Public Art Displays

Mini Murals

If you’ve driven around League City recently your eyes have most likely spotted some colorful artwork located on the side of various intersections near a traffic light or signal pole. These artistic creations are called mini murals and they are just what their name implies—mini scenes and images better known as murals —which have been painted directly onto the gray metal boxes that house the technology for the city’s traffic signals. As part of League City’s Public Art Initiative, local and regional professional artists are being commissioned to hand-paint murals on signal boxes at various intersections across the city. Many of the artists are League City residents—including Adam Socie and Thelma Brown—while others live in the Clear Lake and Bay Area Houston area, including artist Anat Ronen and Doug Hiser. Each have been given instructions to create a design that relates to League City’s wildlife, natural habitats, scenic views, landscapes, and unique history.

Instead of being hand painted, several of the metal traffic boxes are covered in vinyl wraps that were graphically printed using the original designs of Clear Creek ISD students Cara Vajdos, Jocelyn Lopez, and Juliana Harrison. The three students submitted their artwork as part of a partnership between the city and the school district. Look for more painted mini-mural and wrapped traffic boxes in the future.

Recreation Center

Local artist Adam Socie painted these stunning larger-than-life masterpieces on the outside of the League City Recreation Center. Visible from Walker Street, these murals have brightened up the City’s Municipal Complex. Come check them out at 450 W. Walker St.

League Park

Adam also completed an interactive mural at League Park on the side of the caboose which features a train conductor handing out an oversized train ticket. The train conductor was painted to look like Walter Hall, an influential League City bank owner and visionary who is credited with the incorporation of League City and surrounding schools into the Clear Creek Independent School District in 1948 and pushing for the City’s incorporation with the state of Texas in 1962. Several buildings and a park are named after Walter, and his wife Helen, including an elementary school, park, and the City’s library.

Lynn Gripon Park at Countryside

Elizabeth Umanzor doesn’t often get to paint what she loves—nature. So, when the Keep League City Beautiful Committee asked the professional artist to paint two nature-inspired murals as part of the City’s Public Art Initiative, she was more than thrilled. Umanzor’s creations can both be found at Lynn Gripon Park at Countryside. One is painted along the back of the concrete bleachers that were recently installed at the park’s pavilion. It includes the name of the park immersed in plants and wildlife including an alligator, turtle, and a possum.

The second mural can be found along the park’s hike and bike trail that runs along Magnolia Creek and is directly underneath Bay Area Boulevard. The mural is painted on two bridge columns and features wildflowers, birds, and bees. Check out both murals the next time you’re at the park.

Tree Cuffs at the Helen Hall Library

Every Stitch Way—a local a group of knitting, crocheting, and stitching enthusiasts—recently decorated the trees around Helen Hall Library in tree “cuffs.” These colorful yarn creations are part of the City’s Public Art Initiative. The group, which meets every other Wednesday at the library, plans to decorate more trees in front of the library and they want the public to participate. If you are interested in joining or donating knit or crochet pieces for the Tree Cuff project, email communications@leaguecitytx.gov.

Sculptures

J.C. League and his dog Scout

In 2022, statues of J.C. League and his dog, Scout, were created in commemoration of the 60^th year of League City’s incorporation with the state of Texas and to honor J.C. League’s contributions to establishing and building our community over 120 years ago.

The two bronze pieces are mounted together on a concrete pedestal at League Park in front of the main courtyard. A metal plaque and informational sign about League’s life and legacy were added to the statue. Several hidden items or “Easter eggs” were also placed throughout the two statues. They include a daisy on League’s lapel in honor of his daughter and a live oak tree on his pocket watch to recognize his efforts in planting oak trees throughout League City. Stop by League Park to see the statues and take pictures with J.C. League and Scout.

More handcrafted sculptures can be found around League City. Here’s a list of where you can find them: