Who We Are

Homegrown in Austin, Future Front is an award-winning culture space and exhibition series—with women and LGBTQ+ creatives at the front.

As a 501c3 arts & culture nonprofit, we produce two community-led exhibitions, The Front Market & The Front Festival.

Beyond our flagship exhibitions, we host year-round shows and workshops at our creative space in historic East Austin, welcoming 20,000+ visitors per year. Through these programs and a diverse network of partnerships, we invite the public to dream of a future where creativity, curiosity and intersectional design thrive in Texas—where we see ourselves and our cultures reflected in our communities.

we're growing and changing all of the time!

we're growing and changing all of the time!

✰ OUR BOARD

FOUNDING BOARD PRESIDENT —

Xochi Solis (she/her) is a mixed media artist born and raised in Austin, Texas. Her works include multilayered, collaged paintings constructed from paint, hand-dyed paper, vinyl, plastics, and images from found books and magazines.

As an accomplished artist and leader in her community with over 18 years of experience, Solis is enthusiastic about continuing to transform her practice as a cultural producer into a vehicle for active citizenship and civic responsibility. In addition to her studio practice, she spins records as Mira Mira with a focus on the preservation and performance of Tejanx culture.

You can learn more at xochisolis.com or on Instagram (@xochisolis).

‘As critics of utopian thinking have long regarded, the futures we imagine reveal the biases of the present; it seems entirely possible that imagining different futures and temporalities might help us see, and do, the present differently,’ says Alison Kafer, PhD, a Disabilities Studies scholar and Associate Professor of English and Women’s and Gender Studies at UT Austin.

As an artist and community organizer born and raised in Austin, my ambition is for future generations of Texans and Tejanxs to experience more joyous, creative lives. Throughout my career I have dedicated myself to working collectively with organizations and putting in the work necessary to make that happen—whether it be creatively, logistically or otherwise.

After transformative years for our organization, I am enlivened by our ability to reemerge as something new and better rooted in our reality, but still with ample room to grow and change with our members and collaborators.

I say this again and again, this organization has given me a platform to explore community organizing beyond the realm of a single industry or a boxed in cultural narrative. I have learned it takes responsibility, ownership, compassion, consideration and love to actively build and maintain the spaces we want to see in our local communities. I live a much fuller life as a creative being because of my civic involvement in the place I call home and I have worked with and within our organization in a variety of roles over the last four years. I have watched in awe and actively participated in the creation of a nurturing learning environment where folks have challenged themselves to new ideas, extended networks, and fresh perspectives—all with space to make mistakes or show up less than perfect. 

There will always be a need to imagine new realities, to tweak things that may be good for some to be better for all. To build the future that contains mutual respect and opportunities for a wide spectrum of identities, we must do the work here and now. As the 2020-23 Board President, I couldn’t be more excited about our organization’s work today.
— Xochi Solis

FOUNDING VP OF COMMUNICATIONS —

Hali Martin (she/they) is an accomplished marketer, born in the Bay Area, living and working in Austin, Texas. Her work includes campaigns for technology companies, film festivals, and universities. Currently, Hali is the Digital Marketing Manager for Social Solutions a technology company creating nonprofit tech for the good of communities. She has a professional and personal passion for diversity & inclusion, facilitative deliberation, queer theory, and uplifting up the voices of QTPOC. Outside of work, they moderate panels, and teach workshops on google analytics and SEO best practices. Hali can be found at the farmer's market, reading the Sunday paper, and finding new recipes to cook.

OPERATIONS OFFICER —

Aisha Lewis (she/her) is social impact strategist, dedicated to leveraging people, capital, and technology to improve the health and wealth of marginalized communities. Her passion for equity stems from various nonprofit and community development work, including her current role on the Social Impact team at Zendesk. Growing up in Los Angeles, her curiosity and creativity flourished in the city's melting pot of cultures, arts, and history. She has transformed her mission as a lifelong learner into one of a DJ and budding entrepreneur.

PROGRAMS OFFICER —

Lina Zuluaga (she/her) is a Colombian born, east coast raised web engineer and designer living and working in Austin Texas. She is passionate about uplifting women's voices, creativity, art, and community building. Her experience as an immigrant sparked an interest in the concept of being "neither from here nor there" which she explores through her experimental drawing practice. In addition to coding and drawing, she enjoys long walks with her husky Grits, sharing a home-cooked meal with her husband, tending to her fifteen plants, reading about the lives of artists, and singing out of tune in karaoke.

