Temporary Public Art

Exclusively for Everyone. Always Open to the Public.

In 2018, Public Art UHS launched its first temporary public art program at the University of Houston. Known as Grove Commissions, it was also the organization’s first commissioning program entirely funded by private support. The program challenges  internationally recognized artists to expand their creative range and the scale of their work, while providing the space and support for them to enhance their public practice. Marta Chilindrón’s Mobius Houston, unveiled in 2019, was the first Grove Commission.

In 2020, as a means to provide Houston audiences with opportunities to experience art during the COVID-19 environment, Public Art UHS partnered with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to present the outdoor sculpture exhibition Color Field as part of its temporary public art offerings.  

Since then, Public Art UHS has introduced two additional temporary public art programs at the University of Houston: YardWorks, a biennial program for early-career Texas-based artists, as well as The Billboard, a series of large scale mural projects launched in 2020 with the presentation of Spencer Finch’s Back to Kansas. 

These critically-acclaimed initiatives continue to provide the university community, local patrons and visitors from around the world with a unique place and way to experience thoughtful and thought-provoking artworks by a wide-ranging roster of regional, national and international artists. They also serve as platforms for community-wide outreach and collaborative programming with a variety of partners.

Grove Commissions

Grove Commissions are a series of temporary site-specific commissions by significant global contemporary artists.

Color Field

Color Field (2020-21) was the first curated exhibition of outdoor sculpture at the University of Houston as well as Public Art UHS’ second temporary project.

YardWorks

YardWorks is a biennial program granting Texas-based early-career artists exhibition opportunities for their site-specific installations and public art projects.

The Billboard

The Billboard is a series of large scale mural projects at the University of Houston’s Arts District.