Third Ward Cultural District University Reception

Meet your postsecondary colleagues and get to know the Third Ward Cultural District! Attendees can also view Take Me As I Am: Redemption and Grace for the Discarded a solo exhibition by celebrated artist Lance Flowers, featuring collaborative engagements with diverse creative talents. This profound showcase highlights Flowers’ evocative collage work, a reflection on the cultural preservation of Houston’s Third Ward in the face of growing gentrification pressures. About the Artist Lance Flowers is a Southern American artist whose multidisciplinary practice integrates data analysis, sustainability, and an exploration of the Black American experience. His innovative approach to collage has garnered attention from curators like Valerie Cassel Oliver, and his work spans sculpture, painting, and digital performance. Flowers’ dedication to activism and spirituality, deeply rooted in Southern tradition, has made him a pivotal voice in contemporary art. His collaboration with Yale University’s Institute of Sacred Music brings a new dimension to his ongoing dialogue with Houston’s Third Ward. Flowers’ work has been displayed in numerous Third Ward institutions, including Project Row Houses and the Eldorado Ballroom, as well as nationally at Rutgers University and in the permanent collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. In 2023, he was named a finalist for the Toni Beauchamp Prize in Critical Art Writing. About the Curator Robert Leroy Hodge is an interdisciplinary artist and curator known for reimagining historical narratives and expanding contemporary art discourse. His curatorial approach bridges generations and artistic mediums, fostering dialogues that extend beyond conventional art spaces. About the Ethnomusicologist Jason Woods, also known as Flash Gordon Parks, is a Houston-based ethnomusicologist, photographer, and filmmaker. Woods specializes in documenting Houston’s musical heritage, preserving the city’s rich cultural legacy through his unique blend of photography, DJ-ing, and film. His documentaries, including This Thing We Do and Archie Bell, have received critical acclaim for their authentic portrayal of Houston’s music scene. More Info below.