Today’s Tidbits Birthday Girl is Jennifer Hightower Monteleone, owner of Mont Art House Gallery. Each month we celebrate a local business owner on her special day.
Thank you! 40!
How are you celebrating?
We are headed to Turks and Caicos with a few dear friends! I cannot wait to sit on the beach and swim in the ocean after the Beryl situation in Houston.
What’s on your birthday wish list?
I’m a sucker for classic pieces – I would LOVE to sport this killer Cartier watch. On a completely unrelated note, can you please add Will Monteleone to your mailing list?
You are the owner of Mont Art House. Why did you open your gallery?
The simple version is that I love solving problems and coming up with creative solutions. I also really enjoy cheering for people who are doing something they love. I think homeowners are looking for creative design solutions for their beautiful homes while the creativity that pours out of artists is cheer-worthy.
Tell us about your background and career.
I went to The University of Texas and received a degree in Early Elementary and Special Education. I worked in the education and non-profit spaces for a little over 12 years before taking a brief sabbatical after the birth of our second kiddo. There is an aspect of education that has followed me into this new role working with artists and clients. Our hope is that we can help teach our clients to appreciate the incredible work and time that goes into each canvas. Alternatively, we get a chance to guide, troubleshoot, and connect with our artist partners as they look for feedback for the work they are producing.
Mont Art House is known for supporting young, emerging artists and for its approachable price points. Why is that important to you?
Art walks the fine line between luxury and necessity. It typically feels like a want and not a need. However, there is something important about having creative things in the spaces where you work, play, and live. Creativity brings about more creativity and can breathe new life into the spaces we occupy.
Tell us about some of the artists currently on display at Mont Art House.
We have a ton of new work we are excited about sharing! A new batch of Colt Seager’s textured abstracts and Amy Stone’s minimal tulips are currently bringing a lot of style and joy to our space.
You are also celebrating Mont Art House’s 5 year anniversary this month. How are you marking the milestone?
We are thrilled to launch a new set of ribbons from Angela Chrusciaki Blehm! It seems to go well with the birthday theme. We are also bringing back “Friday’s Under Five” where we will post on instagram 5 to 10 available pieces, all under $500. People can snag some great deals!
Favorite piece of art in your personal collection.
This is such a hard question to answer, but I think it might be my Kath Jones contemporary ginger jars. They are a fun take on a timeless piece. And we have her work in the gallery right now!
What tips do you have for first-time art buyers?
Buy the thing you love. It doesn’t need to match.
How are you making art buying less intimidating?
Kindness, transparency, and generosity. There’s no need for snobbery or inaccessibility.
3 tips for starting an art collection from scratch.
-Buy something to commemorate an occasion (birthday, travel, celebration).
-Buy small, frame big.
-Buy original work! You can find it at all price points.
Do you consider yourself an artist?
I can do bubble letters and a mean Stussy “S”… does that count?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, where are we most likely to find you?
Any Adair Concepts restaurant.
Three apps you can’t live without in your job (the more under the
radar, the better)
Calendar, Alarm (can’t forget carpool), and Bank of America. Not sexy but true.
Podcasts or series you’re addicted to.
The Popcast with Knox and Jamie, Here’s Where It Gets Interesting with Sharon McMahon, and currently using The Good Wife to wind down at night.
First thing you do when you wake up, last thing at night.
I wish it was prayer and reading! More often than not, it’s probably TV. Maybe that will be my 40th year resolution.
One thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I’m not shy and will hop up on any stage to make a fool of myself… but I’m an introvert. Known for slipping out of backdoors and garages.
Best vacation you’ve ever taken.
I’m not a huge traveler, but hands down it was our honeymoon in 2012. We headed to the Seychelles and North Island for two weeks following our December 1st wedding. It was an incredibly long trip (which included an unexpected stay in Dubai where we were not allowed to have a king sized bed since our last names were not the same yet!), but it was magical and truly restful. I sincerely hope we can bring our kids back there someday.
Mont Art House
1230 Houston Ave.
Houston, TX 77007
@montarthouse
Mont Art House is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. every Wednesday, or any day by appointment.
Want to be the next Tidbits Birthday Girl? Tell us why at submissions-houston@gotidbits.com.