Smither Park- HTX

If you are going to this place on 45 South, when you exit Telephone Rd, IMMEDIATELY get into the right-hand lane to turn on Munger St.

Ya girl almost missed the turn. Had to cut someone off and make a right turn going 35 miles an hour onto a street that was narrower than an ant’s ass. You’ve been warned.

Smither Park is wonderful and whimsical place. Located at 2441 Munger St in the HTX, it is essentially an art park that displays a collection of large mosaic sculptures. These sculptures are mostly made from broken bottles, cracked plates, old road signs and shattered tiles. Numerous local artists are responsible for the artwork that makes this place so special.

This urban art space was created in memory of a man named John H. Smither. His wife, the late Stephanie Smither, and artist Dan Phillips designed and created the park. John and Stephanie were both board members of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. This may explain why the park is happily situated right next door to the Orange Show. This space oozes with artistic energy and can attribute its existence to more than 300 artists.

Upon arriving, the artwork can be overwhelming. There is simply so much detail in every piece. Every sculpture is made of thousands of pieces. And each tiny part can be a piece of art on its own. Someone like me could spend hours there analyzing every little bit and have time of my life. It is definitely a place for photographers and Instagram models. If selfie-anity was a religion, then Smither Park would be a place of worship.

The largest and the most striking structure at Smither Park is the Lindley Fish Amphitheater created by Matt Gifford. The large opening looks like the mouth of an angler fish about to devour its prey. It is beautifully decorated with old street signs and pieces of broken mirror. The pieces are arranged in a pattern that is simply mesmerizing. While many people focus on the front of this sculpture, the back is equally attractive. Carefully cut pieces of tin are laid to appear as the scales of the fish and it is the perfect backdrop for a photo shoot.

This quirky and creative place is a must visit. The park is open daily from dawn ‘til dusk. I went on a Saturday afternoon and there was a steady crowd. As I stated earlier the street is very narrow and street parking is allowed, so imagine that. There is an entry to a small park just beyond the Lindley Fish structure. I guess you could park there and walk a few yards to Smither Park. Just know if you park on the street, you may be playing the automobile version of the game slither.io.

Find more info at www.orangeshow.org/smither-park.