Gator Pride Hits The Streets
By Sheryl E. Taylor
Passersby can now experience University of Houston-Downtown Gator Pride at the intersection of North Main and Commerce Street.
Recently, a Gator mini mural, created by Houston’s award-winning UP Art Studio in collaboration with UHD’s Office of University Relations, was installed. The studio’s Mini Murals Houston project began in 2016 with 31 traffic signal control cabinets in the pilot phase. There are now more than 200 mini murals throughout Greater Houston.
Artist Anat Ronen was selected by UP Art to paint the Gator mini mural, which is comprised of four panels featuring the Gator’s eye, leg, body and profile.
“We are delighted that our UHD Gator mascot has made his way further into the city,” says Elisa Olsen, Executive Director of University Relations. “The mini mural is a dynamic and artistic representation as well as the fact that our very own alumna Elia Quiles helped to facilitate this project makes it even more special.”
UP Art Studio has partnered with various local businesses and entities to create Mini Murals Tours that offer city residents and visitors to experience a visual excursion of the mini works of public arts through foot, bike and car. UP Art Studio is now working with the City of Austin Department of Transportation to create mini mural installations to beautify neighborhoods throughout Austin.
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
