(Houston, TX) July 17, 2006 – Houston Center for Contemporary Craft today announced the creation of a new exhibition, Finding Balance, curated by internationally acclaimed Texas artist, James Surls. This thought-provoking exhibition, produced specifically for the Craft Center, is an artistic exploration of the forces that divide our society along gender lines. Finding Balance opens to the public on October 14 and runs through January 14, 2007.

“As its name suggests, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft naturally embraces the contemporary expression of creative energy, form, and ideas. Finding Balance gives us the opportunity to activate that expression in ways that are bigger than any one of us,” said Houston Center for Contemporary Craft executive director, Kristen Loden. “James Surls is a masterful provocateur. The intensity and sincerity of his focus has been breathtaking.”

Incorporating two- and three-dimensional media, Surls presents an expansive look at the complicated, yet powerful, relationship between males and females. In its quest for balance or, at minimum, an understanding of where cultural imbalances exist, Finding Balance draws upon the works of eleven internationally acclaimed artists: Jim Baker, Robert Brinker, Monica Chau, Linda Girvin, Jody Guralnick, Pamela Joseph, Charmaine Locke, Brad Miller, Brian Reid, Barbara Sorensen, and James Surls. The 26 works of art range from traditional ceramics to lenticular photography. A hard-cover, 104 page full-color catalogue accompanying the exhibition features critical essays by James Surls, Charmaine Locke and noted scholar Leonard Shlain, the author of three critically acclaimed books: Art & Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time, and Light; The Alphabet vs. The Goddess; and Sex, Time and Power: How Women's Sexuality Shaped Human Evolution.

“When deciding on the core context and central theme of the exhibition, I turned to my heart and soul for answers. My belief is that the mystery in art should give us a sense of meaning and purpose, so I looked to the most important things in my life, and concluded that they were to find a personal balance both within myself and in my relationship with my life partner, and a concern for the well-being of my seven daughters and how they would be treated in their life’s endeavors” said James Surls, Finding Balance exhibition curator. “Finding true balance in the personal sphere as well as in the world at large, will require some major shifts in our thinking. I believe the fuel is ready for ignition.

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, located in the Museum District at 4848 Main St., is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday noon - 5:00 pm. Admission is free. Parking is available directly behind the facility off Travis Street. The Craft Center is 11⁄2 blocks south of the Wheeler Ave. MetroRail station on Main St. The Craft Center is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Cultural Arts Council of Houston/Harris County and Texas Commission on the Arts.

The Craft Center provides exhibition, retail and studio spaces to support the work of local and national artists, serving as a resource for artists, educators and the community at large. For information, call 713/529-4848 or visit www.crafthouston.org.