Last Chance: Museum District Exhibits in Houston

I’m fortunate to live in Houston’s Museum District, where I have access to 18 museums located practically at my doorstep. Any time an exhibit strikes my fancy I can walk out my front door and be at my museum of choice within a few minutes. Of course life sometimes gets in the way and I miss an exhibit that I really wanted to see; to spare you that kind of disappointment I have compiled a list of “don’t miss” exhibits that are nearing the end of their run at their respective museum.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

The MFAH is located at 1001 Bissonnet at Main St. (map). The “Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria” exhibit will end its run on January 2nd. The ancient artwork, dating from between the 9th and 15th centuries, are from southwestern Nigeria and most have never been exhibited outside of that country. Houston is the first American city to have this exhibit, and it is spectacular in person.

Hours & Fees: Tickets can be purchased online or at the main desk: $7 adult, children 6-18/seniors/students $3.50. MFAH is open Tuesday and Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM, Thursday 10 AM-9 PM, Friday and Saturday 10 AM-7 PM and Sunday 12:15 PM-7 PM.

Houston Museum of Natural Science

The HMNS is located at 5555 Herman Park Dr. (map) The “Secrets of the Silk Road” exhibit ends its run on January 2nd. Comprised of “mummies and more” from the Tarim Basin of western China, more than 150 objects give visitors a peek at life along China’s Silk Road.

Hours & Fees: Tickets for “Secrets of the Silk Road” are available online or at the museum’s ticket counters. Adults $25, seniors and kids $18; members pay $12. HMNS is open Monday and Wednesday-Sunday 9 AM-5 PM, Tuesday 9 AM-8 PM.

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

Craft Texas 2010 is showing now through December 30 at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, located at 4848 Main St. (map). Craft Texas 2010 is an exhibit of 73 Texas-made crafts which were selected from a pool of more than 460 submissions.

Hours & Fees: HCCC is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM-5 PM and on Sunday from noon to 5 PM. Admission to the Center for Contemporary Craft is always free.

Photo from the author’s personal collection.