Prizer Arts & Letters is a nonprofit with a mission to support artists and cultivate connection through socially engaged art exhibitions, literary readings and interactive community events.
Artist-in-Residence Spotlight
Prizer is excited to welcome Sara Hickman as the Smithville artist-in-residence for July and August, 2026!
During her residency, Sara will work on completing two books — the first is a memoir on her life in music and the second focuses on the caregiving journey she is on with her mom. Sara is also looking forward to creating more murals in Smithville that celebrate local icons.
About the artist: Sara Hickman is a Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, visual artist, and avid fundraiser for charities in Texas and around the world.
She has released twenty-three albums, via major labels and independently on her own label, Sleeveless. She had a No. 3 adult contemporary hit titled "I Couldn't Help Myself." She appeared twice on The Tonight Show, hosted her own VH-1 special, and produced an independent video that won first place in the USA Film Festival.
Hickman’s songs have appeared in film and TV, and she has sung for several national ad campaigns. She also co-founded the three-part vocal group Domestic Science Club with Robin Macy and Patty Lege. On her 2011 collection "Best of Times," Hickman's songs were covered by Texas musicians such as Willie Nelson, Robert Earl Keen, Shawn Colvin, Ruthie Foster and thirty-five others. This collection raised funds for non-profits during Hickman's appointed time as the Official Texas State Musician in 2010, a title that landed her smack dab in between Willie Nelson (2009) and Lyle Lovett (2011).
Sara is currently the Creative Outreach Director for St. Cecilia’s Episcopal Church in Roundtop, Tx, and has taught classes on songwriting, creativity and navigating the music industry. She owns a vintage shop called Twig in Smithville, TX and has a podcast called Studio of the Future interviewing artists, musicians, politicians and various folks of interest.