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About BBAP

BBAP (formerly Buffalo Bayou ArtPark) is a public art non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that places temporary public art in open spaces across Houston, Harris County, and the greater Houston metropolitan area.  The mission of BBAP 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 associated with public art projects;
  • to build ties between artists and the greater Houston community; 
  • to promote access to public art and the creation of public art to school children; and
  • to promote the use of public art as a means of enhancing the quality of city life in Houston and the region.
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 canceled 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 1997 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 worked with over 200 artists, and 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
Attorney

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
Christopher Northcutt
Erica O'Grady
Joseph Secan
Jim Rutherford

BBAP Artist Advisory Board:

Michelle O'Michael, Chair