This week Houston presents an array of opening receptions, including those for 47th Annual MFA Thesis Exhibition at Blaffer Art Museum and a new exhibition at the Menil Drawing Institute, as well as the final days of Vincent Valdez’s exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, the latest installment of Grown Up Storytime, and much more.

Bradley Kerl, *Ram On*, 2024

Courtesy of McClain Gallery

Monday, March 17

Screening — No Other Land
River Oaks Theatre

Screening all week at River Oaks Theatre (2009 West Gray Street), the 2024 documentary No Other Land follows Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham as they document the Israeli military’s destruction of Masafer Yatta, a Palestinian community in the occupied West Bank. Providing an insider’s look at the conflict over the span of five years, the documentary — which won Best Documentary Feature Film at this year’s Academy Awards — also highlights the friendship and political alliance that develops between Basel and Yuval. With no theatrical distribution secured for the film, this may be your only chance to see it, so get your tickets soon as the screenings are selling out quickly.

Performance — They, Who Sound
Lawndale Art Center

Catch the latest installment of They, Who Sound — the long-time experimental music series presented by local nonprofit Nameless Sound — hosted at Lawndale Art Center (4912 Main Street). The evening features a performance by Esin Gunduz, Justin Rodriguez-Jones, and Paty Lorena Solórzano, as well as a set from Glancing, composed of Elli Gradney, Ryan Holloway, and Sareen Patel. Doors open at 7 p.m. for this free performance that runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 18

Reading — Grown Up Storytime
Continental Club

Head to the Continental Club (3714 Main Street) for the latest presentation from the writers and readers at Grown Up Storytime with this installment hosted by Ryan Adams Wells. The long-running storytelling series is known for compelling tears, inciting laughter, and bringing authenticity with their readings. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the readings kicking off at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $10 for the 21-and-up show.

Thursday, March 20

Tony Lewis, *Charlatan Slightly Muffled*, 2025

Courtesy of The Menil Collection

Opening Reception — What drawing can be: four responses
Menil Drawing Institute

Don’t miss the opening reception for What drawing can be: four responses, the latest exhibition at the Menil Drawing Institute (1412 West Main Street). The institute invited four artists to push the boundaries of drawing and to offer new ideas about what drawing can be. The resulting exhibition features site-specific installations by Jillian Conrad, Teresita Fernández, Tony Lewis, and Constantin Luser. The artists investigate the experimental potential of drawing as a medium, with each of their works displayed in individual gallery spaces. The reception runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and the exhibition will be on view through August 10.

Friday, March 21

Opening Reception — UH School of Art 47th Annual MFA Thesis Exhibition
Blaffer Art Museum

The 47th Annual MFA Thesis Exhibition at Blaffer Art Museum (4173 Elgin Street) presents the work of the Masters of Fine Arts degree candidates from the University of Houston School of Art’s five studio programs: Graphic Design, Interdisciplinary Practices and Emerging Forms, Painting, Photography/Digital Media, and Sculpture. The exhibition showcases bodies of work from 11 MFA candidates who spent three years in the program’s studio intensive environment. The opening reception runs from 7 to 9 p.m. and the exhibition is on view through April 20.

Saturday, March 22

Melinda Laszczynski, *Maybe the Sea*, 2024

Courtesy of the artist

Opening Reception — Melinda Laszczynski and Erika Whitney: Rock Paper Plastic
Jardín Montrose

Be sure to catch the opening reception for Rock Paper Plastic, an exhibition of sculptural paintings from Houston-based artists Melinda Laszczynski and Erika Whitney, at Jardín Montrose (2608 Dunlavy Street). With penchants for exploring tactility, color and material, the two artists are both interested in how paintings can act as portals reflecting the lived experience. Featuring new, small-scale paintings that offer an intimate view of each artist’s creative dialogue, the exhibition’s opening reception takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Opening Reception — Bradley Kerl: Magic Hour
McClain Gallery

Plan a visit to McClain Gallery (2242 Richmond Avenue) to attend the opening reception for Magic Hour, an exhibition of new paintings from Houston-based artist Bradley Kerl. As the title intimates, the paintings center on the mundane yet magical interplay that occurs as the sun pours light through vegetation at twilight. The reception — which also serves as the opening for California-based artist Gary Lang’s exhibition Fourfold Glow — takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. and both exhibitions will be on view through May 3.

Sunday, March 23

Closing — Vincent Valdez: Just a Dream…
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

If you haven’t already seen it, don’t skip out on the last day to experience the exhibition Vincent Valdez: Just a Dream… at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (5216 Montrose Boulevard). Known for work that highlights America’s past while addressing its current and future implications, Valdez is regarded as one of the most important American painters working today. As the first museum survey of the San Antonio-born artist, the exhibition presents more than two decades of his work, spanning his career from early drawings to recent portraits. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Hidden Agenda: In Bloom