Houston Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Feb 2010: Around Town

Public Art Installation

Features Houston Streetscapes

Houstonians driving on Fannin through the Museum District can see nine brushed 4-foot by 6-foot canvases of Houston streetscapes through Feb. 11. As Grayco Partners opened the doors to the two seven-story towers of Venue Museum District, it is not only giving Houstonians a new luxurious living option but is giving back to the community with a public art project. Venue Paint Project is a public art installation and tribute to the city of Houston.

Spearheaded by acclaimed Houston artist Kermit Eisenhut, the exhibit gathered eight other fellow local artists to express their interpretations of Houston streetscapes that are hanging outside on the Fannin side of the apartment building. The paintings will be auctioned off at an event with proceeds benefiting ArtLeague and Lawndale.

Houston has been selected as one of 18 U.S. cities to be included in a bid to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup soccer playoffs.

“On behalf of the city of Houston and Harris County, we are extremely pleased and honored to be awarded the distinction of possible future host city for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. We feel that Houston, and Reliant Stadium, are an excellent destination for this prestigious international event, ” said George DeMontrond, chairman of the Houston Bid Committee.

The 18 cities that have been selected for inclusion in the official USA Bid Committee bid book that will be presented to FIFA are: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami,

Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

The USA Bid Committee evaluated each city’s bid individually based on 21 key criteria in order to meet FIFA’s bidding requirements. Each city was reviewed on areas ranging from market size, geographical location, climate, existing hotel space and transportation to the availability of adequate training sites, distances between facilities, diversity and the ability to provide a unique fan experience. Also of primary consideration were the history of each city related to soccer, attraction as a tourist destination and history hosting major sporting or cultural events.

“We want to thank all of the

cities that were involved in this process for both their passion and dedication to the national cause, as well as their endless efforts to present their respective bids, ” said John Kristick, managing director of the USA Bid Committee.

All cities and their stadiums have much in common in terms of venues, infrastructure and community support, but they also offer unique distinctions. All four time zones are represented.

The Houston Bid Committee will continue working with the USA Bid Committee on both the development and promotion of their local and national campaigns during the next 10 months leading up to FIFA ’s final decision, scheduled for Dec. 2, 2010.