Since we started, CHAT has made art an important part of what we do.
We use murals and creative activities to help people grow, learn new things, and connect with the community.
Through vibrant public art and engaging projects, CHAT celebrates the different voices in our community. We create places where everyone’s story can be shared. Join us to see how art can inspire, bring people together, and make a difference!
CHAT’s art initiatives
Murals + Gulfton Story Trail
The Gulfton Story Trail is a special art experience that explores the many cultures and voices of Houston’s Gulfton neighborhood.
Between Gulfton’s tasty restaurants and unique shops, you’ll find amazing murals painted by some of Houston’s best street artists. Each block fresh chapter in Gulfton’s story, showing a community made up of over 100 cultures and 60 languages.
Since the Gulfton Story Trail began, we’ve added more than 20 murals, bringing even more color and creativity to the neighborhood. We’re grateful for the artists who worked with us to make these murals possible, sharing their talents to brighten this shared space.
The first 12 murals were part of a project called Visit My Neighborhood, started in 2018 under Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Complete Communities Initiative.
Funding for the murals also came from the Houston Health Department, LISC Houston, Houston in Action, the Hogg Foundation, and the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.
Click here to find a map of the murals and start your own a self-guided tour.
Resources on Art, Health, Art, and Community
CHAT works with local groups to offer classes and provide resources that enhance personal well-being and community connection. These partnerships allow us to create specials programs that mix art, health, and community building. Through these programs, people can express themselves, learn new things, grow emotionally, and connect with their community.
CHAT’s partners include:
Brave Little Theater
Provides theater workshops that encourage self-expression, confidence, and storytelling skills. These workshops offer a safe space for participants to explore their own voices and gain confidence in front of others.
Nameless Sound
Offers music classes that foster creativity and emotional expression through sound. These sessions show how music can be a way to heal, express feelings, and connect with the community.
Houston Center for Photography
Teaches photography classes where people learn to capture and share their unique perspectives. This creative outlet encourages mindfulness and helps participants tell their stories visually.
Women’s Sewing Circle
At the Women’s Sewing Circle, women in the Gulfton area come together to learn and grow. Led by women for women, each class offers in-language support, so everyone feels comfortable and understood. Here, they don’t just learn to sew—they make friends, build confidence, and become part of a caring community where everyone is valued.
Art and Music Classes
CHAT’s art and music classes offers students—of all ages—a way to be creative, both in and out of school. These programs can be offered year-round, with classes that vary from season to season and year to year. In the past, students have learned traditional art, photography, and journaling, helping them explore diverse forms of creative expression.
Students also get the chance to work with local artists, such as collaborating on mural projects for the Gulfton Story Trail. These experiences build confidence, connect students to their culture, and contribute to their community’s vibrant and visual landscape.
