Civil Rights Lawyer Turned Artwork Gallery Proprietor is Lastly Opening the Doorways to His Lengthy-Awaited Present

IIf the pandemic has taught us anything, it is patience and perseverance. Nobody knows this better than civil rights attorney Randall Kallinen, owner of the Kallinen Art Gallery and one of the most colorful figures in Houston’s art world. He will finally see his goal accomplished at 7pm this Saturday, May 8th, when he opens the doors to his long-delayed juried exhibition.

As artists who respond to COVID, it has the appropriate title “The Show Must Go On”.

Randall Kallinen, civil rights attorney and artist, in front of his gallery, law firm and home, Kallinen Contemporary. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea)

Perhaps because of his attorney hiring, Kallinen had all the basics covered to make sure the show took place. Originally planned for the opening last July, the lawyer / gallery owner has reset its opening five times. He set optional dates for the event as COVID restrictions make everything difficult to predict, and even included successors in his will to keep the show going in case the worst should happen to him.

The show offers an answer to COVID-19 and its many aspects.

“There’s a lot of hope, guilt, fear, sadness, helplessness,” Kallinen told PaperCity. “The whole range of human emotions. The artists can and will use these emotions to produce work that reflects this time. “

The open call exhibition encompasses all media including painting, sculpture, video and performance art.

“The Show Must Go On” is rated by renowned Houston-based mural painter Daniel Anguilu, whose talent can be seen on walls from downtown to the East End and most recently at Arowyn Studios on Sherman Street, a house of worship that’s too Artist studios. In Arowyn, Anguilu takes inspiration from its Mexican heritage for its Aztec-influenced mural that resembles stained glass and takes up the entire side of the entrance to the former church.

The jurors of the Houston mural painter Daniel Anguilu will open “The Show Must Go On” on Saturday, May 8th from 7pm to 10pm in the Kallinen Art Gallery. (Photo by Shunelett Myintthu)

The first, second and third place will be awarded. Artists can submit three pieces of art with no entry fee and can expect a 50/50 split with the gallery on each sale.

Previously confirmed artists: JJ Baker, Eugene Barron, Joe Belmarez, Devon-Britt Darby, Gloria Choukeir, Steve Carpenter, PK Das, Mark Deitrich, Rachel Dupuis, Dee Franklin, Sarah Gish, Michael Gracia, Guillotte, Alejandro Gutierrez, Saida Hag, John Paul Hartman, Randall Kallinen, Solomon Kane, Adam Land, Ernest Lizcano, John Long, Gloria Mata, Mic McAllister, Sherry McKnight, Archie Moore, Dünen-Micheli Patten, Cherie Salinas, AM Schaer, fluX Scorpion, Stephen Smith, Juliana Villareal, Angela Walling and Alex Wilhite.

“The Show Must Go On”, on display at Kallinen Art Gallery, 511 Broadway Street, May 8th through June 19th. The reception on the opening evening will take place this Saturday, May 8th, from 7pm to 10pm. More details here.