World-renowned art exhibition rises in Houston with free outdoor experience

Every spring in Houston, public art blossoms in our city parks, but this year, a very special art project returns to the city with a key message for our turbulent times, Coexistence. Presented by the Holocaust Museum Houston (HMH), in partnership with educational, cultural, civic, religious, and corporate communities of greater Houston, the free outdoor exhibition of large-scale visual art can be viewed in Hermann Park along Fannin Street until May 30.

Coexistence features 45 panels of graphic art created by 42 acclaimed artists from 18 countries and four continents, including North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Featured artists include Yoko Ono, Sharon and Ralph Etgar, Nammala Galada, Jose Rementeria, Lex Drawinski, Shigeo Fukuda, and Letita Bouwer — among many others. Along with the visual art, look for panels of quotations in four languages (English, Spanish, French, and German) from philosophers, learned writers, and artists.

Since the Holocaust Museum first brought the touring exhibition to Houston in 2006, it has journeyed to cities across the globe and expanded its roster of artists creating their own interpretation on the coexistence theme.

Wander through the art on a fine spring day, but don’t forget to check out some of the ongoing activities and programs scheduled in celebration of the exhibition. HMH’s NextGen will hosting a free “Yoga and Art in the Park” at 9 am Saturday, May 18, at Hermann Park’s Molly Ann Smith Plaza, followed by a docent-led tour of the exhibition and a Post-it note “therapy” session with artist Matthew “Levee” Chavez. HMH will also offer special art programming and field trips for students.

“This exhibition has traveled the world spreading the word of peace and well, coexistence,” said Dr. Kelly J. Zúñiga, CEO of Holocaust Museum Houston, in a statement. “As the nation’s most diverse city, we need this message reiterated as we continue to set the harmonious community example for the rest of the country.”

While Coexistence will have to travel on at the end of May, Houston can look forward to our own beacon of coexistence to bloom again as the Holocaust Museum Houston reopens their new Lester and Sue Smith Campus in later June.

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Coexistence runs in Hermann Park (6001 Fannin St.) along Fannin Street through May 30.

Coexistence is an artful, outdoor experience.

Photo courtesy of Holocaust Museum of Houston

Coexistence is an artful, outdoor experience.

parks museums

taking center stage

Stage adaptation of iconic Black movie Jason's Lyric to debut in Houston

Courtesy of Jason's Lyric

Most of the movie's cast will appear in the play.

Next year, Houston writer/producer/director/promoter Je’Caryous Johnson will be bringing another beloved Black movie to the live stage.

Jason’s Lyric will join New Jack City and Set It Off in the lineup of ‘90s Black-movie favorites that Johnson has adapted for the stage. The 1994 made-in-Houston drama stars Allen Payne and a pre-Will Smith Jada Pinkett as young lovers trying to maintain a relationship as conflicts and obstacles keep getting in the way.

Jason’s Lyric Live will go on a nationwide, 22-city tour, premiering right here in H-Town on Thursday, February 13 — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Houston is my home, and bringing Jason’s Lyric Live to life here first is my way of paying homage to the city and its people who inspired this story,” Johnson said in a statement. “This is more than a play; it’s a love letter to the community.”

Payne will reprise his role as Jason, with actress/model Eva Marcille stepping in Pinkett’s role as Lyric. Naughty by Nature rapper Treach, who played Lyric’s criminal big brother Alonzo in the movie, will also return to the role for the stage production. Tyrin Turner (Menace II Society), K. Michelle (Love & Hip Hop), and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (Welcome Back, Kotter) will round out the cast.

"Jason’s Lyric is one of the films that defined my career as an actor,” Payne said. “To bring it to life on stage for audiences who loved the movie — and a new generation experiencing it for the first time — is an incredible honor."

Marcille is also psyched for the show, taking on the role that Pinkett memorably brought to life. "Lyric is a character who embodies resilience and hope, and I’m honored to bring her story to life on stage,” Marcille said.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, December 13, at 10 am. For a full list of dates and ticket information, visit the website.