Each week “My Top 5“ turns the focus onto enterprising and engaging Houstonians who make up the incredible fabric of Houston. This week we hear from Houston photographer and artist Syd Moen, who will be at the closing reception of “Seven Selected Artists” at Hyde Park Gallery on Thursday, August 21, 2014.
My Top 5 Things to Do in Houston
by Syd Moen
- Walking around Hermann Park – Walking is a “mental health break” for me and I absolutely love exploring this big beautiful park. Some of my best childhood memories are riding the train and going to the Houston Zoo. Now days I enjoy the Japanese Garden and walking around McGovern Lake.
- Biking the Buffalo Bayou hike and bike trails – I love biking around this beautiful green belt. The bike trails are easy and they are a relaxing break from Houston’s busy streets. Some of my favorite spots are the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony, Tolerance sculptures, Sam Houston Park, and Sesquicentennial Park.
- Attending Festivals and Celebrations – Two of my favorites are the Bayou City Art Festival and the Art Car Parade. Both are Houston traditions and I love that they celebrate the artist in all of us.
- Visiting artists on first, second and third Saturdays – This is a great opportunity to not only see art but to talk to Houston artists: First Saturday Art Market in the Heights; Second Saturday “Open Studios” at Winter Street Studios, Spring Street Studios and Silver Street Studios; and last but not least Third Saturday “Open Studios” at Hardy Nance Street Studios.
- Free Thursdays in the Houston Museum District – This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals and families alike to visit museums like the Children’s Museum of Houston, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science and several more for free!
About Syd Moen
A native Houstonian and Montrose resident, Syd Moen received both a B.A. in Art History and a Master of Architecture from the University of Houston. She has always had an interest in photography and is best known for her spherical panorama photographs of historical landmarks, a series given the name, “little planets”. Though she’s explored a variety of art forms, Moen found her niche in this unconventional photography method, which includes altering the form of panoramic photographs to create a round shape. The “little planet” series was created with the premise of transforming a singular location into a world unto itself.
