The organization is well known for turning dilapidated row houses in the Third Ward into mini art spaces – work for which co-founder Rick Lowe received a MacArthur Fellowship back in 2014.
But, since its inception, the project has expanded to fight the gentrification of the neighborhood's longtime residents. They've branched out into the areas of affordable housing and economic development. And they even have a program where young single mothers and their kids can live in some of the row houses and improve their prospects. This is all while hosting nearly 50 biannual rounds of art installations over the years.
Now, to reflect on the project's history, they've published a book, called Collective Creative Actions: Project Row Houses at 25.
- Eureka Gilkey, executive director of Project Row Houses, and Ryan Dennis, the organization's curator and director of programs. (Photo Credit: Michael Hagerty/Houston Public Media)
- Project Row Houses turned rundown shotgun-style row houses in Houston's Third Ward into art exhibit spaces. (Photo Credit: Michael Hagerty/Houston Public Media)
- Inside artist Lisa Harris’ House of Practice installation at Project Row Houses. (Photo Credit: Project Row Houses)
- Each of the houses at Project Row Houses features installations from artists that detail the depth of the Third Ward’s history and culture.
In the audio above, Houston Matters producer Michael Hagerty heads down to one of the row houses where artist Lisa Harris has created an installation called House of Practice to chat with Eureka Gilkey, the organization's executive director, and Ryan Dennis, curator and programs director.
