N 002

 Studios

Exterior of Independence Art Studios, Houston, Texas

The Place

Independence Art Studios is located in a funky, eclectic part of Houston that became popular with artists and other creatives looking for relatively inexpensive, large, unrestricted lots that were close to the middle of the city. Think honorary inner-loopers pursuing the urban ranch lifestyle. This half-acre has five art studios, a tiny office, our weird house, a vintage Airstream trailer and a…

Interior of one of the studios at Independence Art Studios, Houston

The Space

We currently offer four work-only art studio spaces. Each one is completely independent, lockable, and available 24/7/365. These studios were purpose-built to meet the particular needs of painters and other two-dimensional artists with a 10-foot tall, 19-foot wide work wall. Combined with 220 square feet of floor space and 120 square feet of storage in an overhead loft, they are just right…

People making art in the yard in front front of Independence Art Studios, Houston, Texas

The Vibe

More than ten years ago, as we lay exhausted from working too hard at our jobs to pay the rent in Manhattan, we dreamed of having a property that would provide support for us and a larger community of artists. We had figured out some important life lessons for artists, had managed to acquire useful skills and tools,…

The Business

If you are interested in renting and would like to schedule a visit, please e-mail us or call Thedra at 646-269-4132. If there are not any units available we will add you to the list of people we notify when the next one opens up. If you’re still in the market at that point act fast…

Stephen Cullar-Ledford working on modifying the first shipping container during construction of Independence Art Studios

Shipping Containers

  We get lots of questions about shipping containers. One of the largest sources of traffic to this site is from Pinterest boards that focus on container buildings. We chose to build with shipping containers because we didn’t have any money. Our entire property is “encumbered” by our mortgage which meant that we could not…

One of the family chickens at Independence Art Studios, Houston, TX

The Animals

We have two cats, two dogs and several chickens. Our neighbors keep horses that come up to our fence and visit with the hens. On the street is a flock of feral chickens and a big basset hound named Bob who is claimed by several neighbors. In short, we’re very pet friendly. The only rules are…

N 004

 The Folks

Co-Owner Stephen Cullar-Ledford

I’m an art director at a big oil and gas company by day, dad, art assistant, groundskeeper, webmaster, copywriter, desktop support technician, Scout leader and woodworker the rest of the time.

– Stephen Cullar-Ledford

Co-Owner Thedra Cullar-Ledford

I’m an established artist, mom, breast cancer survivor/activist, and have been called the den mother of the Houston art community. I spend as much time as I can during the week upstairs in my studio.

– Thedra Cullar-Ledford

N 005

 News

Independence Heights art studios add on

by Stephen

The Leader, July 14, 2017 by Kim Hogstrom Ten years ago, Houston artists and married couple Thedra and Stephen Cullar-Ledford were living in Manhattan and working as hard as humanly possible to pay the rent necessary to live in the city. They were miserable. Today, the happy couple lives and works under the graceful, old trees dotting…