Art League Houston is pleased to announce the opening of Museum of Unnatural History, a dioramic installation of new works by Elaine Bradford, on view from January 9 - February 20, 2009. Museum of Unnatural History consists of dioramic displays similar to those found in natural history museums, and which serve as "natural habitats" for the artist's fantastical crotchet covered taxidermy creatures.

Art League Houston is proud to host an exhibition of the Gold Key winners in the art category of the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the largest, longest-running and most prestigious recognition program of their kind in the United States. The Awards were established in 1923 by M. R. Robinson to encourage, foster and reward creativity in our nation’s classrooms. During its 83 year history, some of nation’s most celebrated writers and artists, including Richard Avedon, Truman Capote, Robert Indiana, Bernard Malamud, Joyce Maynard, Joyce Carol Oates, Phillip Pearlstein, Sylvia Plath, Robert Redford and Andy Warhol, have been recognized in this competition.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of Harris County seeks to recognize and encourage young artists and writers in public, private and home schools.

Art League Houston, in partnership with JPMorgan Chase, is pleased to announce the opening of Gift of the Spirit, which takes place at Heritage Hall in the JPMorgan Chase Building in Downtown Houston, and runs from January 29 - February 27, 2009 as a celebration of Black History Month. This exhibition is curated by Beth Secor, and features the work of Mequitta Ahuja, Ann "Sole Sister" Johnson, El Franco Lee II, Kaneem Smith, and Dr. Clarence Talley Sr. The opening reception for the exhibition is Thursday January 29, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Heritage Hall in the JPMorgan Chase building located at 712 Main Street in downtown Houston.

Gift of the Spirit is the second in a series of four visual art exhibitions that focus on cultural heritage month celebrations. Art League Houston is pleased to be invited to participate in Celebrating Diversity Through Art, a unique collaboration of JPMorgan Chase and Art League Houston, which highlights established and emerging artists representative of diverse communities. This program is fully supported by JPMorgan Chase.