Lawndale Art Center facts for kids
Lawndale Art Center facade
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| Founder(s) | James Surls |
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| Established | 1979 |
| Focus | Contemporary art works (all media) by local artists |
| Location | |
| Address | 4912 Main Street |
| Website | lawndaleartcenter.org |
Lawndale Art Center is a special place in Houston, Texas, where you can see amazing modern art! It's a non-profit organization, which means it's not trying to make money. Instead, it focuses on showing art by talented artists from the Houston area. You can find all kinds of art here, from paintings and sculptures to videos and more.
Contents
History of Lawndale Art Center
Lawndale Art Center was started in 1979 by an artist named James Surls. He was a professor at the University of Houston at the time. He found a huge, empty warehouse and turned it into a creative space.
This space was first used for art students to work on their paintings and sculptures. Soon, James Surls opened up an exhibition area. This allowed other artists from the community to show their work too.
In 1989, Lawndale Art Center became its own independent organization. It gained "non-profit" status, meaning it focuses on its mission rather than making a profit. Since 1992, Lawndale has been in a beautiful building. It was designed in the 1930s by Joseph Finger and is in Houston's Museum District.
What You Can See and Do at Lawndale
Lawndale Art Center is always busy! Its galleries show art from nearly 500 different artists every year. The exhibitions change often, so there's always something new to discover.
The center also hosts over twenty exhibitions, talks, and special events each year. Some popular yearly events include the Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead celebration. They also have a Design Fair and a big art show called "The Big Show."
How Lawndale Art Center Works
Lawndale is guided by a group of people called a board of directors. These people represent the community, and at least one-third of them are artists! Many volunteers, interns, and supporters help make all the exhibitions and events happen.
In September 2021, Anna Walker became the new Executive Director of Lawndale. She helps lead the center and its programs.
Lawndale Artist Studio Program
The Lawndale Artist Studio Program is a special opportunity for artists. It's a nine-month program where artists get their own studio space. They also receive money each month and funds for art supplies.
During this program, artists create brand new artworks. These new pieces are then shown in an exhibition in the spring. It's a great way for artists to develop their skills and share their creations.
Recent Artists in the Program
- Tay Butler (2023-2024)
- Ayanna Jolivet Mccloud (2023-2024)
- Sol Diaz (2023-2024)
- Alexis Pye (2022-2023)
- Chelsea Clarke (2022-2023)
- Verónica Gaona (2022-2023)
- Loc Huynh (2021-2022)
- Ryan Crowley (2021-2022)
- Jamire Williams (2021-2022)
