First annual Houston Art Weeks to salute local artists, nonprofits
The first annual Houston Art Weeks is set to take place throughout October and will spotlight local artists, initiatives and nonprofit organizations.
In a nutshell: Presented by the StellaNova Foundation, an organization that provides mental health care to Houstonians and their families, Houston Art Weeks will feature some of the city’s most popular art initiatives, including the Bayou City Art Festival and the Washington Avenue Art District’s Second Saturday.
Doug Harris, the StellaNova Foundation's executive director, said the primary goal of Houston Art Weeks is to stimulate awareness and patronage of Houston-based artists.
“The depth, breadth and growth of Houston’s art community is one of our city’s most notable cultural achievements. The purpose of Houston Art Weeks is to connect these artisans, along with the galleries and studios who serve them, with a new group of art enthusiasts and collectors,” he said.
Target plans store at former Sears in Garden Oaks area
A new Target is planned at the former Sears location in the Garden Oaks area, according to a Sept. 3 Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing.
The details: The $19 million project will build a 129,490-square-foot Target store at 4000 North Shepherd Drive at the Garden Oaks area.
The project, which will be worked on by Minneapolis-based architecture firm RSP Architects, will begin construction on April 17, 2026, and is expected to be completed by March 25, 2027, according to the report. Details are subject to change.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.
Aki Sushi and Asian Fusion opened its doors in Manvel in September. Nestled in Manvel Town Center, the family-owned restaurant serves steak and sushi that is made fresh daily, as previously reported by Community Impact. At the restaurant, customers can choose from a variety of sushi, including popular items such as spicy tuna rolls, shaggy dog rolls and California rolls. Additionally, Aki Sushi and Asain Fusion offers bento boxes, rice and noodle dishes, hibachi, nigiri and sashimi.
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Owner Letty Martinez said she has plans to open The Taco Shop in Humble this fall.
Martinez said The Taco Shop will offer authentic Mexican breakfast options and will be located two doors away from her other restaurant, Letty’s Authentic Mexican Cocina.
“Letty’s usually opens at 11 a.m. so I wanted to open a restaurant to offer breakfast,” Martinez said.
Harris Health eyes Hermann Park land for $410M Ben Taub hospital expansion
The Harris Health board of trustees unanimously approved a resolution Sept. 23 calling for the acquisition of a portion of Hermann Park to support the expansion of Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital, according to a news release.
Current situation: The board authorized the Harris Health legal team to take all necessary actions to purchase three parcels of land in Hermann Park—totaling about 8.9 acres, or 2% of the park—by eminent domain. The land currently belongs to the city of Houston, which oversees the park’s operations.
How we got here: Harris County voters approved a $2.5 billion Harris Health hospital bond in 2023, which included plans for the Ben Taub expansion, according to past Community Impact reporting. The $410 million project would add approximately 100 patient rooms to the hospital, which has been consistently operating at and beyond its 402-bed capacity, according to the release.
