Ah yes, The Lone Star State, keeping the United States perched on its platform of historical bravado. I’ll be sure not to mention cowboys in this Must-See-Guide, well, because Texas deserves more than the clichéd presence of sun-beaten purveyors of Americana. It would be easy, but I must insist, there are other reasons why this state, and Houston in particular, is keeping the East Coast keen to the fact that new art travels fast across the U.S. This month alone, Houston will be hosting two major contemporary art fairs, Texas Contemporary and the Houston Art Fair. These events will be sure to take advantage of the city’s wide open, not-so-cramped, urban landscape. In its fifth edition, Texas Contemporary will launch its partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs at The Mexican Consulate in Houston, creating a dynamic relationship with México City’s art scene, and bridging that unfortunate gap created by one politician’s unfounded cynicism—to put it lightly. The Houston Art Fair on the other hand is exhibiting a wide range of works by emerging talent from around the world. I’d say this thriving art scene is challenging the long-lasting generalization of the xenophobic Texan. Yes, it’s an exciting time for Texas. So, if visiting NASA isn’t your idea of fun, check out this week’s selection of gallery openings in Houston, as well as the city’s premiere art fairs. Happy trails.

Pablo Picasso, Téte de femme VII, Portrait de Dora Maar (1939). Courtesy of McClain Gallery.

Exhibition: “Imagining Backwards: Seven Decades of Picasso Master Prints”
When: September 13–October 29, 2016
Where: McClain Gallery, 2242 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX

Aron Williams. Courtesy of Samara Gallery

Exhibition: “Aron Williams: Common Thread”
When: September 16–October 22, 2016
Where: Samara Gallery, 3911 Main Street, Houston, TX

Courtesy of Laura Rathe Fine Art.

Exhibition: “Karen Hawkins & Sydney Yeager: Beyond Chaos”
When: September 10, 2016
Where: Laura Rathe Fine Art, 2707 Colquitt Street, Houston, TX

Tracye Wear, Ivory Vessel #16 (2016). Courtesy of Moody Gallery.

Exhibition: “Tracye Wear: Ceramic Vessels”
When: September 10–October 15, 2016
Where: Moody Gallery, 2815 Colquitt, Houston, TX

Vincent Valdez, The Beginning is Near (installation View). Courtesy of David Shelton Gallery.

Exhibition: “Vincent Valdez: The Beginning is Near (Part 1)”
When: September 9–October 8, 2016
Where: David Shelton Gallery, 4411 Montrose Blvd., Suite B, Houston, TX

Danny Rolph, Bedford (2016). Courtesy of Barbara Davis Gallery.

Exhibition: “Danny rolph: Painted on the Sky”
When: September 9–October 8, 2016
Where: Barbara Davis Gallery, 4411 Montrose Boulevard, Suite D, Houston, TX

Exhibition: “Texas Contemporary”
When: September 29–October 2, 2016
Where: George R. Brown Convention Center – Hall A3, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX

Exhibition: “Houston Art Fair”
When: September 29–October 2, 2016
Where: Silver Street Event Space, 2000 Edwards Street, Gate A, Houston, TX