Sam Houston State students lead initiative to highlight local artists and connect campus with downtown
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Sam Houston State University student Mia Smith is helping connect the campus and the community through a new event called the Huntsville Arts Initiative: Walking With Giants. The project, organized by Smith and her classmate Jamie Albert for an Honors College community-engagement course, brings together local artists, students, and downtown art spaces for a creative evening at Rather Park.
Students Aim to Strengthen Campus–Community Connections
Smith said the class project required students “to find somewhere in the community that you have passion for and that you want to try to bridge the gap between Sam Houston and the Huntsville community.” She and Albert chose the arts, partnering with Splintercraft owner Richard Pace, the Be Free Gallery, and the Satellite Gallery to build an event showcasing Huntsville’s cultural identity.
Smith shared her personal journey as well. “I was originally adopted from China at 11 months old,” she said. “I moved to Huntsville around 2015… now I’m at Sam Houston and I’m majoring in criminal justice and it’s my last semester here.” Though her academic focus isn’t art, she said she has seen how powerful creativity can be, especially for emotional expression. “Art can kind of be a form of therapy for a lot of people,” she said.
Event Will Feature Vendors, Galleries, and a Juried Art Show
Walking With Giants will be held November 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Rather Park, located near downtown Huntsville. The event will include art and craft vendors, student organizations, music, and open houses at the Bree Gallery, the Satellite Gallery, and Splintercraft.
A juried show titled Lineage & Legacy will also take place at Splintercraft. The pieces will be judged by Texas artist Angelbert Metoyer, and the theme is tied to heritage, culture, and storytelling. Artists may submit a wide range of media as long as it fits the theme.
“We are still trying to have as many vendors as possible,” Smith said. “That can be anything… arts, crafts, student organizations.” Booths are open to the public, and the organizers hope new artists, students, and makers will join.
Sharing the Arts With the Community
Smith said the event is meant to introduce Sam Houston students to Huntsville’s creative spaces while also showing downtown businesses how much student engagement can grow. “I think a lot of Sam students just aren’t aware of what is in Huntsville,” she said. She hopes Walking With Giants will highlight local talent and encourage people to explore the city’s galleries and artists.
She added that she values Huntsville’s warmth and hospitality. “Everyone here is so nice,” she said. “The town is very cute and it’s very cozy. We’re just trying to showcase that to the Sam students.”
How to Sign Up or Get More Information
The full event listing, vendor information, and artist submission details are available on Hello Huntsville’s website:
https://hellohuntsvilletx.com/events/the-huntsville-arts-initiative%3A-walking-with-giants/
Vendor applications and juried show submissions are open now. The organizers encourage anyone with interest in arts, crafts, handmade goods, student outreach, or community involvement to participate.