HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

In addition to an art opening and a fun art-filled walking tour tonight, I've gathered a few of my favorite holiday events to attend in Houston this season. Send me an email and tell me where you like to go! 

In the meantime, I am planning my calendar for the new year. What are you looking forward to seeing in 2024? Let me know! Also, check out my website and make a list of those art exhibitions you want to see again -- or for the first time.

NEW FEATURE ON MY WEBSITE! Submit your Houston art events by visiting melissarichardsonbanks.com/events and clicking "Submit Events."

Approved events will go live on my website calendar. However, if you want your events to also be considered for inclusion in my weekly MUSED Houston e-news, you must submit at least two to four weeks in advance.

Let me know if you have any questions! As always,I appreciate your support.

~ Melissa Richardson Banks

All events are subject to change without notice. Please check with the venue or the organizer of an event to ensure that it is taking place as promoted and scheduled.

WED 12.20.2023

ART OPENING 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM “Place of Repose” on view thru January 13, 2024 at Mitochondria Gallery (2220 Commerce St., #D, Houston 77002).This group exhibition features sculptures and paintings from contemporary artists from Africa and the African Diaspora.

ART EVENT 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM “Tinsel Trek” with Urban Paths at Buffalo Bayou Park (105-B Sabine St., Houston 77007). Bundle up and put on your walking shoes for this special holiday edition of Laura Conely’s free weekly Wednesday night wellness walks featuring the festive lights of Downtown Houston. Meet near the Cistern and walk 3 miles in 1.5 hours.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS IN HOUSTON

THRU DECEMBER 30, 2023: Christmas Village at Bayou Bend Collection & Gardens (6003 Memorial Dr., Houston 77007). Check out the festive lights and activities, including sledding down a faux-snow slide, and tossing cotton snowballs with your friends (thru December 30, 2023).

THRU JANUARY 6, 2024: Cistern Illuminated at Buffalo Bayou Park (105-B Sabine St., Houston 77007)

THRU JANUARY 7, 2024: Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston (1601 E NASA Parkway, Houston 77058)

THRU JANUARY 8, 2024: Zoo Lights at Houston Zoo (6200 Hermann Park Dr., Houston 77030)

THRU JANUARY 14, 2024: Gingerbread Lane at Houston Farmers Market (2520 Airline Dr., Houston 77009). Explore "The 12 Days of Texas," a free delectable display featuring whimsical gingerbread houses and intricately made sculptures inspired by the Lone Star State.

THRU JANUARY 14, 2024: Winter Wonderlawn at POST Houston (401 Franklin St Houston 77201). The five-acre rooftop park Skylawn is decked out in beautifully illuminated lights and décor, including a 25-foot Christmas Tree and multiple holiday themed activations with Houston’s skyline as the backdrop.

THRU FEBRUARY 25, 2024:  Radiant Nature at Houston Botanic Garden (One Botanic Ln., Houston 77017).

This weekly e-newsletter is solely a passion project for me as I like to keep a list of what I really want to see. If you miss an opening at a museum or gallery, please check the calendar on my website at www.melissarichardsonbanks.com to plan your visit during the venue's regular operating hours.

GO SEE THIS EXHIBITION NOW!

ON VIEW THRU JANUARY 27, 2024: “In Remembrance of Frank X. Tolbert 2: Selections from the Studio” at Andrew Durham Gallery (1821 W. Alabama St. Houston 77098)

Celebrating the life and work of this late, great artist, the exhibition features a diverse range of artwork by Frank X. Tolbert 2, including paintings, drawings, and ephemera.

I especially love his magical way of interpreting the world with line and color. He explored the birds of Texas in paintings, etchings and drawings -- these works were my favorites.

Each piece has been carefully selected to represent different phases in Tolbert's artistic development. From his early explorations to his most recent works, the collection provides a glimpse into the artist's creative process, inspirations, and the development of his distinctive style.

Tolbert's artistic career is marked by his ability to blend various mediums, techniques, and themes seamlessly. His works often delve into the intersection of nature, culture, and human experiences, resulting in visually stunning and thought-provoking pieces. Through his art, Tolbert has consistently pushed boundaries, challenging conventional norms and inviting viewers to engage in a deeper dialogue.

PHOTO: Katherine Brimberry is the co-founder, Director, and Senior Master Printer of the Flatbed Center for Contemporary Printmaking, which has many limited-edition prints by Frank X. Tolbert 2 (shown here with Melissa Richardson Banks).