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Worthy Convos: Donna Clark of Cowtown Twenty-Five
Have you ever watched a child using their imagination? Whether it’s creating an elaborate game with their friends which no adult could hope to understand or drawing a picture for you to display on the fridge, they are entirely present and joyful. Somewhere along the way, we lose that joy in creation.
In this installment of Worthy Convos, we talked with Donna Clark, the owner and creative mind behind Cowtown Twenty-Five, an art studio with the motto, “Make Art, Make Friends, Make Memories” that offers classes and workshops to help us reconnect to our creative, joyful selves.
Tanglewood Moms: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Donna Clark: My name is Donna Clark. I’m a native Fort Worthian, born and raised. Attended Arlington Heights High School, and also TCU – where I majored in communications (radio/tv/film).
My first career was an award winning video producer/writer/director, and I did that for broadcast and corporate projects for over 20 years.
My next entrepreneurial project was creating a non-profit theatre arts academy for kids in Coppell. It was there that my successful, after school “drama club” program was born. That ran for 16 years in schools in the DFW Metroplex (private, public, and charter schools).
Last year, my husband and I decided to embark on an adventure and move to Beaufort, South Carolina. There, I opened an art gallery (in honor of my late sister), featuring works of Fort Worth artists such as Jimmy Joe Jenkins, Amy Young, Mouty Shackelford, and Stacy McKnight. It was here that we started offering art/craft classes, and they were SUPER popular – we sold out every class over the summer months.
And while the gallery/studio was doing well in South Carolina, we really missed Fort Worth…and so this past October, we moved back…because “there’s no place like home.”
But knowing I wasn’t “done” with the art gallery/studio, I launched some “mobile” classes in November and December. We will continue to hold classes here locally, and also offer our DIY Kits online that can be shipped anywhere in the US.
Photo courtesy of Donna Clark and Cowtown Twenty-Five
TWM: What inspired you to open Cowtown Twenty-Five?
DC: My younger sister, Leanne, was a “hobby artist” and loved to create every day. She was an interior designer by trade, but loved dabbling with different mediums, especially alcohol inks, watercolors, and acrylics. She lost her battle with cancer in July of 2024, so this gallery and this art focus, is in her honor.
TWM: Is there a story behind the name?
DC: Since we were in Beaufort, South Carolina at the time of the creation of this gallery/studio, I wanted to pay homage to my own roots. The address of the studio was “25” – so Cowtown Twenty-Five was born. Everything in the studio represented my love for Cowtown, including the artists whose works I represented.
TWM: What kind of classes do you offer?
DC: Right now, we are offering crushed glass and resin classes. These are super popular because not only can you make a beautiful piece of art for your home, but ANYONE can do this.
TWM: I love that you offer DIY kits! What a great present! Can you tell us a little about the kits?
DC: Yes! The kits come with everything you need to complete a crushed glass and resin project. You get the form (the wooden frame), crushed glass, the resin and hardener, protective gloves, contact paper, tweezers. Just everything you need as if you were attending one of our classes. You will even receive step by step instructions on how to complete the project!
TWM: Do you have an artist to take a class or use one of your DIY kits? I’m hopeless at art!
DC: This is the beauty of these classes – anyone can take them. You don’t have to be a skilled artist, or have any experience AT ALL! This is part of our mission/vision…to make sure anyone and everyone can be creative (even if you don’t think you are.) All of our classes (now and in the future) will be beginner friendly. It’s really what our studio is about. Yes, it’s about the art and being creative, but perhaps more important, it’s about coming together in community. : Make Art/Make Friends/Make Memories.
Photo courtesy of Donna Clark and Cowtown Twenty-Five
TWM: What’s in your holiday box for the kiddos?
DC: This is a fun box full of creative inspiration for pre school age kids. It comes with a copy of my children’s book that I wrote (inspired by my after school drama club program), costume accessories, small puppets, and a plush toy so that kiddos can read the story with mom and dad (or grandma/grandpa), then act out the story through creative play with dress up and puppets!
TWM: Speaking of the kiddos, is there an age restriction on your classes?
DC: The classes are suitable for ages 12 and up, although with adult supervision, younger kids could participate (eight and up).
TWM: And finally, what’s your favorite medium for self-expression?
DC: Hmm. This is a good question! For me, I love to journal. Every morning, I bring out colored markers and a journal with blank pages and either write or draw. It’s a great way to start my day with some gratitude and reflection.
Photo courtesy of Donna Clark and Cowtown Twenty-Five
