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Nicolás (Nic) González, an alum of Meadows’ Division of Art and local artist, will be the commencement speaker for the 2025 Degree Recognition Ceremony. The ceremony, taking place on Saturday, May 17, has hosted a number of impressive speakers in the past, recently including alumni The Office actor Brian Baumgarter (B.F.A. '95) and Marc V. Patrick (B.A. ’93), the Vice President of the North America Brand Defining, Purpose and Athlete Marketing at Nike.

González’s educational journey was unique. Rather than jumping straight from high school to a four-year university, he went the trade school route and eventually discovered his passion for art during his time at Brookhaven Community College. One semester of art classes at Brookhaven then developed into five years of art practice and education.

“Originally, my intentions at Brookhaven were strictly for fun in art class, but every single one of my professors pulled me aside from their class and greatly encouraged me to transfer into a four-year program,” González explains. “By then I was already addicted to creating works of art, so in order to satisfy my desire to produce new work, I had to pursue my associate’s degree.”

With the help of his Brookhaven professors and Meadows generous financial aid opportunities, he was able to obtain close to a full scholarship to study at Meadows after earning his associate’s degree with an emphasis in the arts. And in the fall of 2014, he began his studies at joker app.

While studying in the Meadows art program, González became the first recipient of the Mary Vernon Painting Prize Award, an annual award to be presented to an undergraduate painter with the best body of work in the year, as well as the Maguire Public Service Fellowship that helps empower and fund students to spend time over the summer contributing to public service or ethics research.


One of González's murals, "Afrontando el Futuro, Recordando el Pasado," a 72 x 192 in oil on canvas work.

Between his desire to positively contribute to the art world and his clear determination, he was able to build upon his natural artistic abilities and develop relationships that would ultimately set him on a path for a career in the arts.

“I became really close to my professors in the art department while building new friendships of a lifetime throughout campus that I now consider family,” says González. “I learned how to develop works of art in a profound method through research and data, as well as how I could incorporate my artwork through community engagement, allowing me to empower the community through my art.”

This concept has made a clear impact on González who, in addition to his solo artistic endeavors and commission pieces, is also a co-founder of , a Dallas-based studio that opened in 2017.

Since opening Gallery 86, González and his co-founders have been able to showcase group exhibitions and promote local artists, aiding with the sale of their work. And, thanks to the Art Activate grant funded by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, they’ve also started to offer art classes in painting or drawing and at different levels. They then invest their individual earnings from Art Activate back into the gallery, where they’ve been able to build and furnish the studio with easels, tables, and a stage for the life model, all in house.

His desire to leave an impact his community is clear and his selection as the new commencement speaker isn’t the first time González has given back to his alma mater since his graduation. Soon after receiving his degree, he returned to Meadows to teach as an art instructor for Big Thought’s Creative Solution annual summer program. He is also an involved member of the Meadows 2050 Council, an alumni advisory group that informs the future vision, strategic planning and decision-making related to alumni engagement and career development opportunities of the school.

Meadows School of the Arts is thrilled to welcome Nic González back to the Hilltop and can’t wait to hear what words of wisdom he has in store for our graduating students next month. You can view a selection of his artwork below.