Linda and Simon Eyles.

After several years working with the sculpture project, two of our curators have decided to step away from their duties. Linda and Simon played important roles in the success of True North during their tenure, bringing acumen for business and marketing, a keen eye for fine art and design, and a strong tie to the community. The Eyles say, “We’ve loved every minute of our time working on this incredible public art installation. It has brought so much to our neighborhood and to us personally. We feel fortunate to have worked with a great team and with some truly wonderful artists. While we plan to always be a part of True North, we feel that this is the right time for us to focus on some other interests.” 

They will be greatly missed, and we wish them all the best in their many other endeavors. Chris Silkwood and Kelly Simmons will continue their work on True North and are pleased to welcome three new members to the team.

Donna Bennett.

A long-time HHA volunteer, Donna Bennett is a name many of you already know, and we are delighted that she has agreed to join the project. Donna says, “I think this is a wonderful project, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the sculptures along Heights Boulevard since the first ones were installed in 2014. While I miss my favorites when they come down, I so look forward to exploring the new ones as they appear. I am excited to be more closely involved.”

Donna has served on the HHA Board, chaired many committees to great success, and is a former HHA Citizen of the Year and Marcella Perry Award Recipient. Among all the important projects she has led to improve our community, Donna worked tirelessly with local government to bring safety implementations at major street crossings along the hike and bike trail, including the traffic light and street markings at Yale and 7th Streets. 

“Ourglass” by Dean Ruck. Photo by Rick Wells.

Dean Ruck.

We’re thrilled to announce that Dean Ruck, Art League Houston’s 2005 Artist of the Year (as Havel Ruck Projects, along with Dan Havel) has joined the True North team. Dean was among the first group of artists to participate in the True North sculpture project with his popular installation “Ourglass.” Dean says, “Temporary public sculpture brings vitality to communities and liberating opportunities to artists amongst us. As a participant in the first True North series, I’m happy to give back and assist in its continued success.” 

Another of Dean’s many works is “Big Bubble” in Buffalo Bayou at downtown’s Sesquicentennial Park. Activated by the push of a “hidden” button which sends a massive bubble rushing to the water’s surface, the installation is not only an intentionally-mysterious bit of public art but environmentally beneficial—keeping the bayou waters from becoming stagnant. Most Houstonites also remember “Inversion,” installed by Havel Ruck Projects on the esplanade of Montrose Boulevard, turning two dilapidated cottages (set for destruction to make way for Art League Houston’s new home) inside out.

Gus Kopriva.

Last, but certainly not least, we are excited to announce that Gus Kopriva will rejoin True North as a full team member. Gus and Chris Silkwood founded True North in 2014 out of a desire to make fine art more accessible to the general public. Gus stepped away from the project after 2018 to fulfill his vision for other similar exhibitions throughout the City—continuing to serve as project and engineering consultant for True North. Gus says that “public art is good for the soul and for the mind. It creates a sense of community, is a huge economic benefit for that community, and gives the community a sense of pride.”

Gus moved with his family from Germany to Houston at the age of eight—making a home in the Houston Heights—and is a graduate of Reagan High School. With a successful career in the engineering field, all the while amassing an impressive collection of world-class art, Gus opened Redbud Gallery in 1999 in a Houston Heights historic building once owned by his wife’s (renowned artist Sharon Kopriva) father, Red Ortman.

The True North team is continuing to work on the next boulevard sculpture exhibition—scheduled to make its appearance in mid-March 2022.  You can contact us at boulevardart@houstonheights.org and visit our website at website for more information. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @truenorthheightsblvd to keep up with all the latest activity.