Montrose Itinerary: Gallery Hopping
Houston’s celebrated Museum District is home to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Contemporary Arts Museum and The Menil Collection – 19 of the best museums in the world. But Houston also boasts more than 60 art galleries making it the nation’s third largest arts market and our ‘little’ neighborhood is home to the best, bursting at the seams with paintings, sculptures, photographs and … the undefined art forms. Montrose is the arts district.
Montrose also hosts events like ArtHouston, an annual summer event including more than 30 galleries around the city, and the Menil Community Arts Festival, celebrating the diversity of the Menil campus and it’s non-profit community members.
Hungry for some culture? Here are the galleries in Montrose making their mark:
Alliance Gallery [formerly Space125]
Houston Arts Alliance’s Alliance Gallery (formerly space125 gallery) is dedicated to presenting the innovative artwork created by our remarkably talented local artists, furthering Houston’s rep as a hub for creative activity and the state’s cultural tourism destination. Exhibitions are curated to promote Houston Arts Alliance’s Individual Artist Grant Recipients and other HAA grantees.
Established in 1996, this gallery promotes international emerging and mid-career artists who address pertinent social and environmental issues. The gallery exhibits works that emphasize a strong correlation between concept and materials in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography and video.
Archway Gallery has been exhibiting the work of local artists since 1976. Owned and operated by it’s 30 member artists, when you visit are speaking and buying directly from the artist. Featuring the most affordable, high-quality work in Houston including sculpture, pottery and painting in a variety of media and styles.
From VisitHoustonTexas.com, “Art League Houston is one of Houston’s longest operating non-profit visual arts organizations and was the first alternative art space in Texas. Founded in 1948 and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1953, Art League Houston was created to promote the public appreciation of and interest in the visual arts. During the past 60 years, Art League of Houston has provided over 750 exhibitions to the Houston community, showcasing the work of nearly 22,000 artists”
For 30 years, Barbara Davis Gallery has brought groundbreaking contemporary art to Houston. She has launched the careers of international artists, brought influential names and progressive international exhibitions to Houston. She was also one of the first Texas galleries to be included in the influential and prestigious Art Basel Miami Beach art fair. They also hold a commitment to educating her collectors and the community about contemporary art.
The DeSantos Gallery opened its doors in its current location in 2003 in a newly constructed stucco and glass building designed by architect Fernando Brave located in a rapidly evolving artistic area next to the Menil Museum and the University of St. Thomas. There you will find both American and International photographers with particular interest in Spanish fine art photography. The gallery’s inventory is eclectic, varied, international, and evolving.
Foelber Pottery Gallery and Studio
The Foelber Gallery teaches children and adult classes in pottery as well as hosting handcrafted pottery and sculpture by local artists.
From VisitHoustonTexas.com, “La Colombe d’Or Art Gallery is housed in the historic Montrose mansion-turned-hotel by the same name. More than 330 works by various European artists are housed in the hotel and gallery, located in the penthouse. From abstraction to impressionism, a broad range of styles are represented. La Colombe d’Or gallery currently represents over half a dozen artists living in France, Belgium, Italy, and Spain.”
Nolan-Rankin Galleries has hosted works from the contemporary School of Paris and French art for over three decades. Their strong relationships working with each artist allows them to feature only original works from over thirty of the finest European and American painters and sculptors.
Another resident of the 4411 Building, Peel was established in 2005 as a design and exhibition space. Peel showcases the work of both emerging and established artists and designers while providing a space for clients, designers and the community to share projects and ideas. With constantly rotating shows, PEEL presents work that spans the breadth of art, fashion, design and craft exploring where these disciplines intercede in contemporary culture.
Founded in 2006, Wade Wilson Art focuses on a fresh vision by presenting artists who primarily have not been seen in Houston, but whose work reflects current movements in international art circles. The gallery, owned by Wade Wilson, showcases painters, photographers and sculptors whose work explores use of light and color.
Watercolor Art Society-Houston
From VisitHoustonTexas.com, “The Watercolor Art Society – Houston gallery, a non-profit organization with over 600 members, features shows that change monthly. WAS-H has brought the excitement of water-media to the greater Houston area with outstanding exhibitions for more than 35 years.”
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Of course there are tons of Montrose restaurants also hosting local artists on their walls like Boheme’s and Ziggy’s Grill. Whether you’re craving some culture – or just hungry – Montrose is the arts capital of Houston.
