Step inside Horsefeathers Art Market in Mineola, and it quickly becomes clear that this is more than a shop.
Every shelf, wall and display tells a story. A handcrafted piece of jewelry leads to a conversation about the artist who made it. A pottery bowl becomes a lesson in centuries-old firing techniques. A painting opens a discussion about local talent and the future of the arts in Wood County.
And somehow, amid all the artwork, there is ice cream.
It’s an unusual combination on paper, an art gallery and ice cream shop, but inside Horsefeathers it feels perfectly natural. During a recent visit, I found myself wandering among paintings, pottery and handcrafted jewelry while enjoying a gourmet, small-batch mint chocolate chip ice cream cone. The pairing shouldn’t work as well as it does, yet it somehow feels exactly right.
At the center of it all is Cathy Pegues.
Pegues and her cousin, Karen Musgraves, own and operate Horsefeathers, a business that reflects not only their creative interests but also the artistic spirit that runs through their family. During a recent conversation inside the store, Pegues enthusiastically moved from one display to another, sharing stories about artists, family members and the creative community that has become such an important part of life in East Texas.
“We’ve never met a piece of art we didn’t like,” Pegues joked.
The comment drew a laugh, but it also perfectly described Horsefeathers.
The store serves as a showcase for local and regional artists working in a wide variety of mediums. Jewelry, pottery, paintings, sculptures and handcrafted gifts fill the space, each carefully selected by Pegues and Musgraves. Alongside the artwork, customers can enjoy premium ice cream and one of the shop’s other popular offerings: homemade chocolate chip cookies baked fresh daily by Pegues herself.
The cousins’ appreciation for creativity was shaped long before Horsefeathers ever opened its doors.
Pegues spoke fondly of their grandfather, whose talents and curiosity left a lasting impression on the family. That creative legacy has continued through multiple generations, finding expression in different forms for different family members.
For the Musgraves side of the family, one of those talents became known to the world through Karen Musgraves’ daughter, country music star Kacey Musgraves.
While most people know Kacey for her songwriting and Grammy-winning music career, Pegues is quick to point out that music is only one part of her artistic abilities.
“Kacey is actually a very talented artist,” Pegues said.
Some of Kacey’s artwork has even found its way into Horsefeathers over the years. According to Pegues, pieces created by the singer-songwriter never remain available for long.
“They don’t last five minutes,” she said with a smile.
Yet despite the family’s well-known musical connection, Horsefeathers remains rooted in the same values that have guided the business from the beginning: creativity, curiosity and community.
As Pegues walked through the store, she highlighted artists whose work fills the shelves and walls. There was the potter, Don Hollis, who digs his own clay from the earth and fires it in a pit using techniques similar to those used by early settlers and Native peoples. Another artist creates distinctive pottery finished with horsehair and feathers. Painters, jewelers and sculptors each bring their own perspective and craftsmanship.
Many of the artists have become close friends.
Others were friends long before their work appeared in the store.
Either way, Pegues speaks about them with genuine admiration.
One local painter, she noted, has seen his career take off in recent years, earning major commissions while remaining humble and approachable. Another artist’s jewelry consistently catches her eye, while several others have developed devoted followings among collectors.
What excites Pegues most is seeing the growing appreciation for art throughout Wood County.
For years, artists often felt they had to leave the area to find buyers, galleries or opportunities. Today, she sees a different story unfolding.
Communities across the county are investing in murals, galleries, public art projects and cultural events. Visitors are beginning to recognize the wealth of talent that exists throughout Mineola, Winnsboro, Quitman and beyond.
Pegues believes that growth benefits everyone.
Rather than viewing other galleries or creative businesses as competition, she sees them as partners in building a stronger arts community.
“If they have a lot of things, we can keep them here,” she said, referring to visitors who come to explore local attractions and businesses.
That philosophy has helped make Horsefeathers more than a retail destination. It has become a gathering place for artists, collectors and anyone who appreciates creativity.
The store itself reflects the personalities of its owners.
Pegues laughed while describing how quickly she and Musgraves can move from one creative interest to another. One day they may be focused on paintings, the next on pottery, candles, jewelry or something entirely different.
The variety is part of the fun.
Their husbands, she joked, deserve some credit for encouraging those artistic pursuits, and perhaps for tolerating the constant flow of projects that might otherwise take over their homes.
The humor, warmth and enthusiasm Pegues brings to every conversation help explain why visitors often stay longer than they planned.
A quick stop for a scoop of ice cream can easily turn into an hour spent browsing artwork, learning about local artists and hearing stories about the people behind the pieces. Visitors may arrive craving something sweet, but they often leave with a greater appreciation for the creativity thriving throughout Wood County.
In many ways, Horsefeathers embodies the values that have shaped both the family behind it and the community around it. It celebrates creativity without pretension, honors local talent and creates connections between artists and the people who appreciate their work.
For Pegues and Musgraves, that mission is deeply personal.
The store is a reflection of family bonds, generations of creativity and a belief that art has a place in everyday life.
And at Horsefeathers, those stories continue to unfold, one artist, one conversation, one cookie and one ice cream cone at a time.