Art For the People is a heartfelt 50th-anniversary tribute to the 1971 show organized by Dominique Deminelle and the late Congressman Mickey Leland In 1971 at the Deluxe Theatre, a present exhibition curated by Danielle Burns and organized by Harrison Guy. 1971 Deluxe Theatre show was of one of the first racially diverse art shows in the United States to show African American artists alongside White artists. Peter Bradley artist from New York curated the 1971 exhibition, which included artists such as Sam Gilliam and Al Loving. The community was involved with the installation of the artwork and school children toured the exhibition with a fascination for modern art. In attendance, the 1971 Deluxe Theatre over 4000 people viewed this cutting-edge exhibition in the heart of our own Houston’s Fifth Ward over three years.

Scholars and activists included had a variety of roles in the coordination of the 1971 Deluxe Theatre Exhibition Peter Bradley assistant director of the Perels Gallery in New York boycotted an all-black show at The Whitney Museum in 1971. The parallel was to organize a show that included artists from various cultures black and white. John and Dominique De Menil Foundation provided the funding for the exhibition and arts center Mickey Leland secured the location at the Deluxe Theatre in his Fifth Ward District and transformed the Deluxe Theatre with the installation of air conditioning. The Honorable Mickey Leland dedicated his life to making a better life in education in underserved areas all over the world. Dr. Alvia Wardlaw, Director of The University Museum at Texas Southern University wrote an essay in Arts and Activism: Projects of John Dominique de Menil. Jefferee James publicized the show through flyers and posters. Finally, Darby English published 1971 A Year in the Life of Color “by Darby English, a look at the Whitney “Black Artists in America” and comparison the Deluxe Show comprised of a black and white artist.

The renewal of a community is present in the current exhibition Art for the People extended until September 30, 2021. The artists in the present exhibition are Jesse Lott, George Smith Mel Chin, and the mural installation by Bert Samples. A perfect scenario for the 50-year celebration because artists Jesse Lott, George Smith, and Bert Samples founders of Project Row Houses in Third Ward Houston understand activism and art in the community through action. Mel Chin is a native of the Fifth Ward, Houston a conservationist and advocate for sustainable living. The work is surreal and creates a renewed urban sense with recycled materials. Historical photos of the Deluxe Exhibition of 1971 a sense of full circle in positivity. This is a must see!