Alla Bartoshchuk
Alla Bartoshchuk was born in Rivne, Ukraine, in 1988, where she spent her formative years and received both her secondary education and art school training. In 2005, at 17, she moved to Texarkana, Texas, beginning her first American experience. She attended Pleasant Grove High School, where she took AP art classes under the guidance of Nicole Brisco, who played a crucial role in helping her develop her portfolio and apply to colleges.
Bartoshchuk was accepted into the Memphis College of Art, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting in 2010. After spending some time moving across the United States, she eventually settled in Southern California and pursued her Master of Fine Arts Degree at Laguna College of Art and Design, graduating in 2013. Since then, she has balanced her time between her studio practice and teaching.
In 2016, Bartoshchuk married fellow artist Gary Musgrave, and in 2023, they welcomed their first child. While Southern California has become her permanent home, her journey has taught her always to keep her eyes open to new possibilities.
What is your favorite Texarkana memory?
I have so many memories. Probably my fondest memories are the times I spent with my host mom, Patrice Hubbard (everybody lovingly calls her Ms. Pat). We did so many things together. She was my guide into American life and culture. To do all those memories with her justice, I’d probably need to write a book, but if I had to pick one, it would be the quiet mornings we shared. Often, we would sit outside in her backyard, drinking coffee together. I’d join her after or during her morning routine of reading the Bible. There was something special about those peaceful mornings—just the two of us talking quietly. I always drank from my favorite rooster mug, which somehow made the coffee taste even better. The freshness of the morning air, mixed with that faint sulfur smell from the nearby paper mill (a scent I eventually grew to love), made those moments all the more memorable.
Who is someone from Texarkana who impacted your life?
When I reflect on my time in Texarkana, three distinct figures stand out for shaping who I am today and the direction my life has taken. I think of them as the “three wise women”—Patrice Hubbard, my host mom. Nicole Brisco, my art teacher, and Sandy Whitson, my English teacher.
Sometimes you meet people, and you feel like you’ve known them forever, and they become a part of your life, even if you don’t see them often. Pat has become that person for me—her influence remains constant, no matter the distance or time.
How do you describe Texarkana to your friends?
Twice as nice.
What do you love about Texarkana?
I don’t think anybody can relate to this one—heat. I really enjoyed the humidity.
What was the teen hangout when you lived here?
Like many who spent their teenage years in Texarkana, my answer is Starbucks. Having never experienced it before moving to the U.S., it quickly became a favorite of mine. It was the go-to spot for hanging out with friends. And even years later, whenever I visit, it’s still the place we meet up to reconnect.
Where was your favorite place to shop in Texarkana?
When I first arrived, everything felt so new. I had never seen a mall with large department stores, and it truly felt like I had time-traveled into the future compared to what I was used to in Ukraine in the early 2000s. While I was never much of a shopper, I enjoyed browsing the clothing—it felt more like a museum experience to me. One place I did love was Dollar Tree. As someone who’s always been frugal, I appreciated the simplicity of everything being just one dollar.
What do you think makes Texarkana famous?
Texarkana’s uniqueness comes from its location, straddling the border between Texas and Arkansas while also being close to Louisiana and Oklahoma. Before coming to the U.S., I remember learning that its name reflects this, though Oklahoma didn’t quite make the cut.
What do you miss about Texarkana?
One thing I miss about Texarkana is the close-knit community. After moving to California, I’ve come to appreciate the slower pace that a small town offers. In hindsight, that simplicity makes me idealize Texarkana a bit more than I might have otherwise.
TXK Roots is Texarkana Magazine’s forum to highlight and honor Texarkana natives who have accomplished big things in the world. These folks may have relocated, but they took the values, education, work ethic and creativity instilled in them by growing up in this unique border city and used these qualities to blaze extraordinary trails. We asked them to share their thoughts about growing up here. No matter how far from Texarkana they may find themselves, we will always consider them our neighbors and we are proud to claim them as forever members of our extended Texarkana community. After all, “everyone is famous in their hometown!”
