Mitch Cohen

Saturday afternoon is a unique opportunity to meet a handful of established, award-winning fine artists at Art Inside Out, an invitational exhibition hosted by glass artist Bill Meeks, at his studio in the Sawyer Yards area. Host Bill Meek is an accomplished glass sculptor with a 40-year career and creating unique glass art that has earned him collectors throughout Texas and around the world. The invited artists joining Meek in the exhibition are painter/sculptor Kelley Devine, painter Karen Eisele, artist/sculptor Dan Havel, mixed media artist Anne Reese Hernandez, artist/photographer Syd Moen, wood sculpture James D. Phillips, painter David Piland, mixed media painter/sculpture Page Piland, and photographer Gary Watson. On the bandstand, rhythm and blues band Texas Johnny Boy will … [Read more...] about Art Valet: Arts District Month continues with Art Inside Out

Throughout the month of October, explore local businesses, events, and restaurants during Arts District Month. In partnership with Houston First, Visit Houston and Le Meridien Houston Downtown, the Arts District is increasing awareness and promoting tourism opportunities via artsy weekends designed for perfect staycations. Events include Sawyer Yards Fall Biannual, Holler Brewing Co. First Friday Art Market, Second Saturday at Sawyer Yards, The Market at Sawyer Yards, Sculpture Month, Dia De Los Muertos Festival at MECA and more. For details on all these cool places and events, follow the Arts District on Instagram @artsdistricthou and fresharts.org/content/arts-district-month. Saturday evening, a second sculpture exhibit titled Outer Limits - Sculptures in Art Alley opens. … [Read more...] about Art Valet: October is Arts District Month

If you like art, art markets, festivals, receptions, and anything art related, you are a lucky individual because art “season” is now in full swing. I’m going to start with the one that got away.  The “John Ross Palmer: Through the Lens of Nabarupa Bhattacharjee,” opening is finally here, Friday evening October 5, 6 - 8 p.m. at 1218 Heights Blvd.  ArtLaunch.org. My interview of Nabarupa Bhattacharjee, the artist, ran in the Sept. 15 edition of The Leader, due to a printing mishap, the books had to be reissued and Friday is the official launch.  First Saturday Arts Market, the monthly outdoor fine arts event that has literally steered my life for the past 15 years and put me on the map, is Saturday afternoon. Located at 530 W. 19th Street, just one lot over from our … [Read more...] about Art Valet: Art Season is in Full Swing

“What should I look for when buying art?” That’s a question I am asked often and thought I’d share my thoughts with you. There are as many opinions on this subject as there are people, living and dead. First, I’d say buy local, from a living artist. I do make a living supporting and helping local artists but also, why shouldn’t you?  Since this is my opinion - it is somewhat skewed towards my budget, tastes, and lifestyle. Still, people nod their heads affirmatively when I answer so here you go. Buy what pleases you. It doesn’t matter if you’re matching colors on your coach (I hear lots of disdain from artists on this point) or filling an empty space in your foyer. For me though, I have to see a story.  I look for a story in the art, and that doesn’t need to be … [Read more...] about Art Valet: Beginner’s guide to local art buying

Notice about last week’s print edition: The reception and book release of the photo-biography, “John Ross Palmer: Through the Lens of Nabarupa Bhattacharjee,” was postponed to Friday, October 5, 6 - 8 p.m., and will still be held at 1218 Heights Blvd. If you thought you missed it, get this on your calendar now. More details at ArtLaunch.org. Upstairs at Winter Street Studios is an artist produced show called Inspiritas, which was curated by studio artists April Murphy and Taylor Clendennen. The show explores what inspires artists to create their work. Each piece is accompanied by the image or story that motivated the artist to make it.  “It was fascinating for me as an artist to see what motivated all these pieces,” said curating artist April Murphy. The exhibit will be up … [Read more...] about Art Valet: Not to miss art and the Menil reopens