The DeLuxe Show: You Are Art, A Love Letter To 5th Ward
The DeLUXE Theater presents The Deluxe Show: You Are Art, A Love Letter to 5th Ward. Featured works by Mark Francis.
In 1971, The DeLUXE Theater hosted The DeLUXE Show, America’s first interracial art exhibition. The DeLUXE Show is now the District’s annual art exhibition with a continued focus on the community powered by 5th Ward Cultural Arts District’s mantra of “Art for the People.”
The 1971 exhibition was curated by Peter Bradley and sponsored by the DeMenil’s. This year the show continues its tradition of being community focused by exhibiting works featuring the individuals of the 5th Ward Community, as captured in the works by Mark Francis.
“You are Art is a mixed media portrait-based project that seeks to highlight the individual residents of 5th Ward Houston, Texas as the most important parts of the community, as opposed to the geographic location,” Francis says. “When these people move away or travel from their homes the stories and experiences always keep the best parts of the physical place alive. My work hopes to honor these people of the 5th Ward.”
“The media I have chosen to use in these portraits are colored pencils for the skin and, at times, the subjects’ hair. I then use different types of archival decorative papers for their clothing,” Francis continues. “I will use other adornments in the works as well, things such as synthetic hair, gold foil, earrings, necklaces, and more.” The works are on watercolor paper and range in size from 25.5in x 38in to 65in x 55in. Mark Francis
The DeLUXE Show was a transformative moment for the arts in the United States. It demonstrated the power and beauty of community and reminds us that people should not have to leave their communities to experience art. We are excited to continue the legacy of the original DeLUXE Show and to keep the focus centered on the people of 5th Ward. Harrison Guy, Director of Arts & Culture
This exhibition is presented by the 5th Ward Cultural Arts District and sponsored by the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation. 5th Ward community opening on August 15, 2022 at 6 pm. The public opening event will be on August 20, 2022 at 6 pm with a closing reception on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at 5 pm.