Here a few years ago, I went into Katy to spend Mother’s Day
with my youngest daughter and grandson.
When I got to her house, she asked me if I had ever been to the ORANGE
SHOW. No, I hadn’t.
Now, I’m thinking it must be some type of production
entertainment – maybe a play of sorts that shows around Mother’s Day ----
Orange SHOW. Cool and off we
went.
OK – if you have never been to the Orange Show and live in
or around the Houston area or are wanting a daytrip – you need to go
there. It is amazing and entertaining
and a ma zing!
The Orange Show is a folk-art architectural milieu located
at 2402 Munger in Houston’s east side. I
don’t know if it suffered damage from THE GREAT FLOOD OF 2017 so, it would
probably be best to call before going – 713-926-6368.
Just a little history – “Houston postman, Jeff McKissack, created
The Orange Show in honor of his favorite fruit and to illustrate his belief
that longevity results from hard work and good nutrition. Working in isolation
from 1956 until his death in 1980, McKissack used common building materials and
found objects — bricks, tiles, fencing, farm implements — to transform an East
End lot into an architectural maze of walkways, balconies, arenas and exhibits
decorated with mosaics and brightly painted iron figures.” It is a totally cool place. There are things to see, things to read,
things to climb on, places to sit and contemplate the show. I loved it!
It’s a large area – about 3000 sq.ft that includes an oasis,
a wishing well, a pond, a stage, a museum, a gift shop, and all sorts of other
things. The most amazing fact is each
piece of the Orange Show was hand-placed, hand-painted by Mr. McKissak.
Right next door to the Orange Show is Smither Park. Words cannot describe it adequately. It is a wonderful whimsical artistic venue
for a day out. There is an amphitheater,
a memory wall, meditation area, covered pavilion, swings and interactive
sculpture. Look closely at all the
mosaic work and you’ll see that each piece was created out of recycled and
found materials.
 |
| like used bottles of fingernail polish |
Most of the mosaic creations are three-dimensional. Looking around you’ll see colorful trees,
octopi, rocket ships, owls, mermaids, flowers, people, bulls, angels, serpents,
chairs, fish, birds, bears and lots more all hiding in plain sight.
I loved it!
Take care
haven't been since the kids were little.
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