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Arts & Culture
DiverseWorks ArtSpace
News Release
Thursday, August 09, 2012
DiverseWorks ArtSpace Announces
Move to Midtown & Other Changes
Houston – Kicking off its 30th Anniversary as Houston’s most daring multidisciplinary arts center, DiverseWorks is pleased to announce several exciting changes that will re-launch the pioneering institution within the city’s cultural landscape. A revitalized DiverseWorks announces a new home, new staff appointments, and new public programs.
After 20 years in its warehouse space north of downtown, DiverseWorks is relocating to 4102 Fannin Street in the heart of midtown. This move, the third in the organization’s history, signals a commitment to midtown as a geographically critical area for the arts in Houston. It also precedes the highly anticipated construction of the Independent Arts Collaborative, of which DiverseWorks is a founding member.
Located at the intersection of Fannin and Cleburne streets, DiverseWorks’ new home was once part of the original Cleburne Cafeteria (1941-1969) and, until recently, housed a small manufacturing facility. At just over 5500 square feet, the facility features a sizeable gallery for exhibitions and a flex space specifically dedicated to public programming, including performances, film screenings, special events, workshops, and other activities.
Within close proximity of the Museum District as well as a number of other cultural organizations and commercial art galleries, DiverseWorks will contribute to the growing creative and economic vitality of the area.
“We explored several areas of the city when we began looking for a new home” says Board President William Betts, “It became clear to us that the area is and likely always will be the cultural axis of this vibrant city”. The new space will open to the public on Friday, September 7 with a survey—the first in the United States—of the works of Israeli artist Keren Cytter. Titled Video Art Manual, Cytter’s exhibition extends to DiverseWorks’ warehouse space, which will permanently close on October 31st.
2012 has been a year of transition for DiverseWorks, beginning with the appointment of Elizabeth Dunbar as Executive Director in January and continuing with a number of critical staff hires, including the recent addition of Jennifer Gardner as Director of External Affairs and Rachel Cook as Assistant Curator. Working closely with Artistic Director Sixto Wagan, Dunbar has updated and refined DiverseWorks’ programmatic emphasis—which continues to include visual, performing, and literary arts—to focus on commissioning and presenting works by artists who cross disciplines, media, and genres.
Building on its reputation as an intellectual and creative hub for artists and the public alike, DiverseWorks debuts two new public programs this fall: DiverseWorks On Wednesdays, a weekly evening “mash up” of cultural activities, and Diverse Discourse, a series that brings internationally-renowned arts professionals to Houston to give free public lectures and conduct studio visits. These programs are advised by a reinvigorated Artist Board comprised of prominent Houston artists working in all disciplines.
A farewell party for DiverseWorks’ 1117 East Freeway location is planned following the close of Keren Cytter: Art Video Manual on October 20th. Details will be announced soon.
About DiverseWorks ArtSpace
DiverseWorks is a non-profit art center in Houston, Texas dedicated to presenting new visual, performing, and literary art. DiverseWorks is a place where the process of creating art is valued and where artists can test new ideas in the public arena. By encouraging the investigation of current artistic, cultural and social issues, DiverseWorks builds, educates, and sustains audiences for contemporary art.
DiverseWorks ArtSpace
1117 East Freeway
Houston, TX 77002
713-223-8346
24 Hour Reservation Line 713-335-3445 I www.DiverseWorks.org
Gallery Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, Noon-6pm or by appointment.
Admission is open to the public and FREE
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