Untitled Art Buying Guide

What to see and where to shop at Houston's new contemporary art fair

The hotly-anticipated debut of the Miami-based Untitled Art fair is in full swing. The loss of Houston’s annual Texas Contemporary Arts Fair left artists, collectors, and dilettantes alike wondering whether a city well documented for its museums, galleries, and artistic installations could long be without an annual contemporary arts show — alas, we’ve been saved.

Held at the George R. Brown Convention Center from Friday, September 19 through Sunday, September 21, the 150,000-square-foot show features 88 exhibitors from Texas and beyond displaying works for sale to experienced collectors and novices alike. Untitled Art stands out from other mammoth-sized, multi-day events of its caliber by its commitment to accessibility for young artists, galleries, nonprofits, and beginner collectors. The “Nest” program offers subsidized booth space and entry for those who would find participation in traditional art shows wildly cost-prohibitive. What does that mean for Houstonians who are deciding whether or not to attend the show? At Untitled Art, there are pieces that folks can actually afford.

“From diverse styles to a wide range of prices, Untitled Art truly feels like a gift to Houston — an immersive experience that inspires from the moment you step in,” Untitled Art host committee member and BeDesign CEO Adrian Dueñas tells CultureMap. “With commissions available and pieces for all tastes, the fair proves that art is both subjective and approachable, a remarkable celebration where everyone can find their place.”

The notion that an art show has the potential to be shopable for more than the 1-percent opens the door to Houstonians viewing works of art to potentially purchase for their actual homes, and boy, is that exciting. The sprawling nature of the show can be intimidating for some, especially if a particular style is preferable — where to start? Whether one subscribes to traditional genres, or is, perhaps, looking to dabble in the “wrong art theory,” here are suggestions for the artists to shop for specific genres for the home, as well as some insider information.

How to view and shop the show

Unlike the sterile, “ice cube tray” layout of traditional art shows, where artwork can only be viewed from a few feet away, Untitled Art enlisted architect Jay Colombo of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture to design an interior that allows artists the visual space to have pieces viewed from numerous angles and distances.

Tuesday evening, Colombo participated in a panel discussion titled “The Intersection of Art & Architecture” at Summit, the 28th-floor event space in Skanska’s shiny, new, and eco-friendly Norton Rose Fulbright Tower. This Untitled Art satellite event allowed Colombo to share his vision for the overall design of the show, as well as what visitors can expect of their experience:

At some point [in a traditionally designed show] you lose the sense of space, and you lose where you are — you lose a sense of place that establishes you. Let’s try something different. I liked the idea of a piazza. Instead of linear lines, it’s a series of piazzas. There is a center moment, and then there is a ring of galleries. So, you should be able to stand in a piazza and turn 360 degrees and take in a dozen different gallery spaces.

It basically creates a moment and there is a sight line that guides you to the next piazza, and then the next piazza, and you keep moving through the space. But there is a gesture and motion that pulls you around from start to finish, and there should be a memory moment that locks you in and says: ‘Oh, yeah! This is the place! This is where I saw that artist and wanted to go back to it [the booth]!’

Categories and price points

Most Affordable

The Nest program that enabled small businesses, galleries, and nonprofits to participate in the show is the driving force behind “Artist Market.” The brainchild of F Gallery owner Adam Marnie, “Artist Market” is where show goers can pick up affordable art, ceramics, books, stationary, and more while supporting local businesses.

“I think of it as a craft or art book fair inside of this fair,” says Marnie. “The vendors are paying a lower price to participate, so it gives guests a lower price to be able to participate in purchasing things.”

Local favorite Reeves Gallery has works from $295 to $3,000, with the bulk of their offerings in the $500 range—this is also the place to pick up framed vintage pieces as well. They’ve listed their entire Artist Market collection here. Montrose staple Basket Books & Art has a fine selection of books, plus works by local artists for $200, half of which goes to The Women’s Storybook Project of Texas. Other participants include Film Lab, Jardin, Rising Tide Project, Picnic Surfshapes, St. Agnes Academy’s New Media Arts Program, plus excellent free library Reading Room HTX.

The following is a selection of exhibiting galleries from different genres and price points to be able get a glimpse of what to expect from the show. Pricing is as follows: “affordable” galleries ($1,200+) are marked “$,” “average” priced galleries ($5,000+) are marked “$$,” and “expensive” ($35,000+) galleries are marked “$$$.” Galleries offering works from Texas artists will be marked with an asterisk (*). Find a map showing all of the galleries here.

Contemporary Abstract: Jessica Silverman Gallery ($$$), Mindy Solomon Gallery* ($$$), Sicardi | Ayers | Bacino ($$$), Arden + White Gallery ($$).

Organic: Moody Gallery* ($$), Yossi Milo ($$$), The Mission Projects ($$), Carvalho ($$), SGR Galeria ($), La Loma ($$).

Portraiture: Marc Bibiloni ($$$), Half Gallery* ($$), El Apartamento* ($$).

Fun and Fantastical: YOD Gallery ($), Keijsers Koning* ($$), ABC - Arte ($$), Philip Martin Gallery* ($$$), Patel Brown ($$).

