Unusual art in Houston - the Beer Can House

The Beer Can HouseImage Source: Wikimedia Commons

For the most unusual house in Texas and a fine example of folk art, you must check out the Beer Can House. The Beer Can House has become an icon in Houston. It is located at 222 Malone Street in Houston. As its name implies, the house is covered with everything that has to do with beer - beer cans, bottle caps, bottles, and other beer-can-related knick-knacks.

Here is some information on what you will see when you visit the Beer Can House.

Background

The Beer Can House was created by John Milkovisch in 1968. He was considered to be a "jolly, beer-drinking Houstonian". Milkovisch converted his three bedroom bungalow into the Beer Can House. It is reported that he hated being wasteful so he saved beer cans for 17 years and those beer cans became a part of the landscape of the house.

John considered his work an enjoyable pastime rather than a work of art, but he did enjoy people's reaction to his creations. -orangeshow.org

Milkovisch converted his house by adding aluminum beer can siding. The whole house was covered under flattened beer cans for both decorative and practical purposes. According to Ripley's Believe it or Not, over 50,000 cans have been used.

The Beer Can House is now managed by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art.

A shimmering oddity on a quiet residential street near Memorial Park, this marvel of folk art may strike some as merely a wacky recycling project. - travelandleisure.com

The Beer Can House is a monument of sorts, to American ingenuity, individuality, and imagination. - travelandleisure.com

Visiting the Beer Can House

If you are in Houston, you can just drive to the house or walk down the street. There are tours available for a low fee of $5 but you will see all you need to see just by seeing the exterior of the house. If you are willing to pay the $5 for the interior of the house, you will also get more background information on the history of the house. Children under 12 get to tour for free. Group tours and field trips are also available. Funds from the tour of the house go to the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art which is a non-profit organization.

Visitors who stop by the house are struck by the artistry it took to create the house. Words such as "quirky" and "cool" aptly describe this neat little house.

Please note that the house is located in a residential area but you can certainly walk outside and take pictures. If you want to take the tour, you can purchase tickets on the Orange Show website.

The Beer Can House is a must-see if you are in the Houston area.

Source: Orange Show, Travel and Leisure

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