About BBAP
Buffalo Bayou ArtPark (BBAP) is an artists-run non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that places temporary public art in open spaces across Houston and Harris County. The mission of Buffalo Bayou ArtPark is to expand exhibition opportunities for local, regional, national, and international artists by obtaining the necessary permits and by providing honoraria for artists to help pay expenses; to build ties between artists and the greater Houston community; to promote the use of public art as a means of enhancing our quality of city life.
BBAP traces its origins back to the 1987 Watermelon Flats Sculpture Show. Prior to 1987, the City of Houston sponsored an annual outdoor sculpture exhibit throughout downtown’s Buffalo Bayou. In 1987 the city-sponsored event was cancelled due to city government budget cuts. Undeterred, and without permission or permits, local sculptors held their own outdoor sculpture exhibit, The Watermelon Flats Sculpture Show, on site at an old farmer’s market downtown. The artists involved in that event would help spearhead Houston's rise in the art world. They included the Art Guys, Jackie Harris, Paul Kittelson, Carter Ernst and Tim Glover.
This spontaneous exhibit inaugurated a trend, followed by other renegade exhibits in subsequent years. After time, what had been a spontaneous movement grew up and settled down. BBAP became a non-profit organization in 1987 and entered into an agreement with the City of Houston Parks Department. As a result of this agreement, a part of the parks system, adjoining Allen Parkway and along the banks of Buffalo Bayou near downtown Houston is devoted to the display of temporary public art work. Since that time, BBAP has developed a variety of other projects intended to further its ability to take public art out into the 600 square mile area we know as the Houston community.
Board Members
BBAP Board:
Christopher A. Shield, President
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
Travis W. Gill, Vice-President
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
JoAnn Park, Secretary
Artist
Krista Borstell, Treasurer
Best Fit Executive Search
Alan Steinberg, Board Member
Political Consultant
BBAP Advisory Board:
Alan Steinberg, Chair
Hon. Jacquie Chaumette
Hon. John Coselli
Mark Font
Kevin Jefferies
Michael Massa
Mina Modlin
Christopher Northcutt
Erica O'Grady
Joseph Secan
Kathleen Slaydon
Jim Rutherford
BBAP Artist Advisory Board:
Michelle O'Michael, Chair