The first annual Houston Art Weeks is set to take place throughout October, spotlighting local artists, initiatives and nonprofit organizations.
In a nutshell
Presented by the StellaNova Foundation, an organization that provides mental health care to Houstonians and their families, Houston Art Weeks will feature some of the city’s most popular art initiatives, including the Bayou City Art Festival and the Washington Avenue Art District’s Second Saturday.
Doug Harris, the StellaNova Foundation's executive director, said the primary goal of Houston Art Weeks is to stimulate awareness and patronage of Houston-based artists.
“The depth, breadth and growth of Houston’s art community is one of our city’s most notable cultural achievements. The purpose of Houston Art Weeks is to connect these artisans, along with the galleries and studios who serve them, with a new group of art enthusiasts and collectors,” he said.
How it works
Artists and galleries participating in Houston Art Weeks will pay a $15 registration fee and a percentage of their sales to the StellaNova Foundation, which has designated the Montrose Center as this year’s primary beneficiary.
The Montrose Center provides a range of resources, programs and social services to the LGBTQ+ community, including mental health counseling and behavioral health services.
A sneak peek
The citywide celebration of visual arts is also incorporating international elements into the lineup of events.
Curated by Carla Bisong, the Bisong Art Gallery was one of the first galleries to register and join StellaNova’s efforts. For Houston Art Weeks, the gallery will present Celebrating Cultural Fusion, an exhibit featuring the work of Pakistani visual storyteller Zahra Ali and Nigerian bead painter Lanre Buraimoh.
Joni Zavitsanos, an international artist and long-time Houston resident, will also be participating in the celebration. Zavitsanos said her work is largely shaped by Byzantine iconography, and her most recent collection, titled "Village Saints," documents the villagers on the Greek island of Lefkada.
As Zavitsanos began conversing with the Lefkadians, she said, “the drawings began coming to life as they meshed with honest stories of family, struggles, loves, losses, hardships and joys of everyday living.”
Something to note
Through events like the Bayou City Arts Festival and Second Saturday, Harris said the Houston community can connect with artists and collectors in a less intimidating way.
“There are so many opportunities for serious collectors, as well as the ‘art-curious,' to enjoy an up-close, personal look at art and those who bring it to life,” Harris said. “If we can simplify the process of encountering art and discovering new artists, people will come to regard art as an ideal gift for both art novices and lifelong collectors.”
Houston Art Weeks will run Oct. 10-19. The StellaNova Foundation will also host a pop-up exhibition from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Montrose Center.
