In its first year, the Moody Center for the Arts’ Summer Jam drew about 800 visitors. This July, that number reached roughly 2,500 in a single Saturday.
Now in its sixth year, the free community day returned July 18, welcoming Houston neighbors and art lovers to the Rice University campus for the Moody’s exhibitions, an indoor farmers market, local food vendors and a full day of activities for children and adults.
In the spirit of community, Summer Jam is built on authentic partnerships. For the past five years, the event has been co-organized with Informal Grub — the team behind the Rice Village and Heights Mercantile Farmers Market — and this year, the Japan-America Society of Houston led an origami workshop, and the Rice Recreation Center led family-friendly movement exercises. That blend of on- and off-campus collaboration is central to how the Moody builds this event and many others, contributing to its mission of connecting the university with the city around it.
“The Moody’s expertise is in finding ways for everyone to connect through the arts. More than a means to describe the building, the Moody is the ideological ‘center’ where art can intersect with any community, any interest, any area of study,” said Joel Thompson, the Moody’s deputy director and divisional lead. “And at Summer Jam, that convergence is made of multigenerational families, neighbors, local artisans and fellow nonprofits. It is so energizing, and you can feel it. And it speaks to our deep need to connect and the power of Rice’s campus to make those moments possible.”
Running through it all was the summer exhibition “Masako Miki: Shapeshifters, Sprites and Spirits,” which shaped everything from the origami workshop to writing prompts on a “Doodle Wall” to the roster of Japanese-influenced vendors selected for the day. But in addition to showcasing the art, the Moody hopes Summer Jam invites attendees to explore the entire Rice campus.
“In that way, it’s not just about welcoming people to see the arts,” said Thompson. “It’s about welcoming people to Rice University and making this campus accessible.”
Visitors to campus can still see the Masako Miki exhibition, the Moody’s Tent Series and the Moody Project Wall through Aug. 15. Campus guests who want to take advantage of all the open art events supported by Rice can also check out arts.rice.edu. There, they can find programs hosted by the art, art history and architecture departments, the Shepherd School of Music and more.