By Untitled Art
August 19, 2025
Houston stands as a vibrant nexus for the arts, culinary innovation, and cultural diversity, constantly reinvented through the stories of its residents. In this feature, we meet three of the city’s tastemakers, Liana Schwaitzberg, Michael Mandola, and Mitra Murthy, whose deep ties with Houston’s cultural landscape and community spirit enrich Untitled Art, Houston’s mission to celebrate and elevate creativity.
Liana Schwaitzberg, Partner, MKG Art Management
Liana has been with MKG Art Management in Houston since 2016, and advises both private and corporate clients on acquisitions, curatorial projects, and market research. She holds a Master of Arts degree in History of Art from The Courtauld Institute of Art in London, a Master of Arts in Visual Arts Administration from New York University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from The George Washington University. With over 20 years of experience in the international art market, Liana combines an academic and practical approach to art advising and appraisal. Before joining MKG, she held positions at prestigious galleries including Paul Kasmin, Barbara Gladstone, and White Cube. Liana is also an Accredited Member of the International Society of Appraisers, specializing in fine art appraisal and collection management.
Untitled Art: How do you stay connected to the city’s creative or cultural pulse without following a set routine?
Liana Schwaitzberg: Houston is a vibrant city rich in culture and creatives and has so much to offer. It is almost impossible to keep up with everything! I think it is important to get involved and support a few causes and/or cultural institutions that help foster the cultural pulse of Houston and keep the city on the global stage, both visual and performing arts.
I serve as the Membership Chair for the Houston Symphony’s Young Associates Council, a philanthropic membership group for young professionals. You will often find me at concerts throughout the season, enjoying both classical and POPS concerts with incredible guest artists cycling through. My children love attending the Family Series concerts too!
Another hidden gem is the Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University. A public-facing Institution designed to connect Rice to the greater Houston community through the creative intersection of art and ideas, the Moody Center mounts three exhibitions a year in its galleries, curates temporary and permanent public art installations, and hosts performances and workshops, all free of charge and open to the public. The Moody Center is a great place to stop in when time allows, no bookings or reservations needed. While on campus, make sure to walk around the grounds to view the public art collection and if you time it right, enjoy James Turrell’s Skyspace at sunrise or sunset.
Definitely out of the set routine of museum and gallery shows, visitors to Houston don’t need to go very far when it comes to enjoying world class art. As soon as you step off the plane, the Houston Airports Public Art Program is home to one of the largest art collections in the aviation industry and routinely gets awarded Best Airport Art Program. With nearly 450 works by local, national, and international artists, the mission is to enhance the passenger experience and reflect the spirit of Houston. I love exploring the collection, whether I’m coming or going!
Untitled Art: What is your favorite place to eat? Does this cuisine or culture tie into your life more broadly?
Liana Schwaitzberg: Great food in Houston is an understatement! With an exciting and diverse culinary landscape, Houston offers everything from new neighborhood spots to established Michelin star restaurants. Here are a few recs in my neighborhood:
A perpetual favorite is Local Foods, great for weekday lunches ordered into the office, as well as weekend breaks in between schlepping kids to activities or while out gallery hopping and shopping.
Houston’s sushi scene is really strong right now; I continually go back to Sushi by Hidden in Rice Village. A fun concept and intimate setting with only 10 seats offering a quick omakase meal (reservations booked on the hour). I should also mention they are BYOB, always serving excellent and creative sushi, and great value. I’m also a big fan of the group’s sister restaurants, Hidden Omakase and Norigami (with a hidden cocktail bar next door).
Hamsa, also in Rice Village, offers elevated Middle Eastern cuisine. I love ordering The Wholeshebang from the Salatim menu (a selection of dips, spreads, and small veggie side salads) accompanied with their in-house pita bread, so delicious!
A welcome newcomer to my neighborhood is Mercato, a cafe and thoughtfully curated Italian market. Grab a coffee, sit on their garden patio out back, and make sure to browse the market for gourmet imports, great for stocking the pantry and hostess gifts.
