here comes the art

Rare showing of John Lennon's art comes together at Houston gallery

John Lennon's work as a visual artist takes center stage at Off the Wall Gallery.

Images Courtesy of Yoko Ono © Yoko Ono

A rare showing of artwork by the late, legendary Beatles guitarist John Lennon will be on display for a limited time at Off the Wall Gallery in The Galleria. Dubbed Give Peace a Chance - The Art of John Lennon, the showing will be open from August 20 to September 7.

“From the unique perspective of our Art Gallery, John Lennon, a music icon, is often seen as a multifaceted artist,” Off the Wall principal and gallerist Mimi Sperber-Wasserberg tells CultureMap. “His visual work, often overshadowed by his music, provides a distinct view of his complex personality, beliefs, and artistic vision. Understanding Lennon as a songwriter and visual artist enhances the audience's appreciation for his creative output. This grasp attracts a broader audience, including music and art enthusiasts, who may be less familiar with this aspect of his work. This expanded reach can reignite interest in Lennon's entire artistic legacy. Furthermore, his visual art challenges preconceived notions and encourages more profound engagement with the intricate relationship between music, art, and the artist's life.”

Lennon is mostly famous for his work with the Beatles and as a solo artist, penning such hits as “Imagine” and “Strawberry Fields Forever.” However, Lennon attended the Liverpool Art Institute in the late 1950s, and eventually focused heavily on visual arts as the Beatles wound down. In 1969, he gifted his wife, Yoko Ono, with a portfolio of artwork as a wedding present. He died in 1980, shot by a deranged fan.

John Lennon Art Off the Wall Gallery The works focus on Lennon's themes of peace and human communication.Images Courtesy of Yoko Ono © Yoko Ono

The pieces in the showing are lighthearted and open, focusing on Lennon’s themes of peace and human communication. The works show a light side to the often controversial artist, leaning heavily into human figure doodles and animal scenes.

While the originals are not for sale, the showing is offering extremely limited-edition prints approved by the John Lennon Estate for public purchase. Each is meticulously crafted to the estate and Ono’s standards and feature an embossed signature from Lennon. They come with a certificate of authenticity, establishing them as a part of a limited run. It’s a unique chance to own a part of the artistic legacy of one of the foremost promoters of peace and love in popular culture.

“Lennon's themes of love and communication are more relevant than ever in today's world,” says Sperber-Wasserberg. “While our times are marked by challenges such as climate change, political division, and technological isolation, the core human need for connection and understanding remains constant. Lennon's music and art offer a beacon of hope. His belief in the power of human connection reminds us that even in the darkest times, love and understanding can prevail, so let’s all give peace a chance!”

Hours and more information can be found on Off the Wall’s website.

MFAH expands

Houston museum acquires historic Masonic lodge property for new greenspace

Holland Lodge No. 1, A.F. & A.M./Facebook

The building at 4911 will be torn down for the new greenspace.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has acquired a prime parcel to expand its campus in the Museum District. On Tuesday, December 23, the museum announced it has purchased a two-acre parcel of land at 4911 Montrose Blvd that will bring its total footprint to 16 acres.

Located just north of the Glassel School of Art, the property will be developed as a greenspace that will serve as a community lawn as well as be utilized for future museum events and parking. MFAH has retained landscape architects Nelson Byrd Woltz — the firm responsible for work at Memorial Park and the recently-opened Ismaili Center — to create the design for the new greenspace.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston greenspace rendering A rendering offers a bird's-eye preview of the new greenspace.Image by by Cong Nie/Courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

At this time, the museum does not have plans to build anything on the property, according to a press release.

To make way for the greenspace, the property’s existing building, Holland Lodge No. 1, will be torn down. Built in 1954 as a home for the oldest Masonic lodge chapter in Texas, the building features a sandstone mural facade. It has been for sale since at least 2005, according to a report in the Houston Chronicle.

Demolition on the site is expected to begin in spring 2026 with the greenspace opening in approximately two years, according to press materials. In addition to the Glassell School, the museum’s campus includes the Audrey Jones Beck Building, the Caroline Wiess Law Building, the Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden, and the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building.

“We are delighted to contribute to Houston’s greenspace access with this new initiative, which will expand the museum’s 14-acre campus to a thoroughly walkable 16 acres,” Gary Tinterow, director and Margaret Alkek Williams chair of the MFAH, said in a statement. “While the primary objective for the purchase of this property is to secure land for any potential future expansion of the museum, our priority now is to create a welcoming community lawn. Thoughtfully designed by Nelson Byrd Woltz, one of the leading firms in sustainable landscape practice, the site will serve as public greenspace and provide additional parking for museum visitors.”

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