The Hidden Agenda: Active Resistance
While it may seem like the world is falling apart in countless ways these days — in fact, it’s becoming nearly impossible to deny — it doesn’t mean you can’t take some action to fight against the powers that be this week. Whether that’s in the form of a sign-making workshop in advance of Saturday’s “No Kings” protest at Houston City Hall, or simply appreciating the arts in their many forms in the face of our regime, we’ve got you covered. Hopefully it’ll help diminish some existential dread.
Courtesy of Nameless Sound
Monday, March 23
Performance — They, Who Sound
Lawndale
Start your week strong with the latest installment of They, Who Sound — the long-time experimental music series presented by local nonprofit Nameless Sound — hosted at Lawndale (4912 Main Street). The evening features a performance by local musicians Juan Garcia (double bass), Rachel Hulsey (synthesizer), and Roberto Tejada (voice, text), as well as a set from Joe Wozny (voice, text, guitar) and Nancy Wozny (voice, text). Doors open at 7 p.m. for this free performance that runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 26
Screening — Palestine ‘36
River Oaks Theatre
Starting Thursday, River Oaks Theatre (2009 West Gray) is hosting more than two dozen screenings of Palestine ‘36, a newly released drama that recounts the 1936–39 Arab revolt against British colonial rule in Palestine during the Mandate period. The film was selected as the Palestinian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards and made their shortlist in December.
Friday, March 27
Opening — The Gift of Drawing: Cy Twombly
Menil Drawing Institute
In addition to the permanent retrospective at the Menil Collection’s Cy Twombly Gallery, a selection of the famed artist’s works will be presented at the Menil Drawing Institute (1533 Sul Ross) for The Gift of Drawing: Cy Twombly. The exhibition includes 27 works that were received as a gift from the Cy Twombly Foundation and features a number of pieces that will be on view for the first time. The exhibition will be on view through August 9.
Opening Reception — UH School of Art 48th Annual MFA Thesis Exhibition
Blaffer Art Museum
The 48th Annual MFA Thesis Exhibition at Blaffer Art Museum (4173 Elgin Street) presents the work of the Masters of Fine Arts degree candidates from the University of Houston School of Art’s five studio programs: Graphic Design, Interdisciplinary Practices and Emerging Forms, Painting, Photography/Digital Media, and Sculpture. The exhibition showcases bodies of work from 11 MFA candidates who spent three years in the program’s studio-intensive environment. The opening reception runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and the exhibition will be on view through April 18.
Opening Reception — Clarence Heyward: Eden and Kandy G. Lopez: Allegiance to the People
Houston Museum of African American Culture
Join the Houston Museum of African American Culture (4807 Caroline) for opening receptions for two new exhibitions, starting at 6 p.m. Contemporary artist Clarence Heyward presents Eden, a solo exhibition of paintings that “reimagines the biblical narrative of paradise and exile as a living allegory for the African American experience.” Allegiance to the People, the first solo exhibition in Texas from Afro-Caribbean American artist Kandy G. Lopez, uses bold colors, layered textiles, and portraiture to capture “the vibrancy and hybridity of Caribbean and urban American life.” Both exhibitions will be on view through June 6.
“The Two Kandy’s,” Kandy G. Lopez.
Courtesy of the Houston Museum of African American Culture.
Protest sign created by Phillip Pyle, II.
Courtesy of the artist.
Arts Take Action Houston Sign-Making Workshop
Art League Houston
If you’re planning to attend the “No Kings” protest at Houston City Hall on Saturday, head to Art League Houston (1953 Montrose) for a sign-making workshop from 6 to 8 p.m., hosted by Arts Take Action Houston (ATAH), an informal coalition of artists and arts workers working together to inspire local communities towards creative, productive action and involvement in social and political issues. The workshop will feature supplies for sign-making, t-shirt screen-printing (bring your own t-shirt!), button-making and more, so come with your slogans and design ideas, and wear clothes to get messy in. Be sure to register here to attend.
Saturday, March 28
Discussion — Resident Artists Talks with Candace Hicks and Kendall Ross
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Visit Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (4848 Main Street) for talks by their current resident artists Candace Hicks and Kendall Ross. From 3 to 4 p.m., the artists — who both work with fiber — will discuss their artistic processes as working craft artists and talk about their works, influences, and materials. Guests will have the opportunity to visit the residents’ open studios following the discussion.
Opening Reception — Lorena Molina: a place to hold you
Lawndale
Head to Lawndale (4900 Main Street) from 4 to 6 p.m. for the opening reception for Lorena Molina: a place to hold you, a plant-based installation that will grow throughout the next year in the lot next to their main building. Molina, a Salvadoran multidisciplinary artist, educator and curator, presents the “corn installation for reflection and conversation on immigration, agency, ideas of return, and communal care during violent times.”
Installation view of Tomashi Jackson: Across the Universe at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, 2025. Photo by Alex Barber.
Sunday, March 29
Closing — Tomashi Jackson: Across the Universe
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
Don’t miss the final day to visit Tomashi Jackson’s mid-career survey, Across the Universe, at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (5216 Montrose), which includes the artist’s research-driven works in mediums ranging from painting, printmaking and video, to photography, fiber, and sculpture. Jackson works are highly influenced by California muralists and the visual traditions reflecting the peoples’ movements of the 1950s to the 1990s.
