When Charles Washington and Gail Mebane opened Harambee Art Gallery in 2011, they created a platform for equity, education and visibility for artists who’d long been left out of Houston’s mainstream scene.
“We were trying to fill the gap of just not enough representation of emerging artists and artists of color in Houston,” Mebane said. “To give more opportunities to artists who were not getting opportunities from the big galleries. We also wanted to provide training and information so that artists would feel more confident in how they present themselves.”
The gallery was once located at the historic SHAPE Community Center in Third Ward. The name “Harambee” is Swahili for “let us all pull together,” and that philosophy is present in every brushstroke, installation and event the gallery holds.
“For us, it means we are offering opportunities, but we’re all working together for a common goal,” Mebane said. “Each one, help one. Each one, reach one. It’s about becoming better, sharing and impacting the community as a whole.”
Washington’s roots in the arts run deep. A self-described “upcycled artist,” he’s made a name for himself by turning every day, often discarded, materials into vibrant, meaningful pieces. He’s been creating art in Houston for decades, carving out space—literally and figuratively—for expression, mentorship and innovation.
The main objective [of] this gallery is being able to create a platform that I never had. To be able to bring artists… [and] have them sit at a table that I never got an opportunity to be able to sit at,” Washington said. “So it was all about something that’s bigger than me, all the information I’ve gathered in 40 years.”
That mission spills into the city itself. Washington’s art and sculptures can be found throughout Houston—from River Oaks to the Third Ward—as part of his ongoing commitment to public art and cultural memory. He says he holds the record for the most sculptures by a Black artist in the city, but even that isn’t what drives him.
“My work is just a piece of the idea,” he explained. “If I give someone an idea, their grandkids will talk about me because of what their grandfather learned from this old man.”
Like any creative, there are challenges that impact longevity and sustainability due to funding and access.
“It’s difficult to be able to sell or invest, have investors invest in the work if they’re not educated about the process,” Washington said. “And that’s one of the most difficult things that’s going on in Houston right now. It’s difficult to share things that people don’t understand.”
Mebane is a longtime educator and practicing artist who has shaped much of the gallery’s structure and programming.
“I’ve taught from pre-K through community college,” she said. “So education and sharing knowledge is a natural for me. Charles and I collaborate not just with each other but with artists of all ages. We’ve built a space where artists can come to get mentorship, information and real opportunities in a welcoming atmosphere.”
“We wanted a place where artists could experiment, grow and feel like they were part of something bigger,” said Mebane. “Harambee isn’t just a gallery. It’s a platform, a hub and a support system.”
From its grand opening at Houston’s SHAPE Community Center to partnerships with the Urban League and the Houston Television Studios (HTV), Harambe’s journey has mirrored the path of the artists it serves—resourceful, community-driven and resilient. In 2014, the gallery’s collaboration with HTV allowed it to reach wider audiences and work closely with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
As a curator, Mabene has brought her vision to every corner of Harambe’s exhibits. One of her standout moments came in 2017 when she led a major showcase of the Islamic Arts Society, featuring over 200 works at Houston City Hall.
“That was the first time they had that level of citywide exposure,” she said. “We’ve always aimed to lift voices that aren’t usually heard.”
Washington’s work emphasizes reuse and transformation, not just in materials, but in mindset. His art philosophy on his website sums it up: “I see my life as a large canvas of opportunity, so each day I create a masterpiece.”
The gallery continues to offer mentoring programs, youth workshops and curated exhibits that reflect Houston’s diverse cultural landscape.
To learn more about Harambee Art Gallery, upcoming events, or how to get involved, visit https://www.harambeeartgalleryhtx.com or follow @harambeeartgallery on Instagram.
