Houston, TX
The Furniture Society’s next Craft for a Greater Good project brings us to Houston, Texas, where we are partnering with Project Row Houses (PRH), a community-based arts organization in Houston’s historic Third Ward. Together, we will explore opportunities to design seating for the historic El Dorado Ballroom, creating welcoming places for visitors to pause, reflect, and listen.
Built in 1939 in the Art Deco style, the El Dorado was known as a “Class Venue” — an upscale gathering place that was never exclusive. With a rich history rooted in music, arts, and community life, the ballroom offers an opportunity to consider how contemporary furniture and craft can honor a place’s cultural significance while supporting new ways for people to experience it. Working collaboratively with PRH and Local Resident Fellow Anthony Suber, a multidisciplinary artist and educator with longstanding ties to Project Row Houses, we will explore seating possibilities for the ballroom’s interior and exterior.
Our work in Houston began in July 2026, with the identification of the site and partners followed by collaborative meetings beginning in September. We will continue developing the project with PRH and Anthony through FS27, The Furniture Society’s annual conference in Houston, June 10 – 12, 2027, then carry the work forward through a second year of refinement and development, concluding in 2028.
Through Craft for a Greater Good, The Furniture Society brings together makers, educators, and community partners to explore how craft and design can respond to real needs and contribute meaningfully to the places and communities they serve.
Stay tuned for updates as the Houston project takes shape!
Community Partner:
Project Rowhouses
Project Rowhouses is a Houston-based non-profit that enriches lives through art, with an emphasis on cultural identity and its impact on the urban landscape.
Sponsors
