On Sunday evening, August 30th at 6 pm, a near record-breaking enthusiastic crowd of almost 80 attended for one of our regular string quartets, Opus 4. They were joined by a bandoneon player and a couple of tango dancers (because it takes TWO to tango).  Enjoy the slideshow of the event.  Photos courtesy of Archway Gallery artist, John Slaby.

A really lovely concert to a full house (over 40 people this past Sunday evening, August 23, 2026. This group, Vela Ensemble, had a beautiful multi-page glossy program featuring a bio of Lisette McClung, whose show, Road Trips,  is on view at the gallery till September 3, 2026.  Each movement of each piece was associated with one of Lisette's works, which they indicated with wall labels. They also had a short Q&A with Lisette about her work after the break. Really nicely done.

 A very interesting mix of poetry with avant-garde music, with a full house on Sunday evening, August 16. Five of Archway Readers, Sandi Stromberg, Varsha Shah, John Milkereit, Kathi Crawford and Katherine McDaniel, read poetry followed by music for two celli. The three composers of the works were present to discuss the music. A fascinating, interdisciplinary mix of art forms. 

On Sunday evening, August 8, Keith Karnaky Jazz group played at Archway Gallery, and oh what a marvelous show it was!  A well attended performance of around 56 people were there to enjoy the good sounds that this group always provides.  Enjoy the slideshow of the event!  Photos courtesy of Archway gallery artist, John Slaby

Archway Gallery was honored to present its 18th Annual Juried Exhibition, benefiting the nonprofit organization, Friends for Life. With 50% of sales from the exhibit going to this worthy organization, a check was made to them for $2750.  The remaining 50% of sales went to the participating artists whose work had sold.

Friends For Life is a Houston-based animal shelter founded in 2002 whose mission is to save the lives of pets and create lasting connections between humans and pets. The focus is to understand each animal as an individual, find the perfect match for adopters, and provide the support needed to ensure pets thrive in their new homes. Every adoption is about creating relationships that last for the pet’s lifetime. Friends for Life provides medical care, enrichment, and behavior support to give every animal the best chance at a happy life. Beyond adoptions, it provides resources and guidance to pet owners in need. Its mission is not just to rescue animals, but to build a community where pets and people can thrive together. For more information, please visit friends4life.org.

Archway Gallery is pleased to present Road Trips, an exhibit featuring new paintings by Lisette McClung—on view August 1 to September 3, 2026. This exhibit brings together a collection of both plein air and studio works—large and small—inspired by her many road trips over the past decade. McClung, is focusing her exhibit on the beauty to be found in outdoors scenes with her exhibit—titled Road Trips—of works painted in plein air or inspired by various locations throughout the world. Plein air—French for “open air”—refers to the practice of painting outdoors on location. As a dedicated plein air painter, McClung has been invited to paint, explore, and photograph on a variety of working ranches, as well as in fields, cities, and villages across the United States and Europe. “Although not every outdoor session results in a finished painting,” explains McClung, “Each one provides valuable color notes and atmospheric observations that enrich my studio work.” McClung’s first exposure to plein air painting occurred during a summer course she took with Parsons School of Design in France and Italy between her junior and senior years at Tulane University. “I spent four weeks painting in various locations around Paris and two weeks in Siena, Italy,” she says. “I immediately fell in love with painting outdoors on location.” McClung didn’t return to plein air painting until 2009, when she received a grant from Fund for Teachers and spent two weeks in Italy painting small villages throughout the province of Umbria. “That experience renewed my passion for observing the landscape directly and responding to it in real time,” she explains. “Plein air painting is an ideal practice for an artist who loves to travel, offering endless opportunities to explore new places through color, light, and shape.”

Congratulations to all artists who participated in Archway Gallery's 18th Annual Juried Exhibition, and a big thank you to Juror, Donna Tennant!  First Place, Paula Vento, Second Place, Vicky Gooch, Third Place, Karen Knight and Honorable Mentions: Alessandra Albin, Maryanne Keeling, Amy Lee, Julie Mahler and Syalia Winata.
The exhibit is on view from July 5 - 30, 2026. 50% of all sales benefit Friends for Life.

This year's juror, Donna Tennant, speaks about her process for selecting artwork for the Archway Gallery 18th Annual Juried Exhibition.  Donna Tennant is a longtime art historian, art writer, and editor living in Houston, Texas. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Rochester and a Master of Arts in Art History from the University of New Mexico. Tennant served as the art critic for the Houston Chronicle in the early 1980s and as gallery director at Jeremy Stone Gallery in San Francisco and Sherry French Gallery in New York. During the 1990s, she served as an editor for Southwest Art, Houston Life, POLO Magazine, and Museum & Arts Houston Magazine. She has contributed articles and reviews to ArtLies, American Artist, ARTnews, New Art Examiner, and Houston Press, among others. Tennant also has written numerous catalog essays and has taught art history at the University of Houston–Downtown and Lone Star College. She currently writes for Arts & Culture Texas, Glasstire, and Visual Arts Source.

There was a wonderful concert at Archway Sunday evening, June 14, featuring the Aurora Trio--harp, cello, and flute. A highly appreciative audience of around 30 enjoyed a program of music written by female composers, both modern and classical. 

AURORA is a flute, cello and harp trio based in Houston, Texas, and formed in October 2015 by Allison Vitek, Kattie Beth Ferrell, and Susanna Campbell.  Their debut performance on February 20, 2016 at Campbell Learning Center was very warmly received  and the collaboration and concerts have continued. 

Being close in age and sharing similar life experiences, the three musicians built a strong rapport in their first few seasons together which translates beautifully on stage.  They clearly enjoy each other's company, love playing together, and interact with their audience, showing quirky, spunky personalities.

Monday evening's recital, featuring harpist Juan Riveros, was wonderful! Around 70 people attended the event!
Juan Riveros is one of a new generation of harpists bridging a variety of styles and artistic avenues, building audiences and fostering fresh appreciation for an instrument with ancient and diverse traditions. Riveros was appointed as the Instructor of Harp at Michigan State University in August 2024, serving as a member of the String Area faculty and teaching the College of Music’s harp students. A seasoned soloist, Riveros’ experience includes performances at the Rio Harp Festival (2023 - 2025), São Paulo Harp Festival, solo recitals through the American Harp Society’s Winner’s Outreach Program, and the 2019 and 2022 USA International Harp Competitions. Accolades include Award Winner in the 2022 Lyon & Healy Awards, Outstanding Instrumentalist in Harp at the 2022 and 2023 Sphinx SOPA Competitions, Award Winner in the 2020 Anne Adams Awards Competition, and Third Prize in the Young Professional Division of the 2019 American Harp Society National Competition.

Groupe Acorde's signature collaborative and improvisational work between contemporary dance and experimental live music filled the gallery space and its art with live, original music and dance drawing from classical to avant-garde. The performers created in the moment shapes, sounds and space on site, while the audience experienced dance, music and visual art in an intimate and up-close setting. Continuing with our “pay what you can” programming, these performances are a unique way to experience the artists up close and will conclude with an intimate talk back between performers and all in attendance.www.groupacorde.org/
​
Performers drew inspiration from Poetics of the Mundane-New Paintings, Collages, Ceramic Works, and Sculptures by Silvia PintoSouza and Jeff Forster. Group Acorde's artists Roberta Paixao Cortes, Thomas Helton and Lindsey McGill will be joined by guest artist Andrew Baker (musician).

Archway Gallery artist, Silvia PintoSouza, and Department Head-Ceramics at The Glassell School of Art, Jeff Forster, are focusing their dual exhibit on the transitory nature of life and of the scenes and objects that fire their imagination, capturing both a sense of permanence and of transition through their artistic media.  Work can be seen for purchase on the online store.

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.  

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

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 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.

On March 11, Archway member artist Carol Berger talked with Mister McKinney and Heidi Vaughan on the KPFT Houston Hour about her joint exhibition with Isabelle Perreau "Nature - Refuge".  The exhibition is in the front gallery at Archway, running through April 2 .  Listen to the interview here.

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 has two exhibitions planned to celebrate its 50th anniversary; first is Homecoming, a group show at The Jung Center celebrating where it all began, which featuring works from former and current Archway Gallery artists, running from March 4 through April 14.  And second is Fifty Forward, a show paying tribute to the artists who are carrying the gallery into the next half century. The exhibition opens with a public reception on Saturday, April 11, inviting Houstonians to celebrate the artists, their work, and the community that has supported Archway for 50 years. Guests can meet the artists and reflect on the gallery’s extraordinary journey. A champagne toast, and remarks will take place at 6:30 p.m.

​Take a look at interviews with past members below and join us in the festivities!