Bering & James
As I mentioned in my last post, this is probably my favorite gallery in Houston. You will recall Rule #7: An opening does not an evening make. Any gallery that you decide to frequent should have immediate access to post opening possibilities. Bering & James boasts Houston favorite, Gravitas, and the delightful BYOB gem Lucio’s within walking distance. Whether you want to go casual or chic, your post opening festivities are set at Bering & James. Parking can be a bit tricky, but B&J will normally have complimentary valet. That or you can always valet at Gravitas for a pre-opening cocktail, and walk over from there. Be careful with the latter option, you don’t want to run afoul of Rule #5: The wine is free, but this isn’t Cheers, Norm.

Gremillion & Co. Fine Art, Inc.
First off, let’s get your pronunciation right. It’s Greh-MEE-on not Greh-million. You’ll score serious points right off the bat if you can say her name right. I met the owner of this gallery during my time at Society for the Performing Arts. This is also a gallery for high-level art collectors.

Let me explain. You’ll know a lot about the level of collector you’re hobnobbing with pretty easily by looking at the prices of the art. Bigger price, bigger level of collector. However, don’t let that deter you from going to certain galleries. Attending gallery openings isn’t just about buying art, it’s also about discovering your personal tastes.

While it can be very subjective, an artist will typically charge what people are willing to pay for their art. More sought after artists charge more for their pieces. However, you should NEVER use the prices to dictate whether you like the art. In fact, I can guarantee that you will eventually find yourself looking at something that you think is ridiculously overpriced at $10,000, and absolutely fall in love with the piece that is priced at $100 somewhere else.

Which brings me to another point. You’re going to walk into some galleries, and you’re going to see some pretty crazy stuff. Embrace that fact right now. If all art was for all people, it would cease to be art. Art, by nature, is supposed to challenge people in different ways. Sure, you may like it, but you need to take time to ask yourself why? And the same thing goes double for anything you absolutely cannot stand. I tell you this because I promise you that you will, one evening, find yourself starting at a big effing mess on the wall, and will not want to live without it. If you allow yourself the proper amount of personal introspection, you’ll not be confused when this inevitably happens to you. It’s really okay, it’s actually a pretty fantastic feeling.

The Colquitt “Gallery Row”
This is my moniker, I don’t know if these galleries ever refer to themselves as a group. Nevertheless, the 2600 block of Colquitt is a fantastic collection of galleries covering a wide range of disciplines that makes for an entertaining gallery crawl. Better yet, the galleries tend to have openings en masse giving you delightful opportunity to see a great selection of art.

The galleries of Gallery Row include, among others,  Dean Day Gallery, Goldesberry Gallery, Hooks-Epstein Gallery, Moody Gallery and John Cleary Gallery. The group openings at Colquitt always draw a diverse crowd, and make for a perfect Saturday night out with friends.

Your adventures in Houston’s art galleries are just beginning. Have fun, be willing to open your mind, and you’ll be sure to find yourself in interesting places both personally and socially. There’s a wonderful world out there for you to find, you just have to get out there and experience it. I hope I have been of some help.

See you at the galleries!

My first foray into the world of Houston art galleries was actually spawned by an SPA board meeting at the Bering & James gallery. I got there early with the rest of my co-workers to set up before our board members arrived. While we were waiting for the festivities to begin, I signed their guestbook, getting myself on their mailing list.

1. Get on the mailing list.
I’ll get to some gallery suggestions in another post, but if you have any galleries that you know of, but have never worked up the nerve to attend, simply click over to their website and get yourself on the mailing list. There is really no better way to be informed of future openings and special events.

After the board meeting, I got a chance to speak with one of the owners of the gallery, Blakely Bering. I asked her about the gallery. She is a wonderfully energetic and helpful gallery owner. She makes it easy for you to walk into her gallery, and make you feel welcome. Oh, and I own a piece of her work.

2. Meet at least one of the gallery owners.
There are a couple of good reasons why you should make yourself familiar with the gallery owners. If you are an aspiring collector, it’s always nice to build a foundation for future business you will be doing with the gallery. However, if you are just there for the art and the scene, it’s just plain good manners to thank your host or hostess for opening their gallery doors to you.

A few weeks later, I received an email about an upcoming opening at Bering & James. I checked my calendar, and had nothing to do that evening. I called up my friend Nikole to see if she would like to join me.

3. Take a friend.
While I have been known to make my own fun during a solo night on the town, I highly recommend you bring a wingman when you start charting your own course through the art scene in Houston. This is particularly true if this scene is not your typical environment. For instance, if you don’t get out much, an art gallery can be a bit daunting. I’m a regular social butterfly, and I didn’t feel comfortable going alone. Besides, people watching is a regular sport during events like this, and it’s always more fun when you have someone with you to comment on your fellow gallery-goers.

Speaking of people watching, you’re likely to be very surprised about the kind of people you’ll run into at a Houston gallery opening. It’s not the stuffy New York City crowd that pontificates on the art or vision, it’s pretty devoid of pretension. People in Houston are friendly and open when it comes to artistic endeavors. Open up in the gallery. Before long, you’re sure to run into a new person who becomes a fast friend.

4. Nevertheless, dress to impress.
One thing that is always true about any Houston event, you get all kinds. Our cowboy roots tend to make us think that jeans are always appropriate regardless of the type of event. I am not saying that jeans aren’t okay at these events, just saying that you shouldn’t dress down for an opening. However, going over the top will make you look like a pretentious jerk; which is not the first impression you want to make with anyone in the gallery. You will see these people at other openings at the gallery you’re visiting, as well as, other galleries around town. Don’t let their first impression of you be that of a snooty idiot. What Houstonians lack in pretentiousness, they more than make up for in gossipping.

Guys, go with a button up (or a nice t-shirt) with jeans and a blazer. Ladies, avoid the stringy tops, unless you have a jacket. Jeans are great, but if you have a cute dress to show off, this is THE NIGHT to bring it. The Golden Rule? Always remember that people are coming to the gallery to see the art on the walls, not on you. While it is generally nice for people to notice you, that is not the way to get noticed at a gallery. The artist and gallery owners are generally the only people who can and will break this rule.

Nikole and I have attended a couple openings now at Bering & James. There is one gentleman we have nicknamed Steve Perry for his Journey-esque hairstyle. This is one of the best parts of these openings; looking at the other people. Inevitably, there will always be a few people who either disregard the rule or flout it with admirable flair. Until you are a big time art collector, you need to keep a lower profile, and obey the rule.

5. The wine is free, but this isn’t Cheers, Norm.
Make sure you don’t come off as one of those people who is there for the free wine. NOT a good way to go. Have no more than two glasses at the opening. If you start hitting the free booze hard, people will notice and, even worse, you’ll start to get sloppy. This is a surefire way to get yourself OFF the mailing list. Generally speaking, you’ll probably not have the need to stay at the gallery much longer than it takes to drink one glass anyway.

6. Get in and get out.
Unless you are a collector or close personal friend of the gallery owner(s), I advise you get in, see the art, say hi to the people you know, drink some wine and get the hell out of there. Unless you get into some conversation with new and interesting people, I wouldn’t recommend spending more than 30-45 minutes at an opening. That said . . .

7. An opening does not make an evening.
Always have plans after the opening. Even if it is as simple as going somewhere to talk about the art, gallery and people, make sure you make the gallery opening your evening opening. This will also be helpful in keeping you from lingering too long.

In my next post: A short list of galleries you should get to know.