Courtesy of Sol Diaz-Peña
The resulting “pop-up” shows are often installed in private homes or other alternative spaces across the city, always expertly curated, and typically on view for a very limited time, sometimes just a day or two. One such show is put on by Jessi Bowman, founder of the Montrose-based “nomadic photo exhibition series and a community arts space” FLATS.
Courtesy of Mary Margaret Hansen
Courtesy of Colby Deal
On June 14 and 16, at the home of John Walker and esteemed arts writer Catherine Anspon located in in the historic Harwood Court complex, FLATS presents Interwoven, a group show curated by Bowman and photographer Ryan Francisco, featuring works by Houston photographers Colby Deal, Lee Deleon, Sol Diaz, Mary Margaret Hansen, Adrienne Simmons, and Briana Vargas. “This is our first exhibition since the pandemic that we have held in someone's home,” says Bowman, who hosted the organization’s first defiantly grassroots shows back in 2016 in her apartment. “It harkens back to how FLATS was started.”
Interwoven is presented in two parts: Friday night, 6-10pm, is the “opening party” for the exhibit; Sunday from 1-3pm is described as an “Art Mass,” where attendees are invited to bring creative materials, including cameras, journals, pens, and paintbrushes, for a chill afternoon of collective art making, conversation, and meditation. Bowman and Francisco will also moderate a discussion with Interwoven’s exhibiting artists. You can RSVP for one or both events at the FLATS website.
In a press release, FLATS explains the “heart” of Interwoven lies in the diversity among the exhibiting hometown artists, “whose backgrounds, ages, and artistic styles span a broad spectrum.” If there is a thread connecting each of these artists, it may simply be Bowman and Francisco’s enthusiasm for and fascination with the range of possibilities and perspectives the medium of photography inspires.
Ostia (photo by Jenn Duncan)
Over the past few years, Prosecco has gotten a bad rap, alas, for allegedly being mass produced and overly sweet. But just like still wine all over the world, it depends on which brand and region you choose. Here’s your chance to choose which style you prefer from all the finest regions. You’ll bed a whiz at selecting Prosecco after this event!
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
McShane and team will be whipping up a four-course feast out of the gleaming open kitchen to pair with crisp, refreshing sparklers. Known for eye-opening salads, enviable wood-roasted chicken with lemon and salsa verde, and pastas that convince you to inhale carbs, the meal will be served family style just like they do in Italy. With each course, artisan prosecco makers will personally pour and discuss their top-tier sparklers.
The esteemed winemakers of DOCG Prosecco will showcase Italy's winemaking excellence – wines that are certified by the Italian government. For the uninitiated, Prosecco is an Italian DOC or DOCG white wine produced in a large area spanning nine provinces in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions. It is named after the village of Prosecco which is in the province of Trieste, Italy. DOCG stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. Label classifications help consumers understand the quality of the wine and where it came from.
A few of the evening’s selections include Emin: Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut Nature Sui Lieviti Cuvée Cavalier Alvio Stramare 2022; Ruggeri: Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG Brut NV; Santa Margherita: Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut NV; Bortolomiol: Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut Ius Nature Millesimato 2023 – Organic, and more.
To recap, the dinner is June 12 at 6pm at Ostia. Details, tickets ($125) and reservations can be made by visiting Eventbrite here.