Colorful Art on Wheels
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Photo by @yomarianablog
The other day I was talking with a friend about all the things that we love about Houston, and to my surprise, one of the things she mentioned was the different types of events and festivals available to us every weekend. I’ve never thought about it that way, but it’s true. From festivals embracing many different cultures and unique events like the Art Car Parade, to cowboys horseback riding on the streets of downtown during rodeo season, Houston is always filled with surprises.
Photo by @yomarianablog
Over the years I’ve discovered that the events that I enjoy the most usually have a common denominator, art! I love obvious art-related activities like museum exhibitions, but also other forms of art like music, theater, and cinema. However, in my opinion, magic happens when art becomes part of my everyday life through things like sculptures displayed in public parks, or huge murals that turn our streets into colorful avenues or when I entice my kids into art through fun and accessible projects. The truth is that art is all around us and I have a soft spot to discover it everywhere I go.
Photo by @yomarianablog
Last week I stumbled upon an event that immediately caught my attention, not only because it’s art related, but also because it includes families, parks, and the creativity of our great community, and it’s happening next week, the Art Bike Festival.
When I read about it, an amazing childhood memory came quickly and vividly to my mind, the first time I participated as a kid in an Art Bike Festival. I think I must’ve been like 6 years old when my mom told me I needed to decorate my bike for a school parade (I wish I had a photo). I felt so proud of my flower-packed bike wrapped up in colorful papel maché. I still remember the experience to this day.
So now, thanks to the Houston Parks Board, The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, and the Houston Independent School District, many HISD students will have this opportunity to participate in the first Art Bike Festival in Houston that’s happening on Saturday, May 21st
In 2020, Houston Parks Board and The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art donated more than 250 bikes to HISD students to kick-start their own Art Bike project and participate in the parade which was originally set for May 2020. While the event got postponed due to Covid, the partnership between everyone continued and now all these kids are more excited than ever to showcase their projects on May 21st.
Since the Art Car Parade has been such a success over the years, they created the Art Bike Festival to bring together Houstonians of all ages to celebrate Houston’s great parks and trails through art and creativity.
The day-long celebration kicks off at 9:00 am in MacGregor Park where the parade will start at 10:00 am and will showcase art bikes created by students from more than 100 HISD schools, as families and fans cheer from the sidelines. An organized bike route along Brays Bayou Greenway from MacGregor Park to the Orange Show Center will be the perfect setting to cycle together.
The parade will finish at Smither Park where you’ll find post-parade festivities starting at 2:00 pm.
Last week I had the chance to visit Smither Park for the first time, and the story behind it is fascinating. Smither Park is a creative urban space developed with the help of an entire community to promote self-taught art through a mosaic-covered space that serves as a testimony to the vibrancy and creativity of this city.
Photo by @yomarianablog
Photo by @yomarianablog
What impressed me the most about it is that all the mosaic work was created out of recycled and found materials and designed by more than 300 individuals which include local artists, and members of the community. This park reflects what can be done when a community gets together to create colorful and whimsical pieces of art.
You can find more information about the Art Bike Festival at artbikehouston.com. The Art Bike Festival is free and open to the public. If you would like to participate in the parade portion you are encouraged to register online by May 15th.
So, put your sunscreen on, and enjoy a day filled with colorful rolling art!
To discover more parks around the city, visit Houston Parks Board here: https://houstonparksboard.org
When:
Saturday, May 21, 2022 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Where:
MacGregor Park: 5225 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77021
Smither Park: 2441 Munger St, Houston, TX 77023
