At Culture of Health–Advancing Together (CHAT), we believe that art is more than just a form of expression—it’s a powerful tool for health, healing, and connection.
Our mission is to foster the health and well-being of communities through education, arts, and access to care. One of the most inspiring ways we do this is by partnering with local artists who use their talents to promote wellness, connection, and community pride.
From vibrant murals that brighten neighborhoods to photography and theatre workshops that foster connection and belonging, these artists have helped turn CHAT’s vision into reality. Whether it’s introducing students to the power of creative practice or cultivating spaces people can call home, these collaborators have played a vital role in growing our Culture of Health.
We’re proud to introduce the artists who’ve worked alongside us—and the communities we serve—to make this work possible:
Sound, Story, and Improvisation
Jason Jackson
As program coordinator of Nameless Sound’s Creative Music Communities and a longtime musical improvisation facilitator, Jason Jackson has brought expressive music workshops to CHAT since 2020. A respected saxophonist and member of groups like one of Houston’s longest running local jazz bands Free Radicals and the highly respected international touring group The Young Mothers, Jason engages youth in joyful, creative exploration through sound—building confidence and connection, one note at a time.
Capturing Connection through the Lens
Houston Center for Photography Collaborators
Laura Burlton
An expert in historic photography methods, Laura Burlton blends tradition with modern storytelling. A Houston native and instructor at Houston Center for Photography, she specializes in wet plate collodion/tintype photography. Her work, including personal, portrait, and wedding photography, is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and has been showcased in galleries and museums in Canada, Austria, and Spain.
Martha Estrella
Martha Estrella’s film photography bridges two worlds: her Texas home and Guanajuato, Mexico. Her deeply personal work explores family, belonging, and bicultural identity. As an educator and past intern at Houston Center for Photography, she shares visual stories rooted in reconnection and memory. She hopes to convey a reconnection with culture to help people reclaim a connection with family and history.
Theatre That Reflects All of Houston’s Kids
Brave Little Company Collaborators
Brave Little Company (BLC) creates work about, with, and for all of Houston’s kids and their grown-ups, reflecting Houston’s various stories and the artists who share them. Meet some of the Brave Little Company teaching artists who have worked with CHAT students.
Jeana Magallón
A Houston-based actress, director, writer, teaching artists, and co-founder of Says Who? Productions, Jeana Magallón uses performance to uplift diverse youth voices. Through Brave Little Company, she has collaborated on projects like First Day Nueva Escuela and THE BIG “US” PROJECT, inviting students to explore identity and imagination.
Stephanie Perez
Stephanie Perez is a theatre educator and performer whose work reflects her roots as a first-generation Mexican American. Dhe has also worked in partnership with Young Audiences of Houston, is a committee member for the Sin Muros Festival at Stages, and is currently a junior high school teacher. With BLC and CHAT, she has taught, performed, and stage managed inclusive theatre, all while championing culture and community in the arts.
Troy Scheid
Founder of Brave Little Company and lead facilitator of THE BIG “US” PROJECT, Troy Scheid is a trailblazer in youth-driven theatre. Her work spans from Houston stages to New York festivals, always centering community voices and refugee stories. BLC received the 2023 National TYA Award for Artistic Innovation.
Kai Womack
A recent UH grad and rising star in theatre education, Kai Womack uses her performance skills and leadership as a director, designer, and teaching artist to make art accessible, joyful, and transformative for Houston’s youth.In addition to her ability to perform and create, she actively works as a teaching artist with Brave Little Company in partnership with Young Audiences of Houston. Kai also currently serves as the theatre director and fine arts chair at a Houston middle school.
Gulfton Story Trail & Mural Artists
Jesse de Leon
A self-taught artist with a passion for impact, Jesse de Leon’s murals can be found throughout Houston’s public and private spaces. He also shares his skills globally, including teaching young artists in Haiti, with the goal of using art to break cycles of poverty.
Alex Arzú
A muralist and tattoo artist, Alex Arzú blends architectural precision with Afro-Honduran identity. From brand collaborations to local murals, his work seeks to inspire introspection and imagination in every viewer.
Sylvia Blanco
Sylvia Blanco’s bold, mystical artwork draws from her Latin heritage and unique artistic lens. Her murals often feature women, skulls, and natural symbolism and have graced institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and Up Art Studio.
Lindsay Burck
Since 2015, Lindsay Burck has created joy-infused, color-rich murals and illustrations that reflect her belief in life’s infinite possibilities. Her work radiates positivity and visual storytelling.
Vivienne Dang
Graphic designer and surrealist painter Vivienne Dang brings a deep curiosity about human emotion to her art. Her diverse visual language blends design, illustration, and narrative to stir curiosity and reflection.
Zavala Eliud
A pioneer of Mexican graffiti, Zavala Eliud uses letters and characters to create murals that span cultures and continents. His roots in Monterrey and global art presence blend tradition with street-style storytelling.
Ángel Quesada
With more than 25 years of artistic practice, Ángel Quesada transforms spaces into powerful reflections of community identity. A multidisciplinary artist, curator, and muralist, Ángel’s work explores human connection and movement while energizing multicultural environments with color, intention, and story. A native of Laredo, Texas, with roots stretching from Boston to Los Angeles, Ángel epitomizes art’s ability to transcend boundaries, elevate voices, and cultivate meaningful dialogues within the Houston art community and beyond.
Jesús Sanchéz
For over two decades, Jesús Sanchéz has painted murals that energize communities with movement and color. His mixed media pieces often feature expressive human forms and abstract elements, inspiring creativity and resilience.
Deanna Santiago
A fashion illustrator and costume designer, Deanna Santiago blends femininity, nature, and form in her wearable art. From dance ensembles to gallery runways, her work showcases the art of identity.
Natalia Victoria
Natalia Victoria channels generations of family creativity into murals, sculpture, and painting. A lifelong artist, she brings a passion for community engagement and cultural preservation into every piece she creates.
Through their art, their practice, and their teaching, these artists help fulfill CHAT’s mission: to build healthier, more connected communities. Each brushstroke, photograph, melody, or story becomes a thread in the tapestry of Gulfton and beyond, reminding us all that healing and health thrive in creativity and culture.