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THE MAIN ST ART HAPPENING 1971-1976

The Main Street Art Happening was founded in 1971 through the Houston Chamber of Commerce’s sub committee, “spotlight on the Arts.” The Month of October had been designated as Arts Month in Houston by the Chamber and called upon Ed Wulfe and Diane Smith Rudy to create a fulcrum event to honor the arts, thus the birth of, “The  Main Street Art Happening.”

The Main Street Art Happening’s goal was to bring attention to the public art activity within Houston. Also, to reach out to all people of all cultures and backgrounds, seeking those people who had not been exposed to art. Therefore downtown Main St was selected as a place of commonality for all people. Mayor Louie Welch declared Main St closed on one Sunday in October. The name, (Happening), was drawn from the Polish underground artist, Tadeusz Kantor who’s happenings of the late 60’s and 70’s became a worldwide phenomenon. The Main Street Art Happening was the joining together of the Houston business community, Houston city government and the art community. The event eventually became to large for a one-day event therefore relocated in 1973 to what is now called, “ The Museum District,” and Herman Park.

Main Street was closed for two blocks between Sakowitz and Foley’s. Grass and trees where brought in to create a park environment. Many artists such as Vera Simon, The Ant Farm, Daucas Carota, “Dick Wray,” Jesse Lot, Al Jeney, The High School for the Performing Artists, The Houston Symphony, Vera Simon’s Dance group along with Patsy Swayze, who’s son, Patrick Swayze performed in her dance group where among the many artists and performers that brought life to downtown. As The Houston Chronicle quoted in it’s Monday October 11th Headline, “Main St Art Happening success takes city by storm.”

In 1973, the event moved to the Museum District and Herman Park, “The Main St Happening,” grew into two weekends under the leadership of Diane Rudy and Ed Wulfe. Each year, the event would commission a new work of art to give to the city. There remain today the Jim Love and Luis Jimenez sculptures that are placed in Houston Parks. In The Texas Bi Centennial year, The Main St Art Happening commissioned a Bi Centennial ballet that was preformed in Miller Theater. Complimenting the commissions, “The Main St Art Happening,” also placed artists with industries such as Brown and Root, to create works of art to expand the artists’ boundaries of creation. James Surls, Mel Chin, John Alexander, Jesse Lott, Gertrude Barnstone, Carolyn Dahl, Don Foster and Robert Graham are just a few of the many Houston artists that participated.

The Main St Art Happening ended its rein in 1976. A new group under the leadership of Brit Davis renamed the event, “The Houston Festival,” and placed its focus on highlighting Houston’s International appeal. It later became, “Houston International Festival.”