Tami Merrick
Tami is an artist with a live/work studio located in First Ward Cultural Arts District of Houston. Founder of Art Chatter Critique group an interactive artist forum focusing on critical art analysis and cultivating creativity. Completing her art certification at the Glassell School of Art in Houston in Sculpture and Painting. She paints in mixed media including ink, spray paint, acrylic paint, and oil paint on canvas, Mylar and watercolor paper. She creates public art as Art Uniti. Art Uniti is site specific public artwork created in collaboration with other creatives.
Artist Statement
I work out of my studio in the First Ward Cultural Arts District in Houston Texas. Color and color juxtaposition are primary endeavors in my artwork. I have multiple series in a variety of mediums. Some original compositions include natural ink stains along with masked paint and cut collage referencing an abstraction of my environment. Current paintings articulate figurative cartoons with expressionistic and crisp masked patterning interpreting moments in my life. Drawings are technical studies. For me as an artist, the liquid stains are the nature of our human existence and the cartoons are the physical motion of our characters.
Academic History
Master of Architecture, 1983, University of Houston
Student in visiting critic program with Charles Moore, AIA
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Nebraska, 1979-1981
Student in the foreign exchange program with the Universidad De Guadalajara, in Guadalajara, Mexico
Art Student at Glassell School of Art – 1994 – 2003, 2018 – Certification in Sculpture and Painting
Mentors- Jay Hill, Ibsen Espada, Arielle Mason & Robert Weimerskirch,
Art League of Houston – studied with Robert Weimerskirch oil painting.
Art Exhibitions
Art on the Avenue Art Auction 2002 thru 2022 (curator 2015- 2020)
Weaving Northside -Art Uniti Temporary Art/ Dance- HAA grant 2020
Snapshot- Art Uniti-Permanent Sculpture- HAA grant 2019
Bucher Gallery - Sculptures - 2019f
Women in the Arts Award - career achievement award - 2019
Color Bursting Hermann Park - Art Uniti- Multidisciplinary project- HAA grant 2018
Kroger Sugarland Mural - Art Uniti - Wood Relief Mural - 2018
Skype Scape - 3-D Mural - Joe Aker collaborative 2016
Scaped-Senses - Art Uniti - Temporary Public Art- HAA grant 2018
Hackermann Award- Bronze shooting star 2017
Rorpost - International Art Exchange- City Initiative Grant 2016-2017
Art Chatter Group Show Nos Cava Vin 10/2014
Duo show- Buchanan Gallery 3/2013
Art Chatter Group Show- Buchanan Gallery 6/2/2011
Classic and Modern Art Group Exhibition– Audley Society 11/2011
A Celebration Story- Writers in the Schools Fundraiser Auction – 11/2011
Lawndale Art Center-Big Show 7 2010
Articulation – Audley Society Group Exhibition 5/ 2010
Inner Art Corridor- WSS Gallery Group Exhibition 4/2010
First Ward Art Tasting – Studio Exhibition 11/2009
I C Art Inner Art Corridor open studio 04/2008, 04/2009
Bering & James Box Show 12/2008 12/2009
Spacetaker/Darke Gallery fundraiser 02/2008
Intersections-Jung Center Houston-Art Chatter Group exhibition 1/2008
Art League Auction 11/2007
Orange Show Auction 11/2007
It’s Your Deal 12/2006
De Zeta Retablo exhibit 11/2006
Lawndale Retablo exhibit 10/2006 10/2011
Dominic Walsh & Lawndale Center- selected Artist for dance collaboration w/choreographer, Andrea Shelley at the Hobby Center -installation 10/2006
White Linen Night –Houston 8/2006
Diverse Works Houston – Fundraiser 7/2006
Foundry, “Kiminos & Kanvas at the Phat Lounge” 4/2005
(art and installation exhibit of 3 enviornments)
Katrina Relief Fundraiser 2005
Lawndale Retablo exhibit 2005
Art by Architects- Group Exhibit 4/05
De Zeta Gallery, Group Exhibit 12/2004
Open Studio, Public exhibit w/artist Howard Sherman-unveiling of “Friends on the Patio” created a patio of 83 mosaic tiles created by 65 people 10/2004
Art Exhibit at Gallery 101, Group Exhibit 10/2004
“Art by Architects” show in downtown 2/2004
FABU silent Auction benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation 12/2003
Silent Auction Benefiting Fallen Angels 12/2003
Scene Unscene- University of Eastern New Mexico National Juried Show
Juror: Amei Wallach –11/2003 (Catalog published)
2003 BMW Ultimate Drive Art Competition (juried by Joe Havel) 8/03 - 8/04
Flash (HWCA) (juried by Sarah Trotty-TSU) 10/03
Art of Living 8/2003
Matrix (group show) 7/2003
Diverse Works – Blue Hawaii 2003
Arts Council -Project Grant 2/2003- 11/2003
“Insomnia” Art Exhibit at Gallery 101 (2 person show) , 2/2003
“12x12” Exhibit curated Paul Kittleson at the Foundry, 4/2003
Art Exhibit for “Art by young Architects” show at the Gremillion Art Gallery 1991
Lawndale Retablo exhibit 1994
Student shows at the Art League 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997
Glassell School of Art Exhibits (Juried Exhibitions) 1995, 1997,1999, 2001
L’Espirit (one person show)
Art Alliance Competition (Juried by the Curator of the Bronx Museum- New York) 2000
Art Exhibit at Gallery 101, (Curator and participating artist) Group Exhibit “The Glass-Pact” 2002