Glasstire Marks 25 Years with Crisis Creativity Series

In a letter commemorating the 25th anniversary of Glasstire, publisher Brandon Zech discusses the significance of creativity during challenging times, referencing Hurricane Harvey's devastation of Texas's Gulf Coast in August 2017. The hurricane wreaked havoc on artists' studios, inundated galleries, and obliterated the Rockport Center for the Arts, leading to various initiatives such as symposia, a flood bond, and the establishment of the Houston Flood Museum. Zech emphasizes the arts community's resilience, noting the low pay and adaptability of art jobs, as well as a strong commitment to future cultural preservation. He points to Texas's harsh climate—marked by intense summers and winter storms—as nurturing a community focused on safeguarding its heritage, exemplified by institutions like the Harry Ransom Center at UT Austin and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's library. To celebrate the anniversary, Glasstire will introduce a series on creativity amid crisis, which will include discussions on natural disasters, recovery, and preservation, featuring an Art Dirt podcast with Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Mark Lamster. The series can be found through Glasstire's 25th anniversary tag.