Stephen Montoya
Artist Ty Hays at the Hats + Art Exhibit being held at the at John Wayne Stock & Supply in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
It’s 3 a.m., and the world is unraveling. Smoke fills the air, sirens wail in the distance, and you have just minutes to pack a life into a bag. For milliner Teressa Foglia, her artist husband Ty Hays, and their 9-month-old baby, this unthinkable scenario became their reality as the Pacific Palisades fire closed in on their neighborhood.
“Our house is still standing, but our entire neighborhood is gone,” Hays shared during an exhibition at John Wayne Stock & Supply in the Fort Worth Stockyards. “Every single house around us was wiped out. We’re blessed beyond words, but it’s heartbreaking to see what so many of our friends and neighbors have lost.”
The family’s story of survival has become intertwined with their art, turning a personal tragedy into a platform for healing and rebuilding. With the help of Ethan Wayne, son of the legendary John Wayne, they’ve found temporary refuge in Fort Worth, where the Hats + Art Exhibit is turning heads and opening hearts.
Running until Feb. 8 at John Wayne Stock & Supply, the exhibit is a stunning tribute to the spirit of the American West. Foglia’s hats are more than accessories — they’re wearable works of art, adorned with vintage ribbons, antique fabrics, and heirloom charms collected from Parisian flea markets and Sardinian bazaars. Each piece tells a story, some even featuring hand-embroidered quotes from John Wayne himself.
Meanwhile, Hays’ paintings capture the rugged beauty of cowboy culture, rendered in a dynamic blend of charcoal, acrylics, and limestone wash.
“I paint the things I’m most passionate about,” Hays said. “John Wayne movies, Roy Rogers — these were staples of my childhood. It’s surreal to now draw inspiration directly from his legacy.”
But the exhibit is more than a showcase of artistic talent. It’s a lifeline for wildfire victims. On opening night, the couple held a silent auction featuring a custom hat inscribed with John Wayne quotes, raising funds for those who lost everything in the fires.
For Foglia and Hays, the mission doesn’t end in Fort Worth. Foglia’s Houston boutique has been activated as a donation hub, collecting essentials like clothing, canned goods, and baby formula for fire survivors. And as the exhibit continues, so does their journey, one marked by resilience, creativity, and an unshakable determination to give back.
Reflecting on the months of preparation that went into the exhibit, Hays shared, “I worked on everything for about three months — hats and paintings. It’s not work; it’s more of just like… I love collaborating. I love the challenge of it, and I’m really happy with how everything turned out.”
When asked about their plans, he added, “We’ll be in and out of Fort Worth for the next couple weeks, doing more events like wine tastings and gatherings. After that, it’s on to Round Top and Houston. This is just the beginning.”
Through it all, the couple remains focused on their community and the greater purpose behind their art. As Hays put it, “Too many of our friends, clients, and neighbors have lost everything. We’re doing what we can to help them rebuild.”
