The selection of exhibits at Houston's Museum of Fine Arts covers both modern and ancient art and represents the talent of artists from Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. You will find Frederic Remington's fine Western art mingling with medieval pieces and the work of early European masters. Paintings are abundant, but the lovely sculpture garden here is also worth viewing. Both the Glassell School of Art and the Hirsch Library for Art History call this museum home. Film buffs love the museum for its weekly showings of classic and foreign films. A gift shop and restaurant are both on hand to satisfy your hunger after a day of exploring.
Named after Dominque de Menil, one of the greatest art collectors of the 20th Century, the Menil Collection is impressive. It houses an enormous private collection where the artwork is shown on a rotating basis because it is too numerous to show at once. Most of the collection is of modern works with an emphasis on surrealism, but African art and works from the Byzantine period are also displayed. Some of the artists whose works are featured here include Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson Pollock.
This gallery carries a wide array of fine, contemporary and abstract art, along with sculpture, watercolors and more for your viewing pleasure. Different exhibits and artists are scheduled throughout the year, including the works of Sandra Colley, Sandra Sherrod, V. Chin, Andrea Wilkinson, Jim N. Hill and Louise Williams. Visitors to the salon admire the simple shapes of Hill's cowboy images and the beautiful hill country depicted in Williams' paintings. Come and see for yourself. You might end up walking out with something new for the living room.
Opened in 1948, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston's goal is to present the "art of our time." Renovated in 1997, the building sports an elegant interior that is almost as appealing as the exhibits. Regional, national and international artists display their work here, and the museum can also take credit for the successful launch of several local artists' careers. The art exhibits are very diverse, exhibiting the use of various materials and subjects in a wide range of styles. The gift shop might put a significant dent in your wallet, but it is rumored to be one of the best in town.
If you have a deep interest in art or aspiring to be an artist then take your inspiration by visiting the Off the Wall Gallery while in the city. They keep on changing the exhibitions from time to time and always have different themes. A few of the artists whose works are on display include Marc Chagall, Frederick Hart, Richard Macdonald, Alexis Silk and many more. Keep yourself updated about their upcoming events by visiting the website.
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The historic Heights neighborhood, just minutes from downtown, has the feel of a small town. This is especially true on West 19th Street where you'll find retail shops, boutiques, and restaurants. And on the first Saturday of every month in conjunction with Heights First Saturday, you can stroll through the booths at First Saturday Arts Market while listening to live music. Local metal workers, photographers, painters, jewelry makers, potters, soap makers and more display and sell their wares. Artists handle payment individually. Cash or check is your best bet. Please note that the market takes place only on the first Saturday of each month.