TREASURER —

Leslie Fender (she/her) was raised in rural East Texas and moved to Austin in 1999 as a young professional. She has over a decade of homegrown expertise in administrative leadership and full-charge bookkeeping for local businesses, as well as pivotal experience in early-stage nonprofit management including initiating professional development programming that empowered the economic independence of Austin women. Following her degree in textiles & apparel design from UT Austin, Leslie nurtures her restless right brain via various roles in fashion, film and photography. She prizes community as an incubator for artistic endurance and thrives in supporting creative teams as a cheerleader, collaborator and behind-the-scenes coordinator. 

 

To contact the Future Front board, please email board@futurefronttexas.org.

 

✰ OUR TEAM

FOUNDING DIRECTOR —

Jane Hervey (she/her) is a creative director, recording artist and accidental nonprofit founder, living and working in Austin, Texas. Originally from the border in South Texas, she currently spends her time running Future Front, a creative space she started in 2015, as well as own design house, group work. Over the last decade, she has collaborated with a range of people & places on curated experiences, thoughtful brand strategies and projects for third spaces—whether she’s working with independent creatives and orgs or clients like The Line Hotel, Bumble and Red Bull.

In other worlds, Jane is an electronic producer and vocalist, pulling sonic and visual influences from the likes of Björk and Frank Ocean, her former life as a rodeo queen, the shores of her Gulf Coast hometown and slow coffee in the morning. Since putting out her first four-track EP “Sour Grapefruit” in 2019, she has played South by Southwest (SXSW) and opened for the likes of OSHUN, Nomi Ruiz, Bunny Michael and more.

She’s been a guest speaker for organizations like SXSW, Austin FC, The University of Texas, The Texas Downtown Association and Women Who Code—and she’s lent her time toward community design initiatives with task forces led by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the City of Austin, Amplify Austin, The Austin Community Foundation and more. Her work has been profiled in Texas Monthly and ADWEEK, as well as recognized in the City of Austin’s Women’s Hall of Fame. You can learn more at janeclairehervey.com.

I am a fifth-generation Texan, born and raised on the border in a little, rural farming community called Rio Hondo. I grew up with quintessential small-town-girl dreams of becoming a singer-songwriter. So once I graduated from high school, I headed to the Live Music Capitol Of The World.

When I moved to Austin, Texas in 2011, I settled in with earnest enthusiasm. I was studying journalism at The University of Texas and searching for my place in the city’s music scene. Three years in, I found myself continually burning out, confused, lonely and discouraged. I struggled to find collaborators, resources and models for the kind of work I wanted to do—things I wanted to make. I became aware that many of the spaces I wanted to be in were dominated by people who did not look like me and could not relate to me, either. It was difficult to imagine what a creative career for myself would even look like.

So, as part of an honors’ course my senior year, I started interviewing women in creative industries to see if they felt the same. To my surprise, they did. I thought it may be a good idea for us to get together—and from that invitation Future Front’s first meet-up was born.

We have been evolving ever since. In running this little org, I have learned more about who I am, what I can do and who I want to be. I have been able to examine my own story and values, too, everyday figuring out how to embody what I say I believe.

This is an ongoing experiment in creative community, Texan identity and belonging, a place to design the third spaces we dream of. A place to try things on, make mistakes and collaborate. And I’m always surprised by where we go next.
— JANE HERVEY

PROGRAMS COORDINATOR —

Wilhermina Beauchamp aka Willow (they/she/he) is drawn to the energy of a crowd. Influenced by the celebrations of Ghana and Louisiana, they’re innately inclined to honor culture through gathering community, movement and art.

Continuing their background as a live event professional in Austin, Texas, Willow now spends their time leading with empathy and showcasing creativity at Future Front.

Outside of work, they fancy a cup of tea in the morning, absorbing the latest celebrity drama and giving a little shoulder shimmy on the dance floor.

INTERIM ADMIN COORDINATOR —

Krystal Frame (she/her) is the founder of Sustain Frame, a conscious lifestyle brand built to support and cultivate environmentally conscious communities through goods and experiences. Working in the fashion and hospitality industries in NYC and the South, Krystal found herself lost in the mix, concerned about how consumer industries were negatively impacting the planet. This inspired not only her interest in environmental advocacy, but her commitment to and curiosity about intersectionality and social justice.

Now, through Sustain Frame, she hopes to support radical shifts in the frameworks of retail and hospitality industries. She also provides project management support to other culturally-minded social impact experiences, including creative nonprofit organizations Future Front and Tankproof.

