Ardest Gallery Showcases Innovative Mixed Media Art in 'Material Matters' Exhibition

The Woodlands show features over 20 artists exploring the dynamic nature of materials and how they can push the boundaries of art.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Ardest Gallery in The Woodlands is hosting the 'Material Matters' exhibition, which features creations by more than 20 artists working across disciplines. The group show celebrates innovative mixed media techniques and explores how materials can imbue artworks with deeper meaning. Guest juror Benji Stiles selected three award-winning pieces, including Shauna Martin's encaustic work 'The Mending Project I' which took first place.

Why it matters

This exhibition highlights the growing trend of artists using unconventional materials and techniques to create thought-provoking works that challenge traditional notions of art. By showcasing a diverse range of mediums and approaches, 'Material Matters' demonstrates how the creative use of materials can infuse artworks with personal narratives and push the boundaries of what is possible in the art world.

The details

The 'Material Matters' exhibition features a wide variety of mixed media artworks, including a glass mosaic chair, a vibrant orb sculpture, and an encaustic piece layered with photos and patterns. Guest juror Benji Stiles, an artist and educator, looked for works that lingered in his mind, whether through unexpected materiality, form, or an innovative approach. The three award-winning pieces were Shauna Martin's encaustic 'The Mending Project I,' which drew on her mother's sewing patterns, XZZX's sculpture 'Incubated Hearts' made with cold porcelain, and Jorge Canul's 'Leveling Up'.

  • The 'Material Matters' exhibition is on view at Ardest Gallery in The Woodlands through Saturday, February 28, 2026.

The players

Benji Stiles

The guest juror for the 'Material Matters' exhibition, Benji Stiles is an artist and educator who looked for works that lingered in his mind, whether through unexpected materiality, form, or an innovative approach.

Shauna Martin

The first place winner of the 'Material Matters' exhibition, Shauna Martin is an encaustic artist whose work 'The Mending Project I' drew on her mother's sewing patterns and personal memories.

XZZX

Also known as Mariela Domínguez Moreno, XZZX won second place in the 'Material Matters' exhibition for her sculpture 'Incubated Hearts' made with cold porcelain, pigment, and Styrofoam on paper.

Jorge Canul

The third place winner of the 'Material Matters' exhibition, Jorge Canul's piece 'Leveling Up' was selected by juror Benji Stiles.

Julie Verville

The owner of Ardest Gallery, which is hosting the 'Material Matters' exhibition, Julie Verville says the show celebrates innovative methods that push the boundaries of what art can be.

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What they’re saying

“When people think about materiality, they often think about texture. Or they think there needs to be a lot of materials involved. Sometimes that approach works. It can create a powerful and layered piece. Other times, materiality shows up through simplicity. It might appear through movement, form or an unexpected approach to painting or sculpture.”

— Benji Stiles, Guest Juror (papercitymag.com)

“My mother made our costumes and some of our clothes growing up. I came across these old patterns and painted them with photographs of trees. The tree represents the spirit, and the patterns attempt to fill those voids. They will never fill them perfectly, but we do the best we can while we're still on this plane.”

— Shauna Martin, First Place Winner (papercitymag.com)

What’s next

The 'Material Matters' exhibition at Ardest Gallery in The Woodlands will be on view through Saturday, February 28, 2026.

The takeaway

This exhibition showcases how artists are pushing the boundaries of traditional art by using innovative materials and techniques. It demonstrates the power of materiality to imbue artworks with deeper personal and conceptual meaning, challenging viewers to reconsider their preconceptions about what art can be.