You may have noticed that The Woodlands is home to an impressive number of public art displays, but some of the most recognizable pieces were created by a Houston artist of national acclaim. Dixie Friend Gay is best known for her large-scale mosaics, often depicting natural landscapes and wildlife. In The Woodlands, she has done a phenomenal job crafting pieces that are not only eye-catching but expertly interwoven into the artwork's environment.

A large square mosaic of a duck under the Waterway Ave. Bridge.

A large square mosaic of a bullfrog in a colorful swamp. The art piece appears under the Waterway Avenue Bridge.

AT WATER'S EDGE

Under the Waterway Avenue Bridge, you'll find a collection of nine large mosaics called At Water's Edge. Each panel is five-by-five feet and depicts colorful scenes of the wildlife found across Southeast Texas, including various birds, rabbits, toads, and more. This extensive installation was crafted with more than 500,000 byzantine glass pieces, its iridescent tiles reflecting off the water and further connecting the art with its environment.

Insider Tip: This collection is conveniently within walking distance of several fabulous dining options, including The Goose's Acre and Cyclone Anaya's.

 

A public art sculpture shaped like an old crocodile skin purse, which is falling open over the side of a concrete bench. Contents include a flip phone, car keys, a pen, and two large frogs. The art piece continues on the ground behind it: a splash pad depicting simple organic shapes and fantasy creatures with eyes that spout water.

TREASURES FROM GRANDMA'S PURSE

Any kid who grew up in the 2000s will feel a wave of nostalgia when they see Treasures From Grandma's Purse. Located at the heart of Waterway Square, this wonderfully interactive art piece features a bronze sculpture of an old leather purse and its contents, which have been scattered and embedded in the surrounding terrazzo. If you want to help Grandma find her lost belongings, start with her cell phone, car keys, sunglasses, and camera. Keep an eye out for some of the toys and snacks she was keeping safe for you, too! From lollipops to crayons to action figures, there's nothing that won't fit in Grandma's purse.

Insider Tip: In the spring and summer months, this sculpture doubles as a splash pad!

 

Strata Mosaic in Stairwell at Waterway Square in The Woodlands, Texas. Depicts a cross-section of the earth, starting in the atmosphere and working its way down to the core of the earth, including layers of grass, dirt, various types of rock and fossils, and natural underground water systems.

Strata Mosaic in Stairwell at Waterway Square in The Woodlands, Texas. Depicts a cross-section of the earth, starting in the atmosphere and working its way down to the core of the earth, including layers of grass, dirt, various types of rock and fossils, and natural underground water systems.

STRATA

Step into the stairwell beside Grimaldi's Pizzeria at Waterway Square to enter a whole new world. Strata is a 700-square-foot mosaic installation designed to look like a cross-section of the earth. Comprised of hand-made ceramic tiles, cast glass, granite, and marble, each layer adds a new color and texture to enhance the experience of diving deep underground. You'll also see threads of water, fossils, and precious or semi-precious stones woven between layers of sediment as a nod to the importance of natural resources and the concentration of oil-related businesses in the Greater Houston Area.

 

Reflections to Mist Mosaic in Stairwell at Sam Houston State University - The Woodlands. The full art piece is 4 stories tall, wrapping around the interior and exterior of the building. This segment (3rd floor?) depicts a marshy landscape in the early morning with mist rising over the water.

Reflections to Mist Mosaic in Stairwell at Sam Houston State University - The Woodlands. The full art piece is 4 stories tall, wrapping around the interior and exterior of the building. This segment (ground floor) is a close-up of bright blue water, bright green lily pads, bright yellow flowers, and 3D coral- or fossil-like accents.

REFLECTIONS TO MIST

Reflections to Mist is a striking mosaic that spans four stories of Sam Houston State University - The Woodlands Center on the Lone Star College Campus. Inspired by the nearby wetlands, this larger-than-life art installation captures the environment's mysterious mist, bright green lily pads, golden flowers, and a variety of microflora. If you look closely, you might notice some similarities to another stairwell in The Woodlands—some of the leftover tiles from Strata were incorporated into this piece!

Insider Tip: Be sure to check building hours before planning your trip!

 

Houston Bayou Mosaic by Dixie Friend Gay. The full art display takes up the entire wall of a long hallways; this section depicts a Great Blue Heron standing among the reeds on a marshy shoreline.

HOUSTON BAYOU

If you've flown United Airlines to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport on your way to The Woodlands, you may have passed by this distinctive art element. Located on the ground level of the walkway from the A/B garage and Terminal B, this 8-foot-tall and 73-foot-wide serpentine wall (and five adjacent columns!) celebrates the natural beauty of Houston's bayou system. One and a half million pieces of glass were used in its creation, which took one year and four full-time artisans to complete. There are also 40 native animals cast in bronze throughout this museum-like exhibit. While you may be in a hurry to board your flight or reach your final destination, pause for a moment to take in this vast and breathtaking landscape.

 

Dixie Friend Gay

Whether you are an expert in the arts or a child on a scavenger hunt, it's safe to say we can all appreciate the beauty that Dixie Friend Gay brings to The Woodlands. For more about the artist or to explore her work beyond The Woodlands, please visit her website.