BECCA HENSLEY
HauteART
Greetings from Houston mural at Gelazzi
BEAUX ARTS HOUSTON TEXAS HAS BEEN ENDLESSLY STEREOTYPED: BIG HATS, BIG HAIR, big landscape. But all along, aesthetes in the know have been lauding the state’s exemplary, abundant, well-financed, world class art scene. Perhaps Texas’ artsiest city is Houston, a sprawling, culturally diverse metropolis born on oil profits, sports teams, and a storied space program. Richly urbane, historically global in its outlook, fearlessly sophisticated, and rakishly creative, the city boasts a history of striving (and succeeding) to embrace cultural and artistic expression in all forms. Today, Houston reigns as home to seven cultural districts—more than any city in the United States. One of them, the Theater District, stretches across a 17-block area, encompassing Houston’s resident performance companies, 76
including ballet, drama, opera, and symphony. Equally inspiring, its walkable, park-like Museum District with a trove of 19 acclaimed institutions draws more than 7 million visitors a year to see objects and exhibitions as diverse as exotic animals, Holocaust artifacts, dinosaur bones, and masterworks of every imaginable genre. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston alone houses more than 70,000 pieces. Just as captivating, independent galleries, edgy oeuvre (such as street graffiti and beer can architecture), and unexpected venues (such as the catacomb-like The Cistern at Buffalo Bayou Park art space) enliven the vibe. Ready to immerse in H-town’s art-centric glory, but unsure where to start? Here’s an artful list of not-to-miss sites for your next visit.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT HOUSTON
How to tour Texas’ top art scene
