Home > Creations > Community > Kaleidoscopes > Arts Council Wichita Falls

Arts Council Wichita Falls

About the Project

We have had the privilege of partnering with the Arts Council Wichita Falls for many years. Through this collaboration, students from rural communities surrounding Wichita Falls are bused to our studio to participate in Art Reaching Out (ARO), a hands-on, STEM-based glassblowing program.

Carlyn serves as the Artistic Director of the Art Reaching Out (ARO) program, sharing her personal journey of learning differently and the strengths that have grown from those early challenges. Students then work alongside Carlyn and her team to fuse glass pieces that ultimately transform their own community spaces.

Past groups have contributed installations to the local airport, library, and parks and recreation center. This heart-driven initiative continues to give back in meaningful ways.

As Carlyn often says, “There are many pieces we can make here, but the more hands and hearts in a piece, the more special it becomes. It is an honor to work and create with these students. I am continuously inspired by their thoughtful designs.”

Watch this local news story featuring the airport installation to see the impact of the project.

My butterfly’s importance to me meant the good things that can come out of effort and creativity.

Yeni

My butterflies symbolize how I will change for my own happiness and grow out of my dad’s expectations into my own self.

D.

To me, butterflies symbolize change. It may be scary or uncomfortable in the process, but it will be worth it in the end.

Mackenzie

Growing up it has always been me and my mother. She has always told me our life is like a butterfly cycle. We have grown together and watched each other shape into beautiful women we are today.

S. B.

Project Gallery

Carlyn Ray Designs Arts Council Wichita Falls Project Image