COMMUNICATIONS FELLOW —

Alejandra Rodriguez (She/Her) is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin where she has found her passion for reading, literature, and cultivating communities. Growing up in The Rio Grande Valley, she carries her Mexican heritage of storytelling and expression close to her endeavors. Her passion is the driving force in amplifying voices through various mediums in hopes of genuine connection and understanding. On her own time, if she is not exploring all that Austin has to offer or nose deep in a book, chances are she is watching the latest season of Love Island UK and attempting to perfect the accompanying lingo and accents.

SPRING 2024 WORKSPACE ASSISTANT —

Kai Arnn (they/them) is a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin originally from South Fort Worth. Coming from an art-centric household with Japanese roots, they embrace creativity, community, and culture. These passions translate through their life goal of making connections with others of many backgrounds and experiences through art and mental health advocacy. Outside of work and school, you can always find them glued to their drawing tablet with some mix of early 2000s alternative music in their headphones.

SPRING 2024 WORKSPACE ASSISTANT —

Annalea Sink (She/Her) is a sophomore at the University of Texas and is originally from a small town called Groves, Texas. During her time studying advertising here in Austin, she has developed a passion for creativity and graphic design. She believes the best communication is through music and art, so she spends most of her time with headphones on or creating digital art with the goal of showing people different sides of herself.

 

To contact the Future Front team, please email hello@futurefronttexas.org.

 

✰ 2023/24 CURATORIAL COHORT

Annually, we work with a group of community members to co-curate our lineups and programs. These friends of the organization lend their time and expertise to ensure that we live up to our mission and vision.

Taylor Davis (she/her) is an independent curator and landscape designer living in Austin, Tx. After receiving her masters in Landscape Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin she went on to work for a local Austin design firm, TBG partners where she works on projects such as parks, multifamily amenity courtyards, hospitals and trails. Her curatorial practice is interested in the nuance of artistic practice as it relates to unique life experiences. Working with different galleries she has curated group art shows in San Francisco and Austin. She serves as a board member of the Trail Conservancy in Austin and serves as the board chair for their Arts and Culture Committee and has worked with local Austin arts and culture groups such as AIPP and Future Front Texas.

Cynthia Muñoz (she/her) is based in Austin, Texas. She has a passion for community engagement and creative collaboration. AKA Cindy Popp, she creates art inspired by fashion, cinema, and clowns. She lives with her partner and cat and tries to watch a movie every day.

Jen D. Rodriguez (she/her) is the owner and executive chef of 3 small plates catering, which specializes in chef-curated culinary excursions. The Texas native creates various flavors and cuisines for guests to enjoy Europe's visual splendor, borrowing inspiration from her travels to Europe, her family's experiences, and her passion for cooking. She discovered her passion for cooking as a child while spending time with her grandmother, and she has since served a range of Austin groups, including civic, commercial, and non-profit organizations, private events, art and music markets, and chef collaborations. She is currently a curator for the Future Front Texas group, as well as co-chair of the Austin Les Dames Escoffier Programming Committee. She graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in journalism news/editorial and a minor in commercial art. Her desire to help others led her to 3 Small Plates after a 20-year career with the Department of Defense.

Lu Farrell (they/them) is a Chicanx trans nonbinary artist, community organizer and digital strategist living in Austin, Texas. As a curator with Future Front, Lu seeks to celebrate Austin’s local creative community and create more spaces for queer creative exchange. Lu began their work with Future Front as a volunteer during the summer of 2022 as a way to engage with their new city and build a creative community. Since then, they have joined the Future Front network as a Community Club for Future Front’s Figure Drawing Club.

Originally from San Antonio, Lu has extensive experience in digital design, nonprofit marketing and communications, fundraising strategy, and project management. Prior to joining the team at Friday, Lu worked in fundraising and communications with Global Health Corps, a global health nonprofit based in New York City. While attending Wesleyan University in Connecticut, Lu used their time living abroad to work as a translator with La Fondation Scelles in Paris, France. During this time, Liz worked in both French and English, translating and editing the organization’s United Nations conference proposal and review regarding international sex trafficking policies and cultural practices. During their free time, Lu can be found either at home binging Are You the One? and cooking for their dog, or out on the town with friends, boot scootin’ and begging the DJ to play more Shania.

At age 8, Chelsea's passion for clay was ignited in her first visit to her ceramic teacher's backyard studio, leaving her with a lifelong desire to create her own backyard haven, which she realized in 2021. Her backyard studio, inspiring friends to join her, evolved into the artist's collective, Backyard Bliss. Beyond crafting vibrant pottery and creative experiences, Chelsea Biggerstaff (she/her) also brings her creativity and educational expertise to the Faculty Development Office at Austin Community College, where she uplifts and learns from the dedicated faculty members.

