Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

For the past several weeks, Rhonda Rogers-Crawford has been learning the ropes as she takes on a new role in the community, that of director of the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center.

Since June 25, she’s been working with interim BFAC Director Doylene Land, preparing for the opening of the 2024 Juried Art Show, which is scheduled to open on Tuesday, July 23.

“What will make me fit into this role is my extensive experience with nonprofit (organizations). And then my community ties,” she said. “A lot of people ask, ‘Are you an artist?’ And I’m going to tell you that art is subjective. So can I put something on canvas? No. But if you’ve been around me, or any of the events that I’ve been responsible for, my art comes out in a different way. But I’m extremely creative.”

She’s also learning a lot from Land. “I’m getting a fast course in all things art, because of the juried show,” Rogers-Crawford said. “Starting right now was perfect timing in that Doylene had already set up the juried show and was into the process. So I’m getting to experience that for the first time. It’ll help me for next year when I’m on my own, so to speak.”

Artwork for the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center’s annual juried show was coming in last week. Working to check in and organize the art were, from left, interim BFAC Director Doylene Land, BFAC Board member Lyn Clark, and newly appointed BFAC Director Rhonda Rogers-Crawford. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The job is multi-faceted and requires a lot of different skills, according to Lyn Clark, who is the Breckenridge Library and Fine Arts Foundation representative to the BFAC Board of Directors. “It’s not only artwork to hang; it’s also the teaching of it to children in the workshops that are important to us,” she said.

As BFAC director, Rogers-Crawford, a Breckenridge native, will be responsible for seeking out artists to exhibit in the galleries, as well as arranging art workshops for children and adults.

The Breckenridge High School graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in business from LeTourneau University. She owned Sweet Accessories, a local bakery, before becoming the executive director of the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce from 2016 to 2018.

She and her husband, Kc Crawford, then moved to New Mexico to pursue other opportunities. They returned to Breckenridge, and she became the finance coordinator for the Chamber, Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation and the Industrial Foundation in May 2022. Just a couple of months later, she took on the role of interim executive director of the Chamber, following the departure of Executive Director Colton Buckley and prior to the hiring of Yuri Huntington, who is the current Chamber director.

Additionally, the Crawfords own the local pastry business Texas Cheeters. Click here to read more about Kc and the Texas Cheeters.

Last year, Rogers-Crawford was named the director of the Breckenridge Convention and Visitors Bureau, a part-time position she will continue to hold.

“Standing on the past leadership legacy, I am honored to become the new Director here at the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center,” she said in a news release last week. “I look forward to building upon the Center’s rich history of curatorial and collaborative projects.”

The annual juried show that Land has been working on will include 80 pieces of art from artists representing six different states and 30 Texas towns. In addition to the juried show in the main gallery, the BFAC will also feature a smaller exhibit of artwork by the show’s juror, Christopher Stanley of Odessa. The juried show will open on July 23 and be on exhibit through Oct. 5.

Additionally, in her role as director of the CVB, Rogers-Crawford has been planning the Basil Clemons Festival of Arts. The local arts festival was initially scheduled for this Fall but has been rescheduled for April 2025.

Under Rogers-Crawford’s direction, the BFAC is looking to rebuild its docent program. The volunteers work just a few hours a month, welcoming guests and answering questions at the front desk. Anyone who is interested in volunteering is encouraged to call the BFAC at 254-559-6602.

The Breckenridge Fine Arts Center, which is located at 207 N. Breckenridge Ave., will continue its traditional hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday during the summer months, with additional Saturday hours beginning in September.

Cutline, top photo: Rhonda Rogers-Crawford is the new director of the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center. As a business owner, former Chamber of Commerce director and current Convention and Visitors Bureau director, she brings a variety of experience to the position. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)