arts & Culture
Celebrating the artists and storytellers shaping LGBTQ culture.
The OutSmart FOUNDATION champions the artists and cultural voices that shape Houston.
Through in-depth profiles, feature stories, and ongoing event coverage, OutSmart Media highlights the creativity and talent that define our community’s cultural life. Many of these stories receive little attention in mainstream media. By providing a platform for LGBTQ artists, performers, and organizations, OutSmart helps expand visibility, celebrate creativity, and support the continued growth of Houston’s vibrant arts scene.
COMMUNITYBAO-LONG CHU
may 2021 issue
In a profile of Bao-Long Chu, senior program officer at the Houston Endowment, OutSmart Media explored how Chu helps strengthen Houston’s arts community through major cultural investments and philanthropic support.
Writer Sam Byrd noted that Chu’s appreciation for the arts began during his childhood as a refugee from Vietnam. “He understood early on how storytelling can help both individuals and groups,” Byrd wrote.
christina wells
February 2023 video project
CULTUREHouston vocalist Christina Wells returned to her hometown stage with a powerful performance as Matron “Mama” Morton in the 25th-anniversary national tour of Chicago at the Hobby Center. Known for her commanding voice and dynamic presence, Wells represents the vibrant talent emerging from Houston’s diverse arts community.
OutSmart Media spoke with Wells ahead of her performance about her career, her connection to Houston, and the importance of visibility and representation in the performing arts.
By highlighting artists like Wells, OutSmart’s journalism celebrates the creative voices that help shape Houston’s cultural landscape.
Ashley McFaul
july 2024 online feature
COMMUNITYAshley McFaul, a dynamic advocate for disability awareness and intersectional representation, shares their perspective through vibrant and educational content on TikTok and YouTube. Through storytelling and digital media, McFaul uses these platforms to educate audiences, promote inclusivity, and celebrate diverse identities.
OutSmart Media highlighted McFaul’s work as an example of how creators are using digital platforms to raise awareness and foster greater understanding of disability and intersectionality within LGBTQ communities.
COMMUNITYWill Davis
January 2019 Issue
In an interview with writer Don Maines, freelance theater director Will Davis spoke about becoming the first transgender director in the Alley Theatre’s storied history. Davis’s work reflects a growing movement toward greater inclusion and representation within the performing arts.
“It’s important for me to be really visible as a trans or genderqueer person,” Davis said. “People who think they’ve never met a trans person have actually met many—you just didn’t realize it.”
Through stories like this, OutSmart Media highlights artists whose work is helping expand visibility and opportunity for LGBTQ voices in the arts.
The Art of Pride
July 2020 Video Project
PRIDEIn 2020, OutSmart Media celebrated Pride by spotlighting several of Houston’s LGBTQ community leaders and creators, including Dina Jacobs, a legendary transgender drag performer whose life was recently chronicled in a new biography. The feature also introduced Erika Lopez, a queer Chicana designer launching a new clothing line, and Wes Holloway, a gay artist with a disability advocating for accessibility in the arts.
Archival photos courtesy of houstonlgbthistory.org