Sondra Hernandez Staff writer October 8, 2024

Officials with the East Montgomery County Improvement District have put out an art call in the Houston area for artists to fill the walls of the group’s event center in 2025. 

Open to artists residing in Montgomery, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, San Jacinto, Walker and Waller counties, the open call provides emerging artists the opportunity to exhibit their work at an event center in New Caney for weddings, receptions, luncheons, galas and corporate meetings.

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The East Montgomery County Improvement District’s offices are inside the Atrium Center which can be rented for various activities. 

The deadline to submit artwork is Oct. 31. Those 16 and older may submit pieces, which can be made at the facility’s open call link. 

Art exposure in Atrium Center

“The various art pieces will be on display in designated areas for 365 days,” said Kelley Mattlage, chief communications officer for the improvement district. “The artists receive exposure through the day-to-day business and events held at the venue throughout the year. The artists’ information is posted with the art and on the Atrium’s website.”

All painting mediums are welcome, including watercolor, pastel, oil and acrylic, mixed media, charcoal, digital art including photography and outside sculptures. Artists may enter more than one piece.

The pieces for display will be selected by a five-person committee and curated by Splendora native and artist Alton DuLaney. He is the curator of public art for the Houston Airport System.

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Guidelines for artwork 

Artwork is chosen based on the number of entries, technical skill, quality of work and originality.

Mattlage said they don’t have a specific number of pieces in mind, but the number can be anywhere from 10 to more than 24. 

“The height plus width may not exceed 100 inches and weight must not exceed 30 pounds for art that is framed and will be hung,” she said. “Outside structures are not to exceed 40 inches in any direction. Unframed work is accepted on heavy-duty stretcher bars with clean edges. Unframed work on stretcher bars less than ¾ inches will not be accepted. Photography must be signed (front or back).”

There is not a specific theme for the submitted art but it’s a plus if it matches the color palette of the facility. The subject matter must also be appropriate in a business setting. 

Mattlage estimates the facility has about 300 events a year that bring more than 5,400 to the building each year. 

Featured artist for 2024 included Heather Newsom, professional photographer from Kingwood, multimedia artist Jenny LeBlanc from the Montgomery area, New Orleans native and painter Julia Koutroulis, Mandy Yates of Conroe with custom memorials and functional mosaics made of stained glass and concrete, children’s book author Mary Wilks, Melissa Osburg also from New Orleans, acrylic artist Ruby Scott, Texas native Sarah Reyes and mixed media artist Viviana Garibay.

The Atrium is at 21575 U.S. 59 in New Caney. 

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