For centuries, women have been the keepers of culture, the unseen architects of history, and the voices behind revolutionary movements. Yet, too often, their contributions to the arts have been diminished, erased, or credited to men. In 2025, three Houston-based artists—Sneha Bhavsar, Marissa Castillo, and ShaWanna Renee Rivon— are refusing to let their stories be overlooked. Through visual arts, theater, and playwriting, they challenge narratives, break barriers, and reclaim their space in history.
Like these women, many BANF’s artist awardees have built their pathways to success, regardless of historic barriers. This Women’s History Month, the BIPOC Arts Network & Fund (BANF) shines a light on the women who have defied expectations, reclaimed their voices, and successfully positioned their artistry as groundbreaking and powerful.
Sneha Bhavsar: Weaving Generations Together Through Folk Art
For Sneha Bhavsar, art is more than self-expression—it 
is a bridge between past and present, tradition and innovation. Drawing from the folk-art traditions of India, Southeast Asia, and South America, Bhavsar creates contemporary works that challenge Western perceptions of what constitutes “fine art.”
“Many folk-art techniques are passed down through multiple generations, automatically linking ancestry and the history of communities,” she explains. “But too often, this work is dismissed as decorative rather than recognized for its precision and skill.”
Bhavsar has faced resistance not only from mainstream art institutions but also from within her own cultural community. “In the Indian American community, art is still often seen as a hobby for women, not a profession,” she says. “One of the most impactful ways to change this is to create spaces where South Asian female visual artists are highlighted.”
Through exhibitions like Big Devi Energy and her Houston-based work with refugee communities, Bhavsar uses her platform to elevate the stories of marginalized voices. “Art is history in motion. It evolves when we capture women’s perspectives, experiences and stories through art. We must ensure that history reflects all voices—not just the voices of those who have always had power.”
Marissa Castillo: Taking Up Space in Theater
For performer and director Marissa Castillo, 
taking up space as a Latina in theater has been a revolutionary act. As co-founder of TEATRX, a Latinx Theatre Company, she has spent years ensuring that Latinx voices—and particularly Latina voices—are not pushed to the margins.
“I grew up feeling like theater wasn’t a space for me,” Castillo admits. “So, I decided to create the space I never had.”
At TEATRX, Castillo has produced, written, and performed plays that challenge mainstream narratives. Her musical Sexo y Tortillas openly discusses women’s sexuality—a subject often hidden or silenced in traditional Latinx households. Additionally, TEATRX has staged 15 plays by women playwrights and regularly features female filmmakers in its annual La Vida Es Cortos / Life is Shorts Festival.
“We disrupt social norms by staying true to our mission—exploring and celebrating the full range of Latinidad,” Castillo says. “People leave our performances wanting to learn more—about our history, about their role in making change, about themselves.”
ShaWanna Renee Rivon: Rewriting the Narrative for Black Women in Theater
While mainstream theater has long celebrated stories of white women throughout history, playwright and dramaturg ShaWanna Renee Rivon realized that Black women were missing from those narratives.
“I asked myself: What stories have I not seen?” Rivon recalls. “I’d never seen Black women in different decades—falling in love, thriving, laughing. I saw those stories for white women, but not for us.”
A nationally recognized playwright and director, Rivon’s work directly challenges the erasure of Black women’s experiences in theater. Her historical research informs her playwriting, ensuring that she represents Black women in the full range of their lived experiences.
“I study everything to what Black women were majoring in at different colleges. I look at why certain professions—like librarian—were common for Black women at certain times,” she explains. “I don’t just write stories—I make sure they are part of history.”
From her critically acclaimed plays Power to the Queendom and You are Cordially Invited to Sit-In to her upcoming work inspired by her relationship with her daughter, Rivon is committed to creating art that tells the stories missing from the stage.
A Legacy of Resistance that Led to Success
“Women artists have led culture through their innovations, celebrations, and, and pushing against barriers.” said Sixto Wagan, BANF Executive Director. “History has often tried to silence them and diminish their contributions, this month – like every month, we honor the women who refused to stay silent—who reclaimed their voices and redefined what art can be. The artists we celebrate today continue that legacy, proving that their work is both artistically and commercially revolutionary.”