Melissa Garcia (she/her), originally from Southside San Antonio, has made Austin her home for the last 22 years after moving to attend The University of Texas at Austin for Mexican American studies. She currently works as a project manager in the public education field providing equitable opportunities for school districts in Central Texas. She is also a professional stage manager for local theaters and live music entertainment who has worked with artists such as Skrillex, Big Freedia, Taylor Swift, Haim, The Black Angels, Brandi Carlile, OFF!, and many others.

Tanya Zal (she/her) is an Austin, Texas-based artist whose practice includes holding space for others and creating things to hold. In both her work as a care provider and her art making she is curious about how we engage with ourselves, others, and the objects around us. Originally from upstate NY, where she completed her BFA in 2010, Tanya has spent the last decade building a ceramics art practice and connections within the Austin creative community. Her ceramics are colorful, decorative, and celebratory. Familiar and inviting, they tell stories about imagined girlhood, community ritual, and cycles of magical transformation.

Nedda Tehrany (she/her) has a passion for all things production & logistics. She is a community-driven individual with a passion for creating spaces where authentic connections and communication can take place. Nedda has produced hometown events like Austin Music Awards, Music Industry Awards, and SXSW founder parties. Currently, she works to build and support music festivals across the country with Live Nation. On her off time, you can find her frolicking around Zilker with her dog or dancing the night away to her favorite local DJs around town.

Sara Loretta (she/her) is the founder @ SYSTMS™ and Certified Notion Consultant. As an independent creative, when she’s not building for others, she’s on a mission to make business education accessible to all freelancers.

Shannon Elder (she/her) is a freelance event producer and communications designer originally from Colorado. She is the co-founder of PietschHouse, an artist-led event production company promoting local talent. As a designer, she helps creatives, small businesses, and organizations craft engaging experiences through web/graphic design, copywriting, and photography. 

Maria Romero (she/her) is a curator, community builder, and seasoned Business Development professional, originally from Medellín, Colombia and now based in Austin, Texas. She is the founder and Executive Director of The Gallery ATX, a local arts non-profit, and her most recent project, Mujer Manifesto Zine. Her work focuses on providing a platform that celebrates varied narratives, connecting a network of diverse creators, and cultivating a safe environment where discussions on intersections of identity are maintained.

 
 

✰ OUR story

Future Front emerged from Boss Babes ATX , a blog started by Jane Hervey in 2014. The idea came from a study Hervey conducted at The University of Texas at Austin, in which she examined the way that a lack of representation in arts and culture festivals influenced women working in creative fields, particularly their concepts of self, professional aptitudes and ability to build community. She became interested in the way that storytelling and gathering might create new pathways for support—so she decided to get all of the creative women from that study together. And that’s where the first Boss Babes ATX meet-up in May 2015 was born. Free and open to the public, run entirely on volunteer labor and donations, the gathering series rapidly escalated from 2015 to 2017, with thousands attending per year. From those series came DIY art fairs, music showcases, film festivals and workshops, each designed and developed collaboratively within the community itself.

By 2018, it was clear the series needed to become a nonprofit arts and culture organization to sincerely pursue sustainable creative work and community-designed programs. So, in response to the messy, lovely friction of that growth, the organization’s core volunteers transformed the organization into a 501c3. From there, they started working toward a refreshed vision (all while collecting even more data on the community’s needs).

From this data, Future Front was born in 2021, with 9 founding team members: 

  1. Alex Perez-Puelles (she/her) — Board Culture Officer

  2. Cynthia Muñoz (she/her) — Board Treasurer

  3. Hali Martin (she/they) — Board Secretary

  4. Jane Hervey (she/her) — Executive Director

  5. Jasmine Brooks (she/her) — Messaging Advisor

  6. Jonnyka Bormann (she/her) — Board Vice President of Development

  7. María Rivera-Felizardo (she/they) — Programs Manager

  8. Sydney Greene (she/her) — Board Culture Officer

  9. Xochi Solis (she/her) — Board President

Now, we dream of a Texas where women and LGBTQ+ creatives thrive—where community practices, homegrown spaces and creative projects (like Future Front) can come to life. We are grateful to still driven forward by majority volunteers, as well as four full-time and part-time staff members. Though our bandwidth is tight, our impact is broad, because of the incredibly talented and creative people like them (and you) who bring collaboration, value and actionable purpose to our mission and goals. 

Our accidental beginnings & thoughtful evolution is a crucial part of who we are today. This written history will be updated as we evolve and change to reflect our growth (and your contributions), too. Thank you for being a part of our story.