F.A.Q.

  1. How did the ARTCRAWL come about?

    As with most original or good ideas, need was the seed. What was the need? To create an audience for the artists working and living in downtown Houston. To make the art available at the source. Commerce Street Artist Warehouse and Mother Dog Studios have been alive & well & have been providing working & living artists studio spaces for over 18 years! Specifically, the ARTCRAWL initially functioned as a grass roots reach out effort by artists for a public that was oblivious to downtown, to an audience afraid of downtown except by daylight. Why go downtown on a weekend?

  2. How has the event evolved over the years?

    Plus ca change; plus a la meme chose.

    The changing face & pace of downtown has influenced the artcrawl. Many artists have been displaced and have had to relocate with the sale or removal of once upon a time artists warehouses.

    Each year that the artcrawl is presented, it is a self-portrait of
    neighborhoods and the artists in their warehouses are portrayed as artistic survivors.
    “[Artists] are tough as weeds and can grow in the concrete.”
    Robert Hughes, Art critic, Time magazine

  3. How is the ARTCRAWL financed?

    Artists collaborate with the City of Houston, area restaurants, business and art supporters to host ARTCRAWL FREE to the public. Participating artists, galleries, restaurants, and businesses pay a nominal fee. The ARTCRAWL is obviously run on a shoe string buget. Without in-kind services for printing, etc., the ARTCRAWL would not stand up. this is not an art festival! organizationally, one of our goals has been to see how small we can stay to accomplish or our mission, our vision.

  4. What can be expected from the ARTCRAWL?

    Imagine seeing the diamond made in the ruff? That is the qualifying difference between the museum/gallery experience and the ARTCRAWL. People get to see a variety of contemporary artwork in the unique natural setting of the artists studio/home. The ARTCRAWL provides an opportunity for many artists to talk about their artwork with the public. By mingling with the artist and asking questions about the work, the process of creating art is demystified but not diminished, and visitors emerge with a greater understanding of contemporary art practices. for a few hours the viewer can peek into the mysterious artists’ world, a momentary glimpse into the creative process.

  5. Why is the ARTCRAWL held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving?

    Most of the original warehouses are non-air-controlled spaces. Some warehouses have weather in the buildings. The warehouses can be micro wave ovens in the summer months and freezer boxes in the winter. The persistence and consistence of timing have abetted the ARTCRAWL.

  6. Where do I start?

    You may begin your crawl at any point along the route, traveling by Shuttle to each of the other destinations. Parking is available at many points along the way.

  7. Where do I park?

    The hub of ARTCRAWL is in the block of 1200 Block of Sterrett Street, with parking available two blocks away under I-10 between Main Street and San Jacinto.

  8. When is the last Shuttle ?

    We recommend you pace your crawl and allow time to end your crawl near 8PM.

  9. Are there restaurants or drinks along the way?

    A couple of restaurants near the hub of ARTCRAWL are listed on your map. Many of the warehouses will serve water or wine and some have vendors set up outside their spaces to provide a snack or drink.

  10. Is there art available for purchase the day of the event?

    Yes – “Creativity equals capital.” Joesph Beuys

  11. Is the event kid friendly?

    As ARTCRAWL has evolved, its constituency has become more and more child-oriented. Many consider this event appropriate for the entire family, some may not. We encourage each family to explore their sensitivities together during ARTCRAWL .

  12. Is the event handicap accessible?

    Few of these buildings were designed at a time when accessibility by all was a consideration.

  13. What if it rains?

    We expect Sunshine and the rain sounds great on tin roofs…. come and enjoy.