Celebrate the History of Houston thru Public Art
Join us in commemorating Houston’s 190th birthday by transforming the historic Columbia Tap Corridor into a vibrant public art landmark that honors our city's rich cultural heritage.
The Columbia Tap Corridor is more than a trail, it’s a sacred timeline etched into Houston’s foundation. Once a rail line connecting Freedmen’s Town to the Port of Houston, this corridor now becomes a mosaic of memory and meaning.
Houston190 transforms lives by transforming walls. At the center of this project is our partnership with the Career & Recovery Resources, UPRISE program, where participants in recovery and re-entry are trained in the intricate art of glass mosaic mural making.
Houston190 invites Houston and Harris County artists to apply for a public art opportunity celebrating the city’s 190th birthday. Selected artists will help create a large-scale mosaic mural along the Columbia Tap Corridor, collaborating with Reginald C. Adams to honor the area’s cultural legacy ahead of FIFA 2026.
Houston turns 190 in 2026, and our celebration takes shape in thousands of hand-placed glass tiles that will live on for generations. As we approach this major milestone, and prepare for the eyes of the world during the FIFA World Cup, we’re building more than a mural; we’re crafting a legacy of unity and pride.
Creating Cultural Landmarks
Houston190 serves as a vital cultural touchstone that weaves history, community, and creativity into the fabric of Houston’s urban landscape. By transforming the historic Columbia Tap Corridor into a living, visual tribute to the city’s 190-year journey, the project honors Houston’s past while amplifying the voices of its present-day residents. It functions as a powerful tool for civic pride, storytelling, and inclusive engagement, offering pathways for workforce development, youth empowerment, and cultural preservation. In one of the most diverse cities in the nation, Houston190 becomes a shared language—one that celebrates our heritage and inspires a collective vision for the future.
Community Partners
Power of Public Art
Public art is a transformative force that uplifts communities by turning shared spaces into sources of pride, dialogue, and inspiration. It serves as a catalyst for community engagement, fostering connection and belonging through inclusive storytelling and collective expression. Through hands-on projects and creative collaboration, public art fuels workforce development, providing meaningful employment, skill-building, and mentorship opportunities, especially for youth and emerging artists. It enhances educational enrichment by integrating history, culture, and creativity into experiential learning environments that ignite curiosity and critical thinking.
Finally, public art drives urban beautification, turning overlooked or underutilized areas into vibrant landmarks that reflect the identity, diversity, and aspirations of the people who live there. Together, these impacts make public art not just a cultural investment, but a powerful tool for social transformation and civic empowerment.