We've been hearing a lot from artist Patrick Renner of late – between touching base to see how he's been doing since being named one of the Houston Press MasterMind winners for 2015 (he got engaged and is now a full-time artist) – and learning about his new collaboration with Flying Carpet.

Renner is one of those artists who dreams big and builds even bigger. His oversized sculptures made of wood strips, including 2013's Funnel Tunnel, 2014's Conduit and 2015's Sentinel, all celebrate his love of found objects and bright colors.

Now Houstonians have the opportunity to become a part of his next big piece, as he and the art collective Flying Carpet need help painting the strips of wood to make the new Trumpet Flower sculpture, a project that was selected by the Downtown District for their inaugural “Art Blocks” project at Main Street Square.

The “painting party” will take place over a four hour period on January 30 at Market Square Park – rain or shine – with food and drinks available for purchase from Niko Niko's, as well as local food trucks.


Scheduled for installation in March or April of this year, Trumpet Flower will occupy the recessed area between One City Centre and its adjacent garage in the 1000 block of Main. Although tapered at its highest point, the piece expands and flares out as it nears the ground and will form a canopy of shade under which tables and chairs can be placed.

Currently, Flying Carpet includes Nick Moser (who works on creative projects for festivals and events, as well as corporate and private clients) and Kelly O'Brien (a mechanical engineer with a focus on the arts and a recent active member of TX/RX Labs).

This project is just the beginning for the Downtown District and its public art committee, with support from the Weingarten Art Group, who share the goal of curating and implementing public art in both semi-permanent and temporary art installations. In the future, the district plans to add public programming, pop-up performances, interactive experiences and community festivals

Other projects from this inaugural “Art Blocks” stage include Jessica Stockholder's Color Jam Houston, in which colorful paint and vinyl will overtake the street, sidewalk and climb the walls of buildings; and más que la cara (more than the face) by the interactive collective YesYesNo. As pedestrians pass by the exhibit, they will see their faces transformed and obscured by digital masks, which will morph depending on the viewer's changing facial expressions.

Painting party, noon to 4 p.m., January 30, Market Square Park, 301 Milam, visit downtowndistrict.org/projects-initiatives/main-street-square. Free.