South American Flavor

Step inside Houston's new art gallery: It's a stunning game changer

The large window will soon host front and rear projections.
Photo by Whitney Radley
The library serves as an invaluable resource on South American art.
Photo by Whitney Radley
The gallery directors' offices (right) open out into a light-filled researchlibrary.
Photo by Whitney Radley
A downstairs gallery space will host larger exhibitions.
Photo by Whitney Radley

If you haven't had a chance to stop by the new Sicardi Gallery since its June 7 opening, take my advice: Do.

The space, designed by Fernando Brave of Brave / Architecture, is much bigger than the gallery's earlier home behind the McClain Gallery, allowing significantly more room for display and maximum versatility, with added bonuses of ample natural light, peeks of Montrose treetops and close proximity to the Menil campus.

"We tried to make a lot of the spaces available to artists," co-director Allison Ayers tells CultureMap, citing dark window coverings that can transform the light-filled galleries into dark rooms, and outlets and projector set-ups that allow multiple display opportunities.

Upstairs, just past that small gallery, floor-to-ceiling windows in the directors' offices open out onto a sunny research room and a small balcony.

A solo show made up of mixed media works, photographs and videos by Colombian artist Oscar Muñoz, on display through August 25, seems well-suited to showcase the adaptability of the new space. Newspapers line low-profile tabletops in the large, bright downstairs exhibition space, and single-channel video projections loop in the second floor gallery.

Upstairs, just past that small gallery, floor-to-ceiling windows in the directors' offices open out onto a sunny research room and a small balcony.

"Artists and curators from South America like to look at our library," Ayers says. "And we always work closely with institutions and universities on research."

The library is alphabetized, arranged by country and by topic, filled with information on artistic movements, historical documents and artists that the gallery represents.

Ayers sees room for growth, but acknowledges that the Sicardi library serves as a great resource on South American art. The research room is available by appointment.

Forthcoming projects include a projection window that faces West Alabama Street (Ayers expects that to be finished this summer) and an outdoor community space to be shared with Dillon Kyle Architecture, the gallery's future neighbors.

The gallery also looks for special curated projects and exhibitions that complement the gallery's master artists with younger, more contemporary ones — like Carlos Cruz-Diez and Pedro Tyler, who have a show opening on September 6.

But you should stop by before then.

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watch bree bloom

Houston 'plantrepreneur' makes a move to open new candle and perfume bar

The Plant Project/Facebook

Bree Larson is leaving The Montrose Collective.

The Plant Project’s Bree Clarke is at it again! Always on-brand, the dynamic, Congressionally-recognized “plantrepreneur” is undergoing a metamorphosis of her own. The current Montrose Collective outpost of the very successful Plant Project will soon move to a new home and undergo a re-brand and concept change that will encapsulate all that the new location will have to offer: bespoke candles and perfumes, plus, of course, vibrant greenery and fragrant blooms.

The Plant Project’s wildly-popular monthly community event “Plants & Prosecco” on Sunday, January 5 will be the Montrose Collective location’s last day to be open to the public, while the company’s Greenterior Concept will continue throughout the move. Counting clients such as Google, Meta, Lululemon, the Houston Endowment, and numerous oil and gas corporations for its interior design services, The Plant Project won’t miss a beat. The Plant Project handles greenteriors for residential clients as well—those who lack a green-thumb can always rely on The Plant Project to design, install, style, and handle upkeep for private homes.

In place of the current location of the Plant Project, Clarke will debut The Antionette Candle & Perfumery Bar in late spring/early summer of 2025 in a to-be-determined location in either Montrose or River Oaks.

“Think of The Antionette as your very own Botanical Speakeasy for candles and perfume,” Clarke tells CultureMap. “Growing up I saw my mother be a lover of all things that made the home and body smell good. She had vintage bottles of perfume that were magical — my grandmother the same. I'm very excited about this new venture, as it's sharing the old with the new and a way to create your very own story.”

While other independent shops in The Montrose Collective have completely shuttered to be replaced by international corporate brands, including The Plant Project’s current location already being leased as a Paige Demin store, according to Clarke, that has nothing to do with her decision to leave the development. She just requires more space to grow.

Clarke, who has already been sourcing vintage and antique vessels from New York City to The Netherlands, will take a weeks-long sojourn to Spain at the end of January to bolster her inventory. The Antionette will offer these mostly internationally-sourced perfume bottles and vessels to customers to pour their bespoke perfumes and cocktail-themed candles in during their “design it yourself” visits. These services offer customers a perfect way to get into the “signature home” craze — completely customizable scents for your home, office, or brand.

“Everyone will be able to make their own candle and perfume. They will be named after cocktails and neighborhoods of Houston and Dallas that have special meanings to my family and me,” says Clarke.

home-design the plant project openings closings