Barry G. King

Upon first meeting Barry King someone told him after hearing about all the things he had done in life that he was a modern-day renaissance man.

Child artist. Fine artist. Graphic artist. Creative Director. TV Commercial Director. Movie actor. Boxing sparring partner.

Child Artist

• At age 11 won 1st place in a worldwide art contest by “UNICEF for Children”.

Fine Artist

• In 1975, personally sold original drawings of boxer Muhammad Ali, to Ali.
• In 1976, personally sold an original drawing of Motown’s Marvin Gaye to Marvin.
• In 2005, the Ali Center added a copy of Barry’s original drawing to the Ali Center.
• In 2019, exhibit at the Bush Library and presented President Bush and First Lady Laura a portrait of “Miss Barbara” the president’s mom and also First Lady.

Graphic artist. Creative Director. TV Commercial Director.

• He and his creative staff of over 70 created print and broadcast advertising for Fortune 500 companies, Directed commercials featuring celebrities Teri Hatcher, Howie Long, Vanessa Williams, Ving Rhames, Shaquille O Neal, and Cal Ripken, Jr.
• Barry has directed and produced commercials shot in Fort Worth-Dallas, Hollywood, New York City, Miami, Vancouver, Buenos Aires, and South Africa.

Movie actor (yes, this one brings a HUGE chuckle from Barry)

• In 2001 movie director of “The Notebook, Nick Cassavetes gave Barry a speaking role in his movie, “John Q” opposite—none other than Denzel Washington.

Boxing sparring partner

Oh, yes that part. Barry sparred, or let’s say got IN the ring with the Champ in 1976 during one of Ali’s homecomings. It happened at a neighborhood gym in the projects in the East End of Louisville. Barry’s dad was Cassius Clay’s (AKA Muhammad Ali) trainer for his first professional boxing match. No knockouts were scored, by Barry–OR the Champ.

Anitra Blayton

For over two decades, I have given back to the community through public art collaborations, lectures, exhibitions, and through teaching students of all ethnic, cultural, and racial backgrounds.

My forever goal is to continue reimaging public spaces in the role of Public Artist and Consultant; creating sustainable, and sociably responsible places for all to visit and connect.

• Large-scale, Mixed media, Site-Specific Designer and Construction Artist,  Associate Professor of Studio Practice, Lecturer
• Director though all stages of deadline driven projects.
• Manager of budgets of up to $190,000.00
• Team leader of diverse community and stakeholders

Bradley Kent

Bradley Kent is a vibrant artist dedicated to making the world more beautiful, one brushstroke at a time. With a background in fine arts and a flair for visual storytelling, Bradley’s work ranges from whimsical character designs to large-scale murals and gallery curation. His passion for color, hand-drawn illustrations, and painting is evident in works like his latest large-scale piece of a space cowboy on the children’s playground of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. His journey as a creative problem solver and visual communicator has led him to collaborate with fellow artists and various organizations locally and nationwide, shaping brands and bringing artistic visions to life. Bradley’s art is not just about creating images — it’s about recognizing the art of life all around us.

Erin Curry

Erin Curry is an award-winning, mixed media artist working in Dallas for over 12 years.  With a Bachelor of Science, she knew she wanted to combine her affinity for the natural world with her true passion for drawing.  She has shown extensively across the U.S. in art fairs, galleries, and private collections while also focusing on helping younger artists in Emerging Artist programs.  Her body of work evokes feelings of whimsy and dark surrealism while focusing on the mystery of the natural world.  Ink, colored pencils, graphite, and collages are some of the many elements she uses to create her intricate shadowboxes and wood pieces.

Thomas Diel

Tom was born in 1966 and educated in Lawrence Kansas where he received a BFA from the University of Kansas in Industrial Design in 1991.  Working part-time during college summers for Comet construction a local concrete contractor he began laying the foundation of experimentation with materials and processes.  Requiring only his two thesis classes to graduate in this 5yr program and having access to a well-equipped design facilities Tom decided to research current trends in furniture outside of the prescribe curriculum and make a few mixed media pieces when he found his life’s passion. 

“My goal out of college was grand:  To work in as many fields to better understand different materials which to apply my own aesthetic”.  He noted at that time there was not a great deal of intermixing differing materials in the fine craft world.  He has since refined his skills in as many trades as in as many cities.  In Atlanta, working with the crew of Thomsen LTD. an architectural millwork firm taught Tom how to take advantage of the 32mm metric system, their equipment and the high-end European approach to cabinet & furniture making.  Following in his heart and love interest Lori to pursue post graduate endeavors in New Orleans Tom worked with the nationally known jeweler and designer Thomas Mann, Tom Diel headed up the sculpture department refining his metal working abilities along with gaining knowledge of the national craft market.

After being in New Orleans only a short time Tom started the Gallery Positive Space with three other artists.  From this vehicle he took the plunge into self-employment. Three years later a job offer lured Tom to Chicago, with its attitude to art, architecture and design.  At V.A. Robinson Fine Metal Fabrication allowed Tom to work for a great small ornamental iron shop in Chicago. 

In 2001 when his wife Lori was offered a position in the Art History Department at TCU in Fort Worth Texas Tom landed at Charles Alan Inc. a contract furniture company in their design and engineering department.  In a ten year stint he became the head of design development and within that time he added to his skills CADD(computer aided design and drafting) and CAM (computer aided manufacturing) while implementing CNC (computer numeric control) of a Komo router focusing on nested based manufacturing of wood and plywood components.  Whether on the prototyping or rendering a 3D model he is comfortable warring many hats. Yearning to return to his aesthetic and the world of one-off design in 2011 Tom entered Main
St Arts Festival and won best emerging artist and catapulted him to resign his position and opened a small shop located at 3801 Vickery Blvd in Fort Worth and that where you will find him today pursuing his craft.  Examples of Tom’s work, can be seen at http://thomasdiel.com/ .