After three decades at the heart of Montrose’s gallery row, Anya Tish Gallery will permanently close its doors on December 31. The gallery staged its final group exhibition, fittingly titled “End of an Era,” which wrapped on December 6, and the space will stay open by appointment through the rest of the month. Director Dawn Ohmer has said the decision is an emotional one, as the family and staff move forward following the death of the gallery’s founder last year.
Final exhibition and timeline
According to Glasstire, the farewell show opened on October 24 and gathered painters, sculptors, animators, and video artists the gallery had represented over the years, turning the space into a kind of living scrapbook of its history. Houstonia Magazine later reported that the exhibition closed on December 6 and that the gallery would continue welcoming visitors by appointment through the end of December.
The gallerist behind the name
Anya Tish opened her namesake space in 1996 and spent decades championing international contemporary art in Houston, long before it became trendy to talk about “global voices.” Her death on June 12, 2024, in Kraków, Poland, is documented by the Houston Chronicle, which notes both her deep influence on the city’s art scene and her long career as a dealer.
Artists and what comes next
As Glasstire reports, director Dawn Ohmer has stressed that the gallery is not simply turning off the lights and walking away. Staff members plan to work actively to place represented artists with other galleries and venues, with Ohmer saying they will "treat them like family" during the transition. The outlet highlights the gallery’s long-term collaborators and community efforts, and Ohmer has signaled a hands-on approach to finding new homes for the roster.
Montrose will feel the loss
Located at 4411 Montrose Blvd in a block of Brutalist gallery spaces, Anya Tish Gallery carved out a niche for underappreciated and international voices in Houston’s art world. That role, representing artists born in Colombia, Mexico, and Russia and helping define the city’s gallery scene, is the focus of a reflective piece in Houstonia Magazine. For Montrose regulars, the closure means one less place to stumble onto a quietly daring show on a Thursday night.
For those wanting one last look, the gallery’s event listing notes it will remain open by appointment through year's end and provides a phone number and email for scheduling visits. The Houston Cultural Events Calendar confirms the space will close on December 31. Callers can reach the gallery at 713-524-2299 or [email protected].
