The Amon Carter Museum of American Art’s Carter Community Artists program is an embodiment of the Carter’s mission of creativity and community engagement. By bridging the gap between artists and audiences, the initiative fosters a dynamic exchange of ideas, creativity, and inspiration all the while celebrating the rich artistic talent found in North Texas.
This annual program selects four local artists who collaborate with the museum’s education team over the course of a year to create and lead events both on and offsite. With a commitment that spans 20 to 40 hours annually, these artists bring their unique perspectives to a diverse range of projects for family, adult, and student audiences. In return, they receive not only a $100/hour honorarium but also an invaluable platform to connect with their community and expand their artistic influence.
The 2025 cohort of Carter Community Artists, Kristin Boyer, LaShonda Cooks, Dizzy Orbit, and Javier Sandoval, represents a diverse and vibrant cross-section of North Texas’s creative landscape. Their work showcases the breadth of talent and the depth of narrative that defines the region’s art scene.
Kristin Boyer brings a playful yet profound approach to her art, which spans prints, sculptures, and fiber works. Her exploration of invented symbols and animal characters delves into the nuances of communication and play, creating pieces that engage the imagination while probing deeper human connections. A 2024 MFA graduate from the University of North Texas, Boyer has already made her mark on the DFW arts scene with exhibitions at Kinfolk House and the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center.
LaShonda Cooks, a Dallas-based artist and writer, infuses her portraiture with explorations of cultural norms, identity, and beauty. With over a decade of experience in community-based art workshops, Cooks has built a reputation for making the arts accessible to all ages. Her work’s reach extends far beyond Dallas, with exhibitions ranging from the African American Museum of Dallas to international venues like Illamar Galeria in Peru and Chateau D’Orquevaux Residency in France.
Dizzy Orbit is a Fort Worth-based multidisciplinary artist whose installations, sculptures, and photographs reflect her passion for mask-making and fiber manipulation. Through her collaborations with other Fort Worth artists, Orbit’s work becomes a living dialogue with her environment seamlessly blending her creations with local landscapes and communities. Recognized with awards such as an Artist’s Grant from Art Tooth, Orbit’s practice exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and innovation.
Javier Sandoval, also from Fort Worth, draws from his Chicano heritage to create works that are as vibrant as they are meaningful. Combining elements of Mexican traditions with the bold aesthetics of pop culture, Sandoval’s art explores themes of LGBTQ+ identity, cultural heritage, and the fusion of tradition and modernity. His intricate patterns and vivid colors invite viewers to reflect on the complexities of identity in an ever-evolving society.
As the 2025 Carter Community Artists embark on their yearlong journey, their work inspires a deeper connection between the art and the people it serves. This initiative underscores the Amon Carter Museum’s commitment to nurturing local talent and ensuring that art remains a vital part of the community fabric.