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    Glorious History

    Houston Symphony centennial book with magnificent photos celebrates a city with can-do spirit

    Joel Luks
    Mar 10, 2014 | 11:48 am

    Here's is something of a gem for Houston history buffs. Famed philanthropist Ima Hogg, in an effort to rouse attendance for the Houston Symphony's inaugural 1913 performance on June 21, penned a bulletin that read, "Let us all go to that concert and so pack the Majestic Theatre that there can be no doubt in the promoters' minds that Houston wants such an orchestra."

    Tickets sold for 25 cents to $1.

    One hundred years later, is there any doubt of the ensemble's remarkable achievements?

    It's tidbits such as this one that render Houston Symphony: Celebrating a Century a treasure that chronicles the blossoming of a city whose arts scene is the envy of other major national and international destinations. The 200-page hardcover book unravels an intertwined tale of a bevy of can-do personalities, many of them women, who thrived through periods of prosperity and persevered in times of crisis to nurture what's today a forte that defines Houston's ethos.

    Written by former Houston Post critic Carl Cunningham, one of Houston performing arts' most influential critical voices, in collaboration with Houston Symphony archivists Terry Ann Brown and Ginny Garrett, Houston Symphony: Celebrating a Century has been a work in progress for three decades.

    "We should consider ourselves lucky to be Houstonians, to call home a place whose generosity has formed an oasis unlike anywhere else in the country."

    "Writing the book wasn't without setbacks," Cunningham tells CultureMap. "Similar to the journey of the Houston Symphony, writing the book has been its own adventure."

    The idea for the tome was proposed nearly 30 years ago by former board member and longtime Houston Symphony patron Katherine Taylor Mize, but complications that saw Cunningham out of work when the Houston Post closed, in addition to health concerns, personal loss and the destruction caused by Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 derailed the completion of the project. Finally, in observance of the Houston Symphony's 100-year milestone, the Houston Symphony Society revived the venture.

    For the symphony's early days, Cunningham says he's indebted to the work of his Houston Post predecessor, Hubert Roussel, whose publication Houston Symphony Orchestra, 1913-71 offers a detailed account about the ensemble's beginnings. Numerous interviews with a band of historians, conductors, musicians, staff, volunteers and city stakeholders sketch the continuation of the nonprofit's growth and development.

    Historical photos and a well-thought-out timeline supplement the rich narrative that's not only about the classical group.

    "What the story of the Houston Symphony says is that this city has an invincible spirit that can't be broken," Cunningham adds. "We should consider ourselves lucky to be Houstonians, to call home a place whose generosity has formed an oasis unlike anywhere else in the country."

    ___

    Houston Symphony: Celebrating a Century, published by Herring Design, is available for $70 at the Symphony Store (located in the lobby of Jones Hall), the Patron Services Center (box office) and by calling 713-224-7575. The book is also available at the River Oaks Bookstore.

    The orchestra in 1915 included four women players.

    Early Houston Symphony Houston symphony book photo
      
    Photo courtesy of the Houston Symphony Archives
    The orchestra in 1915 included four women players.
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    news/arts

    be part of the art

    Local artist invites Houstonians to participate in new Discovery Green project

    Brianna Griff
    May 23, 2025 | 4:00 pm
    A portrait of artist Karen Navarro for Discovery Green
    Photo courtesy of Karen Navarro
    Artist Karen Navarro is creating a large-scale, public art installation for Discovery Green.

    Discovery Green will debut a new interactive artwork this September, and Houstonians can be part of its creation. Locally-based artist Karen Navarro is inviting residents to sit for portraits for Chroma Collective, her large-scale installation planned for the park’s Sarofim Picnic Lawn.

    The Argentine native centers her practice on identity, representation, race, and belonging. Her own journey as an immigrant woman informs the Discovery Green project, which celebrates Houston’s diversity while examining the intersection of history and personal narratives. Although Navarro began as a photographer, her work now includes immersive, three-dimensional sculpture.

    “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue evolving my practice and working on a project of this scale as an introduction to the realm of public art,” Navarro said.

    Navarro is a former fellow of Discovery Green Conservancy’s Art Lab, a mentorship program that pairs underrepresented local artists with a lead artist and mentors to learn the nuts and bolts of public art installations.

    “Seeing Karen Navarro, one of our inaugural Art Lab fellows, selected for the park’s fall pop-up installation is a testament to the program’s mission in action,” Kathryn Lott, president of Discovery Green Conservancy, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to see her bring her vision to life and to continue fostering opportunities for Houston’s creative community.”

    A local art advisory firm, The Weingarten Art Group, co-curates and co-administers Art Lab, which is funded by an anonymous national foundation.

    "Karen Navarro’s fall pop-up proposal brilliantly captures the essence of Discovery Green – its vibrant community, lush green spaces, interactive landscape, and spirit of exploration,” said Weingarten Art Group principal Lea Weingarten.

    Houstonians interested in participating in Navarro’s piece must complete this form, which includes a photo submission, to be considered for a portrait session.

    discovery greenparksvisual-art
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