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This piece of art is a laser show where artist, Dean Roosegaarde, has used lights to pin point space junk in the sky. I think this a great example of art for change because it brings awareness to a problem most people don’t even realize is there.

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“The Parting of the Plastic Sea” is an art installation made from 168,000 used plastic straws. The piece was created to send a message about how bad straws are for the environment and force people to see just how many we use. I love the use of art to inspire change in this case because by using straws to create such a big installation, the message simply cannot be ignored.

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The Last Straw - ft. Steve Connell and The #Strawpocalypse

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Young artists have painted the famous trams of Gothenburg, Sweden using the colors of the rainbow. The project is called “Proud Trams” and has become a reminder that everyone is welcome in Gothenburg. I think this is a great example of art for positive change because young artists were able to utilize the symbol of the city, using art, to show that diversity is something to celebrate.

Proud Trams Video

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The Houston Pride Wall is an example of a step towards positive change because it encourages LGBTQ+ individuals to be proud of their identity.

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Spectrum South - The Voice of the Queer South

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Shortly after the Orlando Pulse shooting, a symbol of Pride and resiliency appeared in Houston-the Pride Wall HTX . The rainbow-striped wall spanned the exterior of the Select Skate Shop in the Montrose District and quickly became a favorite backdrop for LGBTQ and allied Houstonians. U nfortunately, graffiti began to pile up, and soon the wall began to look less like a symbol of Pride, and more like a free-for-all canvas. As a result, the owners of Select made the decision to paint over the wall, opting for a matte black coat of paint with an overlay of letters that read "Select."

Refusing to let Houston's Pride fade, local LGBTQ activist Eric Edward Schell, founder of the Pride Portraits campaign, decided to take things into his own hands. Schell reached out to Jenni Tranweaver , a personal friend and the owner and operator of Jenni's Noodle House , who immediately offered the exterior of her restaurant's Heights location for a new Pride Wall. " She's an ally who talks about being an ally, but she puts those words into actions constantly," Schell says of Transweaver's support for the LGBTQ community.

The pair recruited local artist and longstanding member of the LGBTQ community to help bring the new Pride Wall mural to life. Perez is not only a board member of Pride Portraits, but is the artist responsible for creating the campaign's iconic backdrop. On the side, Perez also works as a social media coordinator for Harris County Public Health in HIV prevention.

While Perez's artistic works are traditionally figurative, focusing on faces, he will step outside of this style to create the new Pride Wall , which will feature Rothko-inspired color blocks and shading. "I like the idea of having a permanent place where there can be a mural that reminds people that it's okay to be different, it's okay to be gay ," Perez shares. " I also like that it's an extension of [Pride Portraits]. The mural is not in Montrose, it's in The Heights. I think that's great. I love the idea of branching out and working outside of my comfort zone."

As an extension of Pride Portraits, the mural will include the organization's hashtag and , whic h S chell and Perez hope will bring more attention to the campaign's mission of visibility and advocacy , especially for the trans community. Unlike the former Pride Wall, the Jenni's Noodle House mural will feature elements from both the rainbow flag and the Transgender Pride flag.

Schell's motive behind the mural is simple: Give people a place to be visible and take a selfie. "The Pride Portraits mission is about visibility, representation, and advocacy," he says. "To step up to be photographed [in the Pride Portraits studio] is difficult. Being visible in our community isn't always easy-or allowed-for some people. S ome people still want LGBTQ people dead. For a trans woman of color to come out is a . This gives the opportunity for someone to go and take a selfie on their phone and be visible."

At 36' by 15', the new wall is shaping up to be one of the largest Pride Wall murals that also features trans affirmation in the S outh , and is certainly the largest of its kind in Texas.

A grand unveiling of the new Pride Wall will be held on Thursday, April 5, at the Jenni's Noodle House Heights, located at 602 E. 20th St. Jim Obergefell , the named plaintiff in the historic Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court case that legalized nationwide marriage equality, will be in attendance to speak on the importance of LGBTQ visibility.

After the mural debuts, Perez says he will continue to develop his figurative work, focusing on a new series of works related to the human condition in relation to technology dependence and the effects of environmental neglect. When asked about his future plans to combine activism and art, Perez doesn't hesitate: " The next step is the [City of Houston's] Office of Cultural Affairs."

Barrett White (he/him/his) is a queer journalist, professional content writer, and blogger. Barrett is a Montrose resident and studied in the University of Houston's creative writing program. He is a charter member of the Houston Montrose Lions Club, the first LGBTQ Lions Club in Texas. He previously served as the Political Communications Director with the Houston GLBT Political Caucus and as an event chair with Pride Houston. Barrett is also a coffee aficionado; huge fan of St. Vincent, Perfume Genius, Cuco, and Years & Years; a furious reader of ZZ Packer, bell hooks, and Toni Morrison; and a loving dog dad to Wolfgang. See more of his work via Instagram and his blog.

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New Pride Wall Mural Encourages LGBTQ Houstonians to #BeVisible

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Shortly after the Orlando Pulse shooting, a symbol of Pride and resiliency appeared in Houston-the Pride Wall HTX . The rainbow-striped wall spanned the exterior of the Select Skate Shop in the Montrose District and quickly became a favorite backdrop for LGBTQ and allied Houstonians.

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This is an organization the my robotics mentor's wife works with to create quilts that will go to veterans. I think this act of kindness is a great combination of art and positive change because it provides comfort, love and healing for veterans.

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Gail Belmont is the founder and Executive Director of Quilts of Honor. She is a native Californian, born in Dos Palos. After graduation from High School, she entered the Women's Army Corp Band playing trumpet. As a member of that Band, Gail played Taps for fallen warriors. Since that time, Gail has played a prominent role in the support of her fellow Veterans and Warriors. She currently holds the position of District Director at the Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial, as well as continuing her service playing Taps at the services of fallen warriors. Since founding Quilts of Honor in 2010, over 700 quilts have been awarded to veterans and warriors all over the country.

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Gail Belmont is the founder and Executive Director of Quilts of Honor. She is a native Californian, born in Dos Palos. After graduation from High School, she entered the Women's Army Corp Band playing trumpet. As a member of that Band, Gail played Taps for fallen warriors.

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The AIDS quilt was created to memorialize the people who had passed away during the AIDS crisis. I think it's a beautiful way to preserve LGBTQ+ history and remind everyone of the value of people regardless of their sexual orientation.