MECA Houston

08/25/2026

We're so proud to share that our Executive Director Armando Silva was recently featured on KPRC2's Houston Life to share how his own journey at MECA empowered him to pursue a career as a dancer — and ultimately brought him back home to Houston to help create those same opportunities for the next generation.

Hear more about Armando’s story and how MECA continues to help young people discover their creativity, build confidence and pursue their dreams through the arts:

Local non-profit MECA helps youth pursue careers in the arts. Hear ...

08/24/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Cactus Workshop with artist Tim Glover. We loved seeing families fill the historic Dow School with creativity as they made their own colorful cactus creations and heard directly from Tim about his work and the story behind the Cactus Water Fountain, now located on MECA’s Historic Dow School campus.

It was a day filled with hands-on art, conversation and community — exactly what we love to see at MECA.

A special thank you to Tim for sharing his time, talent and creativity with us, and to everyone who came out to create alongside us!

We can’t wait to see the Cactus Water Fountain become part of MECA’s next chapter. 🌵

08/19/2026

🌵 Create, Learn & Celebrate with MECA! 🌵
Join us for a FREE Cactus Workshop with artist Tim Glover, creator of MECA’s iconic Cactus Water Fountain! Learn about the story behind the sculpture and create your own cactus-inspired artwork. 🎨✨

The Cactus Water Fountain, created in 1988, has a special connection to MECA and Houston’s Sixth Ward—and now it’s beginning a new chapter at the Historic Dow School! 💚
📅 Saturday, August 22�
⏰ 11 AM–2 PM�
📍 MECA at the Historic Dow School | 1900 Kane St.�
🌵 FREE + open to all ages�
🎨 All materials provided

Come create with us and celebrate a piece of MECA history!

08/18/2026

🌵 This Saturday: Come create with us at MECA!

We’re welcoming Houston artist and longtime arts educator Tim Glover for a free, all-ages workshop inspired by his Cactus Water Fountain — a piece of Houston public art that has been relocated from St. Joseph Catholic Church to MECA’s historic Dow School campus.

Meet the artist, hear the story behind the sculpture, and create your own cardboard cactus to take home! 🎨

🌵 Cactus Workshop with Tim Glover
Saturday, August 22 | 11 AM – 2 PM
📍MECA at the Historic Dow School | 1900 Kane St.
FREE + all materials provided.

As MECA continues restoring our historic campus, we’re celebrating the artists and public art helping us preserve Houston’s history while creating something new for future generations.

Bring the family and join us Saturday!

08/17/2026

Happy National Nonprofit Day! 💙

For 49 years, MECA Houston has proudly served communities of color that have historically been underrepresented and underserved—using arts and education to create opportunity, strengthen community, and amplify voices.

Nonprofits like MECA are essential to our city’s economy, arts ecosystem, and the field of arts education. We don’t just enrich lives; we help build a more vibrant, creative, and equitable Houston.

Here’s to the power of nonprofits—and to 49 years of MECA making a difference! 🎨✨

¡Feliz Día Nacional de las Organizaciones Sin Fines de Lucro! 💙
Durante 49 años, MECA Houston ha tenido el orgullo de servir a comunidades de color que históricamente han estado subrepresentadas y desatendidas, utilizando el arte y la educación para crear oportunidades, fortalecer nuestra comunidad y dar voz a quienes muchas veces no son escuchados.
Las organizaciones sin fines de lucro como MECA son fundamentales para la economía, el ecosistema artístico y el campo de la educación artística de nuestra ciudad. No solo enriquecemos vidas; también contribuimos a construir un Houston más vibrante, creativo y equitativo.
¡Celebramos el poder de las organizaciones sin fines de lucro y 49 años de MECA haciendo la diferencia! 🎨✨

08/17/2026

Artist Paul Kittelson said, it was his turn to come back and make much needed repairs while also making additions to the sculpture to pay homage to the "Patroness of the Americas" and the migrants in the community. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/paul-kittelson-guadalupe-sculpture-meca-houston-22383961.php

08/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Saturday for our Virgen de Guadalupe Flower Making Workshop with Jackie Krienke and a presentation on the “Recycled Virgin” sculpture by artist Paul Kittelson.

We loved seeing generations of our community come together to create flowers and celebrate the beloved Virgen de Guadalupe sculpture as she prepares for her next chapter.

And we’re not done yet! 🌵🎨

Join us this Saturday, August 22 from 11 AM–2 PM for a free 🌵 Cactus Workshop with Tim Glover with Houston artist Tim Glover. Create your own cardboard cactus, meet the artist, and learn about his Cactus Water Fountain, which will soon become part of MECA’s new Art Plaza.

📍MECA at the Historic Dow School | 1900 Kane St.
Free + open to all ages.

See you Saturday!

08/15/2026

“The one thing you can’t build is history.” 🌹

For more than three decades, Paul Kittelson’s Recycled Virgin has been part of the MECA story — cared for, celebrated and embraced by generations of students, families and community members.

Now, as Paul prepares to restore the sculpture and officially donate it to MECA, the Houston Chronicle is sharing the story of how this beloved piece of public art became so much more than originally imagined: a gathering place, a tradition and a piece of Houston history.

Thank you to reporter Michael Garcia and photographer Raquel Natalicchio for spending time at MECA and helping us tell this story so beautifully. 🧡

Read the full story:

The sculpture made by Houston artist Paul Kittelson has been on loan to

08/12/2026

For more than 30 years, our iconic Virgen de Guadalupe sculpture has been part of MECA’s history!🌹

Since artist Paul Kittelson’s “Recycled Virgin” sculpture was installed at MECA in 1993, generations of students and families have gathered around Her. Celebrating Her has become a part of MECA’s traditions.

This month, Kittelson is returning to restore the beloved sculpture before officially donating it to MECA, ensuring it remains a permanent part of the campus for generations to come.

We repeat: our iconic Virgen de Guadalupe will be back!

This weekend, join us for a FREE Virgen de Guadalupe Flower-Making Workshop with artist Paul Kittelson, where you’ll hear the story behind the sculpture and create flowers inspired by la Virgen.

🌹Saturday, August 15 | 11 AM–2 PM
📍MECA Historic Dow School | 1900 Kane St.
All flower-making materials will be provided.
FREE + open to all ages.

Come create with us and celebrate a piece of MECA history before she heads off for restoration!