artist lineup revealed

Prestigious contemporary art fair unveils exhibitors for first Houston show

Houston's art world has been buzzing since Untitled Art, one of the country’s most prestigious contemporary art exhibits, announced it was expanding its reach from Miami to Houston.

Now, the event has shared a slate of exhibitors who are coming to the Bayou City for the fair, which runs at the George R. Brown Convention Center from September 19-21.

The participants are a blend of Texas talent and exhibitors from across the globe. Among the first-time exhibitors are Houston’s Sicardi | Ayers | Bacino, Moody Gallery, McClain Gallery, and Barbara Davis Gallery; Meliksetian | Briggs from Dallas; Michael Kohn Gallery, La Loma, and Philip Martin Gallery, all based in Los Angeles; New York’s Half Gallery, New Discretions, and Swivel Gallery; Patel Brown, with outlets in Toronto and Montreal; London’s Cecilia Brunson Projects; as well as galleries from San Francisco, Miami, Madrid, Havana, Lima, and the Bahamas.

Those participating in the fair’s Nest sector, an initiative that offers subsidized booths to mitigate the traditional barriers presented by the cost of art fair participation, include 12.26 in Dallas and Los Angeles, Austin’s Martha's Contemporary and Seven Sisters, Laura the gallery and F - Galleries from Houston. Other Nest participants come from Los Angeles, London, Buenos Aires, Miami, and other cities. Find a full list of exhibitors at the Untitled Art, Houston website.

All were selected by the committee of Untitled Art founder Jeffrey Lawson, executive director Clara Andrade, and Houston director Michael Slenske.

Untitled Art aims to showcase the work of emerging and established artists from all over the world, as well as offer avenues for art appreciation and collection for everyone from newbies to the art scene to prominent collectors. Houston emerged as a natural spot for the event’s expansion, given the depth of the city’s arts scene, its diversity, and its prominence as a cultural leader, with a thriving art market, seasoned collectors, leading institutions, commercial galleries, art schools, and artists.

“This is a moment when all of Houston’s top museums are in expansion mode and currently offering some of the most dynamic programming in the nation, as are the city’s emerging and established galleries and project spaces,” said Slenske in a statement. "Meanwhile, there are countless world-class artists who live and work in the Bayou City. I'm just very excited to be part of this new era of growth in the city’s art landscape with the launch of Untitled Art, Houston.”

In addition to exploring the work of the artists above, visitors to the exhibit will experience a floor plan designed by the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, the Texas-based firm known locally for restaurant designs such as Uchi and Loro as well as the Montrose Collective mixed-use development (among others).

"Our firm greatly values the process of collaborating with contemporary artists to bring fresh perspectives to the spaces we design,” said architect Jay Colombo. “We're happy to partner with Untitled Art to bring this event to Houston and share in their mission to support the wider art ecosystem."

Attendees will also be able to explore a series of special projects displayed throughout the fair, watch and listen as the fair records its on-site podcast series, and check out installations that showcase Untitled Art’s cultural partnerships with Houston institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH); the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH); the Menil Collection, Asia Society Texas; the Rothko Chapel, which continues to recover from damage by Hurricane Beryl; and others. A percentage of ticket sales from Untitled Art, Houston will be donated to the chapel’s restoration efforts.

Tickets are on sale now. Prices start at $35 for single day tickets, with discounts available for students, seniors, and veterans/active-duty military. Multi-day and VIP tickets are also available.

Photo courtesy of World Red Eye

Untitled Art, Houston launches in the Bayou City this September, with exhibitors from Texas and across the globe.

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art for a song

Affordable Art Fair heads to Houston this fall with works starting at $100

A man staring at a selection of paintings at the Affordable Art Fair

Photo courtesy of Affordable Art Fair

Original art on your walls doesn't have to break the bank.

After making a splash last year in Austin, the Affordable Art Fair will host its second Texas show in Houston this October.

Nothing helps define a personal space like an art collection, but for many people the idea of owning original works seems far outside of a normal budget. The Affordable Art Fair is a traveling show dedicated to living artists aimed at the average consumer.

Photo courtesy of Affordable Art Fair

Original art on your walls doesn't have to break the bank.

“Bringing Affordable Art Fair to Houston is about becoming part of a creative community that’s already thriving,” fair director Cori Teague said in a statement. “Houston’s art scene is shaped by its diversity, its artists, and the local galleries that champion them every day. We’re excited to work hand-in-hand with Houston and Texas galleries to uplift local voices, support working artists, and create an inviting space where the community can come together to discover and collect art.”

The show will run at the George R. Brown Convention Center from Thursday, October 15 to Sunday, October 18. Tickets go on sale Monday, July 13 and will be available at AffordableArtFair.com. Prices of works in the fair range from $100 to $12,000.

Some of the local galleries that will be a part of the fair include Off the Wall, who showcases contemporary art from their location in the Galleria; Gallery A.M.P.S., who specializes in figurative art; and Koelsch Gallery, whose collection of outsider, self-taught, and folk art always has something unique to display. In total, 55 galleries from across the world are participating, with a full list expected to be released soon. Curators and gallery owners will be on hand to explain the history and context of pieces, adding further value to attending.

Events like Affordable Art Fair expand access to establishing an art collection, opening up the world of contemporary art to more buyers and allowing artists to expand their audiences. There's no reason a person should have to make due with Live Laugh Love signs from Target for their walls.

“Affordable Art Fair is designed to remove the barriers often associated with collecting art,” said Cristina Salmastrelli, U.S. regional managing director. “By bringing knowledgeable galleries and a wide range of price points together under one roof, we empower visitors to explore confidently and connect with work that truly resonates with them — no matter where they are in their collecting journey.”

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