Art and About

Community Artists' Collective gives unknown artists a chance (with video)

Midtown Art Center
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Am I mistaken?

It seems that art is everywhere in Houston. And behind this art or any creative work for that matter, is a group of passionate people doing a lot with very little to support them and their innovative endeavors. As much as I claim to know Houston's art scene, I am always learning about the many art organizations that contribute to the city's cultural make up.

The exhibition "Objects of Art and Crafts: A Collective Choice" at the Tea Room Gallery was a perfect opportunity to learn more about Community Artists' Collective and the people behind it.

"Everyone has talent, and they come here to The Collective to expose their talent" Jackie Miller, curator and artist, explains. "We don't mind working with people who have never exhibited before. It is such a joy to see the talent that is in our community."

"Simply, we try to make the arts more accessible to people who otherwise may not be engaged in conversations about art," Michelle Barnes, executive director, explains. "This exhibition is an opportunity for artists who traditionally don't have a chance to show in galleries to show and sell their work during the holiday gift giving season."

Whether exploring the calming yet thought provoking works of creative analyst and artisan Valinda Joy Bismark, the stunning recycled "Door Series" by environmental artist Charles Washington or the cheerful and colorful work by Ms. Robin, this second annual "Objects of Arts and Crafts" exhibition seems like a perfect opportunity to find unique, one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts while supporting your local economy and your creative community.

The exhibition runs through Jan. 8 and is open Thursday through Saturdays from 12-5 p.m. This Thursday night from 7-10 p.m., there will be a special reception where you can meet and chat with the artists, curator and all involved.

Joel Luks goes "art and about" and explores the "Objects of Arts and Crafts" at the Community Artists' Collective Tea Room Gallery:

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Thanks, Queen Bey

Pop icon Beyoncé donates $100,000 to University of Houston Law School

Photo by Erza Shaw Getty Images

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Pop megastar Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has donated $100,000 to the University of Houston Law Center Criminal Justice Clinic through her BeyGOOD Foundation. The gift will allow the clinic to hire fill-time faculty to head it, benefiting the students who study there.

“I am delighted that the BeyGOOD Foundation has made this very generous gift to the UH Law Center,” said Leonard Baynes, dean of the UH Law Center. “Not only will this funding help establish a full-time criminal justice clinic that provides pro bono legal services in our community, but it will also supercharge our already excellent criminal law and justice programming.”

The clinic is one of nine at UHLC. It helps students learn to navigate the criminal justice system, especially on behalf of clients that are underserved by skilled attorneys. People of color are affected disproportionately by a lack of good, ethical representation.

Beyoncé, the most decorated artist in Grammy history and easily the biggest musical star native to Houston, has a long history of advocating for criminal justice reform. She was a staunch supporter of the police reform following the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, asking law enforcement to “stop killing us” in a web post. In 2020, she penned an open letter to the Kentucky attorney general asking for justice in the death of Breonna Taylor.

Through her BeyGOOD Foundation, established in 2013, Beyoncé has focused mostly on expanding the prospects of Black-owned business and offering education opportunities to students. Forwarding the cause of legal representation in Texas while also helping out marginalized communities compliments her other philanthropic work.

“At UH Law, we envision a legal profession where ‘everyone has the opportunity to prosper,’ as BeyGOOD envisions, and we will achieve this vision by providing access to strong and effective legal representation in criminal proceedings,” Baynes said. “And together, through this gift, the BeyGOOD Foundation and UHLC will shepherd the next generation of criminal justice attorneys in the city of Houston, the state of Texas and the nation.”