In March 2021, Confluence was installed along the Bayou Greenway trail at the convergence of White Oak and Buffalo Bayous. The mural, created by artist Jane Kim, co-founder of Ink Dwell studio, showcases the birds that call Houston’s bayous home.

“Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the United States”, says artist Jane Kim, “and that’s not just limited to its people. The region’s wetlands attract a spectacular array of bird life and Confluence is a monument to that beauty and diversity.”

Confluence tells a 12-month story of Houston’s migratory birds. Its name refers to the way in which many birds change color seasonally to attract mates. At the center are six species represented in both their spring breeding plumage and their non-breeding plumage. On the right are three species that winter in Houston; on the left are three species that arrive in the spring to breed. A map of Houston’s bayous serves as the backdrop to bring movement and energy to the work.

Measuring 223 feet in length, the mural will span the wall along the confluence of White Oak Bayou Greenway and Buffalo Bayou trail and enrich the experience of cyclists, pedestrians, students, and commuters who use the trail daily. Central to both the bayou system and downtown Houston, Confluence will also be visible to nearby office buildings and the University of Houston-Downtown campus. Installation began in early March 2021 and is expected to take four to six weeks to complete.

“Confluence is an ideal example of Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s ongoing commitment to public art”, said Anne Olson, President of Buffalo Bayou Partnership. “Ink Dwell studio’s depiction of Houston’s native birds provides a beautiful contrast to the urban character of this downtown site.”

As with Bayou Greenways, this mural is a product of the extraordinary public/private partnership between City of Houston and Harris County, along with voters and philanthropists with a particular thanks to Tom and Laura Bacon.

Confluence is commissioned by Houston Parks Board and hosted in collaboration with Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Special thanks to Houston Audubon for their ornithological expertise, our partners at University of Houston-Downtown, and the generous support of Laura and Tom Bacon to celebrate Houston’s Bayou Greenways.

Houston Parks Board served as project manager on the installation and is responsible for ongoing maintenance of this portion of the Bayou Greenways system.

Read the full press release here.

For a map and parking directions click here.