That there is strength in diversity even in times of academies and dominant artistic trends is demonstrated by the Houston Museum of Fine Arts’ first juried regional show, “The Southwest: Painting and Sculpture,” on view from December 7 to January 20.

Backed by Ford Foundation purchase awards, the exhibition drew many entries and wide attention. The region from which paintings and sculpture were eligible was Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and California (Los Angeles and south). 889 entries were submitted, of which a three-man jury, comprising the painter James Brooks of New York,