we love Houston, too

Iconic Houston artist David Adickes installs new sculpture at Hobby Airport

Sculptor David Adickes recreates one of his most famous pieces

A warm and iconic message greets travelers at Hobby Airport

Photo Courtesy of Houston Airports

For the next year, travelers through William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) will be greeted by a colorful and iconic sight. Sculptor David Adickes installed the second of his famous I Love Houston statues along the Arrivals Curb on January 29. It will move to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) sometime later this year.

“People deserve something fun yet lasting to enjoy,” said Adickes. “The We Love Houston, Too, work is one of my ‘love letters’ to Houston, and it makes for the ultimate selfie-station, from what my granddaughters and lots of Houston arts fans have said!”

Adickes, 98, has long been one of Houston's most famous sculptors, specializing in large pieces that celebrate Houston and Texas History. After studying under French sculptor, painter, and filmmaker Fernand Léger in the 1950s, Adickes returned to Houston to create large-scale works. These include his 67-foot statue of Sam Houston in Hunstville, the busts along I-10 affectionately known as Mount Rush Hour, and a towering representation of The Beatles.

We Love Houston, Too, like most Adickes works, is larger than life. Made of cement, canvas, and steel, it measures 30 feet wide and 16.5 feet tall. Expect to see it on a lot of Instagrams as people use it to commemorate landing in the city.

Houston airports have been specializing in art since 1999, when the city passed an ordinance that mandated 1.75 percent of funds to improve public buildings and be spent on art to beautify spaces. In recent years, this has included large scale installations such as the massive Dale Chihuly glass flowers piece suspended above the the new International Central Processor (ICP) at IAH and a couple of Houston's infamous art cars dedicated to legendary musicians. Under the leadership of Alton DuLaney, Curator of Public and Cultural Arts for Houston Airports, art in the terminals has ranged for the wonderfully weird to the whimsically welcoming.

“Art is an essential part of the passenger experience, transforming our airports into cultural gateways that reflect the vibrant spirit of Houston. As the only 5-Star Skytrax-rated airport in North America, Hobby Airport is a shining example of world-class hospitality," said DuLaney. "As the home of the World’s Best Airport Art Program, Houston Airports is honored to showcase the iconic work of David Adickes — because we love Houston, too. This installation ensures every passenger is welcomed with the warmth and character that define our global city."

visual-art hobby airport david adickes

Fashion on display

Rare Halston fashion exhibition now on display in West Texas city

Halston: Inventing American Fashion exhibit Ellen Noël Art Museum

Photo courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

An colorful eveningwear grouping takes advantage of Ellen Noël Art Museum's curved walls.

A rare exhibition honoring fashion pioneer Halston has popped up in an unexpected place: West Texas. Houston fashionistas who are fans of the designer can hop a flight (or drive eight hours) to Odessa’s newly revamped Ellen Noël Art Museum to view "Halston: Inventing American Fashion."

Halston’s minimalistic fashions are rarely the subjects of retrospectives, although the designer’s dramatic life story recently had a pop-cultural resurgence through a 2021 Ryan Murphy miniseries. "Halston: Inventing American Fashion" assesses the talent that made him a household name.

Known now for outfitting 1970s icons like Liza Minelli and Bianca Jagger, Halston changed the international reputation of American sportswear as part of the famous 1973 “Battle of Versailles” fashion show, holding his own against Paris’ most lauded couturiers. His uniquely louche style still influences contemporary brands like Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, and Tom Ford, who was briefly the creative director for a revised Halston label.

The mannequins in the Odessa display are outfitted with 75 ensembles from flowing Ultrasuede daywear to more dramatic draped gowns. The pieces “illustrate how Halston revolutionized fashion by prioritizing comfort, confidence, and modern femininity,” according to a release.

Although Odessa may seem an odd choice for the show, Halston had deep Texas connections. After he moved on from hat making, Amarillo millionaire Estelle Marsh was his sole backer willing to fund his first Madison Avenue boutique.

$Ellen No\u00ebl Art Museum, Odessa, new facade.$ The new facade at Ellen Noël Art MuseumPhoto courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

$Halston: Inventing American Fashion exhibit Ellen No\u00ebl Art Museum$

Photo courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

An colorful eveningwear grouping takes advantage of Ellen Noël Art Museum's curved walls.

And the recently completed renovation of Odessa's Ellen Noël Art Museum has some of the designer’s signature sleek. Designed by architect R.J. Lopez, the renovation includes new galleries and improved circulation, but the centerpiece is a striking transparent façade, replacing the original brick of the 1985 building.

“The renovation project has been over 10 years in the making and in the construction phase for the past two years,” says the museum’s buildings manager, Steve Patton, via a release. “The completion of the project has resulted in an incredible facility that is a shining star in West Texas, offering programs and exhibits that will be a destination point for people all over the world!”

"Halston: Inventing American Fashion" will run through March 22. Admission to the Ellen Noël Art Museum is free.

exhibits odessa fashion west texas museums designer texas

we love Houston, too

Iconic Houston artist David Adickes installs new sculpture at Hobby Airport

Fashion on display

Rare Halston fashion exhibition now on display in West Texas city

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