The Texas Hot List

Space Race: The mad dash to open galleries locally mirrors a buoyant optimism percolating throughout Texas (you should see what’s shaking up in Dallas, especially in the new hotbed of history, community and brave art souls, aka The Cedars). Next month, we round up the recent Houston arrivals that opened after our report on 10 new spaces last fall.

Here’s a peek at who’s on the hot list. Mel DeWees has opened a startling minimalist temple, Gray Contemporary, in the former McMurtrey Gallery space; Roni McMurtrey has closed her Colquitt white walls after 35 years to take on independent projects. Also notable is the new Isabella Court space of photographer/curator Sarah Sudhoff, who moved in after David Shelton left for 4411 Montrose. Other new blood at 4411 is Cindy Lisica, a Pittsburgh native with impressive curatorial chops, from the Tate to the Warhol, who’s opened an eponymous gallery there.

Did we mention DiverseWorks’ relocation to the freshly minted MATCH (Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston)? Or Apama Mackey’s return as a gallerist plus museum director in adjoining spaces in the Heights? More to come next month. Mission to Mars: Outer space figures sky-high this year, beginning with Contemporary Arts Museum Houston’s ode to the Red Planet, curated by Dean Daderko, which focuses on MPA, the cryptic artist and muse of Mars exploration.

Currently based in 29 Palms, California, the internationally exhibited installationist promises an interactive experience at CAMH. Dish about Mars via phone — you can dial up the artist directly from the museum hotline in the work that gives the exhibition its title: “The Interview: Red, Red Future” (opening night Friday, February 26, 6:30 to 9 pm; through June 5) …

Another form of intergalactic travel is promulgated by the droll au courant solo “Paracosmic Alchemy” by Korean-born, New England-raised JooYoung Choi at Anya Tish Gallery. Choi’s puppetry and playful videos, in which she casts herself as heroine, address identity and the necessity of community, while rivaling the inventiveness of Pee-wee Herman or H.R. Pufnstuf back in the day (February 12 – March 12).

Looming Faces + Dreamy Palms: Laura Rathe Fine Art’s doubleheader at dual locales channels, respectively, a glamorous big sister watching over you (Gavin Rain at BLVD Place, March 9 – April 2) and floating translucent, tropical fronds (Roi James at Colquitt Gallery Row, February 27 – April 2) …

Next month, watch for the tale of $700,000 Art Blocks and what’s going on with the art fairs.