A helping hand

Here's how Houston can draw up support for artists who lost everything in the Winter Street fire

This sad image reflects the reality of artists who lost everything at Winter Street.

Fresh Arts/Facebook

When a fire on Tuesday December 20 fire tore through Winter Street Studios, it obliterated the warehouses and studios of several Houston artists.

Tools, supplies, works in progress were destroyed, leaving their creators, many of whom lack insurance, with lost income and without the brushes, canvases, awls, lathes and other tools of the trade to begin again.

Now, a local nonprofit is imploring Houstonians to help the members of our community who bring so much beauty and originality to our city. The Houston Arts Alliance, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and helping local artists, has activated its Emergency Relief Fund.

In a press release announcing the activation, the organization notes it's thus far received close to $17,000 — much of it from artists.

Houstonians can donate to the fund can do so online. Artists who need assistance can use this link to apply for emergency aid relief.

So far, 20 artists have reported more than $500,000 in damages.

"We cannot understand the anguish and loss that artists at Winter Street Studios are experiencing," reads the release. "Many artists do not have sufficient insurance to help with a tragedy of this scale or type. And many have lost years of artwork and equipment. Some lost artwork that had already been sold but was not yet delivered to its new owners. Artists are currently unable to access their studios to start rebuilding their work and lives because Winter Street may not be structurally sound due to the intensity of the fire."

Obviously, the situation is dire. The fire is under investigation as arson. Yet even as authorities work to find those responsible, the artists find themselves wondering what's next. Fresh Arts, which manages the district where Winter Street Studios is located, is updating its Instagram with resources available for affected artists.

Clearly, however, a lot of assistance will be needed.

“Artists share so much of their talent with our city, and this is when they need our help," said Necole S. Irvin, director of the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs in a statement. "When tragedy strikes, having a supportive community is essential. Houston would not be a vibrant city without the many individuals, businesses, and organizations that create. Thank you, Houstonians, for the continued support to the arts community in this and all things.”

With hope, this holiday season, Houstonians can assist our artistic community and hope and creativity will rise from this ashes.

on the bright side

'First-of-its kind' Houston park reveals 6 murals by local artists

Houston artist Ade Odunfa stands in front of his mural "Salt Marsh" at the Hill at Sims.

Photo by Scott Julian, courtesy of Houston Parks Board

"Birth From the Sea" by Ade Odunfa

One of Houston's most innovative green spaces, the Hill at Sims, is edging toward completion as artists put the finishing touches on a series of six beautiful murals. They should be ready when the park has its grand opening on Saturday, May 23.

The project is being led by Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis and the Houston Parks Board. Located in Sunnyside along Sims Bayou, it combines a flooding retention pond with walkways and other infrastructure to create a unique multi-use community space. Adding a series of environmentally-themed murals highlights the project's dedication to empowering nature around Sunnyside.

“When we bring art, resilience, and opportunity together in one place, we create something that can serve and inspire future generations for decades to come," said Ellis in an emailed statement. "The Hill at Sims is a community-oriented, first-of-its-kind green space in the neighborhood I grew up in. These murals honor Sunnyside, celebrate the natural world, and help turn public space into something people feel proud to protect.”

The murals include “Impression of Nature” by Emily Ding, “Step Into the Wild” by Carlos Alberto, “Birth from the Sea," a reproduction of a John Biggers’ mural by Ade Odunfa, "The Heron and the Fish” by Ana Marietta, “Rêverie” by Amy Sol inspired by Claude Debussy’s 1890 solo piano piece, and “Salt Marsh”, another Biggers reproduction by Bimbo Adenugba.

Houston is a major mural and street art city, with an increasing number of spaces using murals to showcase local talent as well as bring a sense of identity to locations like the Hill at Sims. The green space offers both a massive natural setting in a neighborhood that has traditionally been underserved in park acreage with an elevated point to view the whole city, a rare treat in a place as flat as Houston. Thanks to the Bayou Greenways Project, a 150-mile series of trails that connects parks across Houston, people can walk or bike to the Hills at Sims if they choose to.

"Our goal is for every person who visits this park to feel that Hill at Sims truly represents the Sunnyside community. Public art is a powerful and joyful way to evoke feelings of connection and stewardship in public settings,” said Justin Schultz, President and CEO, Houston Parks Board, in an emailed statement. “Houston Parks Board is proud to support Commissioner Ellis to bring Sunnyside residents a transformative, multi-benefit greenspace that captures the spirit of Houston: turning our climate challenges into vibrant community assets.”

The total cost of Hill at Sims is $28.3 million. Funding comes from Precinct One ($18.8 million), The Brown Foundation ($7.5 million), with an additional $2 million from public federal and state funds secured by State Representative Alma Allen and Congressman Al Green. When complete, it will feature a 1.6 mile basin loop trail, water access pier, a parking lot, a 2,000-square-foot open air pavilion with restrooms, flexible lawn space for active programming, and picnic pavilions.