COUTURE: Where do you live?

Debra Navarro: I’m a born and bred Texan, and vow to eventually return, but I currently reside in my husband’s hometown of Wichita, Kansas

COUTURE: What’s your favorite coffee shop?

DN: Any place that sells Monster Energy drinks. It used to be a minimum of 2xday Starbucks, but I have literally not had a coffee since March 13, 2020. That was the day I was hospitalized in New York for Covid-like symptoms including pneumonia, low oxygen, headache, fever, and loss of taste. I tested negative for Covid, but after one sip of coffee that tasted horrendously foul, I haven’t been able to stomach another coffee since.  I miss my coffee-life.

COUTURE: What’s your favorite gallery?

DN: Looking straight out of my office door I see Wichita’s new 40,000 sq ft Mark Arts building and outdoor sculpture garden. There’s so much history in what started in 1920 as the Wichita Art Center. It is now a hub for people to appreciate, learn, and create art. The gallery space is amazing, but there are also nine art studios, culinary and digital arts studios, and a space just for kids. I’ve taken different courses over the years including some jewelry courses. It was where I had my first juried exhibition and made my first jewelry sales. When I launched the Watu Collection I used their event space to host a screening and Q&A with my Africa travel companions and Gem Legacy (501c3) founders Roger and Ginger Dery as guests. I have a lot of great memories with Mark Arts and am thrilled they’ve moved in as my next-door neighbors.

COUTURE: What’s your favorite park or other outdoor space?

DN: I’m sorry Wichita, but this is where you get a bad rap. There are no mountains, beaches, or lakes to enjoy, so I’d have to say my favorite outdoor space is the golf course. Not that I’m a great player, but I married into a prominent golfing family so if I want to spend time with them outdoors, it’s going to be on a golf course.

COUTURE: What’s one thing that isn’t widely known about your home town that makes it special?

DN: One of the most popular pizza chains in the world, Pizza Hut, was started here in 1958 by two WSU students, Dan and Frank Carney. The original Pizza Hut building is now located on the WSU campus.

COUTURE: Which living artist do you most admire?

DN: Tanner Lawley, also a Texan, a big tall Texan, who paints love. I met Tanner at an art show in Scottsdale and the inspirational words he shared with me regarding his own life story hit me like divine intervention at exactly the time I needed it. I became a collector of his work and he became an encouraging voice to trust my creative vision. We have been good friends ever since. #10000hearts

COUTURE: What was the first piece of jewelry you fell in love with?

DN: The iconic Texas A&M ring; if you’re an Aggie you understand.