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February 7, 2007 Eileen Ansel Conery/713-856-8780

eileenac@houston.rr.com

Art League Houston Conversion Transforms School and

Famed Inversion House Into Impressive New Structure

Origami-compared Architecture Meets All Expectations

HOUSTON (February 7, 2007) Art League Houston proudly announced today the official opening of its new school building and will celebrate at a private ribbon-cutting ceremony to be held March 1, with a public open house following on March 2 and March 3. The former bungalow-housed classrooms at the corner of Montrose and Willard were the focus of national media attention last year when the organization turned the dilapidated structures literally inside out into an artistic phenomenon Inversion: A Houston Installation created by artists Dan Havel and Dean Ruck.

“We wanted to make an artistic statement prior to demolishing our former art school facilities, which had been a big part of the Houston community, and Inversion allowed us to do just that,” said Debbie McNulty, Executive Director of Art League Houston. “The impact of the installation inspired us to name our Capital Campaign Inversion -> Conversion and we couldn’t be happier with the outpouring of support for the building phase that has gotten us nearly halfway to our goal. Artists need an environment that will allow them full creative expression and that is just what our new building offers, in addition to giving us the opportunity to ultimately expand our class offerings and outreach programs.”

Houstonians are welcome to visit the new Art League Houston building on Friday, March 2 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for wine, art demonstrations and entertainment, and again on Saturday, March 3 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for refreshments and children’s art activities. Designed by Houston architect Irving Phillips, the new 6,000-sqare-foot Art League Houston home, which has been compared to Origami in style, features four classrooms, a tenant-operated coffee house and is now attached to the pre-existing art gallery, allowing all students and visitors to enjoy the exhibits on display when coming and going. Additional funding will allow for parking lot improvements, landscaping, gallery renovations, a privacy fence, school equipment, shelving in addition to just everyday operational needs.

Although in existence since 1948, Art League Houston moved to the Montrose location in 1969 and had been offering classes in two bungalows at the corner of Montrose and Willard since that time. Both homes were in dire need of repair. The cost to bring both homes up to standards to create a better learning environment was cost-prohibitive, which ultimately led to the construction of the new facility. An attempt was made to give the houses away, but the cost to bring them back into a live-able home was not feasible. “Turning the houses over to artists for a final creative expression seemed the best way to celebrate the history shared by so many in our community,” said McNulty.

In its more than 60 years in operation, Art League Houston has provided more than 750 exhibitions to the Houston community, showcased the work of 22,000 artists and instructed nearly 29,000 students at the Art League School. In 1991, the organization established an Outreach Program for those suffering from serious disease and disability, and who have little or no opportunity for artistic expression or creative outlets. Many programs exist for children with disabilities in Houston, but there are no other programs for adults and young adult with severe and catastrophic disabilities living outside of the assisted care of nursing home facilities. The Art League’s HIV+/ Cancer Related Illnesses Healing Art Group, Multiple Sclerosis/MS Healing for individuals to learn and enjoy the fulfillment of creative expression in a supportive environment.

In 1983, Art League Houston created the Texas Artist of the Year award as a dynamic and informative annual project documenting Texas art history. Through this project, tribute is paid to outstanding members of the visual art community. Since its inception, 23 artists and four patrons have received the award. This year, Art League Houston is honored to recognize Dixie Friend Gay as the 2007 Texas Artist of the Year and Gus Kopriva as Texas Patron of the Year. As Texas Artist of the Year, Dixie Friend Gay will be featured in an exhibition at Art League Houston this fall. Both awardees will be celebrated at the annual gala which will be held in their honor in November.

In 2005, the Art League Houston kicked off its Inversion -> Conversion Capital Campaign in an effort to get much-needed funding for the new building. Although it has exceeded all expectations and has raised nearly $420,000 to date, Art League Houston still needs an additional $580,000 to meet its $1 Million goal in order to implement all improvements.

The Inversion -> Conversion Capital Campaign has been supported principally by The Houston Endowment, Inc., The Brown Foundation, Inc., Kevin & Laurie Foxx, Wortham Foundation, Inc., John P. McGovern Foundation, Vinson & Elkins, Sara and Bill Morgan, Peggy and Allan Port, Michael Cordua, Billie and Marv Chasen and nearly 200 individual donors.

Art League Houston programming is made possible through the estate of William G. Daugherty, The Houston Endowment, Inc., City of Houston through the Cultural Arts Council of Houston and Harris County, Joan Hohlt & J. Roger Wich, Kevin & Laurie Foxx,  Art Colony Association/ Bayou City Art Festivals, The American-Scandinavian Foundation, Drew Baird, Becker Family Foundation,  the Ann Bengtson Memorial Fund, Norman & Kelly Bering, Jack & Annis Bowen Foundation, Brad & Leslie Bucher, Marv & Billie Chasen, Moriah & Rod Crosby, Darrell & Peggy Delahoussaye, Ray C. Fish Foundation, Hugh & Berthica Fitzsimons, Kat Gallagher, Alice C. Boyd Gano, Courtney Glasscock, Oliver & Nancy Goldesberry, Nick & Candice Goodwin, Rob Greenstein, James & Ann Harithas, International Bank of Commerce,  Kinder Foundation, Susan Magnani, Mark & Gretchen Mazziotti, McCoy Workplace Solutions, John P. McGovern Foundation,  Betty Moody & Bill Steffy, National MS Society Lone Star Chapter, Mark Nitcholas, Don & Crystal Owens, Allan & Peggy Port, Royal Norwegian Consulate General, Mike Rudelson, Louisa Stude Sarofim, Fred & Wendy Schiller, Tahamia Spain, Steve & Susie Streller, Texas Art Supply, Texas Commission on the Arts, Top Drawer Lingerie, Jim & Beth Wiggins, Nina & Michael Zilkha, our sponsors, members and volunteers.

About Art League Houston

Art League Houston cultivates awareness, appreciation and accessibility of contemporary visual art within the community for its cultural enrichment. For 58 years Art League Houston has served the greater Houston region through exhibition, education and community outreach programs. To find out more about Art League Houston or to make a donation, visit: www.artleaguehouston.org.

About Inversion -> Conversion

Art League Houston is in the midst of a capital campaign to raise $1 Million for construction in order to complete its new Art League Houston School, to improve the exterior site and existing gallery, and to begin an endowment. Located on Montrose Boulevard, the new School offers more space for educational and outreach programs. The 6,000-square-foot contemporary building also includes an area that houses a tenant-operated coffee shop, called Inversion Coffee.

Art League Houston is a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit corporation. Contributions to Art League Houston are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.

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