In 1993 seven Black artists, Rick Lowe, Bert Long Jr., James Bettison, Jesse Lott, Floyd Newsum, Bert Samples and George Smith, bought 22 run-down shotgun houses on a block and a half at Holman and Live Oak. Their mentor, the painter John Biggers, had long painted the shotgun house as a symbol of Black community life, and the founders took him literally. Today Project Row Houses covers five city blocks and 39 properties: artist studios, small businesses, a public art park and the Historic Eldorado Ballroom, which PRH preserves and still fills with music nights. The art houses run in rounds. Twice a year, seven houses are handed to visiting artists who rebuild them from the inside. Round 61, the Southern Survey Biennial III, opens October 3, 2026 and runs to February 14, 2027, with artists from across the American South. Walk it slowly; some houses are private homes.
What to expect
- Wander at your own pace; docents in the houses can answer questions.
- Street parking on Holman; watch for residential permit signs on some blocks.
- Several Metro bus routes stop nearby if you'd rather not drive.
- Download the walking map and sensory guide from the website before you go.
What to do
- Walk the Art Houses on Holman for the current artist round, one house at a time
- Book a free docent-led public tour for the neighborhood history behind the project
- See the Historic Eldorado Ballroom and check the calendar for music nights there
- 1993 by seven artistsFounded
- 22 shotgun housesFirst purchase
- 5 blocks, 39 propertiesCampus today
- Round 61, Oct 3, 2026-Feb 14, 2027Current round