The Beauty of Art on Campus

Public and student art at the University of Houston contribute to create a more culturally enriched environment for the community

When visiting the University of Houston, prepare to be amazed by the enthralling and numerous art pieces scattered throughout the 594 acre campus.

There are currently over 700 pieces on display throughout the University of Houston System, by artists from over a dozen different countries. These pieces didn’t appear out of nowhere; the University has a program created specifically for public art.

What is the Public Art Program at UH?

Public Art of the University of Houston System is described on its as, “an ambitious program engaging academic and global communities in an open forum to promote dialogue about visual arts and its relevance to contemporary life.”

The program was outlined in 1966, when the Board of Regents approved a policy stating it would utilize 1% of all future construction costs to obtain works of art. This policy became official in 1969, when the state of Texas ratified the legal framework to permit the use of construction funds towards art. Thus, the Public Art of UHS was born.

UH was the first public University in Texas to create a “percent for art” program, and the program is now celebrating its 50th anniversary. In 2013, curator Michael Guidry told the Texas Tribune that around $30 Million has been spent on the art over the past 5 decades.

Introducing Temporary Art to Campus

Public Art of UHS’ latest piece is Mobius Houston, 2019 is part of a collection by Marta Chilindron, a Uruguayan artist based in New York. This piece is helping launch the Temporary Public Art Program (TPAP) at UH, which creates an active platform for temporary art installations. The program extends from the University of Houston’s Wilhelmina Grove. Mobius Houston is scheduled to leave campus in under 6 months.

Student Artwork on Display
There is more art to offer than what meets the public eye at the University of Houston. Over 1,0000 students were enrolled in the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts this Fall, including student artist, Lina Habazi. Habazi, 21, is a senior majoring in computer science and minoring in studio art.

Habazi has been an artist since she was a child, as well as a passion for science.

(Left) University of Houston student artist Lina Habazi begins chalking art on the wall of the Nook Café. Habazi is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Minoring in Studio Art; (Middle) Habazi’s artwork is on display at the Nook Café, with 13 pieces hanging in a room featuring only her work; (Right) Habazi uses her bare hands to correct errors in her chalk art

“I’ve always been interested in science and I’ve been making art ever since I was very young,” Habazi said, “throughout high school I got better at art and knew I didn’t want to just let go of it, so I decided to minor in studio art to continue building my skillset.”

Habazi currently has her art featured at the Nook Café, a coffee shop at the University of Houston. 13 of her pieces are currently hanging in a room specifically for her, consisting of paintings, drawings, and prints.

(Left) Habazi’s piece “A Woman’s Voice is a Revolution” is a silkscreen print. This piece, as well as other work by Habazi, implements aspects of her ethnic, cultural, religious and gender identity; (Middle) Habazi works on a coding project at the Nook Café. Habazi considers both her experiences in Computer Science and Studio Art to balance one another out; (Right) Habazi holds the chalk in front of the completed piece. Habazi brought poet Khalil Gibran’s words to life after she was inspired by an excerpt from his poem “Sand and Foam”

Habazi plans to graduate in the Spring of 2020, pursuing a career in Computer Science.

“Art is kinda my hobby at this point, but hopefully in the future that can change,” she said. “I want to dedicate my life to art.”