october calendar
13 contemporary artists that critique concepts of beauty and usefulness in their practice. The show features artists from all over the U.S., including four from Texas. The exhibition runs Oct. 1 through Jan. 8. Information: www.crafthouston.org or 713.529.4848.
On Oct. 20, Rob Greening of NiteLites Lighting Company teaches a class on Landscape Lighting. Learn the secrets to successful landscape lighting, including instruction on layout, wiring and fixtures. Information: 281.351.8851or www.arborgate.com.
ARCHITECTURE
Nestled within Memorial Park, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center serves as both a serene retreat and education center. The Arboretum’s Joe Blanton teaches Tree I.D. for the Novice on two Sundays this month, Oct. 2 and Oct. 9. Choose a Sunday and discover how to use leaves and field guides to identify 30 tree species found in our area. Cost is $30 for members, $45 for non-members. Information: www.houstonarboretum.org or 713.681.8433.
The Architecture Center Houston and Houston Public Library present the next author in their Authors in Architecture series on Oct. 20. Eric M. Wolf discusses his book American Art Museum Architecture: Documents and Design. The book explores the problems and challenges faced by architects and clients in creating buildings that interact with works of art. Reception and book signing will follow the discussion. The free event takes place at Architecture Center Houston in downtown Houston. Information: www.aiahouston.org or 713.520.0155.
CLASSES
Blake Jamison Williams, Nourish. Porcelain, wire, chair. Part of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft’s Beyond Useful & Beautiful: Rethinking Domestic Craft exhibit. Photo by Tim Thayer.
ANTIQUES The Urban Market Houston hosts its third major tent sale of the year in Midtown Oct. 22-23. Shop interesting objects, antiques, artwork, designer & decorators collections, and merchandise from a multitude of quality vendors. Saturday evening from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. is the Early Buying Event, offering first chance at the goods, plus wine/drinks and hors d'oeuvres, and re-entry on Sunday included in the $25 entry fee. Sunday-only tickets are $5. Located at 3101 Smith at Elgin. Info.: www.theurbanmarkethouston.com
ART The Bayou City Art Festival Downtown celebrates its 40th year as it transforms the blocks surrounding City Hall, Oct. 8-9. Explore the vast outdoor art gallery showcasing 300 artists working in 19 media. In addition to perusing the artwork, festival goers can enjoy wine cafés, an interactive creative zone
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Houston-area gardeners can expect wide variety of gardening classes and unique events at The Arbor Gate in Tomball. Jeremy Kollaus teaches Fall Vegetable Container Gardening Oct. 11. Class participants can learn about vegetable varieties that thrive in Houston’s fall weather and see how these edible container gardens can add a beautiful bounty to your patio or yard.
PLANT MART The Garden Club of Houston presents its 69th Annual Bulb & Plant Mart Oct. 14-15. The large-scale plant sale features top-quality bulbs from domestic and international suppliers and an expanded collection of hard-to-find and unusual plants, perennials, trees, shrubs and vines. Many of the plants and bulbs are unique offerings from the gardens of Club members, grown specifically for the Mart. This year’s event takes place at a new location, the Holly Hall Retirement Community, 2000 Holly Hall Street at Fannin, across from Reliant Stadium. Information: www.gchouston.org
for children, restaurants, and a performing arts stage with on-going multicultural musical and dance entertainment. New this festival, String Theory will transform Downtown Houston’s architecture into a larger-than-life instrument during daily performances. Information: www.bayoucityartfestival.com Houston Center for Contemporary Craft explores the strong connection between craft and the home with Beyond Useful & Beautiful: Rethinking Domestic Craft. The exhibition presents a variety of media—including furniture, wall paper, ceramics, quilts, needlepoint, glass and metal—in a series of domestic vignettes set up throughout the large gallery. One of the founding fathers of the Arts & Crafts Movement, William Morris, famously said, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Taking this quote as a jumping-off point, HCCC Curator, Anna Walker, selected works by
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ABOVE: Top quality bulb plants available at the Garden Club of Houston’s Bulb & Plant Mart, happening Oct. 14-15. LEFT: A scene from the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown, Oct. 8-9.