The Witness Series
Exploring Indigenous, African American, Latino, and Asian Connections To Nature and Art
The Witness Series
The Witness Series is Artist Led, Nature Centered and Community Driven. It is led by Kristi Rangel, Houston-based multi-disciplinary artist and education advocate. As a part of her 2025 Bayou Artist in Residency, the 2025 Witness Series will be expanded from 4 parts to an 8-part series. This year’s Witness Series will explore the many profound experiences that Communities of Color have in the Land of Southeast Texas and along Houston’s Buffalo Bayou. The Witness Series is co-curated in partnership with artists from the Native American, African American, Latinx, Pacific Islander and Asian communities. Every Witness experience is designed to bring communities together through the power of nature and provide historically under-served communities with greater access to nature-based opportunities. Attendees become co-authors, editors and observers as they take part in these participatory public art experiences centered around green spaces and environmental equity.
The Witness Series will again be captured by artist April M. Frazier , as she participates in events part 1, 2 and 3. Joe Robles IV will capture the Witness Series Part 4. Through their art, we will be able to experience the power of community building and making in green spaces.
Kristi Rangel created it in partnership with Jaime González, a Houston-based conservationist and storyteller because of their shared belief that environmental equity is a basic human right. Kristi is the 2025 Artist in Residence with Buffalo Bayou Partnership, offering programming through the Witness Series at sites along Buffalo Bayou.
Part 1: February 22, 2025
“Empowered by Flowers”: Flora, Fauna and Self-Care
Place: Pilgrim United Church and Columbia Tap Rail Trail
Pilgrim Community Center Inc
3118 Blodgett St
Houston, TX 77004
Time: 9am – 11:30am
Part 2: March 9, 2025
“Grow with Grace”: Indigenous Wisdom through Native Wildflowers
Place: Japhet Creek Park
4600 Clinton Dr
Houston, TX 77020
Time: 9am to 11:30am
Part 3: March 22, 2025
"Bear Witness": (Re)Connecting to Our Ancestors
Place: E.R. and Ann Taylor Park
850 Reed Rd
Houston, TX 77051
Time: 9am to Noon
Part 4: April 26, 2025
Blooming into History: Beautiful, Fierce and Free
Place: Keegan Bayou and Riceville Cemetery
Starting at 9022 Willow Meadow Drive
Houston, TX 77031
Time: 8:30am – Noon
Part 5: May 17, 2025
Drawn to Nature: Building Community through Observation
Place: Yolanda Black Navarro Buffalo Bend Nature Park
2300 S Sgt Marcario Garcia Dr
Houston, TX 77011
Time: 9am to 11:30am
Part 6: September 13, 2025
Preserve Memories: Artmaking with Dried Flowers
Place: Hidalgo Park
7000 Avenue Q
Houston, TX 77011
Time: 9am to 11:30am
Part 7: October 18, 2025
Drawing Strength: Nature Journaling
Place: Yolanda Black Navarro Buffalo Bend Nature Park
2300 S Sgt Marcario Garcia Dr
Houston, TX 77011
Time: 9am to 11:30am
Part 8: November 22, 2025
With Gratitude: Pop-Up Community Art Show and Artist Talk
Place: Yolanda Black Navarro Buffalo Bend Nature Park
2300 S Sgt Marcario Garcia Dr
Houston, TX 77011
Time: 9am to 11:30am
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Witness Series 2024 experiences are made possible through the Community Artists’ Collective with generous funding from the Jacob & Terese Foundation. This year’s events are done in collaboration with Bayou City Waterkeeper, Blaffer Art Museum, Chinese Community Center- Houston, Community Artists’ Collective, East End Management District, Grackle and Grackle Literary Services Harris County Precinct One, Houston Audubon, Houston Botanic Garden, Houston Climate Justice Museum, Houston Health Department, Houston Parks & Recreation Department Houston Public Library (HPL), Journey HTX, Latino Outdoors Houston, Lualo Studio LLC, National Wildlife Refuge System, and Nature Heritage Society- Houston.
Questions about the Witness Series? Please contact Kristi Rangel, Community Artists’ Collective Artist In Residence, at