Texas Southern University is celebrating the power of its art legacy with the 12th Biannual TSU Art Alumni Exhibition, now on view through Dec. 14 at the University Museum.
Featuring work from over 35 alumni, the show highlights the creative force that has long tied the university to Houstonโs Third Ward and helped shape the neighborhoodโs cultural identity. The connection is undeniable for Dr. Alvia Wardlaw, director and curator of the University Museum.
โTexas Southernโs role in defining the identity of Third Ward is critical,โ she says. โIt goes back to the very origins of the university.โ
That history begins with artist John Biggers, who came to TSU in the 1940s from Hampton Institute and sculptor Carroll Harris Simms, the first Black graduate of Michiganโs Cranbrook Academy of Art. Together, they launched a program that not only trained artists but also shaped the development of visual culture in the community. Graduates went on to teach in Houston public schools, often in segregated classrooms, passing down both artistic technique and cultural pride.
The programโs legacy is visible on campus itself. TSU is the only university in the country with more than 100 student-painted murals. That spirit of creativity and community continues in this yearโs alumni exhibition, which spans generations of artists and styles.
The exhibition is especially significant following the recent passing of Charles Criner, a master printmaker and mentor whose influence stretched across Houstonโs Black arts community. His work is included in the show, serving as a poignant reminder of the lasting bonds within TSUโs art family. โWhen alumni come back, theyโre all equals,โ Wardlaw explains. The younger generation reaches out to the older generation, asking questions and learning techniques. Itโs a brotherhood and sisterhood.โ
That knowledge exchange and sense of continuity is central to the exhibitionโs purpose. Alumna and featured artist Linda Hinojos returns to campus as part of the show, representing both a personal milestone and a responsibility to inspire.
Hinojos began working with airbrush as a teenager, building a career as an entrepreneurial artist before returning to TSU to complete her degree.
โComing to TSU opened doors I never would have imagined and gave me confidence in my work. It was verification that I was on the right path and then it pushed me further.โ
Linda Hinojos
โComing to TSU opened doors I never would have imagined and gave me confidence in my work,โ she says. โIt was verification that I was on the right path and then it pushed me further.โ
Her style seamlessly blends brushwork with airbrush detail, creating vibrant, movement-filled pieces that are influenced by Chicano iconography.
โAirbrush has always been part of our communities, from T-shirts at family reunions to memorials. โItโs already in Black and Brown culture. By bringing it into fine art, Iโm elevating the medium while keeping it connected to everyday life,โ she says. โBeing part of the alumni show is a chance to give back. โWhen I was a student, seeing alumni work inspired me. Now I hope my work shows current students they can be here one day too.โ
Wardlaw agrees that inspiration is a critical part of the exhibition. She says younger artists must understand the discipline and the history required to succeed.
โIf you want to be a serious artist, you must work daily. And you have to be fluent in your own language to express why you do the work you do. Thatโs what makes the difference.โ
Beyond showcasing art, the University Museum serves as a cultural hub for the Third Ward. Its programs include family workshops, artist talks and collaborations with organizations like Project Row Houses, the Buffalo Soldier Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
