- Volunteers touch up the "Houston is Inspired" mural in downtown on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
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- Artist Gonzo247 is the painter of the Houston Is Inspired mural. (Photo Credit: Patricia Ortiz/Houston Public Media)
The iconic "Houston is Inspired" mural received some touchups on Tuesday. The piece was originally a temporary, spray-painted piece in 2013.
The huge painting located across the street from Market Square Park in downtown Houston was commissioned by Houston First Corporation as part of a national advertising campaign.
"That national campaign was pretty aggressive, and it was marketing Houston as this culinary and culture destination," said Jennie Bui McCoy, the PR Director of Houston First.
The mural now generates millions of online impressions as one of the most posted photos of Houston on Instagram. The more murals the city can commission, the more appealing Houston can be as a destination, according to artist Gonzo247.
"What you really want is foot traffic. You want people to come visit the city," Gonzo said. "Start walking around. As they're walking around, they buy a soda here, they buy a coffee there. But also, the more art you can put up on the city streets, we're telling our own stories. And the beauty about it is that it becomes part of the visual landscape of the city."
Cassie Croft is a volunteer repainting the "Houston is Inspired" mural. She said it's become a landmark for tourists visiting Houston.
"They come down in front of it and it's almost like meeting someone you've read about," she said.
Croft also added that murals are more accessible for those who want to enjoy art but might not be able to afford to.
"Museums, artwork, they're amazing, but sometimes cost is a barrier. And murals that are out in the public, anyone gets to experience the beauty of it."
"Houston is Inspired" is one of around 750 murals in the Greater Houston area, according to the Houston Mural Map. Most recently, the downtown courthouse saw an addition of two murals in honor of Black History month. Last year, the "Big Art. Bigger Change" project added 9 new murals to downtown.
