New Fall Exhibits at Pearl Fincher Museum Showcase African-American Art Legacy and National Photography
This fall, the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts invites the community to experience two compelling new exhibitions that celebrate cultural legacy and artistic innovation. On view through January 10, 2026, the exhibitions highlight both a deeply personal collection of African-American art and a national showcase of contemporary photography. Admission is free, offering visitors of all ages the opportunity to engage with powerful visual storytelling in an accessible, welcoming setting.
Running now through January 10, 2026, the new exhibitions explore two very different but equally captivating worlds: one, a rare personal collection of African-American art spanning five decades; the other, a national showcase of modern photography pushing boundaries in form and perspective. Admission to both is free, making this one of the most accessible—and meaningful—arts experiences available this season in Northwest Houston.
In the Main Gallery, the museum is proud to present “A Curated Life: Selections from the Collection of Andy Moran,” a deeply personal glimpse into the life and legacy of one Houston collector and his late wife, Mary Lou Chester. What began as a passion for art in 1971 slowly became a remarkable archive of African-American expression—featuring many artists who studied under the legendary Dr. John Biggers and Carroll Harris Simms at Texas Southern University.
The exhibition features 47 pieces from Moran’s private collection, including powerful works by Dr. Biggers, Kermit Oliver, Edsel Cramer, Julian Kyle, Linda Hinojos, and Earlie Hudnall, Jr. Each work carries with it a connection—to culture, to mentorship, to resilience, and to a community that shaped the artists and the collector alike.
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One of the standout pieces, “Angelic Ari” by Linda Hinojos, immediately captures the room with its delicate yet bold depiction of a young girl, layered in acrylic and airbrush on canvas. It’s not just beautiful—it’s haunting, hopeful, and deeply human.
A few steps away, in the Cole Gallery, visitors will find “The Maker’s Muse: Contemporary Photography from the Artists of the American Society of Photographers.” With 60 images curated from across the country, this traveling exhibition offers a fresh perspective on what photography can be—bold, intimate, expansive, and unapologetically experimental. Whether you're drawn to landscapes, portraits, or abstract compositions, The Maker’s Muse invites you to look a little longer and see a little more.
Both exhibits opened September 20, and they offer something rare in today’s fast-paced world: the chance to slow down, connect with stories, and reflect.
For those unfamiliar, the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts—affectionately known as The Pearl by locals—has long been a treasured part of the Spring and Cypress communities. It’s not a massive institution with echoing halls and endless corridors. It’s something more personal. More inviting. A place where world-class art meets Texas heart.
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Located at 6815 Cypresswood Drive in Spring, The Pearl is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there’s never an admission fee. Donations are appreciated, of course, and every dollar goes back into making art accessible for all—right here at home.
To learn more, visit pearlmfa.org or call 281-376-6322.
Whether you're a lifelong art lover or simply looking for something new to experience with friends or family, this fall’s exhibitions are more than worth a visit. They’re a quiet reminder of the stories we carry, the beauty we make, and the spaces that help us see it all.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
