Untitled Art Fair: Houston Steps Into the Spotlight

If you’re from Houston, you already know—this city has always been a cultural hub. Art, music, and creativity are everywhere here. The problem? The rest of the country hasn’t always caught on. New York, LA, and Chicago usually dominate the art conversation, while Houston’s brilliance too often gets overlooked.

That started to change this past weekend.

Untitled Art Fair Hits Houston

Untitled Art Fair—known worldwide for showcasing fresh, contemporary voices—set up shop at the George R. Brown Convention Center. And the city was buzzing. The fair brought incredible work, but what hit me most was the energy: Houston showing up for Houston.

Seeing Ourselves

Walking through the fair and the off-site events, I saw friends, peers, and community members being celebrated. That was powerful. For so long, Houston hasn’t been included in the national art spotlight. This weekend proved what we’ve always known: Houston deserves to be seen.

The Gloryland Panel

One highlight for me was a panel at Gloryland. Dr. Simmons, a collector, reminded us that collecting art comes with responsibility—it’s about sharing, whether by inviting people into your home or lending pieces to galleries. That generosity can even lead to bigger roles, like serving on committees or boards.

Artist Amarie also called out a truth institutions don’t like to admit: artists don’t need them more than they need artists. Hearing that said plainly, here in Houston, was powerful.

I even asked Dr. Simmons how she recognizes which emerging artists to invest in. Her answer? Buy what brings you joy—and support artists beyond the sale. That kind of intentionality stuck with me.

A Weekend of Connection

Beyond the fair itself, the weekend was full of moments that showed Houston’s heart. Bond Contemporary held its inaugural exhibition at La Colombe d’Or, featuring the late Floyd Newsum Jr. The room was filled with community, gathered to honor his work and legacy—it felt deeply special.

And then there was One Night Only: Art is Bond, a dinner hosted by Soho House Cities Without Houses honoring Janice Bond. Forty guests, a beautifully curated meal from Jūn, and a setting that felt almost cinematic—white drapery cascading to the floor, candelabras lighting the table. It was a night of connection, conversation, and celebration of Janice’s incredible impact as a curator, gallery owner, and cultural architect.

Why It Matters

At Oqupi Houston, our mission is to give artists resources and platforms so they can thrive right here at home. When fairs like Untitled come to town, it’s proof that the work we’re doing matters—that Houston creatives deserve visibility not just locally, but on the global stage.

Houston isn’t in the shadows anymore. And this weekend? We made sure the world noticed.