Stitching Together Third Ward's Soul

This summer, Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design student Marshall Bradley will participate in the Project Row Houses’ (PRH) Floyd Newsum Summer Studios Mentorship + Residency Program. Participants receive a stipend to fund their work, free studio space at PRH, and mentorship with notable Houston artists; Bradley will work with Preston Gaines, a former adjunct faculty member at Hines College. The residency concludes with a public exhibition on August 2, 2025.

To apply for the six-week residency, which includes masterclasses and workshops, Bradley submitted a portfolio of his academic work from the interior architecture program, as well as  personal artwork.

Hines College associate professor and director of interior architecture Sheryl Tucker de Vazquez said, "It is profoundly gratifying to witness the full circle of my efforts in developing Project Row Houses with Rick Lowe years ago, now creating enriching opportunities for my students. This circular relationship not only highlights the enduring impact of our work but also inspires the next generation of artists to continue this legacy of community and creativity."

Bradley’s project with a fellow student, The Loop, captured the attention of the PRH committee because of its concept. The project proposed a collaborative installation rooted in Houston’s Third Ward culture, exploring memory and tactile experiences through crochet and painting. It also aimed to help people with dementia, “designed as an immersive experience” to spark memory recall by using textures and colors that have deep meaning in the community.

“I deeply value human connection, which is a major reason I applied to the Project Row Houses residency. I want to inspire other creatives to see that art isn't confined to canvas and paint — it’s a powerful medium for storytelling, healing, and teaching,” said Bradley.

It was not just Bradley’s design skills that got him the residency — as an artist, his personal work celebrates Black identity. He plans to explore Black culture through an approach he calls “Black 360.” His research will focus on capturing the essence of Third Ward’s history and soul and how those qualities have impacted Houston’s cultural landscape. He will continue to experiment with textiles and fabric as a means of literally and metaphorically weaving together the stories, memories, and identities he uncovers.

“I plan to push boundaries by creating work that is both fun and interactive, merging art and architecture to bring the spirit of Third Ward to life,” Bradley added. “What inspires me to create is the emotional response art can evoke. Whether I am reading, watching a show, or studying the work of those who came before me, anything creatively charged sparks my imagination. At the end of the day, I want my work to connect, uplift, and reflect the beauty and complexity of Black life and culture.”

As Bradley embarks on this summer residency, his work intertwining memory, identity, and space will demonstrate how design can move beyond aesthetics to foster cultural connection. Through the experience, Bradley will not only refine his craft but will also amplify the stories that matter most to him, offering a powerful vision of art as a tool for transformation and healing.