"Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness." ~Anni Albers
I took a 13-hour road trip to Texas. It would be my third trip to Houston, and my time was limited. Houston is a city that embraces its local artists and celebrates their creativity on almost every corner. I was eager to explore Houston's public art, visit a museum, and enjoy a few unique beer gardens. I invite you to join me in discovering Houston's artistic scene with only 48 hours to spare.
My first stop was 12-acres of lush green space located across the street from my hotel in downtown Houston. Discovery Green is home to a recreational lake, gardens, two restaurants, fountains, outdoor concert venues, and the city’s coolest art installations. At the first public art exhibit, I stood dwarfed between two giant rectangular Rubik Cubes in shades of blue, green, red, and orange called Synchronicity of Color. A few steps away was a bronze cast statue known as the House (Heart). On the Avenida de América side of the park was a large red, white and blue multi-figured sculpture of a dog, church, hedge, chimney, phantom, and tree called the Monument Au Fantome which means Monument to the Phantom, or Imaginary City. Mistree is the focal point of Sarofim Picnic Lawn. This towering steel sculpture by Doug Hollis is a water and mist fountain that creates a rain curtain around its perimeter. A fun interactive exhibit is the Listening Vessels. The vessels are two stone sculptures designed, so a person sitting within the concave of one can speak and be heard by someone sitting within the other. Discovery Green rekindled my childlike enthusiasm for art. It was pure joy.
My next stop was a house estimated by Ripley’s Believe It or Not to being covered with over 50,000 cans. The Beer Can House is the creation of beer enthusiast and urban folk art legend John Milkovisch. As soon as you drive up, you know this is something special, for a Milkovisch soaring metal sculpture greets you with the word Amen at the top and a sign with Live By Golden Rule under it. The gate and side paneling of the dwelling are adorned with flattened beer cans. The porch ceiling and walls are papered with beer labels. Multiple curtains of can lids hanging from rafters produce a musical symphony when the wind blows. Beer bottles have been inserted into the fence, creating a glass wall. There are stone, metal, and glass statues throughout the front and back yards. The entire property is an environmentalist’s dream of recycled and refurbished products and it is Houston’s most loved roadside attraction.
Next up was a walk around downtown Houston to see a few public art installations known as the Art Blocks. A stroll down Main Street will take you to Innovation for All above Main Street Market. Walk down Clay Street to the 230 foot wide and 130 feet tall, Sky Dance. Jete with Sky Dance’s ballerinas on this massive mural inspired by dancers from Houston Ballet. Its art inspiring art, and I loved it. The art is periodically changed out on the Art Blocks in Houston, so who knows what you will find on your own art walk.
My last stop for this first day seduced me away from the visual arts into a more auditory and flavorful art experience. Axelrad, an immense outdoor beer garden with some interesting artsy seating, 30 taps of mostly local craft beer, rotating food trucks, and musicians. As you enter the space, your eyes are irresistibly drawn to a tree of tubular lights in the center of the garden and the grove of hammocks behind it. Axelrad’s sky high signage and front Airstream bar add to the eclectic vibe. The most memorable piece of art on-site are the tap handles, a masterpiece displayed along a wall inside the indoor bar, part of a 100-year-old building. Taps were hand carved by South American artist Maria Rangel, to resemble Guatemalan Worry Dolls.
I am a dark beer lover, so on my visit to Axelrad I had Blanco's Real Ale Brewing's Nitro Irish Stout, a bold and flavorful pour. My favorite of the night was a creamy pecan porter from Austin's 512 that allowed the nutty and chocolate flavors to shine through. The food truck there that Thursday night was Space Lobos and the pop-up chef was Houston’s very own Chef Evelyn Garcia, season 18 champion of Food Network's Chopped. Chef served an Asian-influenced Pupusa, a Salvadoran sandwich that was bursting with flavor. I had never eaten one before and all I want to know is, when can I get another one?
The following day began in Houston's Museum District with a visit to one or more of its 19 museums. Notable art institutions include the Contemporary Arts Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and Diverse Works.
My afternoon was spent at one of the most extraordinary Hindu temples, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Houston. BAPS Houston is a genuine masterpiece of architecture with 33,000 meticulously hand-carved pieces of Italian marble and Turkish limestone. The impressive grounds, fountain, and reflective ponds complement the exquisite art inside the temple. The atmosphere exuded tranquility, and it's worth noting that visitors of all backgrounds are welcome, regardless of their religious beliefs.
My final stop was Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Texas’ oldest craft brewery. Creating the perfect beer is a delicate balance of malts, yeast, hops, robust flavors and is art in itself. When you step inside it’s restaurant the walls are covered in vivid art murals. The murals depict scenes resembling ones you would find in European churches. Outside, there is a fountain crafted from an inverted brew kettle, bocce ball courts, and corn hole. Looming above it all, on the brewery side of the property, are three large scale silos beautifully spray painted with Saint Arnold's logos. It was the best place to end our 48 hours.
Even though I only had 48 hours to get artsy in Houston I had a remarkable time discovering the creative visionaries that make Houston truly inspiring.
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