HEARTBEAT OF HOUSTON
Art With a Social Message . . . Inspired Yet?
I
f you cruise the streets of Houston today, you’re bound to notice something special: the rise of public art. In recent years, street artists and creative minds have run wild with downtown revitalization and beautification efforts. When the community donates a wall for an art project, artists and like minds come together to paint the town. One street art project in particular has commanded locals’ attention: the #GIVEhou campaign, with its mission to “inspire civic pride,” said Noah Quiles of UP Art Studio. The #GIVEhou campaign—commissioned by Black Sheep Agency, in collaboration with UP Art Studio, with art by artist Wiley Robertson—asks the community to “picture yourself here because we all need to give back.” What does that mean? It’s quite literal, really. Take a picture at one of the six GIVE murals, then post it to social media with your pledge to give back to Houston. According
"Love" at St. Mark's Street
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PHOTO: TESS COOK
BY TESS COOK
to Aimee Woodall of Black Sheep Agency, they initiated this project with one primary goal: to ignite a conversation. “We wanted to create something that was hard to ignore—something inspiring, something that would give people a reason to think about how they are an essential part of the giving equation.” And it’s working. Hundreds of Houstonians have pledged their commitment via social media to give back to the community already, and the campaign has just begun. Philanthropy is no stranger to Houston, which is the seventh most giving city nationwide, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. The #GIVEhou mural collection is an accurate reflection of not only the thriving arts community but also the charitable spirit of our city. Join us with your commitment to Houston, because we all need to give back!
PHOTOS: (TOP) BLACK SHEEP AGENCY; (BOTTOM) TESS COOK
Members of The Black Sheep Agency who initiated the #GiveHou project
Be on the lookout for LOVE installations in and around Houston. Artist Wiley Robertson—lover of bikes, breakfast tacos and Houston skylines—has peppered the city with his LOVE campaign in The Heights, First Ward Arts District and Montrose neighborhoods. Find our favorites below.
#GIVEHOU MURALS 1. David Peck USA, 2515 Morse Street; Wiley Robertson 2. 1502 Sawyer St.; Wiley Robertson 3. 3700 Almeda; Wiley Robertson 4. 714 Yale St.; Wiley Robertson
HOUSTON ZOO MURALS 5. 2119 Washington Ave; Sebastien “Mr. D” Boileau 6. Richards Antiquites 3701 Main St; Anat Ronen 7. Buffalo Exchange 2439 Bissonnet; Michael Rodriguez 8. Downtown Food Park 1311 Leeland; GONZO247 Don’t miss out on these murals promoting the new primate exhibit opening at the Houston Zoo. The exhibit opens Memorial Day weekend, and the murals will be up for about six months.
LOVE MURALS 9. St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 600 Pecore Street; Wiley Robertson 10. Houston Heights Bike Trail, intersection of Spring St. and Goliad St.; Wiley Robertson
HOUSTON IS. . . MURAL 11. Treebeard’s, 315 Travis St.; GONZO247 One of Houston’s most prominent murals and a marquee piece in the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau’s “Houston Is . . .” campaign.
PRESERVONS LA CREATION 12. 2800 Fannin Street; Sebastien “Mr. D” Boileau The biggest mural in Houston, clocking in at 10,000 square feet, created with more than 200 gallons of paint donated by Sherwin-Williams.
#BISCUITPAINTWALL 13. Intersection of Westheimer Road and Mulberry Street Snap a picture, then hop on over to the Menil down the street if you’re feeling extra artsy.
HOW TO #GIVEHOU? IT’S SIMPLE!
PHOTO: TESS COOK
PHOTOS: (TOP) BLACK SHEEP AGENCY; (BOTTOM) TESS COOK
WHERE’S WILEY? WE LOVE LOVE !
1. Find a GI V E Mural (above) 2. Snap your picture 3. Upload to social media with your commitment to give back to Houston. Don’t forget your hashtag! #GIVEhou
More "Love" at Spring and Goliad Streets
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