I don’t know about you, but this fall, I am particularly grateful to be part of the greater arts community of Houston. The cumulative effect of the recent disasters and tragedies has been traumatic, upending the lives of friends, families, and colleagues across the region, the country, and abroad. I have taken solace, however, from the experience here in Houston of a community that comes together in support of one another. Your support of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is no different. Just weeks after Harvey, you all helped us make this year’s Martini Madness among the most successful instances of this long-running fundraiser ever, while likewise helping to raise thousands to support the Houston Food Bank and the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)—thank you!
And, there are new reasons to visit HCCC this fall–seven, to be precise. This past month, we welcomed a new class of four artists to our Artist Residency program and opened three exhibitions. Come welcome and meet fiber artist Molly Koehn, jeweler Hannah Oatman, ceramist Angel Oloshove, and fiber/mixed-media artist Liz Robb, all of whom have set up their studios and are already producing innovative and exciting work.
While you’re here, be sure to time your visit to see sign painters from across the country create new work in the Main Gallery as part of the new exhibition, For Hire: Contemporary Sign Painting in America. In the Artist Hall, explore The Sound of Things, featuring the work of Bohyun Yoon and Alyce Santoro, who explore the sonic potential of material. Finally, beat the crowds from the International Quilt Festival, and view the remarkable examples of contemporary quilts in Storyline: The Contemporary Quilt. Or, if you know folks coming to town for the festival, bring them to HCCC, and share what Houston has to offer the craft community year round.
–Perry A. Price, Executive Director
