Take an Indoor Art Adventure
When the Texas heat is blazing, the last thing you want to do is walk outside and break a sweat. But if you’re still craving the feeling of a nice stroll — something inspiring, colorful and a little cooler — head to the University of Houston’s Student Centers for an indoor art walk
Spread across three levels: the basement, first floor and second floor — the Student Center South’s permanent art collection offers a self-guided mini-tour filled with vibrant pieces, thought-provoking installations and creativity at every turn.
The collection features 29 artworks created by UH students, alumni and Houston-based artists. Five pieces can also be found on the second floor of Student Center North, just a short walk from the main exhibit in Student Center South.
Walking at a quick pace, each level takes only about 5–8 minutes to explore, making it a perfect way to get your steps in — all without risking a sunburn. Though, art lovers may want to take a more leisurely approach to appreciate the many pieces throughout the halls.
So, lace up your sneakers, take a break from the heat and treat yourself to an indoor walk that’s just as energizing as the outdoors!
Here’s a preview of a few pieces you can expect to see on each floor.
Student Center 1st Floor
Start your journey on the first floor, where bold colors greet you right away. These are just two of the pieces to be discovered — see how many more you can spot as you explore.
“Before Light”
By Charis Ammon
Charis Ammon received her master's degree from UH in 2018 and had a show at the Blaffer Art Gallery before graduating and moving to New York City. This piece was based on a photograph the artist took on her way to see the 2017 solar eclipse.
“Remembering Next Summer”
By Aaron Parazette
UH professor and Houston artist Aaron Parazette created this mural in conjunction with the building's extensive renovation. The mural has a warm palette intended to reference the long days of sun and leisure. It’s companion piece, “Free Dive,” draws on the sensory experience of water and is available on the second floor in an unexpected location.
This map of the Student Center South 1st Floor shows where each art piece is placed.
This map of the Student Center South 1st Floor shows where each art piece is placed.
Student Center 2nd Floor
Next, head up to the second floor, where art is tucked between study spots and meeting spaces. Fun fact: With 15 pieces on display, this floor features the largest number of artworks in the entire Student Centers art collection!
“Loose Ends”
By Madison Casagranda
Madison Casagranda is a UH graduate from the Studio Art Photography & Digital Media program. Her piece “Loose Ends” addresses the experience of new motherhood, the devaluation of care work and the layers of societal expectations that affect mothers, especially reflecting on the systemic erosion of communal support for women.
“Dots”
By Hyun Park
UH Bachelor of Fine Arts recipient and a Master of Fine Arts graduate student Hyun Park captured everyday objects that are overlooked despite their presence in daily life. The artist seeks abstract qualities within common objects to show the coexistence of abstract and non-abstract.
Map of the Student Center South 2nd Floor shows where each art piece is placed.
Map of the Student Center South 2nd Floor shows where each art piece is placed.
Student Center South Basement
Head downstairs to the basement level, where a few of the collection’s hidden gems are located.
“Starbucks Vapor” | “William” | “Fishing in Cape Verde” (from left to right)
By Marky Dewhirst
Houston-based artist Marky Dewhirst created these pieces while working on her Master of Fine Arts at UH. Her work has been displayed at the Blaffer Art Museum, Elgin Street Studios and multiple exhibition spaces across the Houston area.
“Chicano Student Mural”
By Ruben Reyna & Mario Gonzales
One of the older pieces in the Student Centers collection, this mural was painted by UH students Ruben Reyna and Mario Gonzales in 1973. The mural symbolizes the Chicano movement which challenged the racial, ethnic and linguistic discrimination experienced by Mexicans in the U.S. The movement fueled intense cultural pride and ignited a renaissance of Mexican art, music and literature.
Map of the Student Center South Basement showing where each art piece is placed.
Map of the Student Center South Basement showing where each art piece is placed.
Student Center North 2nd Floor
Don't stop your explorations at Student Center South, take a short walk over to Student Center North, which brings you a couple more pieces to finish out the collection.
“Bouquet for the Decision Makers” | “Bouquet for the Ex-Lovers”
By L. Rose Stern
L. Rose Sten received her Master of Fine Arts from UH. She works in a variety of media, including oils, watercolors and acrylics. These pieces were from a larger project that she exhibited at the 2017 MFA show at the Blaffer Art Gallery.
“Ode to Georgia” | “Dove”
By Amanda Schilling
Amanda Schilling (’19) created this photographic series to investigate the female desire for perfection in a culture where the mass media and social media alike tell women that perfection is the norm. The pieces show relatively tiny imperfections and are intentionally photographed out of focus and blown up out of proportion to speak to the idea of feeling out of control in the male-dominated and make-over obsessed world we live in.
Map of the Student Center North 2nd Floor showing where each art piece is placed.
Map of the Student Center North 2nd Floor showing where each art piece is placed.
For a complete listing of current installations and where they are located, visit the UH Student Centers art display page.
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