It GOT me!

Wednesday June 3: Greg and I start the day early in the morning with a flight to Houston, Texas. We arrive without any delay and head straight for Project Row Houses (PRH). We are met by Ashley Clemmer Hoffman, the Public Arts Manager, and instantly invited into the vibrant world of PRH. Ashley introduced us to Rick Lowe, the founder who was involved in a fierce game of dominoes, Hamdiya Ali, the Education Manager who was organizing a multitude of events and Cheryl Bowmer, the Executive Director, who took moments away from a meeting to speak with us about our visit. The office was buzzing with energy and purpose and Greg and I were grinning from ear to ear. We had entered into a world of passion, innovation, cultural inspiration, and the generation of art that is deeply rooted in community.

Ashley next took us to the Shotgun Houses that serve as gallery spaces for local, national and international artists. Each house was utilized by an artist to express different themes. As we went through each space I was flooded with ideas. Thoughts of how important it is for a person to have a place to call home. Thoughts on how we create "home". I had visions of one of these great spaces full of hats of all kinds hanging on the walls. Playing off of the saying "Home is where you hang your hat". I can see it so clearly. You walk into the house and there they are hanging on the wall, on the chairs, on the coat rack, maybe just laying on the floor. The important thing is that the hats will come from the community itself and then will return to the community when the artwork has had its' time. How will that happen? I do not know yet. That is my next step. How does the process of creation involve the community? How do the hats express history, personality, identity and point of view?

The day has just begun and I am inspired by the incredible artistic community at Project Row Houses. I am looking at the world with a new perspective. I am hungry for knowledge and a deeper understanding of cultural context. I realize that Project Row Houses has just worked its magic on me. I am awake and eager to get involved with the world around me.