Floyd Newsum, a renowned artist and co-founder of Houston’s Project Row Houses, passed away at 76, leaving behind a legacy of community empowerment and social change through art. His contributions to the Third Ward and beyond will continue to inspire future generations, as Project Row Houses carries forward his visionary work.
HOUSTON, TX - Floyd Newsum, a renowned artist and one of the seven co-founders of the pioneering Project Row Houses (PRH) in Houston's Third Ward, passed away at age 76.
Photo Source: Instagram
Newsum's death was confirmed by the nonprofit organization on Wednesday morning, and they expressed their profound anguish and admiration for his outstanding contributions to the community.
"We are deeply saddened to learn that our beloved founder, Floyd Newsum, has passed on to join the ancestors," PRH stated in an Instagram post. The post shared how "Floyd was vibrant, insightful, and ready with a challenging question or unexpected suggestion followed by a smile and a laugh to let you know he was pushing you because he felt you were worth pushing."
PRH did not disclose the cause of Newsum's demise.
In 1993, Newsum, a visionary artist and educator, co-founded Project Row Houses with six other individuals who shared his passion for community empowerment and artistic expression.
The nonprofit organization, which has since served as a model for similar initiatives worldwide, is dedicated to revitalizing and supporting the Third Ward neighborhood through social programs, education, and art.
"Floyd's vision and leadership significantly influenced the transformative force that Project Row Houses is today," stated Eureka Gilkey, Executive Director of PRH.
Gilkey shared how the organization is left with an indelible impact on both our organization and the community that we serve as a result of his unyielding dedication to the use of art as a form of social change.
Newsum was a prolific artist who pursued themes of social justice, spirituality, and identity in his paintings, sculptures, installations and work with Project Row Houses. His artwork has been showcased domestically and internationally in many galleries and institutions.
"Floyd's art was a reflection of his life's work," stated Bert Long Jr., a longtime friend and fellow artist. "He used his creative voice to challenge societal norms and uplift the voices of those who had been marginalized."
Additionally, Newsum devoted much of his life to educating the next generation of artists. He was a professor at the University of Houston for over thirty years, and his enthusiasm for social change and art inspired numerous students.
Project Row Houses, which Newsum assisted in establishing, has transformed the lives of innumerable individuals in the Third Ward and beyond. Newsum's vision has been a guiding beacon for the organization's success, as its innovative approach to community development has been acknowledged nationally and internationally.
"Floyd's legacy will live on through the work of Project Row Houses and the countless lives he touched through his art and teaching," according to Gilkey. "He was a true visionary whose impact will be felt for generations to come."
The community celebrates Newsum's life and his profound impact on the world around him while lamenting the loss of a beloved figure.
His unwavering dedication to using art as a tool for social change will continue to inspire and guide those who continue his work.
