November has come and gone, but we’re right on time for a series of artful happenings this holiday season. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston welcomed 100 paintings from the 19th and 20th Centuries in Incomparable Impressionism, and the Mayor’s Office is looking for local muralists. Later this week, Houston’s largest digital and NFT art show is taking place as well as an exhibit of work by 25 of the Bayou City’s most talented young artists. While we lockdown for the next few weeks, go grab a copy of our Winter issue which features our new art guide. It hits stands this week. 

Here’s more art news for your week: 

Houston Symphony Announces "André Fest: A Symphonic Celebration"

The 2021-2022 season of the Houston Symphony marks the finale of beloved music director Andrés Orozco-Estrada’s eight-year tenure. In honor and celebration of this incredible feat, the Symphony announced “Andrés Fest: A Symphonic Celebration” a two-week festival slated to take place March 18-27. Festival highlights will include performances by principal musicians as well as a series of premieres. More details will be announced in January. 

For more information on the Houston Symphony’s 2021-2022 season, visit here. 

MFAH Begins Screenings in Lynn Wyatt Theater This Saturday 

Starting December 4, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston will begin screening films in the Lynn Wyatt Theatre, located in the recently opened Nancy and Rich Kinder Building. Both the Brown Auditorium and Lynn Wyatt Theatre are the only two theatres in Houston capable of showing 35mm films. Screenings will include favorites of Lynn Wyatt, selections inspired by the Afro-Atlantic Histories exhibition, popular favorites, and new releases. Admission is $9 for the general public, and $7 for members, students, and senior adults. 

For more information on the full screening schedule and tickets, visit here. 

Rare Music Performance in the Cistern at Buffalo Bayou Park 

This weekend, Berlin-based saxophonist and experimental musician André Vida is set to perform live in the Cistern at Buffalo Bayou Park as part of Anri Sala’s immersive installation Time No Longer. Vida will activate Sala’s artwork playing a custom woodwind instrument he calls his “Cistern-o-phone,” specially designed for the performance. Vida also composed the artwork’s original score. 

For tickets and more information on the performance, visit here. 

MOCA is Looking for Local Artists to Create a New Mural 

The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) is seeking proposals for permanent outdoor murals to live at the entrance of the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, located on the North Bank of Buffalo Bayou. Proposals should reflect the working class and immigrant families of the Denver Harbor community. The commission is open to individual artists and artist teams in the Houston area. The budget is $100,000 and the deadline for proposals is Monday, January 3.

For more information about the commission and qualifications, visit here. 

NYC Architecture Firm Selected to Design Rice University’s New Arts Building

Following a national competition, architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) was chosen to bring forth Rice University’s new student art building. DS+R’s team is led by Rice alumnus Charles Renfro (1989), and the building will be named Susan and Fayez Sarofim Hall. The innovative and open concept design features exhibition areas, studios, shops, offices, and labs for multidisciplinary access and collaboration. 

For more information about the building’s design, visit here.