SECOND ANNUAL TEXAS CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR RETURNS TO HOUSTON

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SECOND ANNUAL TEXAS CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR RETURNS TO HOUSTON

HOUSTON, Texas
/
August 10, 2012

On October 18 through 21, leading contemporary art galleries from across the United States will return to Houston, TX for the second annual Texas Contemporary Art Fair at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Embodying the pulse and vitality of contemporary art in the heart of the south, the Fair will feature sixty-five galleries exhibiting original works from the most innovative and progressive international and local artists today. This year’s Evening Preview will benefit the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAHM) and is expected to raise over $20,000 to support the Museum’s free admission policy and newly extended hours.

The roster of exhibitors includes many leading Texan galleries such as Inman Gallery (Houston), Texas Gallery (Houston), Sicardi Gallery (Houston), Moody Gallery (Houston) Lora Reynolds Gallery (Austin), Marty Walker Gallery (Dallas), Conduit Gallery (Dallas), and David Shelton Gallery (San Antonio). In addition, the Fair will showcase renowned galleries from across the country including Angles Gallery (Los Angeles), ACME (Los Angeles), Daniel Weinberg Gallery (Los Angeles), Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts Gallery (Miami), Envoy Enterprises (New York), Feature Inc. (New York), James Harris Gallery (Seattle), Fredric Snitzer Gallery (Miami), Jonathan Ferrara (New Orleans), Gallery Joe (Philadelphia), Greg Kucera Gallery (Seattle), Jeff Bailey Gallery (New York), Lennon Weinberg (New York), Mark Moore Gallery (Culver City), P.P.O.W (New York) and Peter Mendenhall Gallery (Los Angeles).

Building on the strong positive response from visitors at last year’s show, TX Contemporary will host public programs at the Convention Center including large-scale sculpture installations and a lecture series. Continuing the tradition of giving back to the community, Fair organizers will once again feature MRKTworks, a small-scale online/live auction that will offer works donated by participating dealers. Sponsored by Texas Contemporary and its exhibitors, the auction will launch two weeks prior to the Fair’s opening – proceeds from the auction will benefit several of Houston’s non-profit arts organizations.

“We at CAMH are so looking forward to the many wonders the Texas Contemporary will bring to this city,” says CAMH’s Director Bill Arning. “As someone dedicated to the risky, experimental nature of contemporary art, I remember well the thrills of last year's extravaganza--from Glasstire's art bar complete with a pink pony to the Blaffer's installation of Andy Coolquitt's signature deconstructed sculptures, a preview of their 2013 exhibition with him. I bought a wonderful piece by Houston artist Kent Dorn for myself that I absolutely cherish, and I fear that my best attempts at personal fiscal austerity will fail when faced with so many gems.”

“Texas Contemporary is delighted to be partnering with CAMH and other leading arts and cultural organizations throughout the city,” adds Texas Contemporary Director Max Fishko.“We’re looking forward to engaging the local audiences with the quality work shows as well as our top-notch programming including daily print and sculpture demonstrations and a lecture series in conjunction with the School of Visual Arts.”

Launched by seasoned fair veterans, Max Fishko and Jeffrey Wainhause, the artMRKT fairs--which includes artMRKT fairs in San Francisco and the Hamptons, Texas Contemporary and the upcoming Miami Project in December--are well received by exhibitors and visitors alike.

Location:

George R. Brown Convention Center – Hall A

1001 Avenida De Las Americas

Houston, Texas 77010

Hours and Admission

Texas Contemporary Preview

benefiting the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

Thursday, October 18 6PM – 7.30PM

Tickets - $100 advance purchase

Opening Night Party

Thursday, October 18, 7.30PM – 9.30PM

Regular Fair Hours