Locke Surls Center for Art and Nature @ Splendora Gardens
26041 Midline Rd, Cleveland, TX 77328
(832) 422-5090
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Originally conceived by artists James Surls and Charmaine Locke, the project is co-curated by Jack Massing and Xandra Eden to include newly commissioned works by fourteen artists and artist teams.
Each of the artworks is being created in collaboration with musicians, performers, and writers to create a unique experience in nature.
As implied by its title, A Gift From The Bower has its starting point as a view of nature as a restorative, benevolent source. As the world experiences the unprecedented impacts of climate change, aspects of the flora and fauna of the grounds of LSCAN take a central role in a number of the artists’ works, while others focus on community, the environment, and relationships to nature and land.
Locke Surls Center for Art and Nature (LSCAN) at Splendora Gardens is a multi-dimensional artistic space created with the express purpose of reconnecting community with nature and human artistic expression, through direct immersion in the Piney Woods of East Texas, and an intimate engagement with art and the artist. Set against the backdrop of 177 acres, LSCAN provides unique artistic experiences both transitory and long term. Formerly known as Splendora Gardens, James Surls and Charmaine Locke made their home here in 1976 when Surls was teaching at the University of Houston and running the Lawndale Art Annex. The Barn served as the art studio and, from the 1970s to 90s, the artists hosted many music and art events. Beginning in 2016,LSCAN began to undergo restoration and community art events began taking place once more. Past works by James Surls, Charmaine Locke and other artists can be viewed in the Barn and throughout the grounds. In addition, seven large stone plaques created by Surls in collaboration with the poet Robert Creeley can be viewed in the center field of the main driveway, along with a stone sculpture that Surls has dedicated to Locke. A Gift from the Bower was made possible by a partnership between LSCAN and DiverseWorks, which led to the engagement of many generous private and public contributions.
A Gift from the Bower was made possible through donations from more than 100 private individuals and corporations. We are particularly grateful to the following underwriters:
Cat Spring Collection
Independent Financial
George & Julie Tobolowsky Family Fund
Anonymous
John & Joni Ballis
David & Betty Jo Bell
Karen & Robert Duncan
Marc & Kathryn LeBaron
J.R. McDougal Designs
Steve & Isha Santamaria
Heidi Vaughan Fine Art
Jereann Chaney
Alycia & Kevin M. Clark
HOK
Mahenou & Omer Ilahi
Itchy Acres Gardens & Art
Kirk Hopper Fine Art
John and Stephanie Smither Visionary Fund, in memory of John and Stephanie Smither
Surls Girls
Rob & Tara Tomicic
Lauren & JW Turner
Surpik & Paolo Angelini
Jeff Beauchamp
Lee & Paul Michaels
Leigh & Reggie Smith
Emily Todd
Lillian & Bob Warren
DiverseWorks is thankful for the additional support received from The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, Houston Endowment, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, an American Rescue Plan Act Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.
Arts + Culture Texas Magazine, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Sculpture Magazine, Trailers of Texas.
Locke Surls Center for Art and Nature (LSCAN) at Splendora Gardens is a multi-dimensional artistic space created with the express purpose of reconnecting community with nature and human artistic expression, through direct immersion in the Piney Woods of East Texas, and an intimate engagement with art and the artist. Set against the backdrop of 177 acres, LSCAN provides unique artistic experiences both transitory and long term. Formerly known as Splendora Gardens, James Surls and Charmaine Locke made their home here in 1976 when Surls was teaching at the University of Houston and running the Lawndale Art Annex. The Barn served as the art studio and, from the 1970s to 90s, the artists hosted many music and art events. Beginning in 2016,LSCAN began to undergo restoration and community art events began taking place once more. Past works by James Surls, Charmaine Locke and other artists can be viewed in the Barn and throughout the grounds. In addition, seven large stone plaques created by Surls in collaboration with the poet Robert Creeley can be viewed in the center field of the main driveway, along with a stone sculpture that Surls has dedicated to Locke. A Gift from the Bower was made possible by a partnership between LSCAN and DiverseWorks, which led to the engagement of many generous private and public contributions.
A Gift from the Bower was made possible through donations from more than 100 private individuals and corporations. We are particularly grateful to the following underwriters:
Cat Spring Collection
Independent Financial
George & Julie Tobolowsky Family Fund
Anonymous
John & Joni Ballis
David & Betty Jo Bell
Karen & Robert Duncan
Marc & Kathryn LeBaron
J.R. McDougal Designs
Steve & Isha Santamaria
Heidi Vaughan Fine Art
Jereann Chaney
Alycia & Kevin M. Clark
HOK
Mahenou & Omer Ilahi
Itchy Acres Gardens & Art
Kirk Hopper Fine Art
John and Stephanie Smither Visionary Fund, in memory of John and Stephanie Smither
Surls Girls
Rob & Tara Tomicic
Lauren & JW Turner
Surpik & Paolo Angelini
Jeff Beauchamp
Lee & Paul Michaels
Leigh & Reggie Smith
Emily Todd
Lillian & Bob Warren
DiverseWorks is thankful for the additional support received from The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, Houston Endowment, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, an American Rescue Plan Act Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.
Arts + Culture Texas Magazine, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Sculpture Magazine, Trailers of Texas.
Special thanks to Brian Zievert and Peter Massing for their extraordinary assistance with the production of the exhibition.
A Gift From The Bower is presented by DiverseWorks and the Locke Surls Center For Art And Nature @ Splendora Gardens (LSCAN).
(832) 422-5090
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