The Local’s List 2025 readers’ choice poll winners for Arts, Culture & Entertainment include categories such as annual festival, family attraction, live music venue and much more.
Annual Festival
Winner: Dia de los Muertos Festival
This festival has beautifully intertwined life, music and culture into one incredible community event since 2008. Recognized as one of the top Dia de Los Muertos celebrations in the country, the event celebrates and honors the rich cultural heritage of Mexico and South Texas with live music, ofrendas, art exhibitions, food trucks, vendors and more.
- Second Place: Buc Days
- Third Place: Fulton Oysterfest
Annual Fundraiser
Winner: Barefoot Mardi Gras
A beloved tradition with a Coastal Bend twist, Barefoot Mardi Gras combines revelry and philanthropy right on the sand. With vibrant parades, funky costumes and community spirit in every bead toss, it’s no wonder this beachside bash is a local favorite for giving back.
- Second Place: USS Lexington Museum’s Stage Door Canteen
- Third Place: HALO-Flight Casino Night
Art Gallery/Center
Winner: Art Center of Corpus Christi
Standing as a staple in the fabric of Downtown Corpus Christi, The Art Center of Corpus Christi is a community hub for creativity on the coast. From classes to rotating exhibitions, the Art Center is where locals go to connect with one another and wonderful art.
- Second Place: K Space Contemporary
- Third Place: Port Aransas Art Center
Band (Original Music)
Winner: Flatbroke
Blending reggae roots with Southern and collaborative soul, the band’s original music reflects close friends chasing the same mission: to make meaningful music and inspire people.
- Second Place: Raul Ayala Band
- Third Place: Triptonite
Comedian
Winner: Tina La Cochina
With five Local’s List wins under her belt, there is no denying Tina La Cochina’s comedic genius. Drawing crowds wherever she performs, Tina’s stand-up performances may leave your abs sore from laughing so hard. In an effort to continuously nurture the local comedy scene, she consistently hosts open mic nights and comedy shows around the Coastal Bend.
- Second Place: Chris Longoria
- Third Place: Javi Luna
Dance Studio
Winner: Tippi Toes
Tippi Toes brings joy to families across the Coastal Bend through upbeat, kid-friendly dance classes that build confidence and creativity. With a team of passionate instructors, Tippi Toes is dedicated to providing a wonderful experience one twirl at a time.
- Second Place: Munro Ballet Studios
- Third Place: Avant Dance
Digital Artist/Illustrator
Winner: Savannah Garza
A beloved local creative with an eye for visually appealing illustrations and typography, Savannah Garza is leaving her (brand)mark in every corner of the Coastal Bend. Her playful designs range from Corpus Christi iconography and marketing materials for local businesses to a digitally created mural at the Corpus Christi International Airport.
- Second Place: Rachel Wood Designs
- Third Place: Gilbert Cantu
Family Attraction
Winner: Texas State Aquarium
A perfect outing for the whole family, the Texas State Aquarium is one of Corpus Christi’s rock-star attractions. As the largest aquarium in the state of Texas, here you’ll find over 300 animal species across a wide range of exhibits. From the enchanting aquatic nursery filled with jellyfish and seahorses to a captivating Caribbean journey with birds and reptiles, visitors have plenty of ways to interact with and learn about wildlife.
- Second Place: In The Game Funtrackers
- Third Place: USS Lexington Museum
Filmmaker
Winner: Andres Hernandez, El Roi Films
With a sharp eye for detail and a deep love for storytelling, Andres Hernandez of El Roi Films crafts cinematic content that captivates and connects. El Roi Films turns strategy into cinema, proving that good content doesn’t just look good but also makes you feel something (and maybe click “share”).
- Second Place: Cris Olvera
- Third Place: Mauricio P. Cantu
Fine Art Painter
Winner: Mayra Zamora
Mayra Zamora’s paintings are explosions of color, culture and Chicana pride. Her canvases blend geometric patterns, Mexican-American iconography and fine art fundamentals, creating pieces that are as visually electric as they are rooted in her heritage.
