In Episode 20 of D’Ville Voices, Mary Ann Taylor sits down with spoken word artist, speaker, playwright, and activist Alex Tha Great for a conversation about creativity, expression, and using your voice with purpose.

Alex Tha Great (an acronym for “Given Real Encouragement Amongst Turmoil”) has performed on stages across the country since 2011. A finalist in the 2017 Women of the World Poetry Slam and runner-up in the 2018 National Civil Rights Museum Drop the Mic Poetry Slam, she brings together poetry, performance, scholarship and advocacy in work shaped by culture, identity and lived experience.

Her creative work extends beyond spoken word. She is the author of Sticks and Stones Don’t Break My Bones, Black Souls Dance On Beat and Everything My Daddy Taught Me. Her award-winning one-woman show, Passport to Womanhood, debuted in 2013 and toured for two years. She also created the Alex Tha Great Award for Black Studies Scholar to support others pursuing academic work in African American Studies.

From the stage to the classroom and community, Alex has built her work around the power of words to connect, challenge, and encourage others — guided by a simple philosophy: “Whatever you do, let it be bold!”

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 something artists don't always discuss openly: making art is work. Hays reflects on the discipline, uncertainty, and persistence required to keep creating, as well as the satisfaction that comes when a piece finally succeeds.

The conversation eventually turns to Duncanville, where Hays has lived since the early 1990s. He sees renewed energy in the local arts community and shares his hope for a cultural space that could bring together visual art, music, dance, poetry, and other forms of creative expression.

Listen to the latest episode of D’ville Voices for an engaging and often funny conversation with a local artist about creativity, perseverance, and the possibilities for Duncanville’s growing arts community.

In this episode of D’ville Voices, Mary Ann Taylor sits down with self-taught artist Cristi Frye, winner of both Best of Show and People’s Choice at the most recent EllaFair, held during Duncanville’s 2026 BloomFest.

Frye’s path to becoming a figurative sculptor began almost by accident. In 2018, while making Christmas ornaments from polymer clay, an attempt at creating a Santa face unexpectedly became an elderly woman she named Florence. That first character launched a creative journey centered on capturing the expressions, postures, and emotions of everyday people.

Working primarily with polymer clay, mixed media, and found objects, Frye explores the imperfections and shared experiences that connect us. Her sculptures invite viewers to see something familiar in her characters—and perhaps imagine the stories behind them.

Mary Ann and Cristi talk about her unconventional journey into art, the inspiration behind her work, and how she balances creativity with family life.

It’s a conversation about discovering creativity in unexpected places and finding the extraordinary stories hidden in ordinary human moments.

Discover Cristi Frye's work at her website https://www.cristifryeart.com/.

In this episode, Duncanville District 3 Councilmember Jeremy Koontz discusses the experiences and community connections that led him into public service. Koontz reflects on his musical background, including his work as a private piano instructor, composer, and performer.

The conversation also explores civic engagement, local leadership, and the responsibilities that come with serving on the Duncanville City Council. Koontz shares his thoughts on community involvement, connecting with residents and the importance of taking an active role in shaping Duncanville’s future.

In this episode, we visit House of Spin to learn why the indoor cycling studio chose Duncanville as its home and how it is building community through fitness, music, and creative expression. The conversation explores the studio’s services, welcoming atmosphere, and approach to making exercise accessible and engaging for riders at different fitness levels.

House of Spin offers more than a traditional workout. Its themed classes combine cycling, carefully selected music, lighting, movement, and personal expression to create an experience that connects fitness with the arts. Riders can participate in classes inspired by different musical genres, artists, moods, and cultural themes while improving their health and becoming part of a supportive community.

House of Spin is located at 110 N. Main St. in Duncanville. For class and schedule information, call or text 469-673-9904.

In 2026, Duncanville joined communities across Texas and the nation in celebrating poetry and the literary arts by selecting the City’s first Poet Laureate.

In this episode of D’Ville Voices, we sit down with Logen Cure, Duncanville’s inaugural Poet Laureate, to learn more about the poet behind the title. Logen Cure is a poet and educator. She is the author of the full-length poetry collection, Welcome to Midland (Deep Vellum Publishing, 2021). She earned her MFA in poetry from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is the founder and curator of Inner Moonlight, the monthly reading series and podcast at The Wild Detectives in Dallas. Learn more at www.logencure.com.

Get to know Duncanville’s first Poet Laureate and hear a conversation about poetry and creativity.

Executive Director Amy Jackson shares her journey to Duncanville, reflects on her time at Duncanville High School, discusses the impact of Duncanville Community Theatre, and gives us an exciting preview of what's coming in the next theatre season.

Listen now and see what's taking center stage in Duncanville!

Meet James McKey, a Building Inspector for the City of Duncanville with a passion that extends beyond building codes and inspections. In this episode of D’ville Voices, James shares his love for the arts and his experience performing on stage with Duncanville Community Theatre. Get to know the man behind the inspections and how he found another way to connect with the community through theatre.

In this episode of D’ville Voices, Economic Development Director Marlon Goff talks about what’s happening across Duncanville, from Open Rewards and supporting local businesses to new developments and projects in the works. He also shares his perspective as a Duncanville resident and what he’s seeing around the community.

On the latest episode of D’ville Voices, Duncanville City Councilmember Don McBurnett sits down with Arts Commission member Mary Ann Taylor for a conversation rooted in passion, purpose, and community pride. McBurnett shares what drives his commitment to public service, offers enthusiastic support for the growing impact of the Duncanville Arts Commission, and reflects on the city’s future and the role creativity plays in shaping it. It’s an inspiring look at leadership, local arts, and the vision guiding Duncanville forward.