Born in New Orleans, Robert Benjamin Stiles (Benji) is an interdisciplinary artist and educator who lives and works in Houston’s historic 1^st Ward Arts district.  He holds a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas, with a major in Art History and minor in Studio Arts. Benji began his career in the visual arts as a fine art printer and first assistant to internationally recognized commercial photographer Terry Vine before transitioning to arts education in 2006.  He has taught at the: Glassell School of Art, High School for Performing and Visual Arts, Pearland High School, and is currently the head of the International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Program at Lamar High School.  In the fall of 2021 Benji was invited to serve on the educators advisory board at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.    

Since January 2020 Benji has established a successful art practice at Hardy and Nance studios showing his work throughout the region.  His work ranges from non-representational painting using a diversity of marks and contemporary color theory, to conceptual assemblage using historical relics and found objects.  

The following are a few of Benji’s exhibitions and accolades since December 2020:

• Two of Benji’s photographs have been approved and are in the process of being acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.  
• In August 2021 he had two assemblage works selected by Dr. Harry Cooper, Senior Curator and Head of Modern Art at the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., for the 26^th Annual Visual Arts Alliance Show in Houston; Benji’s work: “Makes and Misses” was awarded 3^rd place by Dr. Cooper in the open call.  
• Early in 2021 Benji was invited to show 7 works alongside Jamal Cyrus, Rick Lowe, and Robert Hodge at the: 3^rd annual “Collect it For the Culture” exhibition.  
• Benji’s installation work: “Girl’s and Boys” was selected by Glasstire’s Betsy Huete as a top 10 piece out of 280 works from the “Big Show” at Lawndale Center for the Arts summer 2021.  
• In April 2021 Benji was the sole curator of the critically acclaimed “Rise and Fall” show at Hardy and Nance gallery.  The diverse exhibition included over 30 artists, several whom have shown work in the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, as well as the Contemporary Art Museum Houston.  
• Benji has had two solo exhibitions over the past 18 months: Hardy and Nance Studios Main Gallery (December 2020), and Lone Star College – Mary Matteson Parrish Gallery (November 2021).  
• Benji has work in numerous private collections around the country and has work represented in Monterosso and Dakota Lofts galleries in Houston.