“Houston Center for Photography’s 26th Anniversary ”

It’s summer, which means you’ve no doubt been subjected to dozens upon dozens of grainy, ill-framed digital shots of friends and family waving smugly from some faraway sandy beach. Those stuck in Houston’s sweltering environs will happily be reminded, then, that real photography is much more than the click of a button with “Houston Center for Photography’s 26th Anniversary Juried Membership Exhibition” as the evidence. The carefully curated event assembles the work of 30 photographers from ten states (and places farther away, like Japan and Canada). Portraits, landscapes and narratives in a multitude of styles and techniques are represented. Among the works by the nine participating Texans honored are a colorful portrait by Houston’s Robert Levy along with luminous black-and-whites from Austin’s Tami Bone. Amateurs and experts alike are sure to find inspiration. After an opening reception today from 6 to 8 p.m., regular viewing hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through September 7. 1441 West Alabama. For information, call 713-529-4755 or visit www.hcponline.org. Free.
Wednesdays-Sundays. Starts: Aug. 1. Continues through Aug. 31, 2008