A visit to MOCAH

Collage detail by Rhonda Radford Adams

While I visited family in Houston over the holidays I was introduced to the owners of MOCAH, The Museum of Cultural Arts Houston. The Museum’s mission is to develop community based public art and cultural programming.

The organization specializes in public art, mostly mosaics, and is currently working on a memorial pavilion to be constructed in Austin. Reginald Adams, who was featured in the Houston Press last year, works with the community in which the art work is to be placed to ensure the structure, mural or sculpture reflects that community, such as the “This is Houston” mosaic mural. His team of mosaic artists then prepares the mosaics in the Houston-based studio.

 Art work overseen by Reginald Adams

Reginald’s wife Rhonda Radford Adams creates inspirational collages, molds pregnant bellies and is also collaborating on new projects including hand-painted garments.

 Art work by Rhonda Radford Adams

MOCAH is also involved in providing opportunities for art to area school children to continue to promote creativity and artistic expression, such as mask-making workshops. Sponsor Charming Charlie provides damaged jewelry that gets incorporated into the art work.

Art work by MOCAH

A musical instrument manufacturer sends un-saleable instruments to MOCAH. The bulk of these instruments are still in playable condition, and MOCAH was able to donate 300 musical instruments to a school the week before Christmas. The damaged instruments are incorporated into art pieces, such as these violins, a cello and a piano.

Art work by MOCAH

Art work by Reginald Adams

We had a lovely conversation about serendipitous synergies, ensuring only positive energy gets incorporated into art work, and the joy of paying forward the gift of self-expression.

Art work displayed at MOCAH

It was inspiring to peruse the gallery downstairs and have a close look at paintings and ceramic wall art incorporating these positive messages.

Art work displayed at MOCAH

What organizations inspire you to pay goodness and joy forward?