Blog Archives

Search

Poetry, Prose and Music

4/28/2026

Music with Opus 4 String Quartet

There was a stellar music event at Archway Sunday evening, April 26 : Opus 4 String Quartet performed three pieces, including the World Premiere of a work by composer Ken Booker--String Quartet No. 2--"A Salute to Archway Gallery's 50th Anniversary." An enthusiastic crowd of around 30 listened in rapt attention and responded with long rounds of applause.

Archway Readers Respond to Archway Artist's Work

The Archway Readers honor each of the gallery's current artists by responding to individual artworks, resulting in a book that was made with the artwork and their written responses.

Founded in 1977 by Sandra Sherrod and donne e perkins, the readers have gathered monthly for nearly three decades sharing poetry, prose and drama surrounded by the art at Archway Gallery.

Today The Archway Readers remain a welcoming community of writers and listeners. With untiring support from artist John Slaby and devoted helper Dean Luttrell, we celebrate creativity, connection and the enduring power of the human voice.
~ donna e perkins

Fifty Forward Exhibition Opening Night

4/17/2026

The next 50 years start now. Congratulations Archway Gallery on five decades of artist-led creativity. Special thanks to Mister McKinney's Historic Houston for handling emcee duties like a star. And thanks Catherine Anspon for your lovely remarks.

Archway Gallery, Texas’ longest-running artist-owned and operated gallery, proudly marks its 50th anniversary with a landmark exhibition titled Fifty Forward, which opened April 4. The reception and celebration was on April 11, 2026. The exhibition runs until April 30, 2026. This milestone year celebrates half a century of artistic innovation, community connection, and unwavering commitment to elevating Houston’s creative spirit.

For fifty years, the artists at Archway Gallery have shaped their own creative path, establishing the gallery as a cornerstone of Houston’s vibrant arts community. Founded in 1976 by twelve local artists determined to market and sell their own work, the gallery first opened its doors in the The Jung Center, drawing its name from the distinctive arches in that space. Over time and several locations later, Archway Gallery has evolved into a cherished arts district institution—an enduring symbol of artistic collaboration and community spirit. While many galleries have come and gone, the success of Archway Gallery is rooted in a shared passion and purpose—a truth affirmed by the over 200 artists who have been a part of Archway’s story.

Archway Artists on Hello Houston

4/15/2026

Archway member artists John Slaby and Cookie Wells had a great time being interviewed on the podcast Hello Houston on March 18. We are grateful for the chance to talk about Archway's history, fifty-year anniversary, and community impact with hosts Celeste Diaz Schurman and Frank Billingsley. Listen to the full podcast here.

Out-Smart Magazine Interviews Harold Joiner

4/15/2026

Olivia Flores Alvarez of Out-Smart online magazine recently interviewed Harold Joiner, current director of Archway Gallery. Archway is the longest-running artist-owned and -operated gallery in the state. Archway is also celebrating its 50th anniversary, a milestone for a commercial gallery, and a true cause for celebration for an artist-run collaborative.

Read the full article here.

Larry Garmezy on Sunny 99.1

4/12/2026

Recently Archway member artist Larry Garmezy had the chance to chat with Dana Tyson of radio station Sunny 99.1 about the gallery and its 50th birthday. We are grateful for the spotlight! It is a great discussion with lots of information and enthusiasm.

See the interview here.

Thanks to Arts and Culture Texas

4/9/2026

Archway was featured in Arts and Culture Texas, with an article written by Donna Tennant:

"Fifty years ago, on April 1, 1976, Dada artist Max Ernst passed away; Steve Jobs launched Apple Computer; and in Houston, 12 artists opened Archway Gallery in the Jung Center. They had no idea how successful their venture would be; they just wanted a place to show and sell their work. From the start, the gallery was a cooperative venture, with members sharing the work and the expenses.

Opening reception at Archway.

Now, Archway is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary with Fifty Forward, a group show featuring its 34 member artists, with a reception from 5–8 p.m. on April 11. The exhibition runs April 4–30. As a nod to its founding location, the group show Homecoming at the Jung Center will feature works by current and former members. Coordinated by members Cookie Wells and Shirl Riccetti, Homecoming runs March 4–April 14, with a public reception from 5–7 p.m. on March 14.
Read More Here

Archway in Visit Houston Online Guide

4/9/2026

We're grateful to Irina Mirochnitchenko for her fantastic article "Archway Gallery Celebrates 50 Years" in VisitHoustonTexas.com.

Here's a bit of what she wrote:
Want to experience Houston's creative vibe? Don't miss a visit to the Archway Gallery. This longest-running artist-owned gallery in Texas is hitting the big 5-0 in 2026! To celebrate, they’re rolling out a special exhibition called Fifty Forward, opening April 11, 2026. That’s fifty years of bold creativity, tight-knit community vibes, and a fierce dedication to Houston’s art scene. Archway artists have been blazing their own trail for five decades, turning the gallery into a beloved Houston arts hub. Back in 1976, a dozen local artists wanted their own space to shine, so they opened Archway at the Jung Center (yep, that’s where the name comes from—the arches!). Over time and several locations later, the gallery’s still standing strong—thanks to the passion and teamwork of more than 200 artists who’ve called it home, even as other galleries have come and gone.
Read More Here

Katherine Rodgers in Fayetteville Art Walk

4/4/2026

Archway member artist Katherine Rodgers will be taking part in the Arts for Rural Texas ArtWalk in Fayetteville again this year - at booth 49. Come out and see her and her beautiful paintings on May 2nd or May 3rd.

ARTS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on the belief that children in rural communities deserve access to visual and performing arts. These experiences are an essential part of education, helping to develop fundamental skills that lead to success in life. The mission of Arts for Rural Texas (ARTS) is to enrich lives through art and art education with an emphasis on providing opportunities for children.

For more information about the Arts for Rural Texas nonprofit or the Artwalk details please go to www.artsforruraltexas.org.

Archway in The Leader

4/4/2026

Many thanks to Mitch Cohen for a fantastic Art Valet column in The Leader featuring Archway Gallery's 50th anniversary.

ART VALET: Archway Gallery at 50: Honoring the past, charging forward.
Archway Gallery shared a yellowed newspaper clipping from The Houston Post dated May 27, 1976. The headline? "Artists band together for a new kind of gallery." It detailed a group of determined local artists pooling their talents to open Archway in the Jung Center, named for the building's iconic arches. Reading it feels like peering into Houston's art history, a snapshot of ambition and collaboration that kicked off what would become Texas' longest-running artist-owned and operated gallery. Fast forward half a century, and here we are, celebrating Archway's 50th anniversary with exhibitions that bridge where it all began and where it's headed next.

Read more here.

Happy 50th Anniversary Archway!

4/4/2026

Archway Gallery, Texas’ longest-running artist-owned and operated gallery, proudly marks its 50th anniversary with a landmark exhibition titled Fifty Forward, opening April 4, with a celebratory reception on April 11, 2026. This milestone year celebrates half a century of artistic innovation, community connection, and unwavering commitment to elevating Houston’s creative spirit. Watch the video on our YouTube channel to hear from some of the artists themselves.