|
Travelers Discover Houston’s Unique Spaces
National Museum of Funeral History Honors A Rich Heritage. Founded in 1992, the National Museum of Funeral History strives to educate as well as preserve the rich heritage of the funeral industry. Among the exhibits at the museum is the 1921 Rock Falls Hearse, a 4,500 lb. vehicle that is eight feet high and 19 feet long. Visitors can also find Fantasy coffins. The 12 coffins on display are carved to resemble a variety of forms ranging from a Mercedes Benz, a fish, fishing canoe, leopard, chicken and a Yamaha Outboard Motor. Visit www.nmfh.org to uncover more about these unique coffins that honor the life of the deceased. Longevity comes from hard work and eating healthy. This is the belief of Houston postman Jeff McKissack, who created the Orange in honor of his favorite fruit. Visitors to the Orange Show can stroll through architectural maze of walkways, balconies, arenas and exhibits decorated with mosaics and brightly painted iron figures. www.orangeshow.org The Flower Man's House is a delight to those who adore gardens. Beneath a patchwork of flowers, vegetation and decorations sits Cleveland Turner's gaily painted house. Houston natives know Cleveland as "The Flower Man," who embellishes his gardens with Christmas lights, tinsel and ribbons, woven among the trees and adorning his front gate. Guests who visit Cleveland’s house will find among the tangle of plants sprout mirrors and painted bedposts, and sidewalks covered with carpet. The Flower Man's House has become a beacon hope and good cheer that radiates into the neighborhood beyond. Find more interesting facts about the various sites about Houston by visiting www.visithoustontexas.com. Houstonians and visitors explore public displays of art 365 days a year at Buffalo Bayou ArtPark. Located along Houston's historic waterway, the Buffalo Bayou ArtPark is the only organization in Houston devoted solely to the placement of public art in the open areas of the Houston community. Exhibition opportunities have been offered to local, national, and international artists for fifteen years thanks to the organization, which has displayed over 250 works created by artists. For more information on upcoming exhibits contact bbap@bbap-houston.org. To explore an infinite possibility of entertainment while in Houston visit the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau at: www.visithoustontexas.com or call 1-800-4HOUSTON. You can additional information for Houston and Texas by visiting: http://www.travellady.com/Destinations/central.htm#Texas. For links to a variety of special travel links http://www.travellady.com/Special/special.htm. Edited by Melody Schubert. |
|
TM
Expect the unexpected. Travelers visiting Houston will
find a city filled with exciting avenues of entertainment and fine dining.
Tucked in among the unique cityscape is an unusual example of Folk Art. John
Milkovisch’s story begins in 1968 when he decided to clean out his attic and
garage. Sounds like a simple weekend job, right? John enjoyed beer, but he
also hated to throw anything away, which led to him accumulated over 50,000
beer cans. He decided the cans would make good house siding and went to
work, but his creativity didn’t end there. Concrete blocks inlaid colorful
bits of glass blanketed the lawn, and marbles filled the spaces he drilled
into the redwood fence. Pull-tabs off the cans’ transformed into clinking
curtains that he hung from the front porch and eaves. Over the 18 years he
spent decorating he also used ordinary beer cans, wire and other objects to
create mobiles and lawn art. Today John’s house is a folk art
gallery/workshop owned by the Orange Show Foundation. To find more
information about a touring the Beer Can House call 713-926-6368 or you can
stroll for a glimpse from the sidewalk.
Creative Cars can be found on display at the Art Car
Museum. This private institution is dedicated to contemporary art and an
exhibition forum for local, national and international artists. Art Car
Museum focuses on a subject rarely acknowledged by other cultural
institutions. The concept began at the 1984 Collision Show at the Lawndale
Art Center. It was here that Larry Fuente's Mad Cad was unveiled, and has
since been featured in museums and cultural institutions across the country.
As a result of the this show, each year an Art Car Parade is held to exhibit
the creative cars. To find additional visitors information go to: