28-Jan-10 4:00 PM CST

Public asked to help artist tell Pasadena’s story

The lobby of the new Harris County Courthouse Annex now under construction in Pasadena will include mixed-media art telling Pasadena’s colorful story.

The artist is Dallas-based Ellen Frances Tuchman who has created similar pieces for the Federal Reserve Bank building in Houston and Dallas’ Stoneleigh Hotel.

And, she needs the help of the community in collecting pieces of Pasadena’s history to include in the 23-foot mural wall.

“Photos, post cards, souvenirs and any sort of collectibles (1890-2000) relating to Pasadena are eligible to be included ‘in’ the artwork,” says Tuchman. “I am eager to meet with people who have pieces of memorabilia they would like to share with the community.”

To that end, Tuchman will be in Pasadena on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to allow area residents to show her their pieces of Pasadena history for possible inclusion in the art piece.

She will look at memorabilia at Harris County’s Kyle Chapman Annex located at 7330 Spencer Highway in Pasadena.

Details on how people may donate items and how unused items will be returned are also available at www.ellenfrancestuchman.com

In addition to bringing items for Tuchman’s personal review on January 30th, items may be dropped off at the Kyle Chapman Annex during the Precinct Two office’s business hours of 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. through Feb. 26.

While there is no restriction on the type of items that may be included in the artwork, there are certain size limitations. While the width and the length are not restricted, donated items may be no deeper or thicker than 1.5 inches in order to fit into the artwork.

The timeframe being considered begins with Pasadena’s settlement in 1890 and includes anything and everything through 2000.

Harris County Precinct Two Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia initiated the art project to include education and history in a public building by incorporating Pasadena’s history in the lobby.

“I want a public lobby that will engage anybody who walks into the building in the story of settlement, growth and progress that is Pasadena,” said Commissioner Garcia. “I hope to see the entire community become as excited as we are about the potential for including actual pieces of Pasadena’s history in this new public building.”

The courthouse annex, located at the intersection of HWY 225 and Richey, has been named the John Phelps Courthouse Annex to recognize the longtime area businessman and volunteer. Construction on the $16 million dollar project began in September of 2009 and it is scheduled to open in October of this year.

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