The Origin
The Night Everything Changed
The most prestigious award a resident can receive in their city usually comes at the end of a noble effort — a capstone on a life's work.
But for Aubré Murphy, it wasn't the end. It was the beginning.
In 2024, Anna Mayor Pete Cain proclaimed "Aubré Murphy Day" — a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing her extraordinary work with The WarPaint Project, through which she donated over 400 original paintings to women and children fighting life-threatening illnesses.
She sat in City Hall that night amidst a standing ovation — and felt the weight of something far bigger than an award.
“I looked around at the dozens of artists I knew in Anna — talented, passionate, brilliant — and realized there was nothing for them. No galleries. No festivals. No murals. No infrastructure. Nothing.”
— Aubré Murphy, Founder
The Gap
A City That Deserves More
Anna, Texas
The 5th fastest-growing city in the nation, located in North Texas just miles from Dallas — home to the #1 art district in the world.
18 Art Districts Between
Between Anna and Dallas lie 18 art districts — safe havens where artists pursue art full-time because their cities invest in arts & culture. Murals, youth programs, art festivals, galleries — artists are valued, celebrated, and vital.
Anna's artists had the talent. What they didn't have was a city that had built the infrastructure to help them be seen, discovered, and supported.
The Journey
Building What Didn't Exist
Enrolled in College at 47
Aubré enrolled in college to learn how to open and manage a profitable organization in Texas. She learned what it takes — from grants to governance — and realized that municipalities move slowly. Very slowly.
Hundreds of Calls, Dozens of Meetings
Relationships with city council, city manager, chamber of commerce, state officials, and grant-makers of the arts. She learned that tangible infrastructure for artists takes years — sometimes decades — through traditional channels.
Anna Arts Council Founded
Rather than wait, she built it herself. Anna Arts Council became the platform for artists to share their story, sell their art and prints, hold classes and events — and access the business training she fought to learn.
AnnaConnect.art Launched
300 classes organized into 30 courses. University-level business training opened to all artists, for free. Within the first week: over 2,000 visitors and 845 memberships.
AnnaConnect.Art Built
The ultimate platform — every feature an artist needs to start, manage, analyze, market, grow, and profit from their talent. Built for Anna, but with 50 cities inside. For every town like Anna that hasn't built their arts community yet.
The Mission
What We're Building
Be Seen
Professional profiles that showcase talent to the world
Be Discovered
SEO, directories, and AI marketing that bring buyers to you
Be Valued
100% commission — artists keep every dollar they earn
Be Celebrated
Artist spotlights, stories, and community recognition
Find Revenue
Direct sales, commissions, prints, events, and enterprise gigs
Be Supported
Free training, AI tools, promo kits, and a 24/7 AI business mentor
“She is giving to artists what no one gave to her — not in The WarPaint Project, not in Anna Arts Council, not in her lifetime. Because art is a healing practice that grows every time it's used, that with practice and structure and courage, becomes what transforms a city without any art into a thriving arts community known for it.”
The Proof
The Numbers Tell the Story
400+
Paintings Donated
Through The WarPaint Project
2,000+
First-Week Visitors
AnnaConnect.art Launch
30
Free Courses
University-level training
50+
Cities Built In
Towns that need this platform
For Everyone
Not Just for Artists
We're driving art buyers, collectors, supporters, and sponsors to the platform — because artists need an audience as much as they need tools.