Sara Lee Hughes
Artist Statement
My paintings are representational narratives that share an intimate exploration of family, identity, belonging and the social and cultural expectations that shape our lives.
I draw upon my youth, growing up in Texas during the 1970’s and 80’s, the generational differences between myself and my parents, their contrasting worlds, motherhood and my knowledge of theater to examine inherited beliefs, social conventions and the tension between authenticity and expectation.
Nostalgic imagery, an eclectic palette, Southern colloquialisms, and pop culture are some of my tools for constructing carefully staged scenes that feel simultaneously humorous, familiar and improbable.
My paintings invite viewers into these profoundly personal, yet broadly relatable stories, encouraging
reflection on the ways we navigate society and how that may or may not contribute to the evolution of our culture.
Bio
Sara Lee Hughes was born in Dallas, Texas in 1968. She holds a BFA in theatrical design from Southwest Texas State University, a Certificate in Painting and Printmaking from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and an MFA in painting from Pratt Institute. Hughes has worked as a scenic painter in television, film and theater. She was a finalist for The Bennett Prize 3 in 2023 and most recently a finalist for the Women United ART PRIZE 2025.
Hughes draws inspiration from the paintings of Antonio Lopez Garcia, Bo Bartlett, Edouard Manet, the varied works of William Kentridge and the figurative paintings of Jenny Saville. Her knowledge of theater and experience as a scenic artist is deeply influential to her work. Hughes lives in Central Texas with her husband Michael and their daughter, Marlowe.
Exhibitions
2026 INTERWOVEN STORIES, Verdant Gallery, Austin, TX
2026 Staying the Course, Online Gallery Exhibition, www.womenunitedartmovement.com
2025 The Shape of Things, Online Group Exhibition, Curated by Shannon Rae Finke, I LIKE YOUR WORK Podcast
2025 Staying the Course, Cultural Activities Center, Temple TX
2025 Sara Lee Hughes, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, Wausau, WI
2025 Artist, Mother, Proud & Serious, Online Group Exhibition, www.womenunitedartmovement.com
2024 Rising Voices 3, The Bennett Prize, Bo Bartlett Center, Columbus State University, Columbus, GA
2024 Rising Voices 3, The Bennett Prize, Customs House Museum and Cultural Center, Clarksville, TN
2024 Rising Voices 3, The Bennett Prize, Group Exhibition, Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY
2023 Texas Vignette, Art Fair, Curator and Juror Emily Edwards, Dallas Market Hall, Dallas, TX
2023 Exhibitour 2023, Group Exhibition, Juror David Hummer, Wausau, WI
2023 Rising Voices 3, The Bennett Prize, Group Exhibition, Jurors Zoey Frank, Julie Bell, Steven Alan Bennett and Joseph Rosa,
Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI
2022 Exhibitour, Group Exhibition, Juror Alyssa Monks, Wausau, WI
2022 What We Give, Group Exhibition, Curator Dakota X, The Provincetown Commons, Provincetown, MA
2022 Both Sides Now, Group Exhibition, Curator Katie Murray, The Art Room, Fort Worth, TX
2021 The Journey Forward, Group Exhibition, Commerce Gallery, Lockhart, TX
2021 The Journey of Two Unlikely Friends, Group Exhibition, Cultural Activities Center, Temple, TX
2021 Drawing Discourse, 12th Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Drawing, Group Exhibition, Juror Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum
,University of North Carolina, Asheville, NC
2020 National Day of Racial Healing Exhibition, Group Exhibition, Austin Community College, Austin, TX
2019 The Journey of Two Unlikely Friends, Pop Up Exhibition, Commerce Gallery, Lockhart, TX
2018 University of Southern Mississippi National Painting Exhibition, Group Exhibition, Juror Bill Scott, University of Southern
Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS,
2018 Texas Friends and Neighbors Regional Painting Exhibition, Group Exhibition, Irving Arts Center, Irving, TX
Publications and Podcasts
2026 Women United Art Magazine, SPECIAL EDITION, www.womenunitedartmovement.com
2026 Women United Art Magazine, ISSUE XIII, Spring , www.womenunitedartmovement.com
2025 The Shape of Things, Catalog, Curated by Shannon Rae Finke, Fall 2025, www.ilikeyourworkpodcast.com
2024 Artist Mother Proud and Serious, Vol. II, 2024 www.womanuntiedartmovement.com
2022 7844 Podcast, Episode Six Auld Lang Syne
2022 Studio Tour and Artist Visit, Sara Lee Hughes, The Quest for Zest
2022 The ArtBizSuccess Podcast, Episode 131, Injecting personal narrative into your art with Sara Lee Hughes
2021 Rising Stars: Meet Sara Lee Hughes of Lockhart, www.voyageaustin.com/interview/meet-sara-lee-hughes/
2020 Texas Artist Creates House Paintings to Raise Money for Local Food Bank, www.bhg.com/news/texas-artist-paints-foodbank/
2019 Meet Sara Lee Hughes, www.voyagedallas.com/interview/meet-sara-lee-hughes/
2003 New American Paintings, vol. 45
Awards
2025 Finalist, Women United Art Prize 2025, www.womenunitedartmovement.com
2023 Bennett Prize Finalist, Rising Voices 3 Exhibition, , Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI
2022 First Prize, Exhibitour 2022, Wausau, WI
2019 Award of Recognition, University of Southern Mississippi National Painting Exhibition, University of Southern Mississippi,
Hattiesburg, MS
2018 Second Place, Oil painting, Texas Friends and Neighbors Regional Exhibition, Irving Arts Center, Irving, TX
2005 National Arts Club Award of Distinction, National Arts Club, New York, NY
2003 First Prize: Painting, Art of the State, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
2003 Fellowship, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT
Education
2007 Master of Fine Arts, Painting, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY,
1999 Certificate in Painting and Printmaking, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
1990 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Theater, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Related Experience
2018-present Art teacher, Lockhart Montessori School, Lockhart, TX
2025-present Lead Scenic Painter, Matilda the Musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Clue, Gaslight Baker Theater, Lockhart, TX
