Walk, run or even drive by the outdoor art show True North that’s been integrated into the Heights Boulevard Esplanade through November 2014.
At once quirkily out-of-place and naturally right-at-home, True North is an outdoor display of eight individual and unique pieces of three-dimensial art. They were curated by Gus Kopriva who owns the nearby Red Bud Gallery on 11th Street and mosaic artist Chris Silkwood.
The eight pieces were created by noted Houston sculptors and artists Carter Ernst, Dan Havel, Paul Kittelson, Lee Littlefield, Patrick Medrano, Steve Murphy, Dean Ruck and Ed Wilson.
You can easily visit and see all eight works of public art by taking a leisurely walk or brisk jog along the Paul Carr Jogging Trail, which winds through the scenic esplanade. In addition to the art, gazebos, benches, side parks, the Heights World War II Memorial and other important markers fill the length of the almost two-mile esplanade.
In the heat of the summer you can easily do the tour by car, pulling over to park on the side of the road so that you can pose with your favorite sculptures. Just don’t touch (or climb on) them.
Public Art in True North
Starting just north of the entrance to large Houston Heights neighborhood sign, where the Heights Boulevard Esplanade begins just north of the Katy Freeway, you’ll find the following striking pieces of art. Click on the name to find them on a map.
- Wildlife Sanctuary by Dan Havel, 2004/2014
- Pointing North by Carter Ernst, 2014
- Cypress Flower by Lee Littlefield, 2010
- Folded Plane by Ed Wilson, 2007
- Lawn Chairs by Paul Kittelson, 2014
- From the Hood to the Heights by Patrick Medrano, 2014
- There Are Things You Can’t Get from Books by Steve Murphy, 2008
- Ourglass by Dean Puck, 1999/2014
True North on Heights Boulevard
- Exhibition Period: April 2014 through November 2014
- Location: Spaced sporadically in the Heights Boulevard Esplanade between the Katy Freeway and 19th Street, Houston, TX 77007
- Parking: Free parking is available along Heights Boulevard and off some side streets, but observe no parking signs and other traffic instructions.
- Courtesy: Remember that the sculptures are private property and respect the no touching (or climbing) signs that accompany them.
