Our My Top 5 series returns for its spring run, highlighting the people and talents creating, curating, and interpreting life in Houston—and sharing how they enjoy our city in their free time.
This week we’re excited to highlight Mexican artist and Houston transplant Cecilia Villanueva, and member artist and gallery curator at Archway Gallery in Montrose, which is now celebrating its 50th year.
You can meet Cecilia this weekend at Archway’s free 50th Anniversary Celebration and Fifty Forward reception on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 5pm to 8pm.
My Top 5 Things to Do in Houston
by Cecilia Villanueva
Houston is a city of layers—historic brick, vibrant spray paint, and lush greenery.
As an artist, I look for places that offer more than just a view; I look for stories, textures, and moments of quietude.
Here are the five places that define the soul of the city for me.
1. Pacha Nikkei: A Crimson Toast to Fusion
There is a specific art to the Pisco Sour at Pacha Nikkei. I always order the Pisco Sour de Chicha Morada—the deep purple of the Andean corn creates a visual contrast that is as stunning as the flavor. This Peruvian Japanese (Nikkei) gem is a culinary canvas where two cultures bleed into one another perfectly.
The Artist’s Tip: The “catch” is their rhythm. Their hours can be fluid. Before you set out, call or check their social media to ensure the doors are open for you.
2. Julia Ideson Building: The Sanctuary of Thought
When the world gets too loud, I retreat to the Julia Ideson Building across from City Hall. It is a quiet, enigmatic temple of Spanish Renaissance architecture. I once stumbled upon a brick collection exhibited there—an array of “strange and wonderful” local history that felt like finding a secret language. Between the ancient, sprawling trees outside and the high-arched windows inside, it’s the ultimate space for deep thinking.
3. Sam Houston Park & The Heritage Society: History in the Shade
Walking through Sam Houston Park in Downtown feels like stepping into a living gallery of ten historic houses. It is a place of profound reflection; the Spirit of the Confederacy sculpture was recently moved to the Houston Museum of African American Culture to be displayed with proper historical context, allowing the park to breathe anew.
The Story: Beyond the architecture, look for the “guardians” of the park—more than a dozen local cats. You’ll see their warm exterior beds tucked away, a testament to the community that feeds and cares for them among the historic shadows.
4. Houston Mural Map: A City-Wide Canvas
Houston’s street art is a sprawling, democratic masterpiece. I discovered the Houston Mural Map, a digital treasure chest that catalogs the locations of hundreds of works across the city. It was published by Up Art Studio and serves as a roadmap for an urban safari. It turned my commute into a discovery treat.
5. Tiny Boxwoods: A Pergola of Inspiration
Tiny Boxwoods is where I go when I want to feel inspired by the marriage of design and nature. The transition from the restaurant to the Thompson + Hanson nursery is seamless. I love to “dress up” for a visit here, it feels like an occasion. I’ll sit at one of the sturdy, big chunky tables under the pergola, surrounded by greenery and the scent of the best chocolate chip cookies in the city. Watching the gardeners work with their tools and planters in the adjacent space is purely evocative.
About Cecilia Villanueva
A member artist of Archway Gallery since 2015, and curator since 2023, Cecilia Villanueva Vega recently installed the gallery’s 50th Anniversary show Fifty Forward—paying tribute to the artists continuing to build Montrose gallery’s legacy.
A striking wall of self-portraits, featuring each of the current artists, honors the people whose creative energy and shared vision are carrying the gallery into the next half century.
In her gallery work Cecilia explores the intersection of history and architecture through her signature “blue ink” paintings. Originally from Mexico and having called Houston home for over a decade, she’s deeply tied to the city’s creative pulse, serving as a “translator of culture” through her exhibitions and community involvement. Her work often captures the “human imprint” within the city’s bones, reflecting her belief that artists carry the collective consciousness of their community.
Beyond the gallery, Cecilia is a frequent contributor to local cultural dialogues, celebrating the diverse heritage that makes Houston a global canvas. People should know that—for Cecilia—art is not just about beautifying a space, it’s about capturing the soul of where we live.
She’s also the owner of Estudio Azul Inc, an architectural design firm that informs her unique perspective on urban spaces.
You can follow Cecilia on Instagram @ceciliavillanuevavega at learn more about her and Archway Gallery at ArchwayGallery.com
Fifty Forward is currently on view for free at Archway Gallery through Thursday, April 30, 2026, with a free reception and 50th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 5pm to 8pm.
Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!
Subscribe to our free Weekend Guide newsletter and receive a round-up of great things to do every weekend in Houston, hitting your inbox on Thursday.
Don’t want to miss anything? Opt in for our Daily Updates to discover new things happening in Houston and receive special updates and offers, every weekday.
Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!
Subscribe to our free Weekend Guide newsletter and receive a round-up of great things to do every weekend in Houston, hitting your inbox on Thursday.
Don’t want to miss anything? Opt in for our Daily Updates to discover new things happening in Houston and receive special updates and offers, every weekday.
