Pictured:  Artist Gene Hester, Council Member Ed Gonzales, artist Liz Conces Spencer, HAA Board of Directors member Dr. Nicolás Kanellos, and HPL Director Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson celebrate the dedication of Metamorphosis into the City of Houston Art Collection.

Metamorphosis dedication at Flores neighborhood library

Last week Houston Arts Alliance and Houston Public Library dedicated Metamorphosis by Gene Hester and Liz Conces Spencer, a new permanent civic artwork at the Patricio Flores Neighborhood Library in Houston's Second Ward.

Commissioned by Houston Arts Alliance on behalf of Houston Public Library, Metamorphosis consists of two glass artworks designed to fill niches on the north and west sides of the library. The brilliant shades of fused glass mounted onto curved metal substrates reflect the culture of the Second Ward and its citizens through the use of traditional imagery, such as serapes and flowers, combined with musical notes and books whose spines highlight the notions of the voice of the people, new ideas, community, attainment of knowledge and personal power.

The dedication included remarks by Council Member Ed Gonzales, Houston Public Library Director Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, the artists, and HAA Board of Directors member and Director of Arte Publico Press at the University of Houston, Dr. Nicolás Kanellos. Attendees enjoyed fresh Mexican pastries, a tortilla making demonstration, Flamenco guitar performance by Jon Acevedo, and a glass pieces game with the artists.

Printed Friday, February 10, 2012