Project Row Houses

43 was such an amazing installation. This was my first experience at PR, but I loved everything about it! I was there on opening day and it was well coordinated and well supported. They expanded their usual art installation to include a commerce component and Ella Russell of Edubalicious Treats used the space as a pop up shop. It was amazing. From beginning to end the experience was positive and powerful. So many people came together for art and food and enjoyed the experience. Support this organization. It’s worth it.

Now, in the midst of celebrating its 20^th anniversary, Project Row Houses has just opened Art Round 40 — Monuments: Right Beyond the Site, featuring Otabenga Jones & Associates. It’s highlighting some of the history of Third Ward through the art houses. PRH not only offers community-​based public art, but also has at education for youth, a young mothers program, and residential housing complexes (Row House CDC).

I had the recent privilege of taking a tour of Project Row Houses that was led by the inimitable Troy of Khon’s Wine Darts Coffee Art. If you haven’t visited him at Khon’s yet, do so for his excellent recommendations on everything from potables to art to what to see and do in Houston. He himself is a local gem so when he took a group of us to see Project Row Houses, I knew i was in for a treat.
Project Row Houses is an example of the sort of revitalization that is needed around Houston and urban centers all over the country. Amidst the Third Ward is a beautiful row of refurbished row houses filled with art exhibits of local artists. We visited on a Saturday afternoon with perfect weather, which made the contrast of Project Row Houses against the backdrop of urban houses even more striking. My favorite area was actually the garden in the back, which had small, brightly colored playhouses-​and chickens! It felt more like Savannah than Houston.
I hope that Project Row Houses sets a trend for how to revitalize an urban area while staying true to its roots. While it was evident what a labor of love Project Row Houses is, it highlighted the neighborhood’s potential without undermining the soul and history of the neighborhood. In short, it’s anti-​gentrification. Project Row Houses also provides housing for single mothers who have pledged to make it through school. It’s wonderful to think of kids being raised in an environment that emphasizes art, community involvement and hope.
Project Row Houses is quite an accomplishment. I can’t wait to return. Grab coffee and lunch at Doshi House and spend an afternoon meandering through the houses. You’re not only in for a wonderful afternoon but you’re helping a great cause as well.

A row of shotgun shacks turned into free art galleries by local artists? awesome. I’d heard about this place for many years, but I finally got around to visiting them recently. The art exhibits change and the day we went, only some of the houses were open. I went into several, but the one I liked the best was the «seven deadly sins». It showed each of the seven deadly sins using dogs. There was a dog statue looking at itself in a mirror (vanity), a dog floating in the air about to pounce angrily on you (wrath), etc… There were kind of cool! Some of the exhibits were kind of boring, but each exhibit was unique.
I like that this is an alternative space to the fancy named artist spaces. This gives some local artists a place to display their art and interact with the public on opening nights. Take some time and go down to this part of town, check out the art, and explore this part of the city.
Free admission.
Open Wednesday — Sunday 12 — 5pm.

It’s best to go to Project Rowhouse on a opening night or with someone that has gone prior. The houses are not always exhibition spaces-​they also are residency spaces at certain times of the year.
There are more than three houses-​i think there are 7.
I’ve seen some really amazing installation pieces in these houses and it’s always worth a try to see what’s new inside them. I will mention I have seen some so-​so art here too, BUT you could say the same thing about the MFAH or any other large art museum.

I was so disappointed by the place! It’s in the projects but you feel safe walking around and parking your car on the street. Nothing to worry about there!
However, a lot of the houses were closed. There was nothing to see really. There was not one person in sight that could explain any of the artwork (if you can really call it that) in any of the three houses we entered. I do like the concept but I hoped to see people and art. I felt more like I walked into a kindergarten class.

«Like a lotus flower that grows out of the mud and blossoms above the muddy water surface»
This is what I think about the project row houses. These houses sit in a very seedy area of town, but they stand out and are a glowing example that beauty can be found anywhere as long as you are willing to look for it.

Something for artistic Houstonians on their way to enlightenment! A must see experience in the heart of soulful 3^rd ward!

If you were to put on a vinyl of Weldon Irvine’s «Morning Sunrise» and brew some fresh «sun-​kissed tea» or «sweet lemonade» — then go to the front porch and just relax your eyelids until you finally drift into that deep place called home; you would be the personification of Project Row Houses. Sometimes the most beautiful flower breaks through the broken, filthy concrete. The art displayed in this exhibit reveals more than just a forgotten neighborhood, as it portrays a certain time and a people who have a rich culture and an enormous sense of pride — no matter what they are surrounded by. I would advise every Houstonian to visit the place that they, perhaps, have only heard of but never really understood — and embrace the Project that is so much more than just an homage to a poor housing development.

If you’re a native Houstonian like me, you’ve probably heard of Project Row Houses a few times in your life, but you’ve never visited. It’s time to change that.
I don’t think there’s another space in Houston that exudes such creativity, cultural understanding, and respect for art and people of all kinds. Spanning 4 city blocks, Project Row Houses includes the famous row houses with rotating art installations, countless outdoor sculptures and murals, a playground/​garden space with more art, housing for low-​and-​mid income residents, housing and programs for young mothers, and educational programs for young people. Above all, it centers around the third ward community that is, because of its proximity to all things midtown, in danger of becoming Houston’s next condoland.
When you go, first stop by the headquarters of Project Row Houses. It’s a brick building next to the row houses. There’s some great info to get you started on your quest as you walk in the door, and if you’re lucky like I was, you might happen upon some men engaged in a serious game of dominoes. Rick, one of the domino players, gave me a good intro to the place and called up Ashley, the Public Arts Manager, to show me the lay of the land. I spent the good part of 2 hours wandering the premises, and I left with a new appreciation of art itself and a much better understanding of the third ward.
As for the art, both inside the houses and outside, it’s mind-​bending. Take your time, explore all the nooks and crannies, and make sure you haven’t missed anything. Don’t forget the flower man, either: he’s not officially part of Project Row Houses, but he’s right next door. Flower man’s house is decorated with wacky fixtures of all kinds, and he’s an masterpiece himself.

Project Row Houses is one of our city’s fine gems. It took me a long time to finally come see these houses. Finally getting to experience the Artist rounds made me sorry I had never attended earlier.
The installations are really amazing. Creativity runs wild here – which is something that I think everyone should experience seeing. Sadly, I think this is one of those places that everyone has heard of but never seen. So if you’re in that boat – get over there!

Inspired by the African American artist John Biggers, this is a fantastic project borne out of the belief that art and activism can revitalize neighborhoods while preserving their character. The neighborhood is an African American one that has seen some difficult times, and has not reaped the benefits of Houston’s gentrification. The project attempts to build community and serve as a catalyst for change, in part through art. You can walk through a line of old row houses serving as galleries for temporary installations — the artists are apparently invited to do an installation then given free reign. There are murals and other art all over the place outside.
In addition to the art, Project Row Houses has done cool stuff like teach kids to garden and provide housing and parenting classes to low income single mothers.
It’s free, and it’s great, and you should check it out.
Also check out, within walking distance, the Dupree Sculpture Garden, the «Field of Vision», and the unrelated but nearby Flower Man house. Bring a camera.
Row House flickr set: