Mike Yawn teaches at Sam Houston State University. In the past few years, he has taught courses on Politics & Film, Public Policy, the Presidency, Media & Politics, Congress, Statistics, Research & Writing, Field Research, and Public Opinion.
He has published academic papers in the Journal of Politics, Political Behavior, Social Security Quarterly, Film & History, American Politics Review, and contributed a chapter to the textbook Politics and Film.
He also contributes columns, news analysis, and news stories to news stories, having contributed more than 50 pieces in the past year.
Yawn is also active in his local community, serving on the board of directors of the local YMCA and Friends of the Wynne. Previously, he served on the Huntsville's Promise and Stan Musial World Series Boards of Directors.
In 2007-2008, Yawn was one of eight scholars across the nation named as a Carnegie Civic Engagement Scholar by the Carnegie Foundation.
We wanted to wrap up our trip to Houston with some additional memorable experiences. Despite extensive interaction with the artist (and Huntsville native) David Adickes in Huntsville, we had never visited his Houston art. That changed today!
We visited the “WE HEART Houston” sign that Adickes created several years ago. Although the site was clearly not created with parking in mind, it’s a lot of fun, and we made the most of it, with a LEAP, albeit one that was never perfectly choreographed by the entire group…
…
…but eventually we got a perfectly choreographed standing photo.
Perhaps our starving stomachs had gotten the best of us.
The culmination of our multi-cultural exploration was lunch at Peli Peli Kitchen. This South African fusion restaurant blends the foods of countries which have influenced African development to create flavor-rich dishes. Inspired by India, Holland, France, England, and American food, the menu includes naan tacos, banh mi, salads, and much more.
We tried the South African fajita, the hugenot porkbelly, and the peli peli shrimp tacos. Brian, our most adventurous Ambassador, even tried the braised oxtail. Everyone was impressed with the new types of food! For dessert, we all sampled Peli Peli’s signature sticky toffee cupcake, red velvet cupcake, and gingersnap chocolate cookies.
The end of lunch also marked the end of our Arts and Parks tour in Houston. It was a short weekend for students, but a long LEAP for our education.
The mission of the LEAP Center is to provide unique learning opportunities and implicit in this mission is the idea of learning about new cultures and disciplines. Cross-cultural and interdisciplinary learning were certainly central to our Houston “Arts and Parks” tour.
We began our 2nd day of the trip with a visit to the Herrman Park Japanese Garden.
We also marveled at an Isamu Noguchi residing in Ms. Moody’s guest room. Perhaps this recurring motif lead us to choose Azuma Sushi and Robata Grill for dinner.
We found this as a great opportunity for some of the students to try new things. For some of the LEAPsters, this was their first time to try sushi. We ordered an array of sushi rolls, noodles, and other traditional Japanese plates so that everyone would have a chance to fulfill their culinary curiosity.
More curiously, it was Makayla Mason’s first time to try ribs. We all ignored the fact that this Texas life-long resident had never had one of the state’s most iconic meals and recognized her adventurous accomplishment.
Empowered by this adventurous spirt, we took a drive down Houston’s still-roaring roads to visit the Houston Police Officer’s Memorial. Designed by Jesus Moroles, the memorial resembles a Mezo-American pyramid with its geometric outline and elevating levels. Rising in the middle the field, the structure commemorates the lives of fallen Houston police officers. Under the twinkling skyline of the city, we climbed the memorial to get a better view of the mesmerizing vista.
Such added adventures made for a late night, but with rain in the forecast, we were promised a late morning start, allowing us to get ready for a continuation of our multi-cultural adventure.
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Continuing a Cultural Adventure, Kaitlyn Tyra
Well rested and eager to leap into the day’s adventures, LEAP Ambassadors embarked on the final leg of our Houston Arts and Parks Tour. To begin our day, we drove to the Asia Society Texas Center. Established in Houston with the help of former First Lady Barbara Bush, the center provides community engagement for Houston residents of Asian heritage and those wanting to learn more about the culture.
Before entering the art gallery, we admired the architecture of Yoshio Taniguchi, a Japanese architect, and learned about the design.
Both inside and outside, Professor Yawn emphasized the horizontal lines traditional to that of Asian architecture while the building’s vertical lines incorporated American design into the structure. This was designed by Taniguchi to bind the American and Asian cultures together.
The first floor of the Asia Society houses a café, theatre, and art gallery. The gallery included numerous paintings by . Born in India, he earned his Masters in Fine Arts from Indiana University and now teaches at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Majumdar created works of abstraction. But unlike other artists specialized in this discipline, Majumdar depicts the convergence of cultures through his art work.
A prevalent motif is also theatre, as he has experience in this profession and uses it as inspiration. His paintings allude to this trade, and depict images of performers getting ready for a play or the proscenium of a theater.
Craving a more realistic representation of theatre, we entered the Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater, adjacent to Majumdar’s art work. With walls lined with cherry wood panels and seats designed by Poltrona Frau, leather seat maker for Maserati and Ferrari, the acoustically rich theatre was spared no expense in order to achieve an excellent viewing experience. We had a chance to play around on the front stage and bounce on its Appalachian white oak floors.
And even though the ever present use of wood in the building’s walls and floors is an aesthetic pleasure, nothing compares to the beauty of the artwork we were about to see.
Upstairs in the Sarofirm Gallery, we had the opportunity to learn about modern Japanese bamboo art. A new form of art for many of the LEAP Ambassadors, we were amazed by the craftsmanship in every piece.
These artists, some of which come from families dedicated to this craft for generations, have mastered the technique to shape bamboo into whatever form they please.
The process requires a developed taste for perfection and a precision to delicately weave one of nature’s strongest natural substances.
Interestingly, many of these pieces had a functional purpose. For example, one of the artists made his piece so that it could function as a fruit bowl, while another crafted the bamboo to use it as a vase.
It left us with much to ponder.
It also capped off the Asian theme of our trip. Having seen work by Naguchi, visited the Japanese Gardens, eaten at an Asian restaurant, we now had an extensive exploration of Asian art and architecture. It wouldn’t be our last exploration of the trip, but it was one of our most fulfilling!
With the day winding down, we decided that the sunset and cooler weather would be a perfect setting for us to visit Smither Park. Designed by Huntsville-based builder Dan Phillips, the park consists of a concrete enclosure decorated with the quirky creativity of multiple local artists. Upon arrival, we instantly noticed how extraordinary this park was, but it was not until we got closer did we realize all the treasures within the wall’s artwork.
The first thing we noticed was a large amphitheater in the shape of a fish with its open mouth as the performance area. The inside of the fish was made mostly out of traffic signs and automobile parts.
From there, we followed a dolphin-decorated pathway to the sections of the enclosure. Each section had a different theme with its own unique treasures to be appreciated. The various panels were made with an abundance of media, kitchen appliances, glass, keys, rocks, toys, and nail polish bottles and everything in between. We were amazed to see how certain animals or designs were created by using everyday materials.
The overwhelming theme of the park was the ocean. From the walkway depicting dolphins, birds, crabs, sharks, and boats, to the panels arranged to resemble an octopus or fish, and a bench with a mermaid colorfully pieced together. We took pleasure in finding the hidden artwork and sharing with each other these discoveries.
Of course, among the beautifully constructed park, we were able to find a piece of Sam Houston State University. A few Class of 2013 graduation pins were among the miscellaneous objects added to the park.
While most of the artwork was very colorful and vibrant, there was a particular section that was just one color, white. Because of the contrast, it made this panel stand out from the rest. Professor Mike Yawn expressed this panel as being his favorite because it had the most whole, unbroken pieces of ceramic within it.
As we walked through the park we saw many sections of the wall incomplete. We were excited about how beautiful the sections will become once completed and are considering clues to develop a scavenger hunt much like the one we completed earlier in the day.
A few of us had the honor of being crowned the queen of the tigers.
Others took a break to go kayaking.
And Karla, who was recently told to “Dream Big” on her excellent evaluations from the Texas Legislature, found the message reinforced at Smither Park:
We concluded our visit to Smither Park by relaxing on the bench swings before it was time to head to dinner.
Smither Park was commissioned by Stephanie Smither in honor of her late husband, John H. Smither. The project was part of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art.
We began our tour of the museum with modern art by James Turrell. We entered the Wilson Tunnel and immediately recognized Turrell’s focus on light in his artwork.
But with limited time, we stuck with art since 1850, beginning with works by Monet, Van Gogh, and their contemporaries. We recognized how they used color and form to depict reality in a from alluding to abstraction.
Next, we learned about pointillism art which, somewhat similar to impressionism. Pointillism uses dots of different colors to create an image. We were able to appreciate a more developed form of abstract art with cubism. While pointillism uses color to create its image, cubism uses shapes. The different shapes and colors create different illusions, seemingly showing multiple perspectives simultaneously.
In the modern section, we saw works by Georgia O’Keefe, Alexander Calder, and Jackson Pollock.
Finally, we moved on to the special exhibit: the hyper-realistic work of Ron Mueck.
We found his work to be somewhat bizarre or, as Betty Moody might say, wonderfully weird and intriguing. Throughout the exhibit we found various sculptures with different meanings. For example, when you first see this piece…
…you expect to see a baby in the swaddling. But the title, “The Man in a Blanket,” hints that it is actually a middle-aged man, curled into the fetal position, perhaps hiding from life.
Mueck plays with scale, making sculptures either abnormally large or small. We see average sized people every day, and he gives us something out of the ordinary.
Perhaps most poignant is a young male, peering into a mirror at his reflection…
…with all the questions that young people have about themselves, their future, and the world around them.
He also did a self-portrait, which served as the exhibit centerpiece.
At the beginning of the exhibit, they warn visitors that some nudity is shown, and they weren’t lying! This piece, titled “Man in a Boat,” features a fully nude male, and captured the attention of some of our LEAPsters…
(The warnings were probably more directed at a subsequent piece not pictured here.)
Mueck also explores the idea of sacrifice, depicting a young African-American male as a victim of violence and a large fowl, hanged upside down in a variation on the crucifixion scene.
The final and largest sculpture was found at the end of the exhibit; it was a very large newborn baby girl. This work was one of the larger pieces, signifying the great blessing of a new born child.
When we completed viewing–and reflecting on–the exhibit, we returned the way we came. As before, we traversed Turrell’s tunnel, but it had changed colors…
…and this was appropriate, we thought, because we had changed, too.
Following a vigorous morning at the park, we headed to one of the more than 60 art galleries in the Houston area, the Moody Art Gallery, where a special tour waited for us. As we took our first step into the gallery, Betty Moody, the owner of the gallery, was quick to give us a warm welcome to her very special art venue.
As the tour began, we learned that approximately 42 years ago Ms. Moody and her husband, Bill Steffy, embarked on a journey when they decided to acquire a property and open their very own art gallery. Over the decades of dealing art for accomplished artists, she has built a good reputation and now deals artworks by Arthur Turner, Jim Love, Terry Allen, Mary McCleary, and Luis Jimenez, to name just a few.
Her knowledge and passion have led her to not choose art because of a simple trend, but to choose it because of the meaning and the story behind the piece.
Through viewing some of the most attention-grabbing art in her collection, we discovered that each person interpreted each piece differently and that, although dissimilar, they could all be representations intended by the artist.
One of the pieces that Ms. Moody focused on was Snow Vanitas, a mixed media collage by the local artist Mary McCleary. From a distance, it seemed like a simple piece, however, the illusions created by different elements including plastic, paint, wire, and wood, created a stunning result. Additionally, each of her three-dimensional collages have a story to tell and are created to leave an impact.
It was a learning experience in every way. We learned archiving methods…
…strategies for displaying art pieces…
…the stories behind unusual art…
…and even how to use a rolodex!
To continue with our learning adventure, Betty Moody gave us a tour of her own home, located a wall behind the art gallery.
There, she showed us some of her most precious and sentimental pieces she owns.
Decorated with Pre-Colombian art as well as modern pieces by Randy Twaddle, Robert Rauschenberg, Luis Jimenez, and the like, the room was a beautiful embodiment of art. Embedded in her book shelves were not only a trove of books, but also a Campbell’s Soup can signed by Andy Warhol!
We also had the chance to see a Picasso on her kitchen shelf!
Ms. Moody’s home could easily be used as an art museum.
Although we are certain that these were highly valuable to Ms. Moody, without a doubt her most treasured objects where Bill Steffy’s visually attractive works. As a sculptor and jeweler, he incorporated silver and materials like turquoise to give each piece a unique appearance. Surprisingly enough, what appeared to be a bird sculpture, was a jewelry box, which with the click of a button released a stunning pendant from its wing. It was one of our favorite pieces in the entire collection.
Photo from Houston Chronicle
There is no doubt varied talents are well exhibited at the Moody Art Gallery. Betty Moody gave us an unforgettable tour that went beyond our expectations.
The LEAP Ambassadors will treasure this unprecedented experience.
Thanks to Ms. Moody’s intimate relationship with art and her generosity in sharing, we experienced a semester’s worth of art learning in one afternoon–while spending time with a delightful business owner and lady!
A key part of our “Arts and Parks” tour of Houston was “Hermann Park. Named for George Hermann who, in 1914, deeded 285 acres for use as a park, the park is now the “central park” of Houston.
For good reason: it has many hidden treasures, and we set out to find them. The LEAP Ambassadors have participated in many different activities but for the first time they were tasked with completing a scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt included 19 clues that led to different sculptures, landmarks, and pieces of art around the park.
One such work of art was Enrico Cerrachio’s “Sam Houston,” which marks the entrance to the park.
This interested us not only because we attend Sam Houston State University, but also because there is discussion that a group named “Antifa” wants the statue to come down. We don’t think that’s going to happen, but it might have added an urgency to our efforts to get multiple photographs.
We began our tour collectively, going to the Japanese Gardens.The gardens are not only picturesque, but they helped reinforce a theme of our trip. Houston has a large and thriving Asian population, and with visits to these Japanese Gardens, the Asia Society, and a top-notch Japanese restaurant, this culture’s contributions were a key component of learning in our trip.
We divided into three teams: (1) Brian and Kaitlyn or, as they are sometimes known, “Braitlyn”, (2) Christina, Bianca, and Lizette, and (3) Karla, Makayla, and Beatriz.
The rules were simple: 1) we had 3 hours to reach our goals, (2) we were not allowed to use google, and (3) we photographed our presence at site for proof of “discovery.” Our goals were to: (1) efficiently cover a 445 acre park, (2) learn as much about the park is as possible–and by extension, the potential of all parks; (3) and to have fun!
Some of the clues included “Unlock your destiny” which referred to Atropos Key, a sculpture by Hannah Holliday Stewart.
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Atropos refers to one of the three Greek “fates,” who spin, measure, and terminate a person’s life. Atropos, incidentally, was the sister who held the shears; that is, she decided when to cut the thread.
Another clue was “Don’t twiddle your thumbs, but Twaddle on the top of the Mount with Seeds, Trees, and People” which referred to Randy Twaddle’s Seeds, Trees, and People, located on top of the Centennial Gardens Mount.
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One of our clues was: “Sit down with Jesus.” What we were supposed to look for was a granite bench crafted by Jesus Moroles…
What we found was…
We think we were both correct.
We also saw Trojan Bear by Jim Love…
…Dillidiidae by Sharon Engelstein….
..and many others.
We also learned about Scottish poets…
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…Mexican Presidents…
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We also discovered a sculpture of Oliver Twist by Trace Guthrie.
We mention this, because Mr. Guthrie did a sculpture of Sam Houston outside of Austin Hall on SHSU’s campus. We’re sure no one is taking that one down!
We also saw a zoo-like assortment of animals…
Indeed, Bianca did a pretty good Dr. Doolittle impersonation!
In looking for animals, we even saw an engagement proposal…!
We also had a chance to ride a train…
…and go out on a boat…
Despite the appearances of relaxation, however, some took the competition seriously…
With all the sprinting, we occasionally needed to cool off…
…But, in true LEAP Center fashion, we still had time to help small children…
Living close to one of the largest cities in the US, it is always tempting to visit the hustle and bustle of Houston. With 375 developed parks under the City of Houston Parks Department and an established art community in the city, the LEAP Ambassadors planned a weekend itinerary full of parks and art museums. To kick off our weekend, we gathered old and new friends to join us in our visit to of one of Houston’s newest marvels.
In the dark, mysterious cavern, a group of around 30 people waited in anticipation for one of Houston’s most unique art performances.
The LEAP Ambassadors were meeting other SHSU alumni that had previously been either a LEAP Ambassador or Junior Fellow at the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. As special guests, Mark Burns and Betty Moody accompanied us throughout this expedition.
The Cistern is an 87,500-square foot underground reservoir much in resemblance to the ancient Roman cisterns in Istanbul. This city reservoir was constructed in 1926 to provide fire suppression and store drinking water. In 2007, it was put out of commission when it sprang a leak that was never located or contained.
Three years later, this historical landsite was about to be demolished. However, around that same time, the Buffalo Bayou Park Partnership was working on the Buffalo Bayou Park project when they happened to discover the cistern. They acquired a $1.2 million grant from the Brown Foundation to remodel the space and repurpose it for art installations.
With its 18-inches of water and its 221-25ft tall columns, this imposing structure was the perfect medium for the art installment that Fernandez had in mind. With the help of the a-cappella Slovenian choir, Perpetuum Jazzile, she orchestrated an installation that appeals to sight and sound alike.
With snaps, hand slaps, stomps, and drumming, the Perpetuum Jazzile were able to emulate the sound of rain. With the accompaniment of a light show that danced across the stern columns, she created a space that emanated the sense of being in the middle of a rain storm.
Thunder and lightning struck, as well as wonder and amazement while in the cistern. With old and new friends to enjoy it with, Rain -as the installation is appropriately titled- was a wondrous experience.
The Cistern, located just outside of downtown Houston, also served as a wonderful spot for a reunion photograph!
Following our tour of the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, our group met at Black Walnut Café. There, past and present Ambassadors visited with each other while specials guest Betty Moody joined the reunion. Sampling a number of meals such as the Doc Krazy turkey burger, a french dip sandwich, and the spicy jalapeno chicken pasta, we enjoyed the meal almost as much as the pleasant conversation.
Before the evening ended, LEAP Ambassadors thanked our graduating members- Alex, Megan, and Jessica- with well wishes and gifts. Megan, Alex, and Jessica will all be heading to different law schools in the fall.
Additionally, we made sure to thank Ryan Brim, who graduated high school this semester and will pursue an engineering degree at the University of Arkansas. Most amusing from this gift giving, was Ryan’s college-prep present. It consisted of a shower caddy with travel sized shampoos and soaps. Participating in ten years of LEAP events and trips, for the past few years he has used our hotel lodgings to save on toiletry expenses by collecting shampoos and soaps. A peculiar habit indeed, it is certain that Ryan would rather not have his secret revealed in such a public setting.
Dinner continued with a myriad of conversion. From table to table, alumni shared advise with current students, a dedicated art gallery owner shared her work experience with engaged listeners, while other students mingled with each other on future job opportunities. Enclosed in the room was the resonant sound of joyful conversation that could only come from friends happy to se each other.
As conversation receded, the evening ended as alumni and guests headed home. For the LEAP Ambassadors, we were thankful for our visit with friends and headed to our hotel to prepare for the rest of our Houston Arts and Parks Tour.
For many years, this little guy, Ryan Brim (the one on the left), was our mascot.
He started as a “junior, Junior Fellow,” moved into being an Honorary LEAP Ambassador, and is now a full-fledged high-school graduate. In August, he’ll move to Fayetteville, where he will begin the Engineering program at the University of Arkansas.
In his introduction to the team, he was known as a polite kid who was up for various adventures and would even participate as his skills and mother would allow. He began blogging–more or less under orders–at the age of 9, but mostly at this stage he was an observer, getting to be a kid, albeit one with a lot of opportunities.
Ryan at Scare on the Square
Ryan at Scare on the Square
Ryan in Ohio
Ryan on the Battleship San Jacinto
Ryan as Ryan
Ryan in Disguise
But while he was at it, he learned to shake hands like a man and work with some exceptional people…
Ryan Brim with Bette Nelson
Ryan with Leanne Woodward
He also had a chance to see some great art…
Ryan at Cloud Gate in Chicago
…eventually enjoying some abstract art…
He was even taught how to work granite by the great Jesus Moroles…
He’s also had the chance to meet many authors…
Ryan with Walter Mosley
Ryan with Anthony Horowitz
Ryan with Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry
Ryan with Jeff Kinney
…and he even got to assist NY Times best-selling author Jeff Guinn on his new book.
He learned a lot about history…
Ryan at Mariners’ Church immortalized by “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”
Ryan at Mount Vernon
…visited important cultural sites…
…sang at the same microphone as Elvis, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash…
…competed, sort of, at the world-famous Keeneland Racecourse…
…hung out with some famous people, or at least facsimiles of such….
Ryan with Johnny Mercer
Ryan with Marilyn Monroe
Ryan with Charlie Chaplin
Ryan with Jack Webb
Ryan with Woody
Of course, he had to face some fears…
…and even some obstacles along the way…
But as he got older, he took on a more active role, working events with us, working on our fundraisers, and doing college-kid stuff…
Ryan working at Scare on the Square
Ryan participating in the LEAP Center Charity Football Game
Ryan on the ropes in the Megacavern
More football!
He also did some real work, volunteering for his Congressman, assisting an event with the Lt. Governor, working at the Texas Party Convention….
Ryan Blockwalking
Ryan working an event…
Ryan working the convention
In this manner, he visited 29 states, 20 state capitol buildings, and six presidential libraries. He’s done a lot over a ten-year period.
Some things haven’t changed. When he was 10 or so, he won an award for photography…
…and now he fills in occasionally as our team photographer…
Also, he’s always enjoyed the outdoors, when he actually goes outside.
We like to think he’s had some pretty good mentors…
Ryan with Mitchell Sanchez, Megan Chapa, and Austin Campbell
Ryan with his sister, Megan Foster
Ryan with Brian Aldaco, Megan Chapa, and Kaitlyn Tyra
Ryan with Cameron Goodman and Christian Bionat
Ryan and Christian
Of course, he had inducements to be involved….
But whatever his motivation, we are thrilled to be part of his growing up.
…and, from a distance, part of his graduation.
And we know his future is unlimited! Grab the moon, Ryan!
A prevalent motif is also theatre, as he has experience in this profession and uses it as inspiration. His paintings allude to this trade, and depict images of performers getting ready for a play or the proscenium of a theater.
