Project Row Houses

I visited Project Row Houses during my trip to Houston. It is a block of shotgun houses that have been preserved and converted into art installations. When I arrived, I went to the welcome center and was greeted by an employee who gave me the rundown. She gave me a little history about the Project Row Houses and provided me with a map. Then I was off to explore the houses on my own.

It was so interesting to see the creativity of the different artists and read more about what their installations were about. You will see everything from videos to mixed media.

Did I mention that admission is free? So whenever you're in the historic 3rd Ward, please check it out.

While looking up what to do on my visit to Houston, I came across Project Row Houses on Yelp. Project Row Houses seems to be an out of the box, non-typical tourist thing to do and decided to come by here this past Friday afternoon, around 12:15 pm.

Located in the Third Ward area of Houston, Project Row Houses was started by Rick Lowe and a group of 6 other men that decided to take these row houses (also known as shotgun houses which are narrow homes that are typically ~ 12 feet wide that remind me of a tiny studio) and display unique art from local artists, based on the current theme (which cycles every quarter). These homes were in bad condition and were originally going to be destroyed.

For this current theme (in its 50th cycle), healthy motherhood will run through February 2020. Then in March 2020, a new theme will begin. According to an employee that works at Healthy Women Houston, whom happened to be sitting on a couch in one of the homes that I walked into), she told me that the rates of mortality + mortality rates for pregnant African American women is very high, which is why Project Row House wanted to make this current cycle as the theme. I enjoyed talking to this employee, as I often work with a few non-profit organizations and am aware of the lack of nutrition education and access that people typically are faced with, which can be very harmful to a new mom and newborn.

Anyways, there are about 8 or so homes that are open for local artists to create and express themselves. I was told by an employee (who was inside the office when I came in) that my husband and I were free to go into any of the homes that are open (which are primarily the ones facing Holman Street. Homes behind were lock and found out later on that some of the homes back here are provided for single mothers to live in).

Being that there is a different interpretation of the theme, you may like one home over another. You may not like one of the homes you enter into or any at all. But it is just nice to keep an open mind and then move on to the next home.

I really like the idea of this project and definitely will check out this place again the next time I'm in Houston, to see what the new theme is.

Please note that there is free street parking on Holman St. Visting these homes is free. There is also a clean unisex restroom in the main office in case you need to use it.

I had no idea this art installation even existed until a few months ago. I decided to take my kids (even though they are a little young to understand the exhibits) I thought exposing them to some local art would be great and I am so glad we went! Creative & though-provoking. I was really impressed. The only downside is when we went (on a Thursday afternoon) a lot of the houses were closed or locked not sure why. We still enjoyed this local gem in 3rd Ward!

Unique displays of art showcased in rows of small shot gun houses and feee to the public. So emotional, heartfelt and beautifully displayed--this would be an injustice to not see.

My favorite houses were the Andy Warhol house and the house where they allowed female inmates to chose a flower to plant in a garden. What I read and saw will stay with me forever and I highly suggest this, especially to anyone of color who is interested in social justice issues.

Iconic Houston art installation with changing artists every so often. We visited on opening day in August. This is not a place to judge. It's art. Enjoy and engage with what draws you in. Enter a house and not impressed with the art? Move on to the next.

A row of shotgun shacks turned into free art galleries by local artists? awesome. I'd heard about this place for many years, but I finally got around to visiting them recently. The art exhibits change and the day we went, only some of the houses were open. I went into several, but the one I liked the best was the "seven deadly sins". It showed each of the seven deadly sins using dogs. There was a dog statue looking at itself in a mirror (vanity), a dog floating in the air about to pounce angrily on you (wrath), etc.... There were kind of cool! Some of the exhibits were kind of boring, but each exhibit was unique.

I like that this is an alternative space to the fancy named artist spaces. This gives some local artists a place to display their art and interact with the public on opening nights. Take some time and go down to this part of town, check out the art, and explore this part of the city.

Free admission.
Open Wednesday - Sunday 12 - 5pm.

Yesterday I had the pleasure to view an old friend's exhibit at PRH... I was super excited and pleased of his work. He was able to capture the true essence of the now and then of 3rd Ward in a pop culture display... This is a for sure most see!!!

These historic homes offers a variety of art installations that change every few months. Some are interactive others you sit back and embrace the messages that are being conveyed. This is located in 3rd ward and completely free. Please check it out, it's easily enjoyed.

"Like a lotus flower that grows out of the mud and blossoms above the muddy water surface"

This is what I think about the project row houses. These houses sit in a very seedy area of town, but they stand out and are a glowing example that beauty can be found anywhere as long as you are willing to look for it.

I had the recent privilege of taking a tour of Project Row Houses that was led by the inimitable Troy of Khon's Wine Darts Coffee Art. If you haven't visited him at Khon's yet, do so for his excellent recommendations on everything from potables to art to what to see and do in Houston. He himself is a local gem so when he took a group of us to see Project Row Houses, I knew i was in for a treat.

Project Row Houses is an example of the sort of revitalization that is needed around Houston and urban centers all over the country. Amidst the Third Ward is a beautiful row of refurbished row houses filled with art exhibits of local artists. We visited on a Saturday afternoon with perfect weather, which made the contrast of Project Row Houses against the backdrop of urban houses even more striking. My favorite area was actually the garden in the back, which had small, brightly colored playhouses-and chickens! It felt more like Savannah than Houston.

I hope that Project Row Houses sets a trend for how to revitalize an urban area while staying true to its roots. While it was evident what a labor of love Project Row Houses is, it highlighted the neighborhood's potential without undermining the soul and history of the neighborhood. In short, it's anti-gentrification. Project Row Houses also provides housing for single mothers who have pledged to make it through school. It's wonderful to think of kids being raised in an environment that emphasizes art, community involvement and hope.

Project Row Houses is quite an accomplishment. I can't wait to return. Grab coffee and lunch at Doshi House and spend an afternoon meandering through the houses. You're not only in for a wonderful afternoon but you're helping a great cause as well.