The Fart Car made its return at the 38th Annual Houston Art Car Parade and wowed the community with this quirky, fun, and educational rolling celebration of colon health and creativity.
This amazing car also made its appearance at the Art Car Sneak Peek at Discovery Green, the Legendary Art Car Ball, and the Line Up Party at the parade! Combining creative expression with science education, the Fart Car prompted life-saving conversations around gut and colon health.
Making the Fart Car
This year The Health Museum collaborated with two amazing local artists: Laura De Leon and Michele Matamoros to bring the Fart Car to life. With over 150 STEAM-based volunteer hours dedicated to the making process, the crew developed knowledge on 3-dimensional art (with recycled materials), colon anatomy, and the system that sustains human health.
Did You Poop Today?
“Did you poop today” was the conversation starter, and turned many heads to the Fart Car. Guests at the parade couldn’t get enough of the fart noises and bubbles coming out of the car! The Fart Car became a gateway to intrigue people into healthy fart, healthy poop, and their digestive health.
In the Creative Zone, the poop slime making activity was a big hit once again, and created a fun, educational experience. The Health Museum interacted with the community in a fun way to talk about colon health and have meaningful health discussions.
“I’ve never seen poop slime before, this is so genius! Y’all made it such a fun learning experience. Thank you.”
HEB Kids Creative Zone Guest
| Sponsor Level | Sponsors |
|---|---|
| Grand Poo-Bah | Donor Who Doesn’t Give a Crap |
| Old Farts | John Arcidiacono Lynn & Jimmy Kleinman The Rhoads Family |
| Little Squirts | The Boehm Family Adam Gutfranski Laine & Andrew The Michaels Family The Verhulst Family The Zetino Family |
Laura De Leon
Adjunct Faculty, UH Fine Arts
Laura De Leon is a Mexican American artist and MFA graduate from the University of Houston with an emphasis on sculpture. Within the realm of contemporary art, an emphasis on the everyday lives of women and their roles within familial settings resonates with an ongoing dialogue around the fluidity of identity, gender, and domesticity. Using craft, found objects, and human interaction, she explores cultural, political, and personal histories. De Leon has exhibited and performed at venues including The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, The Orange Show, Blaffer Museum, and Lawndale Art Center. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Houston, where she teaches the fundamentals of sculpture.
Michele Matamoros
Display Designer & Visual Production Artist
Michele Matamoros is an interior and production artist destined to inspire creativity in others through set design, sculptures, and visual arts. Michele was selected as one of six Latinx artists for the “Dream with Alebrijes Festival” with MFAH and ALMAAHH in 2023, where she met De Leon. Michele created a “Maripache” inspired by the raccoon, renowned for its cleverness, playfulness, and resourcefulness; the bumblebee, a messenger bringing the secrets of life and service; and the butterfly, symbolizing transformation and renewal. She believes in reducing the waste we create and repurposing materials for new works of art.