The Beer Can House is currently open Saturdays and Sundays from 12-5pm
The Beer Can House is currently open Saturdays and Sundays from 12-5pm
Smither Park is a creative urban space that has developed with the help of artists and friends.
Visionary artist and builder Dan Phillips worked alongside the late Stephanie Smither to design Smither Park in the memory of her late husband, John H. Smither. John and Stephanie were long-time supporters and collectors of self-taught art, as well as board members of The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. Inspired by the Orange Show's philosophy of promoting and sustaining self-taught art, over 300 artists have contributed permanent mosaic masterpieces, and it serves as a testimony to the vibrancy and creativity of the city of Houston.
Located adjacent to The Orange Show, Smither Park is a great place to bring family, friends and loved ones for picnics, gatherings, and relaxation.
VISIT SMITHER PARK
SMITHER PARK IS OPEN DAILY FROM DAWN UNTIL DUSK
Admission is always free. On Saturdays (pending weather), a variety of artists are at Smither Park working on their mosaic art creations. This is a great opportunity to see the artist process, and often help them out!
NOTE: Smither Park is a No Open Carry site. Pursuant to Section 30.07 we reserve the right to ask you to leave should you openly carry a firearm onto the premises.
SMITHER PARK SUNDAYS
FREE LIVE MUSIC, CRAFTS, AND MORE!
The first Sunday of the month from 1-5pm is Smither Park Sundays! Join us in the park for free live music, crafting activities for kids and adults, and a curated selection of artisan vendors. See our Spring 2024 schedule below and RSVP to attend!
Upcoming Smither Park Sundays
Click on any of the dates below to RSVP to attend
Sunday October 6, 2024 - 1-5pm
Featuring The Wheel Workers
Sunday November 3, 2024 - 1-5pm
Featuring Chamber Music Festival
Sunday December 1, 2024 - 1-5pm
Performance TBA
Interested in being a vendor at Smither Park Sundays? CLICK HERE
ABOUT SMITHER PARK
"It's wonderful to see what people can do when they let themselves go"- Stephanie Smither
A vibrant cultural asset at the corner of two of Houston's most exciting neighborhoods, Third Ward and East End, Smither Park is a work of art in progress -- providing a unique opportunity to see artists in action and the evolution of an international artistic destination.
Smither Park is a creative urban space that developed with the help of an entire community. Visionary artist and builder Dan Phillips worked alongside the late Stephanie Smither to design the park in memory of her husband, John H. Smither. Stephanie and John were long-time supporters of self-taught art, as well as board members of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. Inspired by the Orange Show's philosophy of promoting and sustaining self-taught art, the mosaic-covered park serves as a testimony to the vibrancy and creativity of the city of Houston.
The half-acre plot of land is located adjacent to The Orange Show, and features the Lindley Fish Amphitheater, the Vinson & Elkins Pavilion, the Burguires, Hinton & Mathre Swings, the Marilyn Oshman Meditation Garden, an elaborate marble roll tower, and a sprawling 400-ft memory wall - each adorned with elaborate mosaic work created out of recycled and found materials and designed by local artists as well as community members interested in exploring their own creative potential. Over 300 individuals have contributed to the colorful and whimsical permanent pieces of art at Smither Park.
MEET THE DESIGNER
Dan Phillips was the visionary artist and builder mastermind behind the unique design of Smither Park. Throughout his life, he worked as an intelligence officer in the Army, a college dance professor at Sam Houston State University, an art and antique restorator and dealer, and a syndicated cryptogram puzzle maker. In 1997, Dan started his own construction company, Phoenix Commotion, with which he began his latest career of building low-income houses out of recycled materials as a self-taught carpenter, electrician, and plumber. Over 25 years, Dan constructed nearly 20 homes in Huntsville, Texas for low-income individuals whose labor and involvement he requires in the building process. Dan made each home using 80% of his resources from salvaged materials such as mismatched bricks, license plates as roof tiles, calf bones as kitchen tiles, corks to make bathroom floors, and frame corners to decorate the ceiling.
Dan consulted with local professionals in the building industry to ensure that his designs and layouts are up to code while his wife Marsha would overlook his plans for aesthetics. Dan’s innovative and inspirational work is known and respected worldwide. Prior to his death in 2021, he was a frequent speaker at conferences and collegiate schools of architecture around Texas, featured in publications worldwide, and awarded many recognitions including the 2003 award for most innovative housing from the Institute for Social Invention in London, England.
When planning the construction of Smither Park, it was not only Dan’s vast and inspirational visionary arts experience that landed him the job. Dan was a long time friend of Stephanie Smither and her husband John, whom the park commemorates.
CLICK HERE for an article in Texas Highways magazine chronicling the life and work of Dan Phillips.
For more information about Dan Phillips and Phoenix Commotion visit www.phoenixcommotion.com.
SMITHER PARK'S FEATURES
Smither Park is an outrageous, fanciful, functional play land that features a multitude of different, exciting and interactive features. Our commitment to sustainability and recycling inspires the decorative elements by exploring the reuse and repurposing of materials like broken ceramic, bottle caps, tiles, and sea shells. To date, over 300 artists have contributed permanent mosaic masterpieces to Smither Park.
Lindley Fish Amphitheater
The Memory Wall
Vinson & Elkins Pavilion
Burguires, Hinton and Mathre Swings
Shell Plaza & Walkways
Oshman Meditation Wall
Johnson Marble Tower
SMITHER PARK DONORS
It is through the financial support of many individuals and corporations that Smither Park exists. If you are interested in becoming a supporter of Smither Park and helping to create a lasting piece of public art in the city of Houston, email oranges@orangeshow.org
Mary and Dave Alderson
Carol C. Allbritton
Amanda and Robert Allen
Nancy Allen
D'anne and Steven Anderson
Debbie Anderson
Bill Arning and Mark McCray
Elizabeth Arnold
Laurel and Jeff Austin, Jr.
J Avant
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Larry Barbour
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Laura Bodenheimer
Nana Booker and David Lowe
Allison and Reese Boudreaux
Judith Boyce
Beverly Braden and Edward Smith
Georgene Brandon
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The Brown Foundation
Carole A. Bryan
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Elizabeth Bunk
Alice and Phillip Burguieres
Bob Burleson
David Bynog
Courtney Carlson
Dorel and John Carter
Mary Jo and Martin Chamberlin
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Edwina and Bobby Clark
C.C. Conner and David Groover
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Foundation
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Kerr Family Trust
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Dr. Peter Killinger
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Bronwen Parker
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S K Foundation
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Shadow Sloan
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Wilbur L. Smither, III
Ann Long and William H. Spencer III
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Tellepsen Builders, L.P.
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