Yvonne Garcia, owner and director of Houston's oldest operating gallery, Hooks-Epstein Galleries, discusses her journey from aspiring actor to gallery leader in a new interview. She details her initial career in acting and talent representation, her return to the art world through roles at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Sicardi Gallery, and her fateful hiring by pioneering gallerist Geri Hooks in 2006.
Garcia's story highlights the personal and institutional legacy of a key Houston gallery. Founded in 1969 by Geri Hooks and Evan Epstein, Hooks-Epstein helped transform the city's art scene by nurturing Texas artists and collectors. Following Hooks's death in 2021, Garcia assumed leadership, continuing the gallery's mission of supporting forward-thinking local artists while honoring its foundational spirit, underscoring the importance of mentorship and continuity in regional art ecosystems.