Starting today, the Lone Star state’s art scene is in full bloom. Visitors will be frolicking to the Texas Contemporary fair as it welcomes 59 galleries from Texas and beyond to showcase leading contemporary and modern art at the George R. Brown Convention Center. But it doesn’t stop there: there are plenty of must-see shows happening in and around the most populous city in Texas that you definitely don’t want to miss. Luckily, we have you covered.

For those of you who would rather skip the fair crowds and seek out a more intimate viewing experience, head over to McClain Gallery, showcasing the second solo show of New York-based artist Bo Joseph, “Souvenirs from Nowhere.” Expect to see an array of abstract drawings, including a new series made with his labor-intensive process of constructing and deconstructing cultural references into abstract forms. From there, cross the Southwest freeway to Deborah Colton Gallery to see “SOUL RETRIEVAL,” a show by famed glass sculptor Susan Plum. This marks her first solo exhibition at the gallery, and presents her latest works on paper and ethereal glass sculptures. Cap off your gallery crawl at Barbara Davis Gallery, for another solo show by Houston native Paul Fleming. Captivated by the forms of everyday objects, Fleming strips away their ordinary function and transforms them into modular elements of his compositions. Lastly, if there is just one show that you should see while you’re here, it’s the recently opened “Mark Rothko: A Retrospective” at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The museum is the sole U.S. venue to present this definitive retrospective of this master of abstraction, so you better not miss your chance.

After having your fill of art, it might be time to treat yourself to a steak and a beer. You are in Texas, after all.

Exhibition: “Fariba Abedin: Geometric Love”
When: September 11–October 7, 2015
Where: Samara Gallery, 3911 Main Street, Houston, TX

Fariba Abedin Geometry #108 & 109. Courtesy of Samara Gallery.

Exhibition: “Paul Fleming: Marmalade Punch”
When: September 11–October 9, 2015
Where: Barbara Davis Gallery, 2707 Colquitt Street, Houston, TX

Exhibition: “Meka Jean: Sole Rights”
When: September 11–October 10, 2015
Where: David Shelton Gallery, 3909 Main Street in Isabella Court, Houston, TX

Paul Fleming Ballad (2015). Courtesy of Barbara Davis Gallery.

Meka Jean. Courtesy of David Shelton Gallery.

Exhibition: “Apparitions: Frottages and Rubbings from 1860 to Now”
When: September 11–January 3, 2015
Where: The Menil Collection, 1533 Sul Ross Street, Houston, TX

Roy Lichtenstein Foot Medication (1962). Courtesy of The Menil Collection.

Exhibition: “Mary McCleary: Voyage”
When: September 12–October 17, 2015
Where: Moody Gallery, 2815 Colquitt Street, Houston, TX

Exhibition: “Tony Magar: Quartets”
When: September 12–October 17, 2015
Where: Laura Rathe Fine Art, 2707 Colquitt Street, Houston, TX

Exhibition: “Bo Joseph: Souvenirs from Nowhere”
When: September 12–October 24, 2015
Where: McClain Gallery, 2242 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX

Bo Joseph Disunified Theory: Dark Shift (2015). Courtesy of McClain Gallery.

Exhibition: “Methage in a Bottle”
When: September 12–October 25, 2015
Where: Cardoza Fine Art, 1320 Nance Street, Houston, TX

Exhibition: “Susan Plum: Soul Retrieval”
When: September 12–October 31, 2015
Where: Deborah Colton Gallery, 2445 N. Boulevard, Houston, TX

Susan Plum Strange Nature (Bringing the Fragments Home) (2015). Courtesy of Deborah Colton Gallery.

Exhibition: “Mark Rothko: A Retrospective”
When: September 20–January 24, 2015
Where: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet, Houston, TX

Mark Rothko Untitled (1957). Courtesy of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.