Op Ed

Can we call Texas’ smattering of outward-looking, wealth-built institutions in semi-rural and rural places “regional,” and if not, what should we call them?

Amid the blizzard of anti-HAA ink coming in from all quarters of the Houston art scene, Glasstire today received a collective letter from artists involved in T+R.

On November 20, tensions between the powerful committee and the staff of HAA's Civic Arts + Design program erupted into an open break.

If anything, the populations of most Texas cities, and along with it the populations of artists, are increasing, but the number of more traditional galleries with traditional business models feels stagnant.

A five-member selection panel chose Wilson for the plum job at the end of October. Last Thursday, HAA took it back.

Chitchat on E.A.S.T., Houton Artcrawls then and now, One-painting shows, Marclay's Clock, and Peter Ligon vs Fairfield Porter.

You've just spent a week installing your show at a nonprofit art space and you realize that everyone helping you, from the director down to the part-time preparator and the gift shop clerk, is getting paid for his or her time, and you're not.

As Joss Whedon says: “Don’t give people what they want. Give them what they need.” Is the answer to dwindling crowds at museums really to turn the museum into something completely opposite its original intended function?

If a truck jumped the curb at Dallas City Hall and rammed into the Henry Moore sculpture, should your Aunt Linda then opportunistically petition to have it destroyed rather than restored, just because it doesn’t meet her definition of art? Of course not.

I’ve certainly noticed a “go with the flow” attitude for Chinati Weekend in not fighting all the artists’ love and regard for the local landscape. I, too, went with the flow.

The casual pace reminds me more of Los Angeles than New York, though we could just call it Marfa Time.

Do not attempt this yourselves. These artists are professionals on a closed track.

The Houston Fine Art Fair was beyond terrible. Is this is the real international art world?

Those of us who came of age in the ‘80s walk into the show with a sometimes dread-inducing association with that time, but walk out feeling at least a little better about this uneven and unsettling moment in recent art history.

This is real art by real working artists. The populist bent was a considered choice. The show’s remit is simply to represent each region in the nation and be a people pleaser.

The fall art season is cranking up: tasty new shows and events beckon from every side like the nozzles at a frozen yogurt bar —and the gummy worms on top were the 56 booths at this years' early edition of the Texas Contemporary Art Fair.

Are you the type to ask an artist: "Can you recommend an art consultant who might know if you’re any good or not?"

I’ll restate something, for the umpteenth time: People in the art community here are too polite.

After the beach, old times are Galveston's main attraction. Tintypes and a new Wild West Village pull visitors back into the 19th century, sort of.