2024 Awardee ~ Jay Loucks

A descendant of William Frederick Von Kahlden who traveled from Germany and settled in the Texas Hill Country in the early 1800’s. Generations later, Jay’s family made Houston their home where Jay was born, raised and enjoyed the city life that included working with his family, church, music and art. Jay was eleven years old for his first art show – a pastel “Chalk Talk” in front of the congregation at Second Baptist Church, Houston, while the choir sang “The Old Rugged Cross.” In the third grade, Jay won a Scholastic Art Competition Scholarship Award to the Museum School of Fine Art creating access to a wide variety of instruction from some of the best artists in Houston. Jay’s love for music started with playing the violin until he fell in love with the guitar. He and his friends formed a 10-piece band, “The Jokers Wilde, “ playing through college at the University of Houston with Jay at lead guitar. Regretfully, Jay had to sell his Fender Stratocaster guitar to get the first and reverse gears fixed on his 1962 Triumph TR3 – professional priorities had mounted! In the late ‘60s, graphic arts began to compete with painting so his career was off and running. Jay’s ability to listen deeply and capture the intrinsic purpose and goals of his clients led to opening his own studio, Loucks Atelier, in 1969 for what became an award-winning career.

“Along the way, I’ve had the exciting privilege of receiving inspirations from God and design for clients all over the world. I am humbled to receive The Carol & Michael Watford Award which speaks to what I’ve always hoped to do – advance the glorious grace of God. What a great joy it has been to design for POP, communicating its message of prayer around the globe!”

As Jay will attest, “Jesus Christ never left me since I did that first piece of art before His great congregation. Although I veered off the path a few times, with Jesus as my shepherd, I continue to study the Bible, follow Christ and grow in my faith.” Jay and his lovely wife Carol enjoy a full and blessed life in Houston with their terrific children, precious grandchildren and wonderful friends and colleagues.