Houston Daily

When the summer heat becomes unbearable in Texas, the University of Houston offers an indoor art experience at its Student Centers. The centers house a permanent collection of artworks spread across three levels: basement, first floor, and second floor.

The collection includes 29 pieces created by UH students, alumni, and local artists. Five additional works are located on the second floor of Student Center North.

Visitors can enjoy a quick self-guided tour that takes about 5-8 minutes per level. Art enthusiasts may prefer to take their time to appreciate each piece.

The first floor features vibrant colors with works like "Before Light" by Charis Ammon and "Remembering Next Summer" by Aaron Parazette. Parazette's mural complements the building's renovation and has a companion piece titled "Free Dive" on the second floor.

The second floor is home to 15 artworks, including "Loose Ends" by Madison Casagranda and "Dots" by Hyun Park. These pieces address themes ranging from motherhood to abstract qualities in everyday objects.

In the basement, visitors will find hidden gems such as "Starbucks Vapor," "William," and "Fishing in Cape Verde" by Marky Dewhirst. Another notable work is the "Chicano Student Mural" painted by Ruben Reyna and Mario Gonzales in 1973, symbolizing the Chicano movement.

A short walk to Student Center North reveals more pieces like "Bouquet for the Decision Makers" and "Bouquet for the Ex-Lovers" by L. Rose Stern, as well as Amanda Schilling's photographic series exploring female desire for perfection.

For detailed information on current installations and their locations, visitors can check the UH Student Centers art display page.