Meet Sariya Harris | Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sariya Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sariya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Evonne’s Art House was inspired by the lack of community and support for local creatives both in my upbringing and during my time in higher education. This disparity left many artists feeling underserved, which motivated me to develop a vision for an organization that would meet their needs—not just in Texas, but globally. This vision ultimately led to the creation of Evonne’s Art House.

Founded by Sariya Harris in Austin, Texas, Evonne’s Art House was built on the idea of bringing together local artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to showcase their work and share their stories. In March 2024, we launched our first show, which, despite limited resources, was a success. The participating artists were impressed and deeply grateful, expressing their eagerness to continue being part of our mission. That year, Evonne’s Art House went on to host 13 more events, collaborating with 433 artists and 19 partner organizations.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been deeply passionate about the creative arts industry. While pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Communications—specifically in the discipline of Radio, Television, and Film (media production, for short) at UT Austin —I developed a diverse skill set that has shaped me into a well-rounded creative and communications professional.

Throughout my journey, I have taken on various roles, including screenwriting, poetry, creative directing, photography, and event planning. Storytelling has always been at the heart of my passion, and since grade school, I have loved creating content and producing short films. This passion is also what fuels my commitment to Evonne’s Art House.

Despite being part of many creative teams, I often found myself unsure of my next steps in my creative journey—especially since I didn’t know many people pursuing the same path. It was challenging to get to where I am today, but those challenges ultimately provided me with clarity and direction for my future in the creative industry.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Even though I have many friends who live in Houston, visiting Space City is always a vibe!

Day One (Monday): Arrival & R&B Vibes
Since my friend will just be arriving in town, the first thing any Houstonian wants to do is—eat! A few places come to mind, but Kamp Houston stands out because of their R&B Night on Mondays, featuring seafood specials and frozen drinks. After a long day of traveling, jet lag is real, so we’ll keep the first night light and easygoing.

Day Two (Tuesday): Relaxation & Sushi Feast
A spa day is a must, and one of my favorite spots is Gangnam Spa. It’s affordable, offers a calming atmosphere, and the staff is incredibly welcoming. After spending a few hours unwinding, it’s time for food! Umi Sushi & Seafood Buffet in West Houston is the next stop, offering a variety of dishes and drinks—including milk tea!

Day Three (Wednesday): Art & Interactive Fun
This day is all about exploring the city! We’ll start at Sawyer Yards, where we can admire the work of local creatives. After soaking in the art scene, we’ll switch things up with an interactive experience at Beat The Bomb. I’ve played this game in another city, but I was thrilled to learn that Houston has one too—so I can’t wait to try it here!

Day Four (Thursday): Bar Hopping & Game Night
We’ll head to Midtown and The Heights for a fun daytime bar hop, stopping at spots like Soho Garden, a place I’ve been wanting to visit for a while. To wind down in the evening, we’ll have a cozy game night, featuring Houston-opoly—a Monopoly-style game with a Houston twist—since we’ll be hitting the town on Friday!

Day Five (Friday): Breakfast & Nightlife
We’ll kick off the day with a solid breakfast at either Another Broken Egg or The Breakfast Klub—both are iconic spots in Houston. Later that night, we’ll experience the amazing vibes at Nameless by Nomad, one of my favorite nightlife spots in the city.

Day Six (Saturday): Brunch & Chill
Saturday will be a more relaxed day to unwind before my friend’s departure on Sunday. A good brunch is a must, so we’ll check out Gracie’s or Honey Hole to wrap up the trip on a delicious note.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Throughout the creation and building of Evonne Art House, my community has been my biggest support. First, I’d like to acknowledge Renowned, a creative magazine and artist collective based in Austin, with whom we are partnering. As they expand to Houston, their founder, Reno, has provided invaluable strategic planning for Evonne Art House’s future. I also want to thank Chelsea Jenkins, our Houston Public Relations Chair, for her crucial role in expanding our presence in Houston. Having known Chelsea since college, it’s been wonderful to see her thrive in her public relations career. Lastly, my deepest gratitude goes to the Evonne Art House board committee; I couldn’t have done this without you all!

Website: https://www.evonnesarthouse.com/

Instagram: @evonnearthouse

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evonne-s-art-house/posts/?feedView=all

Youtube: @evonnesArtHouse

Other: Event Brite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/evonnes-art-house-80185505763