Every work of art begins with a story. Ours began with a question:
What if public art could help people see one another differently?
This November, that story came to life in a new way through We Are HueMan, a large-scale public artwork created for the iconic Midtown sign at Bagby Park.
Designed by the artists of the HueMan:Shelter Project, this installation honors the collective creativity that has shaped our work across Houston. Each letter of the sign carries design elements inspired by one of the six original HueMan:Shelter installations throughout Midtown. Together, the letters tell a shared story of belonging, resilience, and transformation.
A Collaboration Between Artists and Community
The We Are HueMan installation was created by artists who are part of our larger public art initiative. Each artist was selected through a community-based process to reflect the diverse voices of Houston. Their designs were inspired by the murals, bus shelters, and underpass installations co-created with individuals who have experienced homelessness through Career and Recovery Resources’ UpRise Enterprise Program.
These are the same artists and community members whose hands and hearts built HueMan:Shelter itself. Together, we’ve turned public spaces into places of connection, and this new piece is a celebration of that journey.
The Artists Behind “We Are HueMan”
Chris Robinson and Melissa Aytenfisu, two of Houston’s HueMan:Shelter artists, led the creation of We Are HueMan.
Robinson is a Houston-based illustrator and designer known for his bold, culturally grounded work that celebrates Black identity and family. His illustrations blend heritage, storytelling, and modern design to highlight the beauty of community and belonging.
Aytenfisu is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores identity, movement, and social connection through painting, print, and photography. Her art often reflects her experiences living across continents and her ongoing commitment to creativity as a form of healing and understanding.
Together, Robinson and Aytenfisu brought their unique perspectives to this piece, turning the Midtown sign into a living symbol of collaboration and empathy. Their design captures the essence of HueMan:Shelter — creative expression born from connection and community.
Learn more about Chris Robinson and Melissa Aytenfisu on our artist pages.
Experience “We Are HueMan”
Visit Bagby Park (415 Gray St, Houston, TX 77002) through December 1, 2025, to experience We Are HueMan in person.
As you walk through the park, notice how each letter reflects the texture and color of a different installation across Midtown. Then, follow the HueMan:Shelter Map to explore the full collection of murals, bus shelters, and underpass artworks nearby.
These spaces were made to be experienced, not just seen. Each one invites reflection, connection, and empathy, the kind that starts conversations and changes communities.
About HueMan:Shelter
HueMan:Shelter is a public art and social impact initiative funded through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, with support from the City of Houston, Houston Arts Alliance, Midtown Houston, Career and Recovery Resources, the Coalition for the Homeless, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.
The project connects Houston-based artists and individuals with lived experience of homelessness to create collaborative public artworks that tell human stories through color, movement, and imagination.
Together, these works make one promise: when art and empathy meet, communities thrive.