anthony’s restaurant, which is now closed and was located in the River Oaks shopping center. A total of 600 pounds of clay was used for this project, with the theme inspired by the Pergamon Frieze (see attached photos). The sculptural installation measured approximately 17 feet by 7 feet. After the restaurant closed, the clay sculptures were carefully removed and sold.
He embraces every challenge that comes his way. Fearlessly, he painted a completely nude Cloris Leachman for the cover of Alternative Medicine Digest in 1997, she was 71 years old at the time (see attached photo).
His most recent commission was in 2021 for a mural in the style of trompe-l’oeil. From concept to installation the mural took Rusty and his brother Ron Arena approximately 1.5 years to complete. The mural extends from wall to ceiling, giving the dining room a lifelike sylvan wonderland. (see attached photos).
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Moving forward, we are working on prototypes for an elegant handbag collection and clothing line.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arenadesign.us
- Instagram: arena_design
- Facebook: Arena Design
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/svhVHKLtQ2g
Image Credits
Dining room photo of Valmont – Delft by: Emily Followill, Interior Design by: Alcott Interiors. Image of Cloris Leachman for the 1997 cover of Alternative Medicine Digest. Sculptural photos from Anthony’s Restaurant. Mural commissioned in 2022 for a dining room in the River Oaks District. Image of Rusty Arena taken in 2022 Woodlands Magazine Cover
