List of public art in Houston facts for kids
Houston is a city full of amazing art, and not just inside museums! All around the city, you can find incredible outdoor sculptures and statues. These artworks are like hidden treasures, waiting to be discovered in parks, gardens, and even on the streets. They tell stories, honor important people, and add beauty to our everyday lives. Let's explore some of the cool outdoor art you can find in Houston!
Discovering Houston's Outdoor Sculptures
Houston has many public artworks spread across different neighborhoods. These sculptures are often found in parks, plazas, and other public spaces. They are there for everyone to enjoy, making the city more interesting and beautiful. Some pieces are very old, while others are quite new. They represent different styles and ideas from many artists.
Here are some of the outdoor sculptures you might see around Houston:
- African Elephant (1982)
- Alexander Hodge Memorial
- Atropos Key (1972), at Miller Outdoor Theatre
- Beer Can House
- Broken Obelisk, near the Rothko Chapel
- Brownie (1905), at the Houston Zoo
- Bygones (1976), at the Menil Collection
- Cancer, There Is Hope (1990)
- Charlotte Allen Fountain
- Charmstone, at the Menil Collection
- Cloud Column (2006), at the Glassell School of Art
- George H. W. Bush Monument
- Inversion
- Isolated Mass/Circumflex (Number 2)
- Lillian Schnitzer Fountain (1875), in Hermann Park
- Monument au Fantôme, at Discovery Green
- Oliver Twist
- The Orange Show
- Pioneer Memorial (1936), in Hermann Park
- Points of View (1991), at Market Square Park
- Radiant Fountains
- Scanlan Fountain
- Sam Houston Monument, in Hermann Park
- Spirit of the Confederacy, in Sam Houston Park
- Statue of Christopher Columbus (1992), in Bell Park
- Statue of George H. Hermann
- Statue of Richard W. Dowling (1905), in Hermann Park
- Tolerance
- Virtuoso, in Downtown Houston
- World War I Monument
- World War II Memorial
Art in the Cullen Sculpture Garden
The Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden is a special outdoor gallery. It is part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. This garden is designed to show off large sculptures in a beautiful, natural setting. It's a great place to walk around and see amazing art up close.
Some of the artworks that have been displayed here include:
- Adam
- Arch Falls
- The Back Series
- Big Twist
- Conversation with the Wind
- The Crab
- Cybele
- The Dance
- Decanter
- Exhaling Pearls
- Flora, Nude
- Gymnast II
- Houston Triptych
- The Large Horse
- Large Standing Woman I
- New Forms
- The Pilgrim
- Quarantania I
- Recuerdo de Machu Picchu 3 (Las terrazas)
- The Sound of Night
- The Spirit of Eternal Repose
- Two Circle Sentinel
- The Walking Man
- Untitled (Shapiro, 1990)
Statues in McGovern Centennial Gardens
The McGovern Centennial Gardens are another wonderful spot for outdoor art. These gardens are known for their beautiful plants and peaceful paths. They also feature several statues, many of which honor important historical figures from around the world. These statues help us remember leaders and thinkers who made a big difference.
Here are some of the works you can find in these gardens:
- Bust of Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
- Bust of Benito Juárez
- Bust of Bernardo O'Higgins
- Bust of José de San Martín
- Bust of José Martí
- Bust of José Rizal
- Bust of Ramón Castilla
- Bust of Robert Burns
- Bust of Simón Bolívar
- Bust of Vicente Rocafuerte
- Dawn (1971)
- Statue of Confucius (2009)
- Statue of Mahatma Gandhi (2004)
- Statue of Martin Luther King Jr.
