Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Lewis.
Hi Brittany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My passion for the arts began while studying at the University of North Texas, where I explored Graphic Design, Photography, Printmaking, and Pottery. I always knew I wanted to work in a place where creativity mattered and where art wasn’t just something you look at, but something you do with your hands and your whole heart.
I didn’t begin at the JN Long Cultural Arts Center with a grand plan. I was hired as an office assistant and, over time, worked my way into the role of Executive Director. Today, I manage more than 30 art classes and groups, private event rentals, community partnerships, marketing, social media, and everything else that keeps the doors open and the lights on.
Where I feel the strongest connection is with youth. Making sure young people have access to art, real art, taught by working artists, in a place that welcomes them, has become the center of my work. Watching a student pick up a camera or a paintbrush for the first time and realize they can create something incredible… that’s what drives me.
Art changed my life. Now my mission is to make sure it changes theirs too.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In 2018, I was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease, a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the body’s ability to manage stress and maintain energy. It changed everything: my health, my pace, and the way I had to structure my life. There were days I could not get out of bed, days where simply functioning felt like running a marathon. Learning to navigate a chronic illness while building a career in the arts world has not been easy.
It forced me to become intentional. I learned balance, resilience, and how to keep moving even when things felt impossible. I learned how to advocate for myself, how to adapt, and how to build systems and support around me. It made me stronger, more empathetic, and more determined not to waste time or opportunities.
It is a major reason I fight so hard to build community and create space for others, because I know what it feels like to need it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a multidisciplinary artist with a background in Graphic Design, Photography, Printmaking, and Pottery from the University of North Texas. I enjoy working with my hands and exploring different processes and materials. Photography and ceramics are where I feel the most connected and grounded. Creating art is how I process what is happening around me and express what I cannot always put into words. I am drawn to work that is honest, tactile, and rooted in real life. Art has always been a space where I find clarity, peace, and purpose, and it continues to shape the way I move through the world.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Matt Smith, Cleburne Times Review
Brittany Lewis, JN Long Cultural Arts Center
