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Proudly Serving Emporia's Diverse Communities and Empowering Local Artists
Proudly Serving Emporia's Diverse Communities and Empowering Local Artists
Get to know the identities behind House of Morrow
At House of Morrow, we believe it’s just as important to cultivate the idea of public service through art as it is to focus on the production itself. We must instill in the community that art can address and impact many aspects of our lives.
Art and culture are crucial to cities. They contribute significantly to a city's identity, attract tourism, stimulate economic growth, foster community engagement, and enhance the quality of life for residents by creating a vibrant and diverse cultural landscape. While we may not be a large city, we can apply these principles here—arguably more effectively than in larger cities.
We need more artists. We need more poets. We need more musicians. We need more people who can create change by putting beauty into the world. We need more communicators of hope!
Executive Director
Executive Director
DEON MORROW
I am a founding member and acting Executive Director of House of Morrow, born and raised in Emporia, Kansas and I am excited about helping people and investing in the community through the arts!
I am a painter and advocate of the arts. I have Marketing, Management, and Entrepreneurship degrees. I serve on several city boards and am also involved in youth sports. I think it is important to build the idea of changing your environment for the better and you can use the arts as a tool. We have to empower our people to take action in their environment in a constructive way, the arts can be used as a vehicle. When supporting the arts you are actively listening and communicating with the artist. When supporting the arts we have to be receptive to being moved.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
House of Morrow is guided by its Board of Directors and Executive Director, who oversee the organization's goals, finances, and budget. The organization is funded through donations, grants, and other income sources, with a focus on responsible resource management. Committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, House of Morrow welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, ensuring a welcoming community for all.
Learn more about our Board Members by clicking on their photos!
Chair
Rebeca Herrera
Vice Chair
Linzi Garcia
Treasurer
Jamie Reynolds
Secretary
Emely Magaña
In the winter of 2018, I moved to Emporia, drawn by love and the warm community spirit my husband, a lifelong resident, introduced me to. I’m proud to have played a key role as an original board member in the creation of the House of Morrow, an experience that has allowed me to witness its meaningful impact from the start.
My journey with community engagement began when I met Deon through the Leadership Emporia Academy, sparking a partnership rooted in a shared passion for diversity and service. Together, we co-founded the Emporia Spanish Speakers' Chips con Salsa, and through this collaboration, we also brought the House of Morrow to life. I’m driven by a passion for turning ideas into reality, bringing structure and creativity to everything I do. Whether it’s through arts, music, or painting, I find joy in embracing the boundless possibilities of creativity and connecting with others through diverse expressions. Supporting the arts means embracing diverse expressions and finding beauty in the unexpected.
I’ve lived in Emporia, Kansas for 5 years and have been delivering enthusiasm to the House of Morrow Board since June 2023. With my background in writing, I’m not shy from public speaking and I have a creative and professional support network. It’s amazing to be part of a team of go-getters whose passions both overlap and differ from mine. We all care deeply about our community and the ways in which we feel we can positively contribute to it. What differs is how we are able to apply our backgrounds, professions, other passions, and skills to our overall goal. We are such a strong team and get stronger every day.
Poetry is my favorite medium to express creativity, followed closely by music. I hold a belief that everyone is an artist in some way. We all express ourselves creatively somehow, and supporting the arts in a broader sense honors that part in ourselves.
Emporia has been home for 25+ years and I've proudly served on the Board for House of Morrow since it was formed in February of 2023. Possessing a Business background makes me helpful in the backfield and I enjoy working with a team of like-minded individuals who want to expand horizons within the community. Providing more opportunities to those who may not have all of the access as others motivates me.
Expressing myself through written word has helped me expel pent-up emotions. It’s good to put thoughts out there even if it’s just for yourself! I believe that supporting the arts goes so much further than giving someone pen and paper. By supporting arts you help people feel more confident in themselves and their abilities while also fostering a growing mind that will feel capable of pushing the boundaries of pages in all aspects of one’s life.
Born in California and living in Emporia for 26 years, I’ve been with the board since it began in the summer of 2023. It’s been exciting to join House of Morrow right from the start. This is my first time serving on a board, so I knew there’d be lots to learn as I watch it grow from the ground up. I bring a strong passion for working with children and my experience to the group, which has helped open doors for new programs, and as a counselor, I make sure to really listen to everyone, so all members feel heard and their opinions valued.
I grew up singing, dancing, and being involved in theater. Singing along to my favorite musicals will always put me in a better mood! I truly believe that art - Art, in whatever form is best for you, is one of the most intentional and safest ways to let your true self out. We not only express ourselves through the arts, but most importantly we learn so much about ourselves through it.
Member
Nadia Qureshi
Member
Nyk Robertson
I've lived in Lyon County since 2018 and joined House of Morrow in November of 2023, assisting with event photography and media management. I've always loved supporting local arts and my community at large - having the privilege to help develop aspiring artists and cultivating a community which celebrates the arts and cultures is an inspiring pursuit.
I've always enjoyed creativity in various ways with digital illustration and photography being my go-to outlets for artistic expression. Art, in any form, is a product of passion and should be appreciated for what's beneath the surface. Supporting the arts and fostering local talent brings vitality to the community: art breaks barriers and brings people together, it's a beautiful necessity for life as a human.
I moved to Emporia for school and returned to the community five years ago. I joined the board in November 2024 because I truly appreciate the work House of Morrow has done and the vision they have for the future of the arts in Emporia. I love being part of dreaming big and helping bring those dreams to life. As a connector, I thrive on linking ideas to resources, bringing people together, and piecing together elements that contribute to the bigger picture. I also enjoy grant writing and finding the resources that help support the organization’s goals.
Poetry and woodworking are my favorite ways to express myself creatively. I believe that storytelling through art, in any form, is how we connect to each other’s humanity. Supporting the arts allows us to find joy and build community in ways that are both immeasurable and essential.
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