Texas Southern University hasnย’t exactly been getting a lot of positive press coverage lately. (Shout out to Dr. Slade!) Luckily, the University Museum at TSU is a refuge from all the politics and financial fiascos, offering a wonderful permanent collection and championing the work of both well-known and up-and-coming Houston artists.

ย“Art Official Intelligence,ย” the current show there, takes its name from the title of De La Soulย’s 2000 album. The exhibition was organized in part by Soular Renaissance, a duo comprised of photographer and DJ Jason ย“Flash Gordon Parksย” Woods (sounds like a sci-fi national forest) and poet/painter Eric ย“Equalityย” Blaylock, who, with a name like that, may have a future in civil libertiesย…or pro wrestling.

Made up of 60 works in a range of mediums, ย“Art Official Intelligenceย” addresses themes from the story of hip-hop in America, its origins, present and future, to the universal experience of self-discovery from an African-American cultural perspective. With art by Ray Carrington III, Shannon Duckworth, Linda Kelly and others, ย“Art Official Intelligenceย” promises to be an excellent example of blending distinct black cultural heritage with a collective spiritual experience. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through March 22. 3100 Cleburne. For information, call 713-313-7120 or visit www.tsu.edu/museum. Free.

Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: Feb. 8. Continues through March 22, 2008

This article appears in Feb 21-27, 2008.