Lastly, I can’t talk about Houston’s food scene without mentioning Tex-Mex. My family’s go-to is Los Tios. My husband, born and raised in Houston, grew up frequenting the Houston staple. We continue the family tradition and often bring our kids to the new West University Place location, a neighborhood favorite for casual Tex-Mex and very family friendly! A little further afield, try Hugo’s or Cuchara, for more traditional Mexican cuisine.
Untitled Art: What is the first place that you like to show to your visiting friends and family?
Liana Schwaitzberg: Obviously the Menil Collection is a well-beloved Houston treasure, and one of the first places to take visiting friends and family. Originally opened in 1987, the main building was designed by famed Italian architect Renzo Piano to house John and Dominique de Menil’s vast and expansive art collection from prehistoric to present day. The surrealism collection is not to be missed, boasting the largest collection of Rene Magritte works outside of Belgium.
In addition to the main building, which houses temporary exhibitions as well as rotating displays of the permanent collection, make sure not to miss the other buildings while on campus. These are often overlooked and never filled with crowds! The Cy Twombly Gallery, also designed by Renzo Piano, was created to display a retrospective of the artist’s career. There is such a rich display of Twombly’s large scale paintings and suites of work. Also, a favorite of mine is the Dan Flavin Installation at Richmond Hall. Three blocks south of the main building, you’ll find a permanent site- specific installation by the minimalist artist known for his use of commercially available fluorescent light fixtures. Engaging and fun by visitors of all ages. Lastly, don’t forget about the awesome book store!
Before you venture too far from the Menil, you can also stop in to the newly opened Hotel Saint Augustine to enjoy a glass of wine in the lounge or a meal at their restaurant, Perseid.
Untitled Art: Where do you shop? What are your favorite Houston businesses?
Liana Schwaitzberg: My office, located in Upper Kirby, is conveniently surrounded by a concentration of really great, funky, and eclectic design stores. This makes quick errand runs filled with design inspiration a welcome respite from desk work.
Down the street is Found, a source for stylish antique and vintage furniture, unique decorative objects & contemporary items. It is fun to pop in and browse, as their inventory is always changing.
Shabby Slips recently moved into a new showroom, also down the street. A chic furniture shop stocking fashionable antiques and classically styled furniture and mirrors from Europe. Make sure to look up, they always have unique and elegant chandeliers and light fixtures on display.
If you’re looking for home goods and gifts, you must stop into Kuhl-Linscomb, a design and lifestyle boutique on an epic scale. Here you’ll find everything from furniture, tabletop and kitchenware, fashion, cosmetics, even baby and children gear. Don’t miss the paper goods and stationary department, always a favorite for the perfect birthday card.
Upper Kirby Consignment is also a great little shop for those antiquing or searching for treasures. A consignment shop, they offer high quality 20th century furnishings, antiques and objects of charm.
Untitled Art: Where and how does Houston fit into your own biography?
Liana Schwaitzberg: I, like most in Houston, am a transplant. Never did I think in my youth that I would be calling Houston home, yet here I am, 11 years in and the longest I’ve ever lived in one place. But that’s what I love about Houston, diverse cultures, diverse backgrounds, diverse perspectives in a growing metropolis with down-home neighborhood vibes.
People always ask me where I am from, and I never have a short answer. I was born in Cambridge, England; lived in Connecticut, Minnesota, and Virginia during the bulk of my childhood; went to college in Washington, DC; graduate school and working in contemporary art galleries in New York City; later moved to London, England for another graduate degree and stayed after working at a blue-chip gallery. While in London, I met my now-husband, who was born and raised in Houston. We stayed in London for a few years, followed by two years in Boston, and then landed here!
After some minor adjustments, going from zero to two cars, I quickly adapted and settled into my new home. I was pleasantly surprised to see the strong sense of community, celebration of diversity, and deep ties to arts and culture with significant support by local industries. I can’t celebrate the culture of Houston without mentioning the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, an annual event spanning three weeks, part blockbuster concert series, part state fair and amusement park, and of course the BBQ Cookoff. Great fun for the whole family if you find yourself in Houston in March.
I should also mention my partners & associates at our art advisory firm, MKG Art Management. We are a great team of women, continually inspiring one another.
Houston is a wonderful city for arts and culture with so much to offer. I am so excited to share the magic we experience daily with all visitors participating in the inaugural edition of Untitled Art, Houston.