LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Lindsey Maestri’s artistic career began while working for her master’s of fine arts in ceramics from LSU.

There’s something else, however, that also caught her interest during this time.

“While I was in graduate school, I knew I wanted to go into nonprofit management,” Maestri said. “A lot of people with that degree go into teaching and become professors, but I really love nonprofits. I took some courses in nonprofit management while I was pursuing that degree and then kept working in the nonprofit area after that.”

That work eventually led her to the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts.

She’s held the executive director position since 2019 and with it comes a non-traditional schedule.

“You never know what the day is gonna hold,” Maestri said. “We have this big calendar here at LHUCA that’s color-coded and manages all of our different events and all of our spaces. We have four very active buildings at LHUCA, but then there’s always something that pops up and is a surprise.”

Those active buildings include exhibits from artists all over the world as well as concerts and film showings.

Maestri says showcasing art to the Lubbock community is what brings her the most joy.

“Seeing people that didn’t feel like they saw themselves in an art gallery or understand what it is or in in art space and having that art experience for the first time,” Maestri said. “Our galleries are free and open to the public and maybe they’ve wandered in on one of our artful family hours and they’re looking for something fun and free to do with their kids.”

It’s also not lost on Maestri that she holds her position at a fine arts center rich with women’s history.

“Louise Hopkins Underwood, she meant so much to the center,” Maestri said. “She was the strong force who, at the age of 75, decided that Lubbock needed an arts center. We needed somewhere that had a gallery presence and a performing arts presence because our population in Lubbock deserved that.”

Maestri says LHUCA is always working hard to showcase art to the Lubbock community and is looking forward at what’s to come.

“That’s really our focus for the future is looking at how do we bring in larger audiences,” Maestri said, “but also bring in artists that may be having different perspectives and new conversations for our local community here in Lubbock.”

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