“To measure my experience as a student, teacher, artist, and responder to works of art, I consider the classroom communities—both in and outside institutions—as important tools. One is clearly defined by the quest for a degree that validates a consumption of knowledge and experiences largely acquired within the walls of the academy, while the other is the classroom of neighborhoods and societies that are an eternal experience with the degree of wisdom as the reward for having patience and understanding.”
Fletcher Mackey, “Rooster Stories”
Beyond Critique: Different Ways of Talking About Art
(MICA Press, 2013)
Houston Contributions
Houston Festival Foundation
Bayou Show 1980 1983
Project Row Houses
Public Art
Several permanent outdoor installations of Fletcher Mackey’s work can be seen throughout Houston, including but not limited to the following:
Fleming Park
Robert’s Elementary
Texas Children’s Hospital
Gallery and Institution Showings
Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston
Blaffer Gallery at the University of Houston
Lawndale Art Center
DiverseWorks
Rice Media Center at Rice University
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Visarts in Rockville, MD
Maryland Institute College of Art
American University Museum in Washington, D.C.
Other museums and galleries throughout the southern, southwestern, and eastern United States.
“Around the age of eight, my mother introduced me to the idea of being an artist. If I recall correctly, it was something she had thought about for herself. She drew a profile of a woman for me, and I was stunned at the clarity of her imagination in creating such an image. I was sold, and my journey was to be with visual arts.”
Fletcher Mackey,
“A Call and Response”
The Pandemic Society and Art,K-Arts 2021
In 1966 I designed and constructed my home at 1812 Wroxton, and for several years the panels on the front door remained a brown stain. I met Fletcher Mackey in the late 70’s and I commissioned him to paint the panels. Subsequently, as President of The Houston Festival Foundation, I hired Fletcher to curate and manage an art project for the Festival, The Bayou Show 1980 – 1983. The annual outdoor sculpture exhibition was installed along Buffalo Bayou from Sabine to Shepherd. It involved over 50 Houston sculptors, attracting thousands of visitors during the ten day Houston Festival, educating, inspiring and exposing our community to their extraordinary creativity….thanks to Fletcher Mackey
From Rochella Cooper
Call for Submissions!
Fletcher Mackey influenced so many people all around the world through his friendship, presence, and his teaching. You are invited to honor Fletcher by making a piece of artwork or writing about his influence on you.
Please use the below prompt to help guide your submission
“Because of/Thanks to Fletcher, I…”
There are two ways you can submit your message.
1. Digital Quilt
You can make a painting, compose a photograph, create a collage, write a response on paper, design a digital image, build and photograph a sculpture, or some combination, or create something different entirely. The piece should honor Fletcher’s influence in your life. To be featured as part of this collective artwork, it must be submitted as a digital image. (JPG, PNG format only).
Please use the form on the right/below to submit for the digital quilt.
Please note: All images should be 500kb or less in size.
Your submissions will be added to the digital quilt gallery.
2. Stories and Poems
For longer pieces of writing honouring Fletcher’s life and to share stories of his influence in yours, please submit your stories below.
Please note: All images should be 500kb or less in size as PNG or JPG formats.
Your submissions will be added under the Stories tab.