Fresh Arts STAR Residency Presents Two Exhibitions by Violeta Alvarez
Fresh Arts, a nonprofit arts service organization based in Houston, has unveiled two exhibitions featuring Violeta Alvarez, the current artist-in-residence in their Space Taking Artist Residency (STAR) program. Launched in 2021, the STAR initiative aims to support underrepresented artists in Houston through public programming, with a peer mentorship aspect added in 2025. The first exhibition, "Luz y Sombra," takes place from July 9 to August 1 at Winter Street Studios, showcasing Alvarez's music photography from the 1990s, including notable figures like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, alongside recent works with artists such as Gary Clark Jr. The second exhibition, "Con Sangre y Corazón: Portraits of Our Community," runs from August 6 to August 22, featuring themed portrait sessions. Opening receptions are scheduled for July 9 and August 6, both from 7 to 10 p.m.
Key facts
- Fresh Arts is a Houston nonprofit arts service organization.
- Violeta Alvarez is the current STAR artist-in-residence.
- STAR program established in 2021 for underrepresented Houston artists.
- Peer mentorship component added in 2025.
- First exhibition 'Luz y Sombra' runs July 9–August 1 at Winter Street Studios.
- Alvarez photographed artists for Justice Records in the 1990s, including Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top.
- Recent work features Gary Clark Jr., Charlie Crockett, Khruangbin, Jesse Dayton, Bad Bunny, Los Skarnales, Nick Gaitan.
- Second exhibition 'Con Sangre y Corazón' opens August 6–August 22 with community portrait sessions.
- Portrait session themes: Latinx Music Subcultures, Trenzas, Native Soul, Danza.
- Residency project honors resilience of Mesoamerican communities.
- Opening receptions: July 9 and August 6, 7–10 p.m.
Entities
Artists
- Violeta Alvarez
- Johnny Cash
- Willie Nelson
- ZZ Top
- Gary Clark Jr.
- Charlie Crockett
- Khruangbin
- Jesse Dayton
- Bad Bunny
- Los Skarnales
- Nick Gaitan
Institutions
- Fresh Arts
- Justice Records
- Winter Street Studios
- Glasstire
Locations
- Houston
- United States