In this episode of D’ville Voices, Arts Commissioner Julio Avila sits down with Duncanville artist Terry Hays for a candid conversation about creativity, persistence, and what it means to build a life around making art.

Hays is a Texas artist whose work draws from architecture, theater and scenic design, combining painting, sculpture and constructed environments. His work has been exhibited extensively, and Ro2 Art in Dallas represents him.

During the conversation, Hays shares the winding path that led him to become an artist—from drawing as a child and briefly pursuing architecture to studying art at West Texas State University and earning his MFA at TCU. He also discusses how his early interest in architecture and experience painting theatrical sets continue to influence his work.

Hays and Avila also talk about some ...