Crum designed the artwork for TCU’s Homecoming Wild West
School of Art student Caya Crum ’27 is making waves in Fort Worth and on the TCU campus with her distinctive artistic style, blending influences from art history and the Wild West.
Most recently, Crum was approached by the TCU Alumni Association to design artwork for TCU’s Homecoming Wild West following her involvement at their annual Horned Frog Holiday Market.
“The inspiration for the designs I created for Homecoming came from my desire to combine Western themes with TCU logos and imagery,” explained Crum. “Specifically, when designing the sticker sheet, I included cacti, boots, a football, and more—each given a TCU purple makeover!”
From Local Art Shows to Iconic Murals
Caya Crum ’27
A Fort Worth native, Crum has quickly become a rising star in the local arts scene, showcasing her work at prominent events like Christmas in Cowtown, ArtsGoggle and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Her eye-catching murals can be found across the city, gracing locations such as The Bearded Lady, The Welman Project, The Swiss Pastry Shop and Hulen Mall. She was also commissioned to create an art installation for the historic Massey’s Restaurant sign, now a permanent fixture at The Pool Art Space.
“I love taking inspiration from various movements of art from the pop art movement to Greco-Roman art and then adding my own funky twist to them,” said Crum.”
A Passion for Art
Crum’s journey as an artist began in childhood and flourished during high school, where she earned several prestigious awards, including the grand prize in the annual juried art competition “Imagine No Violence,” hosted by the non-profit One Safe Place, which provides shelter for women and children affected by abuse.
In 2021, Crum participated in an art competition organized by the local Sister Cities organization, which connects cities worldwide to promote cultural exchange. Her painting, aimed at raising awareness about the global water crisis and inspiring action, won first place in the Fort Worth division of the competition.
As Crum approached high school graduation, she was drawn to the School of Art for its close-knit community and state-of-the-art facilities.
“When I first toured TCU, I immediately knew this was where I wanted to be,” Crum recalls. “I was blown away by the incredible professors and creative spaces in the School of Art.”
Looking ahead, Crum plans to remain active in the Fort Worth art scene. “Through my murals and other public works, I try to spread hope and positivity and brighten people’s days when they come across my work,” said Crum. “It makes me the happiest when I create something for myself that is either an obscure reference or something from the heart, and a stranger picks it up and immediately understands it.”