ABOUT

FLATS is a woman-founded and artists run photography space in the heart of Houston’s Montrose neighborhood. In 2016 FLATS started as a nomadic photography exhibition series held in homes around the Houston area. Since then we have exhibited over 70 local artists, expanded into a photo lab, and are the only community darkroom space offering film developing services, support, and equipment access to local photographers, from budding to pro.

Over the past four years FLATS’ mission has grown to support artistic collaboration, not only in the Houston community, but in the wider Texas and southern regional photo communities as well. Our magazine, FLAT Files, is the only photo publication that focuses on photographers, writers, and curators from the South Central region of America - Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, & New Mexico. We aim to create a thriving home for artistic practice, ensuring a more substantial base for artistic practice in the South while creating accessibility and growth for new generations of photographers to come.

Our Mission

At FLATS, our mission is to shine a light on Houston's vibrant and diverse photography community while inspiring individuals to learn, collect, and appreciate photographic art. We believe that art should have no boundaries, and everyone, regardless of their educational background or economic status, should have the opportunity to connect with photography that moves them.

We are dedicated to creating space and providing a platform for Houston photographers and artists in the South Central region of the United States. Our goal is to break down barriers and foster closer relationships within the local community by connecting artists who may not have had the opportunity to work together before. Through our intimate exhibitions, we showcase the distinct points of view of these artists, amplifying their voices and creating immediate connections with patrons.

FLATS goes beyond traditional exhibitions by offering a range of initiatives designed to make photography accessible to all. Our magazine, FLAT Files, is the only photography publication focused on Southern photographers in our region, offering a platform for artists to share their work, stories, and perspectives. In addition, our community space includes a darkroom designed to provide an accessible working environment for photographers, nurturing their creativity and supporting their artistic journey.

We recognize the unique perspectives that Houston and Southern artists bring to American photography, stemming from their diverse origins, creeds, genders, sexualities, and lifestyles. FLATS exists at the intersection of their journeys, providing a space to explore their similarities and celebrate their differences. By showcasing their work in dynamic settings that break away from traditional art experiences, we aim to engage and inspire a broader audience.

Through our commitment to inclusivity, collaboration, and celebration of diversity, FLATS strives to be a catalyst for strengthening the photography community. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where artists and patrons alike can connect, learn, and appreciate the power of photography as a medium of self-expression and storytelling.