Houston artists take over Winter Street Studios

For four months this year, the Winter Street Studios gallery operated as a working space for community engagement rather than just a display venue. The Fresh Arts Space Taking Artist Residency, or STAR, hosted two artists who embedded themselves in the neighborhood to create work with local residents.

Jakari Sherman, a director and choreographer, opened the 2026 season in April and May with a project titled Our Road Home: Gallery as Instrument. His interconnected performance works traced the African American experience from Africa to Louisiana and into Houston’s Freedmen’s Town. The presentation included live stepping performances, artist talks, and rotating exhibitions that moved through the gallery space.

Violeta Alvarez, a concert photographer, took over the space in July and August with Casa de Cultura. Her series explored cultural identity, migration, and art through a mix of panels with fellow Latinx photographers, a local music podcast, and a live cumbia band. The exhibition also featured photographic works centering on immigration issues and area artisans.

Alvarez invited community members into the studio to be photographed for the second half of her residency. This practice made Houston residents direct participants in the creation of the art, rather than passive viewers. The STAR program was designed to empower traditionally underrepresented artists by aligning them with the specific communities they serve.

The program requires previous resident artists to return and mentor new participants. This mentorship structure strengthens connections between Houston artists across different disciplines and time periods. Applications are now open for the 2027 residencies.