Introduction
Since 1993, artists hold a community "open studios" event downtown. Every year on the saturday before Thanksgiving, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the urban "alternative lifestyle". This open studio event assists the audience in understanding contemporary art by directly involving the visitors in a dialogue with Houston artists in their living and working spaces in the Artist Warehouse District of downtown Houston.
If alternative spaces are “about” anything, they are about the roots of art in everyday living and the necessity of everyday living to restore to itself the artist’s inspiration and grace.
The cultural and social interaction provided by the open studios not only makes the artwork and artists more accessible, but also increases the Arts’ presence in the eyes of the community. The more the artists educate the public about art, the more receptive they will become in participating in the Arts. This is the ultimate goal of this popular community event.
The website functions as an information source for our 2006 event. Inside you will find information on all the participants (artists, non-profits, buildings, vendors), maps, driving directions that will make it easier for you to find parking, and purchase T-shirts.
Why should I visit?
- It’s Fun.
- Take a crawl on the wild side …. drive inside the loop … draw out our creativity. Over 100 artists and non profit organizations in 20+ warehouses are opening up,November 18th, 2006, and making their treasured territory accessible to all. Join in.
- It’s Free.
- This event is an all-Artists all-volunteer-run Artist organization.
- Buy Art.
- Feel Free. Bring your check books."Creativity equals capital."-joseph beuys
- It’s Eclectic.
- Experience a spectrum of artistic expression. Visit with Artists ranging from students…aspiring…mid career…to the gallery-represented. Some have just taken that first step from working on the kitchen table to studio space. Others are well established in Houston’s artistic community. We are celebrating everyone’s art. There is no gallery director/curator’s vision involved with this event.
- It’s Educational.
- As you tour through this art community, experiencing how artists live and work, scope out Houston’s important historical landmarks peppering the neighborhood."Art should never try to be popular. The public should make itself artistic." -oscar wilde
- Free Transportation
- "Leave the driving to us!" Hop on one of Houston’s Metro shuttles that are conveniently color coded for the Art Crawl, preeminently provided to get you to and from the warehouses involved in this legendary event.
- Parking
- Park at one of the individual warehouses, or at Main and San Jacinto (check out our map).