Black Artists: PDNB Gallery* ($), Colector* ($$), Bond Contemporary ($$$).

Author’s Favorites: Half Gallery ($$), YOD Gallery ($), The Mission Projects ($$), Arden + White Gallery ($$), Carvalho ($$), Patel Brown ($$), SGR Galeria ($).

Photo by Amanda Veselovsky.

Text-based collaborative works offer whimsical delights at Patel Brown.

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Marburger Farm updated

Round Top's 43-acre antique show unveils renovations for spring 2026

Courtesy of Marburger Farm

Visit Marburger Farm March 24-28.

The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus believed that the only constant in life is change. Since 1997, the Marburger Farm Antique Show, which typically closes out both the spring and fall editions of the Round Top Antiques & Design Show, has largely remained unchanged. As enthusiastic Marburger tailgaters listen for that opening triangle to ring, everyone has their well-established and particular beeline-paths prepared in advance. But this year, change is a’comin’.

When the fall show closed last October, Marburger began a huge renovation project that included the full restoration of its historic buildings, including the original Marburger Farmhouse, Legler House, Coufal House, Zieger House, Silver Dollar Saloon, Gulf Warehouse, Dance Hall, Bingo Hall, Blacksmith Shop, and the General Store. Notably, the restoration has made it possible to add heating and air conditioning to these structures.

New additions debuting this spring include The Canteen, which is a large food pavilion overlooking the previously-underutilized pond; The Parlor, a design showcase space; a live music stage; enhanced pathways; and a communal green space designed for gathering and celebration. Over the summer, the addition of two large climate-controlled sheds and updated seating and lounge areas throughout the grounds will complete the project.

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“This is a much more intentional undertaking to really breathe life into those buildings,” Marburger CEO John Sughrue tells CultureMap. “It’s going to be very obvious — when on the property — what we’ve done. The vision for what we’re doing was establishing a greater sense of place, and a greater sense of community.”

While fans may worry that these improvements may impact the charming and rustic aesthetic that shoppers have come to expect at Marburger, the overall experience should remain the same. Once randomly strewn across the 43-acre property, the historic structures have been gathered together around a newly-hardscaped central square. New green spaces are intended to evoke a sense of nostalgia, the layout inspired by the Texas Courthouse Square. At one end, the western-facing pavilion will overlook the pond and rolling hills, and adjacent to that, the familiar 90,000-square-feet of tented shopping remain unchanged.

“One thing that is apparent about Marburger is that people have a real sense of connection with it, a sense of history, and take a personal interest in it,” says Sughrue. “You’ll see that in the level of craftsmanship, the placemaking, and how we have, in essence, redeveloped the existing historical buildings.”

One of the things Sughrue is enthusiastic about is the ability to participate in the winter show, as well as inviting exhibitors who left for climate-controlled venues to return home to Marburger. Improved facilities for their local and beloved food and beverage vendors make for expanded offerings and shorter lines — a notion sure to please even the most staunch Marburger purists.

“We are trying very much to maintain the Texas heritage of Marburger,” Sughrue says. “I consider us guardians or stewards of the brand. I consider Marburger a brand like Blue Bell Ice Cream or the State Fair of Texas. There is something very much rooted in the land, very much rooted in how generations now have engaged with Marburger and in Round Top. We are trying to hold tight to being a heritage brand, while positioning for the future — that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Sughrue is all too aware of some of the sentiments that were shared five years ago when Marburger was purchased by “these Dallas guys” [real estate development firm Brook Partners]. In the last four years, they have listened to vendors and guests alike to learn how they can improve the show experience for their core audience: top exhibitors, designers, architects, and vendors. While he finds the relatively-recent glitterati element in Round Top to be amusing, it’s not something he’s interested in attracting or catering to specifically. So, everyone can let out a sigh of relief on that concern.

“These are designers who come into Round Top, and to Marburger in particular, and they are very important to our success. We attract some of the best exhibitors in the country, if not the world,” explains Sughrue. “Day one they meet with designers who have flown in from all over the country. Our focus is being a resource to those designers and architects — that’s what’s driving our business. We are not a lifestyle offering, and we are not trying to be all things to all people.”

At the end of the day, Sughrue’s overall goal is connecting the best exhibitors to the best buyers. “Everything else that happens in Round Top is just noise.” He loves the generational aspect of Marburger, oftentimes noticing three generations shopping together in the tents.

“Y’all make a tough crowd, I’ll tell you that,” Sughrue says with a laugh. “I think we are going to get more of it right than wrong, and what we get wrong — we are going to listen very hard to people — we are going to make that right. I promise you that. Marburger captivates me. It just devours all of my time and attention, but how lucky am I?! All these issues surround purpose-driven lives, and we get to work on Marburger to bring a community of people together to celebrate design, antiques, Texas. It’s like the American Dream is alive and well on the Round Top fields during Marburger. It’s just an incredible collection of people.”

Visit the refreshed Marburger Farms from Tuesday, March 24 to Saturday, March 28. Purchase tickets at marburgerfarm.com.

Courtesy of Marburger Farm

Visit Marburger Farm March 24-28.

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