Houston has installed poetry banners throughout downtown. Featured poets include our very own Executive Director, Robin Reagler, and Writers in the Schools students! As you walk through the city make sure you look up to catch the words on these beatiful banners and if you have a chance snap a picture and tag @witshouston!
RT Castleberry
Or you could check the sidewalk as you navigate– Metro Downtown Transit Streets Project “Texts In Context.” The “Texts In Context” project uses historical documents, poetry and prose from authors with a Houston or Texas connection to illuminate Houston history. The 100 texts chosen were engraved on 2ft X 2ft. granite paving stones and placed at sites in downtown Houston, TX in 2004. (A number of these are on the block where the DT public library stands.)
Paula
Do you know of an index/map that shows where the poetry is placed?
wits
That’s a great question. Let us ask around!
Paula
Thanks. I’ve been googling some, but haven’t come up with anything yet? I’m talking about what Castleberry was referencing, the Metro Downtown Transit Streets Project “Texts In Context.”
RT Castleberry
Hello Paula, It was a program that the Cultural Arts Council of Houston (if they’re still around) and Metro sponsored together. It was picked up and abandoned a couple of times because of street construction in DT. Best guess would be to try either or both of those entities. I do know that several of the paving stones are in the block around the DT Library. Mine is about 6 feet to the left of the crosswalk at the center of the block as you cross to City Hall.
Paula
Someone told me a poem about Rain by Sunshine Dickinson Ryman was in a sidewalk somewhere. She is in my Daughters of the Texas Revolution chapter, and I was going to see if I could find it and send a picture to her. She is very old now and lives in a nursing home in Stephenville, TX. Thanks for your information.
RT Castleberry
Sorry I couldn’t be more help. The process dragged out for several years. And at one point they were uprooted and re-set in a different location. (Mine was set originally beside a parking lot a few blocks from Macy’s. It’s now set by the library.) Best of luck with your search.
Paula
Thanks for at least responding. I’ll keep searching!!
wits
Do you know Miah Arnold? She was involved in the project and might be able to point you in the right direction. Robin
Paula
I don’t know her at all. I just stumbled upon this website while looking for a certain poem that is supposed to be in the sidewalk somewhere in downtown Houston. Can you point me to Miah?
wits
Here’s her website. http://miaharnold.com/shop/ I know she managed certain parts of this project.
RT Castleberry
Thank you much. And it was nice meeting you on Sunday.