AMY C. EVANS is an award-winning artist, writer, and documentarian based in Houston, Texas. She graduated from the city's acclaimed High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), holds a BFA in Printmaking from the Maryland Institute College of Art, and an MA in Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi. Amy's paintings have appeared in Southern Living, Southern Cultures, and the Oxford American. Her writing has appeared in Saveur, The Bitter Southerner, The Local Palate, and Cornbread Nation 5: The Best of Southern Food Writing. Amy built the documentary program at the Southern Foodways Alliance, headquartered at the University of Mississippi, where she served as their lead oral historian for more than a decade. The Mississippi Historical Society has twice recognized her work, and Food & Wine magazine named Amy one of the “most fearsome talents” in the culinary world. She returned home to Houston in 2014 and embarked on an exciting freelance career, utilizing her varied skills and interests to explore new methods of storytelling. Amy's most recent documentary project, Houston in 2020: Self-Employed Black Artists, was funded by a grant from the Houston Arts Alliance. Her first book, co-authored with Martha Hall Foose and published by Chronicle Books, A Good Meal Is Hard to Find: Storied Recipes from the Deep South, was released in April 2020 and celebrated as "one of the most unique art volumes that doubles as a cookbook." Amy's next book, HSPVA AT 50: A Unique History, will be available in October 2023. www.amycevans.com

Teaching writing to K-12 students throughout HISD in the WITS Creative program, to teachers in the WITS Collaborative program, and also teaching digital expression through the WITS Digital program. RESIDENCIES: Chavez High School, Furr High School, Oak Forest Elementary, HSPVA, Kashmere High School, Kolter Elementary, Meadow Wood Elementary (SBISD), and Wainwright Elementary.

Solicited, managed, produced, and edited written and multimedia contributions specific to the area of traditional customs for this online publication that is a project of the Mississippi Arts Commission. Article topics range from a photo essay on quinceañeras in the Mississippi Delta to an article on the Delta-born son of Chinese immigrants.

Built the documentary program for this nationally recognized nonprofit whose mission is to document, study, and explore the diverse food cultures of the changing American South. Pioneered an award-winning multi-media archive of fieldwork targeted to a popular audience that has significantly impacted the field. Chief architect of four interactive culinary trails. Successfully managed an annual budget, published articles, presented projects at myriad conferences and events, and implemented interdisciplinary educational programs and experiential learning opportunities for diverse audiences. Utilized exceptional interpersonal skills to conduct fieldwork, act as member liaison, collaborate with community partners, and manage a cohort of contract employees and interns. Managed an archive of more than 800 oral histories. Personally conducted more than 300 interviews and gained a reputation for empathetic listening and establishing lasting connections. Organized community engagement programming around the region. Led an annual documentary workshop for graduate students and initiated member outreach and education opportunities. Twice recognized by the Mississippi Historical Society with its Elbert R. Hilliard Award, received the International Association of Culinary Professionals’ New Media Award, and honored by Travel + Leisure Magazine with its Global Vision Award.