- Second Place: Kaleigh Glover
- Third Place: Jennifer Seymour
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Influencer/Blogger
Winner: Haily Wilson, @localtxfoodie
If it’s worth eating in the Coastal Bend, Haily Wilson’s already posted about it. With mouthwatering photos and honest recs, Wilson is the go-to guide for local bites, hidden gems and the kind of content that makes you hungry immediately.
- Second Place: Monica Garcia, @ccbucketlist
- Third Place: Clarissa Serna-Farias, @clarissaserna
Live Music Venue
Winner: Brewster Street Icehouse Downtown
Located in Downtown Corpus Christi and housed in a building originally built in 1932, Brewster Street Icehouse serves as one of the city’s top venues. Every week, you can catch a variety of local and touring acts performing on the outdoor stage—ranging from Texas country to rock ‘n roll and everything in between.
- Second Place: House of Rock
- Third Place: Concrete Street Amphitheater
Multimedia Artist
Winner: Clover and Leaf
Built from heirloom wood and stitched with intention, Clover & Leaf’s Aislinn and Keegan create one-of-a-kind woven, carved and carefully made pieces. Each piece carries intention and a deep love for the handmade.
- Second Place: Jennifer Arnold
- Third Place: Millicent Alvarado
Muralist
Winner: Mayra Zamora
A kaleidoscope of color and culture, Mayra Zamora’s work is a bold celebration of Chicana identity and Corpus Christi pride. Adding beauty to the local landscape, her mural work includes locations such as La Palmera, Herman & Herman Law Office, Sound Vibrations and various walls in downtown Corpus Christi.
- Second Place: Jeremy Flores, The DaskOne
- Third Place: Daniel DeLeon, Jr.
Museum
Winner: Art Museum of South Texas
Understand the past, explore the present and imagine the future at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. Dedicated to preserving objects, sharing the stories of our history and educating visitors, the museum hosts hundreds of thousands of artifacts and historically significant items. Exhibits range from the Ecology Hall and Corpus Christi History to the McGregor Gallery and a Paleontology Hall.
- Second Place: Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
- Third Place: USS Lexington Museum
Nature/Landscape Photographer
Winner: Shyqeri Kuqi, Shoocha Photography
Known for rich tones and striking compositions, Shoocha Photography brings the natural beauty of the outdoors into sharp focus. Whether it’s a quiet stretch of untouched land or an animal in its natural habitat, each image tells a story worth framing.
- Second Place: Padre Island Madre
- Third Place: J. Morris 683 Photography
Performing Arts Theatre/Venue
Winner: Harbor Playhouse
The Harbor Playhouse is a mecca for live theatre in the Coastal Bend. As the oldest continually operating community theatre in Texas, the Playhouse provides a year-round schedule of classic and contemporary musicals and plays rivaling off-Broadway productions in both talent and quality. Remaining productions in the 2024 season include Rock of Ages, Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium and A Christmas Carol.
- Second Place: Aurora Arts Theatre
- Third Place: TAMU-CC Performing Arts Center
Podcast
Winner: Bitches Who Brunch
An unfiltered podcast hosted by Yvonne Ascension and Abel Ozuna, Bitches Who Brunch dives into the taboo topics we all love. Whether it’s sharing dating app experiences, playing Never Have I Ever with a guest or discussing long-distance relationships, listening to this podcast is like chatting about life with your best girlfriends.
- Second Place: Beer and a Movie
- Third Place: Somewhat Supernatural
Portrait Photographer
Winner: Shoocha Photography
The team at Shoocha Photography is committed to capturing the perfect image for you to cherish forever. Specializing in a wide range of styles, these talented professionals not only go above and beyond to get the shot, but make each client feel comfortable and confident every frame along the way.
- Second Place: Sweetest Snaps Studio
- Third Place: Megan Pena Photography
Radio DJ/Personality
Winner: Ed Ocañas
With a voice as familiar as your morning coffee and a playlist that always hits, Ed Ocañas has become a staple of Coastal Bend airwaves. Whether he’s spinning tracks or spotlighting local stories, he keeps the community tuned in and turned up.
