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BLACK ART IN AMERICA FINE ART PRINT FAIR AND WORKS ON PAPER

FEBRUARY 1-2, 2025

BLACK ART IN AMERICATM (BAIA), building upon recent successes of its annual Atlanta and D.C

print fairs, is thrilled to announce the Fair has secured a new venue to meet growing interest and

demand. Join us for THE BLACK ART IN AMERICA FINE ART PRINT FAIR AND WORKS ON PAPER

SHOW at the Houston Museum of African American Culture. This Fine Art Print Fair is the first and

only U.S. print fair dedicated to showcasing contemporary and legacy African American printmakers.

By focusing exclusively on artists of African descent, it provides a much-needed platform for talented

artists who have been historically underrepresented in the fine art world. The fair will showcase a

curated selection of works from over 100 legacy and contemporary artists, including works by

nationally renowned and award-winning printmakers Traci Mims, John Biggers, Jamaal Barber, Steve

Prince, Elizabeth Catlett, Lou Stovall, James L. Wells, Sam Gilliam, David Driskell, Ed McCluney as

well as Charly Palmer, Freddie Styles, and Lillian Blades. Among the artists featured in this show we

have Traci Mims, an Atlanta-based artist and prior winner of the Atlanta Printmakers Biennial, who is

celebrated for her diverse artistic practice including printmaking, painting, and mixed media works,

often addressing themes of Black identity and social justice. Our second featured artist is Jamaal

Barber, Master Printmaker has worked for Twitter, the New York Times, Penguin Random House, and

Emory University. Jamaal also hosts the Studio Noize podcast, which features conversations with

Black artists and creatives, and has appeared on major networks such as Ted Talk, MTV, The

Smithsonian Channel.

The weekend will also include artist demonstrations, collector talks and artist professional

development sessions. This event is free and open to the public. A portion of art sales will support The

BAIA Foundation's public programming and community engagement. The BAIA Foundation is

dedicated to facilitating the growth of artists while cultivating relationships and opportunities that bring

Black artists and communities together.

The Houston Museum of African American Culture presents: Women's Empowerment Center: Inside and Out

This exhibition showcases the works of women from the Harris County Women’s Empowerment Center, created during Arts in Corrections Classes comprised of ten one-hour sessions. A pilot class created through the joint efforts of The California Lawyers for the Arts, HMAAC and Inprint began in July of 2023. Ongoing sessions continue today with efforts to expand the programs reach to participants inside and outside the facility. 

These vibrant pieces are not just expressions of creativity; they embody resilience, community, and the transformative power of art.

Each artwork represents the unique voices and experiences of the participants. The women have explored themes of empowerment, healing, and hope, reflecting their journeys both inside and out.

We invite you to engage with these creations, celebrating the strength and creativity of those who often go unheard. This show is a testament to the importance of art in fostering connection, personal growth, and the reclamation of identity.

schedule a curator-led tour of current exhibitions. to schedule, click below.

Permanent Exhibitions

The Houston Museum of African American Culture dedicated its Stairwell of Memory on February 19, 2022 with the addition of the portrait of Houstonian Robbie Tolan, “The Survivor.” On December 11, 2021, HMAAC dedicated a portrait of Tolan by artist Cedric Ingram that was added to the ones of Bland and Floyd. The three of them represent our area’s most prominent symbols of police brutality. America is indeed lucky and blessed that one of them survived; a living reminder that justice for black victims of police brutality is so rare as to essentially be non-existent, and that good citizens of all races must be diligent to change our current culture to one of fairness and equity.

The Jazz Church of Houston

“The Jazz Church of Houston is an endeavor by artist Tierney Malone to create a temporary institution dedicated to collecting and sharing the story of Houston's musical tribe. While there are museums in Texas dedicated to music, a space does not exist that chronicles the jazz history of Houston. The name “Jazz Church” drew its inspiration from the Church of John Coltrane in San Francisco. Established in 1970, the church uses John Coltrane’s music as an expression of worship. The Jazz Church of Houston is a secular temple that will serve as a communal gathering place for like-minded people to listen, learn and celebrate jazz music and culture in Houston.

The Jazz Church of Houston’s patron saint is Texas tenor legend, Arnett Cobb. He is the standard bearer for all those who came after him. He made Houston his base of operation instead of New York or LA, as many of his contemporaries have done. He mentored the next generation of jazz musicians who followed in his footsteps to New York. He is the model of rugged individualism that often characterizes Texans. He survived many physical challenges to pursue his passion of making music. He was hospitalized for a year from a car accident, and used crutches for the rest of his life. He never let his physical challenges prevent him from playing for audiences around the world.”-Tierney Malone, via jazzchurchhouston.org 

Open Your Eyes

Houston Museum of African American Culture