Isabella Quintet:* Houston’s New Gallery Row

BY Catherine D. Anspon // 06.05.15

At Inman Gallery, Michael Jones McKean's smart installation "a hundred twenty six billion acres," 2015, holds court. The artist, a Micronesian-born former MFAH Core Fellow, has garnered a Guggenheim for his curious, intricate practice (through July 4).

At Art Palace, Jeffrey Dell's print-making prowess is very much in evidence (through July 4). The Texas artist, based in San Marcos and head of the printmaking department at Texas State University, is one of the country's most inventive in the print medium. Shown: Dell's screenprint "Green Stripe Array," 2015.

Jillian Conrad's "Slipped Cover," 2015, at Devin Borden Gallery, typifies the conceptual focus of the Houston-based former Core Fellow (through July 25). This sculpture offers a surprising take on a plastic and chrome chair encased in woven photography paper.

The only thing we bemoan about Sara Frantz's talent is she is no longer a Texas artist (but residing in California). At David Shelton Gallery, the artist's "Cantilever 2,'' 2015, is simply a captivating drawing (through July 4).

Samara Gallery, the newcomer to Isabella, is showing Houston-based David Graeve, who introduced a new performative element to his practice with the surprising presence of opening night's kissing bench. Shown: the artist's “Civil Liberties—Passionate Kiss," as enacted by CAMH director Bill Arning in a lip lock with partner Mark McCray (hurry, closes June 6).

At Inman Gallery, Michael Jones McKean's smart installation "a hundred twenty six billion acres," 2015, holds court. The artist, a Micronesian-born former MFAH Core Fellow, has garnered a Guggenheim for his curious, intricate practice (through July 4).

At Art Palace, Jeffrey Dell's print-making prowess is very much in evidence (through July 4). The Texas artist, based in San Marcos and head of the printmaking department at Texas State University, is one of the country's most inventive in the print medium. Shown: Dell's screenprint "Green Stripe Array," 2015.

Jillian Conrad's "Slipped Cover," 2015, at Devin Borden Gallery, typifies the conceptual focus of the Houston-based former Core Fellow (through July 25). This sculpture offers a surprising take on a plastic and chrome chair encased in woven photography paper.

The only thing we bemoan about Sara Frantz's talent is she is no longer a Texas artist (but residing in California). At David Shelton Gallery, the artist's "Cantilever 2,'' 2015, is simply a captivating drawing (through July 4).

Samara Gallery, the newcomer to Isabella, is showing Houston-based David Graeve, who introduced a new performative element to his practice with the surprising presence of opening night's kissing bench. Shown: the artist's “Civil Liberties—Passionate Kiss," as enacted by CAMH director Bill Arning in a lip lock with partner Mark McCray (hurry, closes June 6).

Always in dynamic transformation, Texas’ preeminent gallery cluster in Houston over the past two decades has segued from Colquitt to 4411 Montrose and now to the ascendant Isabella Court. Unlike the growth of the Dallas Design District, Houston’s new gallery alley is historic — a circa-1920s Spanish Revival mixed-used retail/residential center — and more finite, as it’s limited to five spaces.

Adding to the equation is its proximity to DiverseWorks and the about-to-unveil new digs of Zoya Tommy Gallery.The Isabella nexus of galleries is also perfectly sited along the Metro light rail line, near the new MATCH performing arts complex and a short drive or rail hop to the Houston Museum District. Check out what’s up now at Isabella in its five prime galleries: the original (and the anchor) Inman Gallery, Art Palace, David Shelton Gallery, Devin Borden Gallery and recent arrival Samara Gallery.