
A touring project from acclaimed percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani, the Nakatani Gong Orchestra is the only ongoing bowed gong orchestra in the world, and uses local musicians who become trained in Nakatani's unique bow technique. Seventeen Chinese wind gongs are featured during the performance, each handmade by Nakatani himself.
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Making plarn (plastic yarn) from used plastic shopping bags is an easy process that can be done in multiple ways. Once you’ve learned how to crochet, you can make all kinds of sculptural objects, wearable art, bags, hats, blankets, and more. In this workshop, participants will learn two techniques on how to prepare and cut material, as well as an introduction to basic crochet stitches.

The Nakatani Gong Orchestra is a touring project in which local musicians are trained in Nakatani’s bow technique and conducted through a performance of his transformative works on a collection of seventeen Chinese wind gongs. The Kobo bows, mallets, and surrounding equipment used in the performance have all been handmade by Nakatani himself. It is the only ongoing bowed gong orchestra project in the world.

The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art is a multi-site art center that exists to give Houstonians unique and authentic experiences that ignite the courage to create in everyone. We proudly preserve the legacies of the visionary artists behind the Orange Show Monument, the Beer Can House, Smither Park, and the Art Car Parade, and produce year-round programs designed to inspire curiosity and leave you feeling like part of our community.







After years of analysis and planning, we have announced our major expansion plan that will focus on bringing our community together to make, teach, and view performing and visual arts. Outsider art, artist built environments, and our creative programming will continue to attract visitors who are inspired by art that is relatable, accessible, exciting and fun. The new campus encompasses the existing Orange Show Monument and Smither Park properties, plus a 5-acre commercial property acquired in 2017. By highway, the site is easily accessible to all 7+ million residents of the greater Houston-Woodlands-Sugar Land area.
ROGERS PARTNERS Architects+Urban Designers is a studio of forty architects, urban designers, and landscape architects. Rogers Partners engages the world of design with the creativity and rigor for which Founding Partner, Rob Rogers, FAIA and his teams have been recognized, and explores broader architectural concerns in the public realm.