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Helix Park Adirondack Art Chair Contest 2024
1. A Lonestar Night
2. Bayou Fiesta
3. Celebrating Texas Natives and Science
TMC Helix Park
October 2024
The TMC Helix Park Adirondack Chair Art Contest is back for its second year—bigger, bolder, and more creative than ever!
This year’s theme, “Houston 2026: Activate the World Cup with TMC” invites artists to bring the energy of the World Cup to life. Let your imagination take the field and create something unforgettable!
The Helix Park Adirondack Chair Contest is a public initiative at TMC Helix Park. It invites artists of all levels to transform Adirondack chairs into unique works of art. In 2024, the Texas Medical Center (TMC) decided to launch its first-ever Adirondack Chair Contest to allow community members to show off their art. The artists had to capture the essence of Texas by highlighting the diverse elements that illuminate and inspire our state.
The top 3 finalists below were selected by the judges.
A Lonestar Night: First Place
Created by Gabriel Pena
“A Lonestar Night” was honored with first place from the judges. The artwork captures the spirit of Texas through its native plant species, the armadillo, and the iconic LoneStar – symbols of the state’s rich heritage. It also highlights Texas’s innovation with depictions of Helix Park, the TMC3 complex, and the Dynamic One building, representing a diverse community united in advancing health research and scientific discovery.
Bayou Fiesta: Second Place
Created by Vanessa Perez Ortega
Bayou Fiesta is a vibrant tribute to Houston, celebrating the city’s cultural, environmental, and innovative legacy. Set in a lush garden with redbuds and colorful papel picado, each panel highlights a distinct aspect of Houston’s identity, honoring its diversity, creativity, and dynamic spirit.
Celebrating Texas Natives and Science: Third Place
Created by Michelle Luster
The design celebrates the rich biodiversity of Texas, showcasing native species such as the bluebonnet, nine-banded armadillo, horned lizard, monarch butterflies, and greater roadrunner. A NASA rocket rises on the scene, honoring Houston’s pivotal role in space exploration and the state’s contributions to scientific advancement.
TMC Helix Park Event Sponsorships
Helix Park is a one-of-a-kind campus where science, community, and culture come together. With a growing calendar of events throughout the year—from wellness classes and movie nights to thought-provoking panels and public art installations—we welcome the TMC community, Houstonians, and visitors from across our Member Institutions. Partnerships are at the heart of everything we do, and collaboration fuels the dynamic, inclusive programming that defines Helix Park.
View our Events
Submit Your Art!
TMC Helix Park invites artists to be part of our rotating art collection. We are looking to temporarily showcase work that reflects creativity, curiosity, and connection through sculpture, installation, photography, or other original mediums.