- Second Place: Victoria De Leon
- Third Place: Pudge Nation
Screen Printing
Winner: Prints Charming Royal Tees
From custom tees to laser-engraved everything, Prints Charming Royal Tees is a one-stop shop for turning bold ideas into wearable (or displayable) reality. Prints Charming Royal Tees is the one-stop shop for all your customized apparel and promotional items.
- Second Place: Affordable T-Shirts & Graphics
- Third Place: Elevated Screen Printing
Sculptor/Ceramicist
Winner: Susan Myers, Gulf Coast Clayworks
Susan Myers of Gulf Coast Clayworks shapes each piece with intention, creating small-batch ceramics that echo the textures and tones of coastal life. Her work feels grounded and organic, with pieces inspired by the beauty of our coast.
- Second Place: Vivian Rood
- Third Place: Nathaneal Huffman Pottery
Solo Musician
Winner: Clarissa Serna-Farias
Clarissa Serna has been honing her voice and gracing the world with her talents since the age of 7. Her vocal range is out of this world, and when backed by her band made up of phenomenal musicians, her innate rock star abilities really shine. Releasing her first new song in quite some time, the artist put out a country song earlier this summer, making her initial step into the genre.
- Second Place: Eric Graham
- Third Place: Emma James Music
Sports Team
Winner: Corpus Christi Hooks
Some might say the Corpus Christi Hooks essentially won the Astros the 2017 World Series … and we are those some. The Coastal Bend has the opportunity to watch young talent grow as the CC Hooks take the diamond at Whataburger Field. Watching a baseball game on a hot summer night, hot dog in hand, is truly one of the best pastimes.
- Second Place: Corpus Christi IceRays
- Third Place: TAMU-CC Islanders Women’s Basketball
Staycation Location
Winner: Cinnamon Shore
Living on the coast means having a ready-made vacation in your own backyard, and Cinnamon Shore is the perfect staycation destination. One of the most popular luxury resort communities in Port Aransas, this beachside haven is designed to help families relax, spend time together and make new memories.
- Second Place: Port Royal
- Third Place: Lively Beach Resort
Tattoo Artist
Winner: Chris Lain, Pinnacle Tattoo
Tattooing colorful, clean and evocative designs since 1994, Chris Lain—owner of Pinnacle Tattoo—has a phenomenal portfolio. Picking up inspiration and education from around the world and alongside other great artists, Lain is a seasoned professional bringing his clients’ tattoo dreams to an even better reality.
- Second Place: Cindy Saenz, Axis Tattoo
- Third Place: Eloy Sanchez, Fellowship Tattoo Parlor
Tattoo Shop
Winner: Pinnacle Tattoo
Founded by Chris and Tina Lain, Pinnacle Tattoo opened its doors in 2007 and is home to six talented artists. Here, individual creativity is celebrated and collaborative artistic efforts are encouraged. The work done by these professionals shows immense care for both the craft and the client experience.
- Second Place: Axis Tattoo
- Third Place: Black Lantern Tattoo
TV/News Personality
Winner: Alan Holt, KIII-TV
Alan Holt is everyone’s favorite neighborhood meteorologist. For years, Holt has been serving the Coastal Bend, providing insight into the region’s weather and keeping citizens informed on possible threats. His friendly smile, sometimes-silly Facebook presence and top-notch knowledge keep him winning this category, year after year.
- Second Place: Leslie Adami, KIII-TV
- Third Place: Clarissa Serna-Farias, Coastal Living
Videographer (Non-wedding)
Winner: Twins Media
Aaron and Andrew, the twin brother duo behind Twins Media, have become a go-to name in Corpus Christi for creative video and photo work. Quinceañeras, grad sessions and everything in between, their friendly approach and sharp eye bring out the best in every project.
- Second Place: Alpha Film Creative
- Third Place: Knightstorm Productions
Website Designer
Winner: The Social Butterfly Media
With a full-stack digital team and a client list that spans the globe, The Social Butterfly Media builds websites that don’t just look great, they grow businesses. From strategy to execution, its sites are designed to scale, engage and make brands stand out in the digital crowd.
- Second Place: Darklab Media
- Third Place: Alexis Kadonsky
