VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

“I was extremely impressed with the artistically diverse talent apparent in Houston’s existent and emerging artists.” - Piper Huddleston, Civic Art + Design Coordinator for Houston Arts Alliance

From Piper’s art historian and PR background, “works based on artistic merit as well as originality in design and concept,” impressed her vote for accepted submissions into the City Hall Exhibition.

Houston Arts Alliance, on behalf of the City of Houston, is currently producing Vibrant: Houston Artists in City Halls which will run from May 28, 2008 through February 20, 2009. The exhibition showcases Houston’s thriving visual arts community.

32 different artists’ works were chosen from the open call. Artists were limited to one entry. The show was juried from actual work by HAA staff members: Piper Huddleston, Civic Art + Design Coordinator; Jimmy Castillo, Civic Art + Design Collection Manager/Project Manager; and Margaret Miller, Communications Director.

Selections finalized on May 15, will proudly represent the following Houston artists: Chuy Benitez, Joan Breckwoldt, Sandi Seltzer Bryant, Valerie Burkes, Lim Chung, Sheng Kuan Chung, Margaret Colvin, Theresa DiMenno, Joseph Blanco EsPinola, Ryan Geiger, Greg Haas, LA Holloman, Abraham Ibanez, Melissa Klotz, Rona Lesser, Wendy Levine, Ken Mazzu, Joy Mullett, Michelle O’Michael, John O’Fiel, Kate Petley, Lisa Qualls, Debbie Riddle, Lynne Rutzky, Marlo Saucedo, Louise Schlachter, Charlie Jean Sartwelle, Eva Luz Suarez, Matthew Sullivan, Alex Wilhite, Mary Beth Woiccak, and Bobby Wallace Wright.

Margaret Miller, HAA’s Communications Director commented: “The broad range of subject, style and medium in this exhibit faithfully reflects Houston's diverse artistic community.” She selected works from a corporate communications and art history background.

Jimmy, HAA’s Civic Art + Design Collection Manager/Project Manager, states “The selected work in this exhibition shows only a glimpse of the vibrant visual art community working in Houston today. It demonstrates once again that the strength of Houston’s culture is our resistance to classification.”

The artworks will be located in various locations around City Hall. Viewing of the art is open to City staff, visitors, and general public Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM. In order to access City Hall, passing through a security checkpoint and the showing of ID is required..

Pictured: Theresa DiMenno, Lycoris Floral, 2007, 41” x 27,” Digital print on canvas,Image courtesy of the artist.