Thought-Provokers: West Loop

Houston has always had an artistic soul.  The culture and heritage of our city, like most great cities, owes a tremendous debt to the arts community.  Supporting local art is something we care deeply about and we’d like to do everything we can to help the local arts community thrive.  Unfortunately, too often media attention is monopolized by corporate interests and tabloid gossip – but culture doesn’t come from a focus on celebrity breakups it comes from a focus on the arts.

Below, you’ll find some incredible artists from in and around West Loop that we hope you will check out, follow and support.

Callye Peyrovi

Oddly enough I started out with my eyes set on a path in medicine but I always knew I had the soul of a creative. After my mom’s victorious cancer battle I knew I needed a change of scenery. She has always told me to follow my heart so I swiftly switched majors after being accepted into the esteemed Creative Writing Program at University of Houston. Read more>>

O.E.

I’ve been rapping since middle school. I didn’t really look at my music, or music in general, as “art” until fairly recently and because of that my entire process for writing and the way I approach music is completely different. Everyone is who they are because of their experiences, both good and bad. Read more>>

Dino Valls

My academic interest was Medicine, so I started my career the same year in which I started to paint in oil as a hobby. But when I graduated in Medicine and General Surgery 6 years later, I had already established enough an incipient career in the world of painting, so I decided to dedicate myself exclusively to it. Read more>>

Almendarez

Those years in school were also made difficult and unpleasant because many of the teachers and counselors were somewhat prejudice and downright racist. I felt so uncomfortable at times that I chose to hide in the practice rooms of the band room instead of attending class. I received so many absences over the year that it was a miracle I crossed the stage. Read more>>

Erik Ponce

Hurricane Mitch caused suffering to millions of people but if that didn’t happen, I would not be here right now writing about this. Every time I think of my origin, it makes me feel grateful that I live to see another day. So quick shout out to my mom for being the MVP of my existence. Read more>>

Nela Garzón

I studied one year of Literature and then dropped out and changed to Visual Arts. The truth is I didn’t want any degree, but my mom convinced me it was important, so I did. I grew up to despise any kind of privilege despite the setting. My thesis was about the encounter between academic art vs. folk or popular art. Read more>>

DelMariyo Whitfield

I’m just a third coast soul with a prominent west coast influence. I grew up in a hardworking household with both parents & two siblings. I wasn’t really good at sports, so I never showed interest or tried out for school teams. By the time I was 13-14, I stole (true story) a microphone from my middle school on the last day of 8th grade & from there, I started taking music 100% serious. Read more>>

Stephanie Goni-Fuentes and Marisol Garcia

I was born in Mexico City but grew up in Ciudad Satelite just north of the city. Growing up, I was always a creative and social person. The walls of my room took the brunt of my creativity, with an ever-changing medium and design on them, updated on a monthly basis.I come from a large and tight-knit family.           Read more>>

Mark Buller

I chose unusual music for recitals and soon began to take writing music more seriously. I’d been composing since middle school, but never terribly seriously. The opportunities present in college opened up a new world. I took as many advanced theory and composition electives as my packed schedule would allow, and began to write music for friends’ recitals. Read more>>

Uliana Maslovskaya

I was going to university. I applied to Shanghai University and the University of Economics in St. Petersburg. My coaches were devasted with my decision. Scared of being able to learn to intermediate level Chinese language just in one year killed my all desire to go to Shanghai, and I admit, their culture is very different, and you have to be ready to make a move. Read more>>

Gio Music

I really aim to make sure every sound and instrument is enjoyable for the listeners. Sometimes I feel like I spend more time making sure everything sounds nice than actually composing. I also create and post visuals for people to enjoy 59 seconds of free music every week. Read more>>

Erin De Veyra

knew I wouldn’t have another opportunity like this. I dropped everything and went all in knowing I still have time. After a few international wins and earning a place as a world finalist in my discipline of street dance – Popping. My momentum as a movement artist began to flourish. Read more>>