13 Texas Art Galleries Putting Us on the Map
Texas’ vibrant scene of galleries and art spaces incubate emerging Texas talent and showcase established artists across the state. Here are a few must-see stops on your art tour of Texas.
Moody Gallery
Houston’s artsy Montrose neighborhood gallery has been showing contemporary American and international artists since 1975. The gallery represents talents like painter Sarah Williams and master draftsman Michael Bise. 2815 Colquitt St., Houston
DiverseWorks
More than simply a gallery, DiverseWorks has played a pivotal role in fostering Houston’s art scene since the early 1980s by seeking out artists and programming unlikely to find a home elsewhere in the city. The organization moved into the Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston in 2015, and it has since taken advantage of its expanded access to gallery and performance spaces by commissioning new works, hosting vital conversations about culture and aesthetics, and serving as a resource for artists and thinkers throughout the city’s diverse community. 3400 Main St., Ste. 292, Houston
Houston Center for Photography
With a razor-sharp focus on the medium of photography, the Houston Center for Photography, along with Houston’s biennial FotoFest, has helped make the city one of the great centers for the exploration and understanding of the photographic image. In addition to regular exhibitions, the center also provides educational programming and produces publications. 1441 W. Alabama St., Houston
Talley Dunn Gallery
One of the most consistent commercial galleries in Dallas, Talley Dunn’s strong artistic roster includes internationally respected talents like David Bates and Erick Swenson. 5020 Tracy St., Dallas
The Power Station
Collector Alden Pinnell transformed an old electric power station near Dallas’ Fair Park and turned it into one of the most innovative art spaces in the state. A few times a year, Pinnell commissions some of the world’s most renowned artists to create site-specific installations. Often responding to the raw, industrial-brick building that hosts the exhibitions, artists at The Power Station push the boundaries of what contemporary art can be and produce thoughtful journals that accompany each exhibition. The openings at The Power Station are often see-and-be-seen events for Dallas’ art community and collectors, as well as for curators and dealers from around the world. 3816 Commerce St., Dallas
The Old Jail Art Center
The tiny West Texas town of Albany has become a surprising arts mecca thanks to its incredible art collection in the first permanently constructed jail in Shackelford County. The historic jail owes its survival to author and playwright Robert E. Nail, who purchased the building in the 1940s. When Nail’s nephews inherited the jail, they thought it would make the perfect setting for their extensive collection of 20th-century art. Today, in addition to exhibiting that collection, The Old Jail Art Center also hosts exhibitions by some of Texas’ most engaging contemporary artists. 201 S. 2nd St., Albany
Artspace111
Fort Worth’s Artspace111 exhibits a wide variety of contemporary artists with an emphasis on painters whose work reflects the bold vision and diversity of the Lone Star State. 111 Hampton St., Fort Worth
Photo by Jennifer Boomer
Ballroom Marfa
Seminal 20th-century minimalist sculptor Donald Judd put the tiny town of Marfa on the art world’s map, but Ballroom Marfa has done some heavy lifting in fostering the West Texas town’s local culture since it opened in 2003. Today, the art space hosts exhibitions by significant local and international artists, in addition to hosting events curated around explorations into the visual arts, film, music, and performance. The scope of programming places it at an intriguing midpoint between gallery and museum. 108 E. San Antonio St., Marfa
Fort Worth Contemporary Arts
Operated by Texas Christian University, Fort Worth Contemporary Arts quickly established itself as a hub of conversation and artistic exploration within Dallas-Fort Worth’s art scene. Its exhibitions often highlight some of the cutting-edge thinking in the world of contemporary art. 2900 West Berry St., Fort Worth
Women & Their Work
Women & Their Work has been a vital part of Austin’s art community for more than 40 years. Showcasing female artists, the organization exhibits contemporary art, funds artist projects, and hosts performances. 1710 Lavaca St., Austin
Big Medium
The Austin nonprofit Big Medium is more than just a place to see great art. The organization runs studio tours, hosts the Texas Biennial exhibition, and provides studio space for artists. 916 Springdale Road, Building 2, #101, Austin
Artpace San Antonio
When collector Linda Pace founded Artpace, she wanted the arts organization to function as a laboratory for new ideas. The organization offers a residency that brings artists from around Texas and the world to San Antonio. There, they create new work, stage exhibitions, and participate in projects that engage with the city’s diverse communities. 445 N. Main Ave., San Antonio
The Center for Contemporary Art
This bustling Midwest Texas artistic hub exhibits work by contemporary Texas artists throughout the year in its five gallery spaces, as well as renting studio space to 10 artists. The center has a particularly strong focus on regional art, international photography, and short films. 220 Cypress St., Abilene
For more on Texas’ cultural scene, learn here about our old-fashioned movie theater renaissance.
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