Rob Houston, Author at Visit Enid Oklahoma

Enid Public Library
Gallery

Enid Public Library

Rob Houston2024-09-03T09:42:31-05:00

The Public Library of Enid & Garfield County is the largest public library in Northwest Oklahoma, serving a population of over 50,000 people. It provides events for all ages, including children, teen & tweens, and adults 18+ with special activities for older adults. It is a partner with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The Imagination Library mails over three million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children's homes each month. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book monthly from birth to age 5 at no cost to families. Hours Mon-Thurs 8:30 am-7 [...]

Enid Public LibraryRob Houston2024-09-03T09:42:31-05:00

Railroad Museum, Dan Harris, Model Trains & Memories
Gallery

Railroad Museum, Dan Harris, Model Trains & Memories

Rob Houston2024-08-29T16:54:06-05:00

By Rob Houston Director, Visit Enid A Facebook post caught my eye earlier this week. It came from the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma, one of Enid's inviting tourism attractions. The museum was recently privileged to accept numerous boxes of historical material from the estate of the late Dan L. Harris. Thanks to his daughter and son-in-law, Allison and Lynn Angleton, along with Allison's brothers Greg Harris and Kyle Harris, extensive documentation has been donated providing a detailed account of the formation of the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma, initially known as the Enid Model Railroad and Historical Association which began in 1974. [...]

Railroad Museum, Dan Harris, Model Trains & MemoriesRob Houston2024-08-29T16:54:06-05:00

Sports Tourism a Home Run for Enid, Could Reach Grand Slam Levels
Gallery

Sports Tourism a Home Run for Enid, Could Reach Grand Slam Levels

Rob Houston2024-08-01T10:46:01-05:00

By Rob Houston Director, Visit Enid Back in 2018, I traveled to Foley, Alabama to tour their new sports complex. This was part of an initiative by the Enid First team to explore communities with successful programs that Enid wanted to emulate. Foley, population 17,000, sits just 10 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico and is a hearty recipient of all of those beach tourism dollars rolling in. The BP Oil Spill in 2010 brought beach tourism to a crashing halt. Foley city leaders along with cities up and down the coast wondered how they would replace all that lost [...]

Sports Tourism a Home Run for Enid, Could Reach Grand Slam LevelsRob Houston2024-08-01T10:46:01-05:00

Deep in Thought
Gallery

Deep in Thought

Rob Houston2024-08-26T14:03:29-05:00

Deep in Thought depicts Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in reflective poses gazing into the distance. Commissioned by the Public Arts Commission of Enid (PACE), the mural was completed June 28, 2024 by the team of Tox Murillo, who was responsible for the artwork design and painting of the mural, and Terrall Prince, who came up with the design, fabrication and installation of the frame and the 3D canvas attached to the face of Enid's City Administration Building. The mural was dedicated August 17, 2024. The mural showcases King's contemplative nature, capturing his deep [...]

Deep in ThoughtRob Houston2024-08-26T14:03:29-05:00

Heroes of the Heartland
Gallery

Heroes of the Heartland

Rob Houston2024-06-07T15:45:27-05:00

Heroes of the Heartland are portraits of 10 fallen soldiers from this region. Each portrait was painted by artist Tox Murillo, and the exhibit was dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 2022. Exhibit can be seen at the OK Military History Exhibit at Oakwood Mall, open Thursday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm. It was partially funded by a grant from the Pubic Arts Commission of Enid (PACE).

Heroes of the HeartlandRob Houston2024-06-07T15:45:27-05:00

Rick’s Pharmacy Mural
Gallery

Rick’s Pharmacy Mural

Rob Houston2024-06-07T14:14:34-05:00

This mural was completed May 13, 2024 by artist Tox Murillo.

Rick’s Pharmacy MuralRob Houston2024-06-07T14:14:34-05:00

Butterfly, Caterpillar & Chrysalis Circles
Gallery

Butterfly, Caterpillar & Chrysalis Circles

Rob Houston2024-06-07T14:36:54-05:00

The Public Art Commission of Enid (PACE) commissioned these interactive (touchable) art pieces. They add color and interest to the Enid Walking Trail between Seneca and Ponca, just east of Parkway. Dedicated April 26, 2024 Artists and designers: Kelly & Ty Tompkins of Neato Designs Fabricators: Emme Hughes of EH Metal Works (caterpillar & circles) and Wesley Spencer with SpenCo Metal Works (Butterfly)

Butterfly, Caterpillar & Chrysalis CirclesRob Houston2024-06-07T14:36:54-05:00

Faces of Hope
Gallery

Faces of Hope

Rob Houston2024-03-15T10:49:39-05:00

The two storage containers at Enid SPCA stand as more than mere vessels for pet supplies: they are vibrant canvases that tell tales of unwavering hope. Hive Appeal's Kelly & Ty Tompkins have transformed these containers into colorful, larger-than-life pet caricatures - each brushstroke a testament to the love and dedication poured into the day-to-day work of a no-kill animal shelter. Faces of Hope: because every pet deserves a chance and every act of kindness matters. Partially funded by grants from Park Avenue Thrift and the Public Arts Commission of Enid [...]

Faces of HopeRob Houston2024-03-15T10:49:39-05:00

There’s Fun to be Done
Gallery

There’s Fun to be Done

Rob Houston2024-03-14T10:27:25-05:00

Artists were Kelly & Ty Tompkins from Hive Appeal. From the Hive Appeal website: In 2021, Teresa Willems left this earth and left behind funds to some of her favorite organizations, which included Pleasant-Vale Elementary School, where she happened to be my (Kelly's) 2nd-grade teacher! We knew each other again later in life, mostly through the Enid Arts Council. She loved to share the joy of art and education, so we were thrilled to get to design and paint a mural in the new courtyard of the school in her memory. The school wanted a bright, colorful mural inspired by Dr. Seuss's [...]

There’s Fun to be DoneRob Houston2024-03-14T10:27:25-05:00

Healing Garden
Gallery

Healing Garden

Rob Houston2024-03-14T10:18:07-05:00

Healing Garden was dedicated in 2023 by artists Kelly & Ty Tompkins of Hive Appeal From the Hive Appeal website: The Healing Garden mural brightens the view from the INTEGRIS cafeteria! You can walk to it from Owen K Garriott or catch a quick glimpse as you drive by. In order to represent all areas of the medical profession, we included flowers and plants that historically were used to help each system of the body! This is absolutely NOT intended to be a recommendation! In fact, our only recommendation is to consult with your doctor about any issues! These are what each item [...]

Healing GardenRob Houston2024-03-14T10:18:07-05:00