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Untitled Art, known for hosting an art fair on Miami Beach for the past 12 years, is set to broaden its horizons by staging an event in Houston across the Gulf of Mexico next year.
The inaugural Houston edition is scheduled to take place from September 19 to 21, with a VIP preview slated for September 18. The event will be hosted at the George R. Brown Convention Center, which has recently been approved for a new building set for completion in 2025. This is part of a substantial three-decade, $2 billion project to rejuvenate downtown Houston.
“We’ve had our eye on Houston since 2014,” noted Jeffrey Lawson, founder of Untitled, in an interview with ARTnews. A recent report emphasized Houston's significant arts-related expenditures in 2022, totaling $1.3 billion compared to Dallas at $854 million and Fort Worth at $507 million. According to Lawson, “Houston is the largest market in Texas and the fourth largest city nationally. There’s immense potential here, making it the perfect place for a top-notch art fair.”
The Houston fair will be directed by writer and curator Michael Slenske from Los Angeles, who has covered Houston's cultural scene for publications like W and Architectural Digest for over a decade. Slenske was instrumental in encouraging Lawson to consider Houston seriously.
Houston is often overshadowed by Dallas in the art world, Slenske remarked to ARTnews, but its cultural infrastructure and investment deserve recognition. He highlighted the recent expansion of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the planned expansion for the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, as well as the US art market's focus on Houston this year.
Launching in 2014, Untitled initially served as a satellite to Art Basel Miami Beach, beginning in 2002. The Houston edition, however, positions Untitled as the city’s first art fair. Opting for Houston offers a unique opportunity to create an original market, unlike other US cities with established events like Los Angeles or Chicago.
Lawson sees Houston’s growing prominence as an advantage: “Houston is predicted to become the third largest city nationwide. Initially, it might seem like a regional fair, but Houston's and Texas's growth suggest it could soon be an international hub for art.”
Despite uncertainties surrounding the art market's strength, Lawson views now as fitting for introducing a new fair. “Everyone's speculating about the market, but nothing is certain,” he said. “It’s an ideal chance to tap into a new market and provide artists and galleries with a platform to exhibit and conduct more business.”
The full list of exhibitors will be revealed next spring, with an expected 50 participants who will receive invitations from Untitled. Some galleries are already confirmed, including Jessica Silverman Gallery, Various Small Fires, Half Gallery, and Luis De Jesus Los Angeles in the main section. Additionally, the Nest section for emerging galleries will feature 12.26, Seven Sisters, Martha’s, and Megan Mulrooney.
Lawson expressed a desire to cultivate the fair progressively: “For the past two years, we’ve engaged with all market segments—exhibitors, collectors—to grow thoughtfully. We aim to enter Houston not with a loud splash, but with a consistent and measured approach.”
